US3853087A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bearing failure indicator
Assignee: Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Co
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Filing: 1973-06-29
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Granted: 1974-12-10
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Expires: 1993-06-29
Abstract
Abstract A magnet is positioned adjacent a shaft of magnetizable material and supported for movement in the direction the shaft moves when the bearings supporting the shaft fail. The magnet is urged in the direction that the shaft would move by the magnetic attraction between the magnet and the shaft. It is held against such movement by a spring alone or by a spring in combination with a mechanical stop. When the bearings fail, the shaft will move away from the magnet decreasing the force of the magnetic attraction between the magnet and the shaft and the spring will be able to overcome this decreased force and move the magnet away from the shaft. A switch is actuated by such movement to indicate that the bearing has failed.
Inventors
- 👤 D Aldag
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 22:38
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04D; F04D15/00; F04D15/02; F04D15/0245; F04D15/0272; F16; F16C; F16C17/00; F16C17/12; F16C17/24; F16P; F16P7/00; F16C2233/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A bearing failure indicator for shafts comprising first and second bodies of magnetizable material at least one of which is magnetized, means attaching the first body to the shaft, means supporting the second body for movement relative to the first boDy due to the force imposed thereon by the magnetic field, means exerting a resilient force on the second body opposing the force of the magnetic field and holding the second body in a first position relative to the first body when the first body is in the position it occupies when the shaft is properly supported by its bearings and to move the second body to a second position relative to the first body when the first body moves due to the failure of the bearings supporting it and the shaft and means responsive to the movement of the second body to indicate the failure of the shaft support bearings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A bearing failure indicator for shafts comprising first and second bodies of magnetizable material at least one of which is magnetized, means attaching the first body to the shaft, means supporting the second body for movement relative to the first boDy due to the force imposed thereon by the magnetic field, means exerting a resilient force on the second body opposing the force of the magnetic field and holding the second body in a first position relative to the first body when the first body is in the position it occupies when the shaft is properly supported by its bearings and to move the second body to a second position relative to the first body when the first body moves due to the failure of the bearings supporting it and the shaft and means responsive to the movement of the second body to indicate the failure of the shaft support bearings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The bearing failure indicator of claim 1 in which the first body is a portion of the shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
The bearing failure indicator of claim 1 in which the first body comprises an annular member having a surface in a plane transverse the longitudinal axis of the shaft and the second body is a magnet that is attracted to the first body and held by said resilient means adjacent said transverse surface when the second body is in its first position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The bearing failure indicator of claim 3 further provided with stop means to combine with the resilient means to hold the second body in its first position to allow the first body to move a predetermined distance from the second before the resilient means can move the second body to said second position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
119 words
A bearing failure indicator for shafts of magnetizable material comprising a magnet, means mounting the magnet adjacent the shaft to be urged by the force of the magnetic attraction between the magnet and the shaft in the direction the shaft will move when the bearing supporting the shaft fails, means resisting the force of the magnetic attraction to hold the magnet in a preselected position relative to the shaft when the shaft is properly supported by its bearings, means for moving the magnet away from said position when the shaft moves thereby reducing the force of the magnetic attraction between the magnet and the shaft, and means responsive to said movement of the magnet to indicate such bearing failure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
119 words
A bearing failure indicator for shafts of magnetizable material comprising a magnet, means mounting the magnet adjacent the shaft to be urged by the force of the magnetic attraction between the magnet and the shaft in the direction the shaft will move when the bearing supporting the shaft fails, means resisting the force of the magnetic attraction to hold the magnet in a preselected position relative to the shaft when the shaft is properly supported by its bearings, means for moving the magnet away from said position when the shaft moves thereby reducing the force of the magnetic attraction between the magnet and the shaft, and means responsive to said movement of the magnet to indicate such bearing failure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The bearing failure indicator of claim 5 in which the means for holding and for moving the magnet comprises spring means that exerts a resilient force on said magnet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The bearing failure indicator of claim 6 in which the spring means includes means for adjusting the resilient force exerted on the magnet by the spring means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The bearing failure indicator of claim 5 in which the means for holding the magnet in said position comprises stop means and in which said magnet moving means comprises a spring.
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) | 1977-12-09 | 1978-06-10 | 1978-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-09 | 1982-06-10 | 1982-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-09 | 1986-06-10 | 1986-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |