Method and arrangement for monitoring bearings rolling along a guide rail, especially bearings of a tenter chain of a tentering machine

US6609831B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Lindauer DORNIER Gesellschaft mbH · DE

Inventors

• Kai Urbanzyk · Weißensberg, DE
• Andreas Rutz · Gettorf, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 23, 2002
• Grant date: Aug 26, 2003
• Expiry date: Jan 23, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16C2233/00
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method and apparatus continuously monitor the functional condition of the successive bearings of the tenter clips or claws of a tenter chain as the bearings roll along a contact surface of the endless guide rail of a tentering machine. A sensing arrangement is integrated into the guide rail in the area of the contact surface thereof. The sensing arrangement senses a physical value indicative of the presence and condition of the respective bearing passing by the sensing arrangement. The sensing arrangement may include a pressurized air outlet and an adjacent pressure measuring channel connected to a pressure sensor to sense the back pressure created by a passing bearing. The sensing arrangement may alternatively include an electromagnetic eddy current sensor, or an optoelectronic light beam sensor.