Patent ID: 11933364
Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
Field: Mechanical elements (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC F | IPC F

Claim 0:
1. A sensorized rolling element for a bearing, the bearing having inner and outer races and a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the inner and outer races, the sensorized rolling element comprising;
a rolling element body having an interior surface defining a cavity, the body being disposable between the inner race and the outer race;
a wireless transmitter disposed within the cavity of the rolling element body; and
a piezoelectric device disposed within the cavity so as to contact the inner surface of the rolling element body, the piezoelectric device including a body formed of piezoelectric material and at least two electrodes electrically coupling the piezoelectric body with the wireless transmitter, the piezoelectric device being configured to generate electrical charge for powering the transmitter when the rolling element body deflects under loading applied by at least one of the inner race and the outer race and configured to sense loading on the rolling element body, the piezoelectric material body being formed as a tube having an inner surface defining a housing chamber for containing the transmitter or as an elongated body having opposing axial ends each in contact with the interior surface of the rolling element.