Patent Description:
The present invention relates to a half plain bearing which is produced in a form of a half shell so as to form a cylindrical shape when two units of the half plain bearings are combined.

Conventionally, when half plain beatings produced in the form of a half shell so that a combination of two units will form a cylindrical shape are mounted in a housing, they may not match their ends with each other at parting lines, or if crush height of the half plain bearings is too large, the plain bearings may be deformed near the parting lines of the ends, and swell inward in the radial direction so as to cause local interference with the shaft. The crush reliefs may be provided to correct the local deformations or misalignment which occur at the parting lines of the half plain bearings, and their depth, length, etc. are determined on the basis of housing rigidity, accuracy, and operating conditions.

Peripheral length is one of most critical features of the half shell bearings. Assembly of a half shell bearing is based on radial pressure between a bearing housing and the shell. Bearing peripheral length on free conditions is greater than circular length of the bearing housing, and the radial pressure is created by pressing two half shells to the bearing housing so that the peripheral length difference is pressed away.

The difference of bearing peripheral length between assembled conditions and free conditions is called bearing nip or crush height. Nip is always defined under a test pressure on the housing.

Traditionally the bearing peripheral length is measured by a nip checking machine or tool. This requires a special equipment or tool to be used that is cumbersome in size and requires a bearing specific checking block. Such approach is not always possible in field circumstances. <CIT> and <CIT> describe devices for measuring the crush height of a plain bearing shell in unloaded state. <CIT> describes an apparatus for measuring deformations a bearing shell elastically deformed under controlled loads using two optical triangulation sensors,.

Thus, a solution is needed to enable accurate, easy-to-use, and reliable measurement of plain bearing crush height.

According to a first example aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for determining crush height of a plain bearing shell, comprising:.

In an embodiment, the plain bearing data comprises at least one of the following: a circumferential length of the plain bearing shell; a free spread of the plain bearing shell; and a plain bearing shell form.

In an embodiment, the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:.

In an embodiment, the material information is configured to be used to determine coefficient of thermal expansion for at least one of the plain bearing shell and the housing.

In an embodiment, the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:
maintain environmental data comprising current measurement temperature and plain bearing shell operating temperature.

In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a communication interface for transceiving information, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:.

In an embodiment, the sensor device comprises a storage element operable to output a sequence of reset and measurement values; and a configurable sampler coupled to the storage element to sample the sequence of reset and measurement values within an exposure interval, the exposure interval encompassing a plurality of measurement intervals, the sampler supporting sample modes, including: a first sample mode operable to produce a first output derived from one of the reset values and an adjacent measurement value, the first sample mode operating in a first of the measurement intervals; a second sample mode operable to produce a second output derived from one of the measurement values and an adjacent reset value, the second sample mode operating in a second of the measurement intervals; and a transition mode operable to switch between the first and second sample modes responsive to at least one of the first and second outputs, the transition between the first and second sample modes occurring within the exposure interval.

In an embodiment, the apparatus is configured to:.

The apparatus may further be configured to select used operational mode based on at least one of the following: ambient light information provided by an ambient light sensor, used wavelength(s) for illumination, and reference data maintained for the measured plain bearing shell.

In an embodiment, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:.

According to a second example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program embodied on a computer readable medium comprising computer executable program code, which code, when executed by at least one processor of an apparatus, causes the apparatus to:.

According to a third example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer implemented method for determining crush height of a plain bearing shell, comprising:.

An example embodiment of the present invention and its potential advantages are understood by referring to <FIG> of the drawings. In this document, like reference signs denote like parts or steps.

<FIG> shows a schematic picture of a system <NUM> according to an example embodiment of the invention.

The system comprises a client device <NUM> that may comprise a multimedia device, a mobile phone, an Internet tablet or a laptop computer, for example. The client device <NUM> is capable of downloading and locally executing software program code. The software program code may be a proprietary client application <NUM> of a service whose server application <NUM> is running on the server apparatus <NUM> of the system <NUM>. The client device <NUM> may comprise a metadata element <NUM> for creating data usable as metadata relating to control input of the proprietary application <NUM>, such as optical plain bearing crush height measurement application, dynamic crush height parameter adjustment application, housing reference data measurement application, bearing shell measurement application, or application using the crush height as input data.

The metadata element <NUM> may comprise at least one of the following: a microphone, a sensor device, an optical detection device, a temperature sensor, and a positioning device for determining the current location of the apparatus <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the client device <NUM> is configured to be connectable to a wireless communication network <NUM> over a wireless connection <NUM>. The wireless connection <NUM> may comprise a mobile cellular network or a wireless local area network (WLAN), for example. The wireless communication network <NUM> may be connected to a public data communication network <NUM>, for example to the Internet, over a data connection <NUM>. The proprietary application <NUM> may be operable also in offline mode and there is no need to have online connection over the network to the server <NUM>, <NUM> all the time. In offline mode, the client device <NUM> may store application related data to cache memory and update the data to the server <NUM>, <NUM> once getting the online access or at least one of the subject user, the proprietary application or the server application triggers or requests to synchronize or upload data, for example.

The system <NUM> comprises a sensor device <NUM> configured to be capable of capturing crush height measurement related data. The sensor device <NUM> may comprise storage <NUM> for the crush height measurement related data. The storage <NUM> may comprise a flash memory card, for example. The sensor device <NUM> is configured to be connectable to the client device <NUM> over a data connection <NUM>. The data connection <NUM> may be a wired connection or a wireless connection. The wired connection may comprise Universal Serial Bus (USB), High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) or local area network (LAN), for example. The wireless connection may comprise Bluetooth™, Radio Frequency Identification (RF-ID) or wireless local area network (WLAN), for example.

The sensor device <NUM> is configured to send captured data over the data connection <NUM> to the client device <NUM>. Such transmittal may be initiated by a user of the sensor device <NUM>, by a user of the client device <NUM>, or automatically based on settings. Such settings may comprise for example time of the day, amount of newly captured crush height measurement related data or existence of the data connection <NUM> for the sensor device <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the proprietary application <NUM> may comprise a plurality of client applications. A first client application may comprise a crush height measurement application according to embodiments disclosed. A second client application may comprise a dynamic crush height parameter adjustment application.

