Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Matthew D Roman

Adam Willwerth

Jeffrey W Richardson

Jason Richardson

Richard Francis Nye

Systems and methods to mitigate electrical voltage on a rotating shaft in an oil rich environment exposed to a viscous fluid or immersed in oil are disclosed. An example grounding brush assembly includes a plurality of conductive filaments configured to extend through the viscous medium surrounding the rotating shaft to be in electrical contact with the rotating shaft when the brush assembly is disposed proximate the shaft.

Systems and methods to mitigate electrical voltage on a rotating shaft immersed in oil

Provided is disclosure for an example providing protection from electrical discharges for a rolling bearing assembly, where the rolling bearing assembly comprises an inner ring with an inner ring raceway, an outer ring with an outer ring raceway, rolling elements configured to roll or rotate between the inner ring raceway and the outer ring raceway, and at least one electrically conductive part with a first end and a second end, where the first end is configured to electrically contact the inner ring and the second end is configured to electrically contact the outer ring.

Methods and apparatus for a rolling bearing assembly with electrical discharge damage protection

A bearing assembly comprises an inner ring comprising an inner ring raceway, an outer ring comprising an outer ring raceway, rolling elements configured to roll or rotate between the inner ring raceway and the outer ring raceway, at least one electrically conductive part with a first end and a second end, and a seal coupled to the at least one electrically conductive part. The seal is configured to directly contact only one of the inner ring or the outer ring. The first end is configured to electrically contact one of the inner ring and the outer ring and the second end is configured to electrically contact the other of the inner ring and the outer ring.

Method and apparatus for a rolling bearing assembly with electrical discharge damage protection

A system, in certain embodiments, includes a current control brush assembly including a first electrically conductive arcuate housing section retaining a first set of electrically conductive filaments. The first set of electrically conductive filaments extends generally inward along a radial direction. The current control brush assembly also includes a second electrically conductive arcuate housing section retaining a second set of electrically conductive filaments. The second set of electrically conductive filaments extends generally inward along the radial direction. Furthermore, the current control brush assembly includes a hinge configured to facilitate rotation of the second electrically conductive arcuate housing section relative to the first electrically conductive arcuate housing section about an axis substantially perpendicular to a first axial surface of the first electrically conductive arcuate housing section.

Current control brush assembly

A system, in certain embodiments, includes a current control brush assembly including an axial button having a first electrically conductive housing retaining a first set of electrically conductive filaments. The first set of electrically conductive filaments extends generally inward along an axial direction. The current control brush assembly also includes a radial shaft grounding ring (SGR) coupled to the axial button. The radial SGR includes a second electrically conductive housing retaining a second set of electrically conductive filaments. The second set of electrically conductive filaments is arranged circumferentially around the second electrically conductive housing, and the second set of electrically conductive filaments extends generally inward along a radial direction.

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Rockport, ME, United States of America

Matthew D Roman