The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 13, 2001
Filed:
Feb. 16, 2001
Robert M. Williams, Sr., Ladue, MO (US);
Other;
Abstract
A method and apparatus for determining bearing failure in a grinding mill drive shaft. The drive shaft is comprised of an upper shaft section and removable shaft section operatively connected to a gearbox drive shaft section. A grinding assembly is attached to the upper shaft section. The upper shaft section is supported by a support bearing. The respective drive shaft sections are joined together by couplings. A gap of a predetermined distance is left between the upper shaft section and the removable shaft section within the coupling. The gap between the upper and removable shaft sections periodically is measured. A decrease in the gap indicates support bearing wear. In bearing failure, the upper shaft section rests on the removable shaft section and the couplings hold the shaft together with the couplings and the gearbox drive shaft section supporting the weight.