The system <NUM> comprises a server apparatus <NUM>, which comprises a storage device <NUM> for storing bore or plain bearing shell detection related information, such as dynamic glint pattern data, settings, user profile information, environmental information of the apparatus <NUM>, <NUM>, event logs and metadata received over a data connection <NUM>, user profile information of users, credentials, history information of users, client software application data and server software application data, for example.

In an embodiment, the system <NUM> may further comprise other user apparatuses <NUM>, connected to the network <NUM> over connection <NUM>, wherein tasks relating to the service system may be processed. The user apparatus <NUM> may comprise a peer apparatus for augmented reality (AR) related application with the user apparatus <NUM>, for example.

Different apparatuses <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may provide crush height measurement related information to be maintained in the service system <NUM>. The information may be maintained as a collaborative record <NUM> within the server apparatus <NUM>, <NUM>. The collaborative record <NUM> may comprise any crush height measurement related information provided by different users, the service system or sensors, for example.

Furthermore, the coordinator of an apparatus <NUM> may administer settings, crush height measurement information and user data. The system service <NUM>, <NUM> and its server application <NUM> may receive user or crush height measurement related data generated by the proprietary application <NUM> of the client device <NUM> as input and process the received data.

In an embodiment, a server apparatus <NUM> maintains the service system data, such as crush height measurement related records. Each record may be identified using a unique identifier. Furthermore, an identifier for a subject user, a bearing shell, a housing, an engine apparatus, a marine vessel or a power plant may be used to identify each item, respectively. The subject user identifier may comprise, for example a unique number, iris detection information, string or an e-mail address, for example. In general, the identifier must be unique.

Information relating to crush height measurement related data may be transmitted to the server <NUM> from a plurality of apparatuses <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> over the network <NUM>. Eventually, the received service data is maintained, by an operator, at the server <NUM> comprising storage device <NUM>, wherein the data being available for users or apparatuses having access to that particular record. Furthermore, metadata associated with the service data may also be stored in the server <NUM> or storage device <NUM>, such as material information, temperature information, crush height related information, location information, time information, or a device identifier, for example.

In an embodiment, crush height measurement related data may be transferred to a server apparatus <NUM> over different paths. A first path may comprise sending data captured by a proprietary application (e.g. a crush height measurement client application) of a client device <NUM> over a wireless communication network <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and public data communication network <NUM>, <NUM> to the server apparatus <NUM>. A second path may comprise sending data captured by a default application of a client device <NUM> over a wireless communication network <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and public data communication network <NUM>, <NUM> to the server apparatus <NUM>. A third path may comprise sending data captured by a sensor device <NUM> (such as apparatus attached sensor or imaging device) to the client device <NUM> over connection <NUM> and therefrom over a wireless communication network <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and public data communication network <NUM>, <NUM> to the server apparatus <NUM>. A fourth path may comprise sending data captured by the device <NUM> to a computer apparatus <NUM> and therefrom over a data connection <NUM> and the public data communication network <NUM>, <NUM> to the server apparatus <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the proprietary application in the client device <NUM> may be a client application of a service whose server application is running on the server apparatus <NUM> of the system <NUM>. The proprietary application may capture the data for the first path. Also, metadata for the captured multimedia may be retrieved by the proprietary application from the metadata elements <NUM> of the client device <NUM>. For the second path, the data captured by the default application may be imported to the proprietary application before transmitting to the server apparatus <NUM>. The proprietary application may check the data and extract and apply metadata for the data. For the third path, the data may be captured by the external device <NUM> and transmitted to the proprietary application of the client device <NUM> for sending to the server apparatus <NUM>. The proprietary application may check the data and extract and apply metadata for the multimedia data. A user may provide additional metadata using the client device <NUM>. For the fourth path, the data may be captured by the external device <NUM> and transmitted to a communication application of a computer apparatus <NUM>.

In an embodiment, a proprietary or client application <NUM> in the user apparatus <NUM> (e.g. administrator apparatus) may be a peer or an administrator application of a service whose server application is running on the server apparatus <NUM> of the system <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the sensor device <NUM> may comprise an engine apparatus connected device communicating with the apparatus <NUM> over a local connection <NUM>. The local connection <NUM> may comprise, for example, at least one of the Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RF-ID), near field communication (NFC) or other wireless non-cellular connection. The wireless non-cellular connection may comprise industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) radio bands that are radio bands (portions of the radio spectrum) reserved internationally for the use of radio frequency (RF) energy for industrial, scientific and medical purposes, for example. The local connection <NUM> may also comprise non-RF connection, such as Light Fidelity (Li-Fi), for example. Alternatively, the sensor device <NUM> may be comprised by the apparatus <NUM>, as illustrated by an integrated apparatus <NUM>-<NUM>.

In an embodiment, the sensor device <NUM> may be paired with the client device <NUM>. Pairing may be based on device identifiers of the devices <NUM>, <NUM> and pairing information may be maintained within the subject user profile associated with the subject.

Furthermore, the sensor device <NUM> may be connected to the network <NUM> over a data connection <NUM> corresponding to connection <NUM>, for example.

In an embodiment, a communication interface module of the device <NUM> may comprise location modules for tracking location of the portable apparatus <NUM>. Such location modules may comprise a module for providing a connection to satellite based global positioning system (e.g. GPS, not shown), a module for cellular based positioning system, a module for wireless non-cellular positioning system (e.g. Wi-Fi) or a module for hybrid positioning system, for example.

In an embodiment, the client device <NUM> may be connected over a wireless or wired connection to a wide area network <NUM>, such as Internet. Router apparatuses (not shown) may be used for providing the access to a wide area network <NUM>. The access may comprise cellular or non-cellular connection.

In an embodiment, a proprietary application <NUM>, such as a crush height measurement application, in the device <NUM> may be a client application of a service whose server application is running on the server apparatus <NUM> of the system <NUM>. The proprietary application <NUM> may capture the input data for the service and provide the output data from the service.

