Patent ID: 6100809
Filing Date: 2000-08-08
Classification: F16C

Abstract:
A process of determining when a main bearing has failed in a machine having a stator and a rotor, the rotor journalled for rotation by main bearings and having at least one normallly inoperative auxiliary bearing having an inner race fixed to the rotor and an outer race which rotates with the inner race when inoperative, the auxiliary bearing becoming operable and participating in journalling the rotor upon sufficient wear or failure of one of the main bearings, comprising the steps of:sensing the periodic rotation of a peripheral indicia on said outer race during machine operation and the proper functioning of said main bearings and generating a signal thereof;comparing said signal with a predetermined threshold, said threshold corresponding to a level of rotation of said outer race when said auxiliary bearing is journalling said rotor; andproviding an alarm indication of a main bearing failure when said signal falls below said predetermined threshold.