초록 ▼

A bearing detection system for an electrical generator (10) includes auxiliary bearings (29) for supporting a rotating shaft (39) upon failure of main bearings (62). The auxiliary bearings (29) are mounted on the shaft and have a slight gap (64) between their outside diameters and bearing liners 33.

A bearing detection system for an electrical generator (10) includes auxiliary bearings (29) for supporting a rotating shaft (39) upon failure of main bearings (62). The auxiliary bearings (29) are mounted on the shaft and have a slight gap (64) between their outside diameters and bearing liners 33. The gap corresponds to the main bearing permissible wear. During normal functioning of the main bearing, the auxiliary bearing frame (34) rotates with the shaft and a magnet (35) with a small clearance between its face and auxiliary bearing outer ring (32) forces the synchronized rotation of inner (37) and outer (32) races. The auxiliary bearing outer ring or race (32) has a coaxial groove (31) on its outer diameter and a detection sensor (30), mounted on the bearing liner, gives a signal per rotation of the shaft to a control circuit (40). The control circuit (40) determines the rotational status of the auxiliary bearings outer ring (32) by counting the number of impulses generated by the circuit (40) when the groove crosses the sensor's magnetic fields. The circuit (40) detects the moment when any auxiliary bearing comes in contact with the bearing liner and results in no impulses being generated. The outer ring (32) stops rotating as the main bearing wear depth reaches the predetermined limit. In this case, the circuit (40) triggers the failure signal (71) to indicate that the main bearings need replacement.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A process of determining when a main bearing has failed in a machine having a stator and a rotor, the rotor journalled for rotation by main bearings and having at least one normallly inoperative auxiliary bearing having an inner race fixed to the rotor and an outer race w

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A process of determining when a main bearing has failed in a machine having a stator and a rotor, the rotor journalled for rotation by main bearings and having at least one normallly inoperative auxiliary bearing having an inner race fixed to the rotor and an outer race which rotates with the inner race when inoperative, the auxiliary bearing becoming operable and participating in journalling the rotor upon sufficient wear or failure of one of the main bearings, comprising the steps of:sensing the periodic rotation of a peripheral indicia on said outer race during machine operation and the proper functioning of said main bearings and generating a signal thereof;comparing said signal with a predetermined threshold, said threshold corresponding to a level of rotation of said outer race when said auxiliary bearing is journalling said rotor; andproviding an alarm indication of a main bearing failure when said signal falls below said predetermined threshold.