In an embodiment, at least parts of the apparatus <NUM> and/or the device <NUM> may be implemented as a chipset that comprises required communication interface, memory, program code and processor to perform the control algorithms for the dynamic crush height measurement.

The server <NUM> may also provide a cloud service for the portable device <NUM> data. Optionally, further apparatuses may be added, such as peripheral devices for maintaining, providing or processing the portable device <NUM> data and communication devices for connecting the peripheral devices to the system <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the system <NUM> may further comprise an external database <NUM>. The external database <NUM> may be accessible to the network <NUM> over connection <NUM>. The database <NUM> may have corresponding structure as the server apparatus <NUM>, <NUM>, for example.

In an embodiment, the apparatus <NUM>, <NUM> is exchangably attached as testing apparatus to a second apparatus, the second apparatus being an engine apparatus, for example a marine vessel engine or a power plant engine.

In an embodiment, the apparatus <NUM> may receive settings, from a cloud server <NUM>, comprising at least one of the following: environmental data; environmental reference data, plain bearing reference data; plain bearing data; housing data; and housing reference data. Corresponding data at the apparatus may then be adjusted based on the settings.

Furthermore, the determined crush height of the plain bearing shell may be transmitted to a cloud server apparatus.

The apparatus <NUM>, <NUM> is configured to determine crush height of a plain bearing shell <NUM>, wherein the apparatus <NUM>, <NUM> is configured to capture a first image of the plain bearing shell <NUM> in a first mode, wherein no external compression stress in a circumference direction of the plain bearing shell <NUM> is formed and to generate plain bearing data based on the first captured image. Housing reference data is maintained comprising at least diameter information of a bore for receiving the plain bearing shell <NUM>, and crush height of the plain bearing shell <NUM> is determined based on the plain bearing data and the housing reference data.

Furthermore, the apparatus <NUM>, <NUM> is configured to capture a second image of another plain bearing shell <NUM> in a first mode, wherein no external compression stress in a circumference direction of the second plain bearing shell <NUM> is formed and to generate plain bearing data based on the second captured image. Housing reference data is maintained comprising at least diameter information of a bore for receiving the plain bearing shell <NUM>, and crush height of the second plain bearing shell is determined based on the plain bearing data and the housing reference data.

As a result, the plain bearing data comprises data for a plurality of optically measured plain bearing shells <NUM>. The housing reference data comprises data for at least one bore for receiving the plain bearing shell <NUM>.

The plain bearing data comprises at least one of the following: a circumferential length of the bearing shell; a free spread of the bearing shell; a bearing shell form; and a thickness of the plain bearing shell.

A client software application <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> running at apparatus <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured to first determine housing reference data for the housing and associated bore the bearing shell <NUM> is allocated for. Second, the client software application may receive bore characteristics based on the housing reference data. Third, the client software application determines crush height of the first plain bearing shell <NUM> based on the plain bearing data associated with the first plain bearing shell <NUM> and the housing reference data. Fourth, the client software application determines crush height of the second plain bearing shell based on the plain bearing data associated with the second plain bearing shell. Fifth, the client software application selects the second plain bearing shell to be paired with the first plain bearing shell based on the plain bearing data associated with the first and the second plain bearing shells and the housing reference data. Thus, optimal pairing of the plain bearing shells <NUM> may be determined automatically. For example, if the first plain bearing shell <NUM> is slightly too long in view of circumferential length of the bearing, the second plain bearing shell may be selected as slightly shorter in view of circumferential length of the bearing. The resulting combination of the plain bearing shells <NUM> is still in acceptable in view of required crush height for the bore and bearing assembly.

The apparatus <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured to determine a plurality of parameters based on optical measurement, such as: a circumferential length of the bearing; a free spread of the bearing; a bearing shell form; and a thickness of the bearing. Each parameter may be determined a weight value and a range for the determined parameters where the plain bearing shell is acceptable as a single plain bearing shell <NUM> and as combination with another plain bearing shell to provide weighted parameters. The pairing of the plain bearing shells <NUM> for certain assembly and bore may be optimized then by selecting the optimal plain bearing shells based on the weighted parameters, for example.

<FIG> shows a schematic drawing of an arrangement for determining crush height of a plain bearing shell of an example embodiment.

An apparatus <NUM> is configured for determining crush height of a plain bearing shell <NUM>, comprising a light source <NUM> for forming illuminating light to the plain bearing shell <NUM> and a sensor device <NUM> configured to capture an image.

In an embodiment, a measurement background element <NUM> may be used. The measurement background element <NUM> may be configured to comprise measurement patterns for improving the image capturing by the sensor <NUM> and especially improving accuracy of the plain bearing related data generated based on the image, such as dimensions of the plain bearing shell <NUM>.

A first image of the plain bearing shell <NUM> may be captured in a first mode, wherein no external compression stress in a circumference direction of the plain bearing shell <NUM> is formed, as shown in <FIG>, and plain bearing data may be generated based on the first captured image. Outside circumferential length of the plain bearing shell may be determined based on the first captured image; and the plain bearing data may be determined to comprise the outside circumferential length of the plain bearing shell.

Housing (not shown in <FIG>) reference data comprising at least diameter information of a bore for receiving the plain bearing shell <NUM> is maintained within the system, and crush height of the plain bearing shell <NUM> may be determined based on the plain bearing data and the housing reference data.

In an embodiment, the sensor device <NUM> may generate sensor data that may be configured to identify the material of the plain bearing shell <NUM>. Such identification may be based on reflected wavelengths from the plain bearing shell <NUM> by using different wavelengths <NUM> of at least one light source <NUM> used. Material information may be used for crush height determination. Sensor data and/or material information may also be associated with or comprised by the plain bearing data. Material information of the plain bearing shell may be determined based on the captured first image and the plain bearing reference data; and coefficient of thermal expansion for the plain bearing shell may be determined based on the material information.

