US4118933A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bearing load indicator
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1977-06-07
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Granted: 1978-10-10
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Expires: 1997-06-07
Abstract
Abstract Pairs of strain gauges are symmetrically disposed on a bearing support structure and feed signals to indicating and/or recording devices to indicate bearing load conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 William H. Coleman
- 👤 Francis S. Maszk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 09:01
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01L; G01L5/00; G01L5/0009; G01L5/0019; F; F16; F16C; F16C35/00; F16C35/02; G01M; G01M13/00; G01M13/04; F16C17/00; F16C17/12; F16C17/24; F16C2233/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A bearing load indicator for determining the load on a bearing utilizing the strain on a predetermined portion of a bearing support yoke, said bearing load indicator comprising a plurality of strain gauges disposed on one side of the bearing support yoke, a plurality of strain gauges disposed on the other side of the bearing support yoke, the plurality of strain gauges on one side of the bearing being generally disposed in a plane transverse to the rotational axis of said bearing and generally coplanar with the plurality of strain gauges on the other side of the bearing, and means for comparing the change in resistance of said strain gauges and for producing a signal indicative of the reactive load on the bearing and eliminating the effect of frictional torque on the bearing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A bearing load indicator for determining the load on a bearing utilizing the strain on a predetermined portion of a bearing support yoke, said bearing load indicator comprising a plurality of strain gauges disposed on one side of the bearing support yoke, a plurality of strain gauges disposed on the other side of the bearing support yoke, the plurality of strain gauges on one side of the bearing being generally disposed in a plane transverse to the rotational axis of said bearing and generally coplanar with the plurality of strain gauges on the other side of the bearing, and means for comparing the change in resistance of said strain gauges and for producing a signal indicative of the reactive load on the bearing and eliminating the effect of frictional torque on the bearing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The bearing load indicator as set forth in claim 1, wherein the strain gauges are mounted in pairs and in each pair one strain gauge does not respond to the strain, but serves as a temperature compensator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The bearing indicator as set forth in claim 1, wherein the plurality of strain gauges on one side of the bearing comprises two pair of strain gauges symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of the rotational axis of the bearing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
113 words
A bearing load indicator for determining the load on a bearing utilizing the strain on a predetermined portion of a bearing support yoke, said bearing load indicator comprising a plurality of strain gauges disposed on one side of the bearing support yoke, a plurality of strain gauges disposed on the other side of the bearing support yoke, the plurality of strain gauges on one side of the bearing being disposed in an axial direction with the plurality of strain gauges on the other side of the bearing, and means for comparing the change in resistance of said strain gauges and for producing a signal indicative of the misalignment moment imposed on the bearing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
113 words
A bearing load indicator for determining the load on a bearing utilizing the strain on a predetermined portion of a bearing support yoke, said bearing load indicator comprising a plurality of strain gauges disposed on one side of the bearing support yoke, a plurality of strain gauges disposed on the other side of the bearing support yoke, the plurality of strain gauges on one side of the bearing being disposed in an axial direction with the plurality of strain gauges on the other side of the bearing, and means for comparing the change in resistance of said strain gauges and for producing a signal indicative of the misalignment moment imposed on the bearing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The bearing load indicator as set forth in claim 4, wherein the strain gauges are mounted in pairs and in each pair one strain gauge does not respond to the strain, but serves as a temperature compensator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The bearing indicator as set forth in claim 4, wherein the plurality of strain gauges on one side of the bearing comprises two pair of strain gauges symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of the rotational axis of the bearing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-10-09 | 1982-04-10 | 1982-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-10-09 | 1986-04-10 | 1986-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-10-09 | 1990-04-10 | 1990-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |