Bearing assembly with contamination sensor
US10378585B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 25, 2017 |
| Grant date | Aug 13, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 25, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16C2233/00
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An assembly providing a bearing, a lubricant and a contamination sensor for determining a level of contamination in the lubricant. The sensor includes an EM wave generator for generating an EM signal, and an EM sensing element arranged in contact with the lubricant. The EM sensing element receives the generated EM signal and transmits an output signal whose properties are responsive to real and imaginary parts of a complex relative permittivity of the lubricant. The output signal is received by an EM measuring device that measures first and second parameters of the output signal, which are respectively representative of the real and imaginary parts of the complex relative permittivity. The EM measuring device determines a level of water contamination in the lubricant, based on the measured first parameter alone and determines a level of metal particle contamination in the grease, based on the measured first and second parameters.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.