In an embodiment, plain bearing reference data comprising material information of at least one plain bearing shell may be maintained within the system <NUM>. Furthermore, housing reference data comprising material information of at least one housing with the bore for receiving the plain bearing shell may be maintained within the system. The material information is configured to determine coefficient of thermal expansion for at least one of the plain bearing shell and the housing. Determination may be done by the client apparatus <NUM> or at the cloud server apparatus <NUM>, for example.

In an embodiment, environmental data, such as temperature information may be measured by at least one sensor device (not shown in <FIG> but see e.g. sensor device <NUM> of <FIG>) either installed to the apparatus <NUM>, <NUM> or measured by a portable sensor device operated by a service user, for example. The environmental data comprising current measurement temperature and plain bearing shell operating temperature may be maintained within the system.

In an embodiment, a second image of the plain bearing shell <NUM> may be captured in a second mode, wherein the plain bearing shell <NUM> is fitted to the bore of the housing (not shown in <FIG> but see <FIG>) and external compression stress in a circumference direction of the plain bearing shell <NUM> is formed. The housing reference data may be generated based on the second image. Material information of the housing may be determined based on the captured second image and the housing reference data, and coefficient of thermal expansion determined for the housing based on the material information.

Light source(s) <NUM> and the sensor device <NUM> may be arranged in same housing of the apparatus <NUM> as integrated apparatus or arranged separately but operationally connected with each other.

In an embodiment, freeform optical elements <NUM> may be configured to guide and form the illuminating light from the light source <NUM> to the plain bearing shell <NUM> and back to the sensor device <NUM> with a sensor <NUM>, wherein the illuminating light may be configured to be dynamically adjustable to generate a dynamic light setting.

In an embodiment, dynamic adjusting of the illuminating light may be performed using spectral power distribution of the light source <NUM>. Intensity of the light source <NUM> can be manipulated and spectral power distribution can be changed by electric current/voltage levels that are obtained for a plain bearing shell profile based on settings. The settings may be determined in a setup phase based on plain bearing shell scanning or environmental light profile detection, for example. The spectral power distribution of the light source <NUM> may be controlled based on current/voltage/modulation (PWM). Alternative constant control modes may comprise, for example, constant voltage (CV), and constant current (CC).

In embodiment, PWM mode may be used for improving light adjustment or sensor device operation. For example, power of the light source may be increased but shorter signals being made so that the total exposure is still within acceptable limits. PWM may also be applied to decrease energy consumption.

In an embodiment, characteristic data of the dynamic light pattern provided by the light source <NUM> (e.g. intensity, spectral power distribution, pattern formation) may be adjusted based on the settings. The settings may comprise at least one of the following: environmental information of the apparatus, plain bearing shell profile, housing profile, and user profile information.

The user profile information may comprise, for example, sensor optical properties and transmitter's optimized power distribution data. The user profile information may also comprise spectral properties of the imaging sensor after adaptation for detecting the light in specific range (infrared or the range above the visible range of the user, for example).

In an embodiment, the light source <NUM> may comprise several spectral bands that can be turned ON or OFF with different intensities and combinations. Such combination is generated by an algorithm based on input data (sensor characteristics data such as spectral optical properties, and detected distance of the measured element from the imaging sensor, for example. Detected distance can be used for adjusting pattern (its distribution), light intensity, or focusing camera, for example. Thus, an adjustable (dynamic) light pattern may be obtained.

In an embodiment, the dynamic spectral power distribution may be adjusted so that the light source (one or several transmitters) is capable to provide several spectral bands that may be used for crush length determination to produce optimized spectral distribution to enhance performance.

Optimized spectral power distribution is generated by selecting an optimal number of spectral bands at optimal intensity. Adjustable illumination together with free form optical elements enables generating of dynamic optimized light patterns.

The freeform optics <NUM> is configured to guide and form illumination of the plain bearing shell <NUM>. Even a formed shape of light glint pattern <NUM> may be generated on the plain bearing shell <NUM> and possible background <NUM>. Such glint pattern <NUM> can be adjusted and assist in detecting physical dimensions of the plain bearing shell <NUM>. One source of illumination <NUM> may be used and the light can be shaped and divided using the optical elements <NUM>. Thus, the radiation reaching the sensor device <NUM> and sensor <NUM> is easily controlled and kept within standard limits. The unique optimized glint pattern <NUM> simplifies and enhances the tracking algorithm and make the solution more robust and consume less energy. Intensity, spectral power distribution and position of a glint pattern <NUM> may be dynamically adjusted by a control algorithm based on settings, even automatically without user interaction. Coordinates can be extracted and the relationship between the dimensions of the plain bearing shell <NUM>, the apparatus <NUM> (with possible optics <NUM>) and the glint pattern(s) <NUM> can be determined for determining plain bearing shell <NUM> related data. Among other methods, edge detection techniques can be applied to segment the detected image into different required components for analysis. Different edge detecting steps with wide range of parameters can be effectively used for detecting the glint coordinates and plain bearing shell parameters, such as shell dimensions. Furthermore, an adaptive lighting of the light source <NUM> may be provided to create optimal spectral illumination and power for illumination. The adaptivity takes into account surrounding light conditions and properties of the sensor device <NUM>. The illumination by the light source <NUM> can be adapted to each plain bearing shell <NUM> and/or sensor device <NUM> in order to provide the best final performance. Settings are stored and can be loaded anytime. The illumination may also be optimized with sensitivity of an imaging sensor <NUM>. The illumination may also be optimized with sensitivity of the sensor after adaptation. That is different since it includes information about the cut-off filter, for example.

In an embodiment, a carrier device <NUM> may be configured to automatically transport plain bearing shell <NUM> for optical measurement by the apparatus <NUM>. The carrier device <NUM> may further be configured to tilt the measured bearing shell <NUM> about different axis, for example. Alternatively, the apparatus <NUM> (and possible optical elements <NUM>) is movably arranged in view of the bearing shell <NUM> so that optical measurement can be carried out from various angles.

The illustrated apparatus <NUM> fits also well for portable, even wearable non-tethered devices (e.g. helmet of installation/service engineer operating on-site), where energy consumption is important and surrounding incident light conditions are changing.

