Aktiebolaget Skf

Frank Bartl

Andreas Clemens Van Der Ham

Joseph Erskine

Sebastian Ziegler

Gerard McGoogan

Gerard Mcgoogan

A measurement system comprises a measurement unit, a transmitter, an autarkic power unit and a control unit. The measurement unit measures a quantity repeatedly and the transmitter connects the measurement system to a network and transmits data to the network based on the measurements of the measurement unit. Further, the autarkic power unit supplies electrical energy to the measurement unit, the transmitter and the control unit. Additionally, the control unit controls the measurement of the quantity and the transmission of data dynamically based on a currently available amount of energy provided by the power unit. Further, the control unit stops measurements by the measurement unit and keeps the transmitter connected to the network, if the currently available amount of energy is below a predefined energy limit indicating that the currently available amount of energy is too low for taking measurements and for keeping connected to the network.

Measurement system and method for measuring a quantity

A power generating bearing assembly comprising a power generating subassembly integrated into a bearing. The power generating subassembly utilizes the relative motion between a bearing inner ring and a bearing outer ring of the bearing to generate electrical power. A sealing system is attached to one of the bearings. The power generating subassembly includes an electrical generator in operational engagement with a magnetically polarized material. The electrical generator is attached to the non-sealing carrying bearing. The magnetically polarized material is integrated into a supported member, which is a unitary section of the seal that extends axially from an end surface of the bearing rings. The relative motion between the rings engages the electrical generator and the magnetically polarized material causing a generator core of the electrical generator to create an electrical current.

Bearing power generating configuration

A power generating bearing assembly () comprises a bearing subassembly () retained by a bearing housing (). During operation, friction and other factors increase a temperature of the bearing assembly (). The housing () includes a bearing cooling passage system comprising a coolant supply port (), a liquid cooling passage (), and a coolant return port (). The liquid cooling passage () is routed proximate the bearing subassembly () to remove heat therefrom. A thermo-generator cavity () is formed into the housing () between the coolant supply port () and the coolant return port (). A Thermo-Electric Generator (TEG) () is inserted into the cavity (), orienting a cold carrier side () towards the supply port () and a hot carrier side () towards the return port (). The Thermo-Electric Generator (TEG) () utilizes a temperature difference between the supply port () and the return port () to generated electric power. The power can be used to operate electrically powered devices, such as condition sensors (), communication devices, and the like.

Thermo-electric power harvesting bearing configuration

A power generating bearing assembly () comprises a bearing subassembly () retained by a bearing housing (). During operation, friction and other factors increase a temperature of the bearing assembly (). The housing () can optionally include a bearing cooling passage system comprising at least one liquid cooling passage () formed internally therein. The liquid cooling passage () would be routed proximate the bearing subassembly () to remove heat therefrom. A thermal energy transfer media () is inserted into a thermal transfer conduit (), wherein the thermal transfer conduit () passes across a heated section of the housing (). The transfer media () conveys the thermal energy to a Thermo-Electric Generator (TEG) () located in a thermoelectric generator housing () attached to the bearing housing (). The Thermo-Electric Generator (TEG) () utilizes a temperature difference between the transfer media () and the ambient air to generated electric power. The power can be used to operate electrically powered devices, such as condition sensors (), communication devices, and the like.

A power generating bearing assembly () comprises a bearing subassembly () retained by a bearing housing (). During operation, friction and other factors increase a temperature of the bearing assembly (). The housing () can optionally include a bearing cooling passage system comprising at least one liquid cooling passage () formed internally therein. The liquid cooling passage () would be routed proximate the bearing subassembly () to remove heat therefrom. A thermo-generator cavity () extends inward from an exterior surface of the housing (), terminating at a cavity end wall (). The cavity () is formed at a location identified having a higher temperature. A Thermo-Electric Generator (TEG) () is inserted within the cavity () and thermally coupled to the end wall (). The Thermo-Electric Generator (TEG) () utilizes a temperature difference between the end wall () and the ambient air to generated electric power. The power can be used to operate electrically powered devices, such as condition sensors (), communication devices, and the like.

A power generating bearing assembly providing a bearing retained by a bearing housing. The bearing housing includes a bearing cooling passage system having at least one integrated liquid cooling passage integrated within the bearing housing. A turbine receiving bore is formed through the bearing housing, penetrating the integrated liquid cooling segment. A turbine assembly is inserted into the turbine receiving bore, positioning a turbine blade subassembly of the turbine assembly within the integrated liquid cooling passage, wherein fluid flowing within the integrated liquid cooling passage causes the blade subassembly to rotate. The rotation of the blade subassembly rotates an electric power generator to create electric power. The turbine assembly can include an electro-magnetic subassembly mounting plate, wherein the turbine subassembly is located on an interior surface of the mounting plate and at least a portion of the power generating portion located on an exterior portion of the mounting plate.

Power harvesting bearing configuration

A power generating bearing assembly () comprising a bearing () retained by a bearing housing (). The bearing housing () includes a bearing cooling passage system comprising at least one integrated liquid cooling passage () is integrated within the bearing housing (). A turbine receiving bore () is formed through the bearing housing (), penetrating the integrated liquid cooling segment (). A turbine assembly () is inserted into the turbine receiving bore (), positioning a turbine blade subassembly () of the turbine assembly () within the integrated liquid cooling passage (), wherein fluid flowing within the integrated liquid cooling passage () causes the blade subassembly () to rotate. The rotation of the blade subassembly () rotates an electric power generator (collectively) to create electric power. The turbine assembly () can include an electro-magnetic subassembly mounting plate (), wherein the turbine subassembly () is located on an interior surface of the mounting plate () and at least a portion of the power generating portion location on an exterior portion of the mounting plate ().

A power generating bearing assembly comprising a bearing retained by a bearing housing is provided. The bearing housing includes a bearing cooling passage system comprising at least one integrated liquid cooling passage is integrated within the bearing housing. A turbine assembly is inserted within the integrated liquid cooling passage, wherein fluid flowing within the integrated liquid cooling passage causes a turbine blade subassembly within the turbine assembly to rotate. The rotation of the turbine blade subassembly rotates an electrical power generator to create electrical power. The turbine assembly can be integrated into any existing bearing assembly comprising a bearing cooling passage system. It is preferred to seat the turbine assembly within a cooling system port of the bearing cooling passage system.

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Grenzach-Wyhlen, Germany

Frank Bartl