In an embodiment, a wearable apparatus <NUM> may be used to capture image on-site of a bore of the housing where the plain bearing shell is about to be installed later on. Based on the captured image, fingerprint data of the housing and the bore may be determined in analogous way as described for the plain bearing shell measuring. The fingerprint data may be comprised by the housing reference data and used as an input for determining crush height for the plain bearing shell as well as selecting the optimal pairing for second plain bearing shell. The bore may be measured, and the fingerprint data updated periodically to improve optimal selection of the plain bearing shell and crush height of the shell. The captured image may correspond otherwise to the second image that is captured with the plain bearing shell placed to the bore, as discussed in relating to <FIG>, but the captured image may be taken without the plain bearing shell in place.

In an embodiment, the light source <NUM> may comprise a plurality of light transmitters, at least one of them being configured to emit light in different spectral bands <NUM> (as illustrated by different wavelengths λ<NUM> - λn), and spectral power distribution of at least one transmitter may be adjusted based on the settings. At least one of the light transmitters may be configured to emit light with wavelength between <NUM>-<NUM>.

Intensity of each transmitter can be configured separately.

A light transmitter may comprise, for example, a light emitting diode (LED), a laser, or a laser diode.

Emitted light of the light transmitter may be selected so that the emitted light is not visible for an observer eye. In theory visible range is somewhere between <NUM>-<NUM> however there might be lights of <NUM> that people cannot see and can be also used.

In an embodiment, a custom RGB camera may be used for detection that is modified to also detect near-infrared (NIR) light with visible (VIS) cut off filter coupled.

The apparatus <NUM> comprises a sensor device with a sensor <NUM>, having a storage element operable to output a sequence of reset and measurement values; and a configurable sampler coupled to the storage element to sample the sequence of reset and measurement values within an exposure interval, the exposure interval encompassing a plurality of measurement intervals, the sampler supporting sample modes, including: a first sample mode operable to produce a first output derived from one of the reset values and an adjacent measurement value, the first sample mode operating in a first of the measurement intervals; a second sample mode operable to produce a second output derived from one of the measurement values and an adjacent reset value, the second sample mode operating in a second of the measurement intervals; and a transition mode operable to switch between the first and second sample modes responsive to at least one of the first and second outputs, the transition between the first and second sample modes occurring within the exposure interval.

The sensor device <NUM> supports different operational modes that give different trade-offs between noise performance and dynamic range. In the first mode, correlated double sampling (CDS), amplifier (not shown) resets photodetector <NUM> after each measurement interval. A pixel's intensity is measured with reference to that pixel's reset value, which provides a degree of noise immunity. In the second mode, non-correlated double sampling (NCDS), photodetector <NUM> allows charge to accumulate on photodiode of the sensor <NUM> over multiple measurement intervals during an exposure. As in CDS, a pixel's intensity is measured with reference to that pixel's reset value. NCDS pixel measurements are subject to different noise than the corresponding reset values, however, making NCDS measurements more sensitive to reset noise. The third mode, direct sampling (DS), is relatively simple but generally affords the least noise immunity of the three modes. In direct sampling, pixel intensity is measured with respect to a reference that is not derived from the pixel. Direct sampling can be accomplished for each measurement interval within an exposure interval or can be used when integrating charge over multiple measurement intervals.

In an embodiment, the apparatus <NUM> is configured to determine used operational mode based on at least one of the following: ambient light information provided by an ambient light sensor <NUM>, used wavelength(s) <NUM>, and reference data maintained for the measured plain bearing shell <NUM>.

Each mode has characteristics and advantages depending on a given lighting condition. Pixel sensor <NUM> advantageously allows the host processor to transition among operational modes during or between exposure intervals, and thereby adapt to lighting conditions. Mode selection can be pixel specific or can be common to one or more groups of pixels in an array.

<FIG> shows a schematic drawing of a determining crush height of a plain bearing shell of an example embodiment, from a different angle compared to <FIG>.

In an embodiment, a measurement background element <NUM> may be used. The measurement background element <NUM> may be configured to comprise measurement patterns for improving the image capturing of the sensor device <NUM> and especially the plain bearing related data generated based on the image, such as dimensions of the plain bearing shell <NUM>.

In an embodiment, freeform optics may be used to adjust the light to create a light pattern, e.g. a glint pattern, on the element <NUM>, <NUM>. Light may be controlled by an algorithm, e.g. via a current driver that then controls the light transmitter(s) to generate light with different SPD (spectral power distribution) unique for each element, sensor or their combination.

A number of light transmitters <NUM> or position of freeform fibres create pattern itself, thus in some cases the pattern can be shaped by the fibres/transmitters, however then the pattern is not necessarily dynamic. However, even such a static pattern may be adjusted by arranging an additional lens that is configured to focus the pattern on the target element <NUM>, <NUM>.

The apparatus may comprise freeform optical elements within light path between the sensor device and the light source and comprise at least one of the following: an optical lens and optical fibers.

An apparatus <NUM> is shown for determining crush height information based on optical measurement. The apparatus <NUM> illustrates the effective feature that enables an easy attachment to manufacturing site of the bearing, installation site of the bearing, service site of an engine or even as portable or user-wearable apparatus attached to a helmet or AR/VR glasses, for example. Light emitted by a light source <NUM> is directed to the measured bearing <NUM> and reflected back to the sensor device <NUM>, such as a camera for example. Background element's reference information may be used by the algorithm to define relevant dimension data related to the bearing <NUM>.

In an embodiment, input data for calibration of the crush height detection apparatus <NUM> and the control algorithm may be processed. A light source <NUM> may be calibrated in order to obtain input data for the algorithm that controls the light source <NUM> to get optimized spectral power distribution when operating the detection apparatus <NUM>. For example, a unique calibration of the apparatus <NUM> may comprise scanning the reference background element <NUM> through all spectral bands included into the light source <NUM> (λ1, λ2,. Scanning may comprise steps to turn ON λ1 and take image by the imaging sensor device <NUM>, then move to λ2 and again acquire image. This may be repeated for all spectral bands. An image is captured for each spectral band (images may be captured very fast without any user being noticed of any spectral band changes). Thus, it is provided a spectral device solution inside the apparatus <NUM>. Such approach delivers spectral and spatial signatures that can result in so called spectral cube, typically used in multispectral imaging. Captured set of images is dependent of the light source bands (λ1, λ2,. λn) and imaging sensor device's and sensor's spectral properties. Therefore, spectral properties for both the imaging sensor device <NUM> and the light transmitter <NUM> spectral bands may be utilized if available before starting the calibration. However, this approach will work also without preliminary knowledge of the imaging sensor device <NUM> or without exact data related to the spectral bands emitted from the transmitters <NUM>.

Next, the algorithm may detect e.g., borderlines, contours or other features of the detected bearing element <NUM> and/or the background element <NUM> and furthermore the contrast between selected features may be compared. Knowing the physical distances between the apparatus <NUM>, the background element <NUM> and the bearing element <NUM>, the algorithm may determine dimensions for the bearing element <NUM>. Contrast is used here, however other properties of the image like brightness, dynamic range, high dynamic range, etc. can be also compared. The image quality index or several indexes are set as default by the calibration software or by a user.

In next step of the algorithm, depending on features of the interest, the best spectral bands may be determined. At least one image is determined to result with better contrast between the bearing element <NUM> and the background element <NUM> to compare with other images. It may be that a plurality of images is selected based on contrast comparison.

Next, the algorithm may determine contrast between the selected (best) images and defines the contrast index. Contrast index is then converted to the intensity of the spectral band in the transmitter. Conversion between contrast values and spectral band intensity can be linear or nonlinear, wherein also optimization methods could be involved.

The indexing step and step of taking reference images for each spectral band could be repeated within the algorithm in case the algorithm cannot detect some features (features can be set automatically or manually), for example. Furthermore, after conversion step, additional process steps may be included e.g., comparison of the image contrast resulting from the combination of spectral bands in conversion against each image captured for a single band. In case determined results are not satisfactory enough to compare with reference images, the calibration steps may be repeated, or the best single band may be used.

As a result, if all steps of the calibration algorithm are performed correctly, the image obtained while the bearing element <NUM> being illuminated based on calibration data has an improved contrast between dedicated pair of features for e.g. the bearing element <NUM> and the background element <NUM>.

Such calibration data provides input data for control algorithm steps that generate information about intensity level of each spectral band to be used (e.g., λ1-><NUM>%, λ2-><NUM>%, λ3-><NUM>%, λ4-><NUM>%). Data can be determined for each bearing type or size, stored and reused. Such data can be also obtained for specific group of bearings with different optical properties etc. and provided through the cloud service <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>.

Using the calibration procedure, it is possible to obtain optical properties of the bearing element <NUM> to get characteristic information of which spectral bands should be turned ON/OFF and at what intensity level when operating the crush height detection. It is possible to adjust and continuously update settings based on the calibration. It is possible to maintain reference data for different bearing types of different materials so that each bearing type and material may be identified automatically after the calibration and/or learning phase.

An optimized spectral power distribution (SPD) for each bearing optical property may be determined from the previous research results so a new bearing may just provide selection information for the type of the bearing and optimized spectral power distribution (SPD) data is loaded for the detection apparatus <NUM>.

Spectral power distribution (SPD) can also be made manually adjustable by the user to be easily controlled and to give the best results.

In an embodiment, in relation to the calibration algorithm steps discussed above, the illumination of the element <NUM>, <NUM> may contain e.g. <NUM>-spectral bands (e.g. between <NUM>-<NUM>). The wavelength peak and the spectral distribution for each emitted band is beforehand defined/measured. The peaks may be, for example, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. A set of images is captured in the same way as explained above.

Each spectral band λ1- λ5 (order of spectral band to be ON does not matter) is turned ON and the images are captured for each spectral band λ1- λ5. Since the intensity and the peak wavelength of each spectral band are known, the spectral properties of the imaged object can be determined. This procedure generates information within the algorithm about amount of the reflected light from the object in the field of view of the imaging sensor device. Information of the sensitivity of the sensor device is also relevant to obtain correct results.

A further algorithm step generates calculated distances of reflectance information (e.g. between sensor device <NUM> (and sensor <NUM>) and the bearing element <NUM> with different spectral bands, and between sensor device <NUM> and the background element <NUM> with different spectral bands) that provide the algorithm input information about optical properties of at least one selected feature (features can be detected automatically or manually by operating user). In case of the bearing element <NUM> in view of the reference background element <NUM>, spectral properties of the selected points are analysed and based on the spectral properties of two or more features are calculated, the algorithm generates information about the properties on selected features for the spectral bands λ1- λ5.

For example, distance corresponding to the reflectivity of the light for spectral band (λ1- λ5) may be correlated with the intensity of the spectral band that should be used. However, there are many other methods in order to differentiate two or more spectral features that can be used.

After generating the intensity list for spectral bands λ1- λ5, the optimized illumination may be used for crush height detection.

The produced illumination can be validated against previously obtained set of images for each λ1- λ5 spectral band. In case contrast between features (or between contrast/image qualities of the total image) is not improved one of the λ1- λ5 spectral bands providing the best results may be selected.

In an embodiment, a multi-wavelength illumination using at least one dynamic light source comprising at least one light transmitter may be used. The multi-wavelength illumination may be used for both acquiring spectral properties of the target element and then to use the acquired data as an input for the control algorithm that results in optimized illumination for contrast/image enhancement.

No matter contrast is used here, other properties of the image like brightness, dynamic range, high dynamic range, etc., may also be included into the algorithm and can be optimized accordingly to the settings.

In an embodiment, in relation to the calibration algorithm steps discussed above, reference data for calibration may be provided.

In an embodiment, for the calibration phase, the user may be requested to use standard reference caps or plates for suppressing the image imperfections and to specify the intensity and the light distribution all over the field of view of the sensor device <NUM>. The plate may be arranged, for example, in front of the detection apparatus <NUM> or the sensor device <NUM>, depending on the implementation. The plates may comprise, for example, black plate and white plate that may be exchangeably arranged as standard reference for camera/image calibration.

In an embodiment, instead of a plate, the background element <NUM> may be formed appropriately with pre-defined colour areas so that the camera is capable of detecting them as a reference.

Standard reference plate(s) could be used for reference data measurements before the steps disclosed above for the calibration algorithm phase.

In an embodiment, the carrier device <NUM> may also be configured to measure weight of the bearing shell <NUM> when automatically transporting the plain bearing shell <NUM> for optical measurement by the apparatus <NUM>. The weight information may be used and associated to the plain bearing data.

<FIG> shows a block diagram of an apparatus, such as a client device <NUM> of an example embodiment. In an embodiment, a sensor device/sensor <NUM> may be implemented as a separate device <NUM> communicating via the communication interface <NUM> with the client device <NUM>, or as an integrated sensor device/sensor <NUM> within the device <NUM>. The user interface <NUM> may be implemented also in another device connected via a communication interface <NUM> to the device <NUM>. Such device may comprise a mobile phone, a smart phone, or a tablet, for example. In an embodiment, the device <NUM> may communicate with a plurality of sensor devices/sensors <NUM>, both internal and external sensor devices/sensors, and of a plurality of users. In an embodiment, the sensor device/sensor <NUM> may also comprise a temperature sensor or a camera for capturing multimedia data to be processed on-site or submitted to the server apparatus <NUM>, <NUM> as user data, or plain bearing detection related data, for example.

The general structure of the device <NUM> comprises a user interface <NUM>, a communication interface <NUM>, a processor <NUM>, and a memory <NUM> coupled to the processor <NUM>. The device <NUM> further comprises software <NUM> stored in the memory <NUM> and operable to be loaded into and executed in the processor <NUM>. The software <NUM> may comprise one or more software modules and can be in the form of a computer program product. Not all elements of <FIG> are necessary but optional for the portable apparatus <NUM>, such as the external sensor device <NUM> or the user interface <NUM>. Optics <NUM> may be configured to guide reflected light beams back from the detected plain bearing shell to the sensor, or for guiding the illuminating light (e.g. glint patterns) from the light source to the plain bearing shell, for example. Light source <NUM> may be included in the device <NUM> or arranged as separate device.

In an embodiment, a proprietary application <NUM> of <FIG>, such as a plain bearing crush height detection application, is a computer-implemented client software application <NUM> to record data.

The processor <NUM> may be, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a graphics processing unit, or the like. <FIG> shows one processor <NUM>, but the device <NUM> may comprise a plurality of processors.

The memory <NUM> may be for example a non-volatile or a volatile memory, such as a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a random-access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a data disk, an optical storage, a magnetic storage, a smart card, or the like. The device <NUM> may comprise a plurality of memories. The memory <NUM> may be constructed as a part of the device <NUM> or it may be inserted into a slot, port, or the like of the device <NUM> by a user. The memory <NUM> may serve the sole purpose of storing data, or it may be constructed as a part of an apparatus serving other purposes, such as processing data.

The user interface <NUM> may comprise circuitry for receiving input from a user of the device <NUM>, e.g., via a keyboard, a touchpad, a motion sensor, a touchscreen of the device <NUM>, speech recognition circuitry, gesture recognition circuitry or an accessory device, such as a headset or a remote controller, for example. Furthermore, the user interface <NUM> may comprise circuitry for providing output for the user via a display, a speaker, a touch-sensitive display or a tactile feedback device, for example.

In an embodiment, a user may speak during the plain bearing detection and the speech is automatically converted to feedback information for the system. Thus, feedback is always up-to-date and accurate.

The communication interface module <NUM> implements at least part of data transmission. The communication interface module <NUM> may comprise, e.g., a wireless or a wired interface module. The wireless interface may comprise such as a WLAN, Bluetooth, infrared (IR), radio frequency identification (RF ID), NFC, GSM/GPRS, CDMA, WCDMA, LTE (Long Term Evolution) or <NUM> radio module. As the radio technologies are evolving and new replacing systems being developed, the new developed technologies can be used for the communication interface module <NUM> in view of different embodiments disclosed. The communication interface module <NUM> may also comprise non-RF connection, such as Light Fidelity (Li-Fi). The wired interface may comprise such as universal serial bus (USB), for example. The communication interface module <NUM> may be integrated into the device <NUM>, or into an adapter, card or the like that may be inserted into a suitable slot or port of the device <NUM>. The communication interface module <NUM> may support one radio interface technology or a plurality of technologies. The communication interface module <NUM> may support one wired interface technology or a plurality of technologies. The device <NUM> may comprise a plurality of communication interface modules <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the communication interface module <NUM> may comprise location modules for tracking location of the device <NUM>. Such location modules may comprise a module for satellite based global positioning system (e.g. GPS), a module for cellular based positioning system, a module for wireless non-cellular positioning system (e.g. Wi-Fi) or a module for hybrid positioning system, for example.

In an embodiment, the communication interface <NUM> with a satellite based global positioning system (e.g. GPS) may detect altitude of the user to provide an estimate of thinness of air.

A skilled person appreciates that in addition to the elements shown in <FIG>, the device <NUM> may comprise other elements, such as microphones, speakers, sensors, cameras, as well as additional circuitry such as input/output (I/O) circuitry, memory chips, application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), processing circuitry for specific purposes such as source coding/decoding circuitry, channel coding/decoding circuitry, ciphering/deciphering circuitry, and the like. Additionally, the client device <NUM> may comprise a disposable or rechargeable battery (not shown) for powering when external power if external power supply is not available.

In an embodiment, the algorithm(s) and computer program codes controlling illumination/dynamic patterns/glint detection can be arranged within a chip/chipset that may be included to client device <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the client device <NUM> comprises speech or gesture recognition means. Using these means, a pre-defined phrase or a gesture may be recognized from the speech or the gesture and translated into control information for the device <NUM>.

Size of detection device may be reduced and no dichroic filter (or hot mirror) element is required at all. Power supply for the imaging device <NUM> can be separated for illumination and recording parts. Efficient energy consumption is enabled especially in case of head mounted devices.

<FIG> presents an example block diagram of a server apparatus <NUM> in which various embodiments of the invention may be applied. All elements described in <FIG> are not necessary to be implemented in the same apparatus <NUM>.

The general structure of the server apparatus <NUM> comprises a processor <NUM>, and a memory <NUM> coupled to the processor <NUM>. The server apparatus <NUM> further comprises software <NUM> stored in the memory <NUM> and operable to be loaded into and executed in the processor <NUM>. The software <NUM> may comprise one or more software modules and can be in the form of a computer program product. The software <NUM> may comprise a server application <NUM> of <FIG>.

The processor <NUM> may be, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a graphics processing unit, or the like. <FIG> shows one processor <NUM>, but the server apparatus <NUM> may comprise a plurality of processors.

The memory <NUM> may be for example a non-volatile or a volatile memory, such as a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a random-access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a data disk, an optical storage, a magnetic storage, a smart card, or the like. The server apparatus <NUM> may comprise a plurality of memories. The memory <NUM> may be constructed as a part of the server apparatus <NUM> or it may be inserted into a slot, port, or the like of the server apparatus <NUM> by a user. The memory <NUM> may serve the sole purpose of storing data, or it may be constructed as a part of an apparatus serving other purposes, such as processing data.

The communication interface module <NUM> implements at least part of data transmission. The communication interface module <NUM> may comprise, e.g., a wireless or a wired interface module. The wireless interface may comprise such as a WLAN, Bluetooth, infrared (IR), radio frequency identification (RF ID), GSM/GPRS, CDMA, WCDMA, LTE (Long Term Evolution) or <NUM> radio module, for example. As the radio technologies are evolving and new replacing systems being developed, the new developed technologies can be used for the communication interface module <NUM> in view of different embodiments disclosed. The communication interface module <NUM> may also comprise non-RF connection, such as Light Fidelity (Li-Fi). The wired interface may comprise such as Ethernet or universal serial bus (USB), for example. The communication interface module <NUM> may be integrated into the server apparatus <NUM>, or into an adapter, card or the like that may be inserted into a suitable slot or port of the server apparatus <NUM>. The communication interface module <NUM> may support one radio interface technology or a plurality of technologies. Configuration information between the client device <NUM> and the system server <NUM> may be transceived using the communication interface <NUM>. Similarly, account creation information between the system server <NUM> and a service provider may be transceived using the communication interface <NUM>.

An application server <NUM> provides application services e.g. relating to the user accounts stored in a user database <NUM> and to the service information stored in a service database <NUM>. Different application services may be provided to different users. The application server <NUM> may comprise a server application <NUM> of <FIG>.

A skilled person appreciates that in addition to the elements shown in <FIG>, the server apparatus <NUM> may comprise other elements, such as microphones, displays, as well as additional circuitry such as input/output (I/O) circuitry, memory chips, application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), processing circuitry for specific purposes such as source coding/decoding circuitry, channel coding/decoding circuitry, ciphering/deciphering circuitry, and the like.

<FIG> shows a block diagram of a sensor device <NUM> of an example embodiment.

The sensor device <NUM> is configured to determine element dimension related information based on light beams from light source or a glint pattern generated by the light source. The sensor/imaging device <NUM> may comprise a first battery <NUM> configured to power the imaging device <NUM> but the device <NUM> may also be powered externally via a cable, for example. The imaging device <NUM> further comprises a light source <NUM> for forming illuminating light to the detected element, such as the plain bearing shell, and freeform optical elements <NUM> configured to guide and form the illuminating light from the light source <NUM> to the capturing device <NUM>, wherein the illuminating light may even be configured to be dynamically adjustable to generate a dynamic glint pattern on the detected region. The light glint pattern may be configured to be dynamic and adjustable using the light source and the freeform optics.

The imaging device <NUM> further comprises at least one memory <NUM> including computer program code <NUM>, the at least one memory <NUM> and the computer program code <NUM> are configured to, with the at least one processor <NUM>, cause the device <NUM> to receive settings comprising at least one of the following: environmental information of the apparatus and user profile information (e.g. sensor optical properties), to adjust the dynamic glint pattern based on the settings, and to capture an image of the desired bearing region using the capturing device <NUM>. The captured image of the bearing region is transmitted to the apparatus <NUM> for generating plain bearing data, and further for generating the crush height information based on the detected data.

In an embodiment, the apparatus is configured to determine reflected glint pattern data from the generated plain bearing data based on the first captured image; and determine crush height of the plain bearing shell using the reflected glint pattern data and the housing reference data. Reflected glint pattern data may be determined from the generated plain bearing data based on the first captured image, plain bearing shell parameter determined using the reflected glint pattern data; and the plain bearing data generated or updated using the bearing shell parameter. The bearing shell parameter comprises at least one of the following: a circumferential length of the bearing; a free spread of the bearing; smoothness information of the bearing surface; a bearing shell form; and a thickness of the bearing shell, for example.

The imaging device <NUM> may further comprise a communication interface <NUM> for transceiving information with an apparatus <NUM> (see <FIG>), the apparatus <NUM> comprising a second battery configured to power the apparatus, and a sensor device that is configured to detect light pattern data of the bearing region based on the image of the bearing region and generate bearing data.

In an embodiment, the optical system <NUM> may comprise an imaging light guide between a detected element and a sensor device. The light guide may comprise a borescope tube. Borescope is an optical device comprising a rigid or flexible tube with an objective lens on one end linked with other end by a relay optical system in between.

The imaging device <NUM> may be integrated as part of the client device <NUM> or as separate device connected to the client device <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a flow chart of a process according to an example embodiment of the invention.

A computer implemented method starts in step <NUM>. The computer-implemented method is suitable for determining crush height of a plain bearing shell.

In step <NUM>, a first image of the plain bearing shell in a first mode is captured, wherein no external compression stress in a circumference direction of the plain bearing shell is formed. In step <NUM>, plain bearing data is generated based on the first captured image. In step <NUM>, housing reference data comprising at least diameter information of a bore for receiving the plain bearing shell is received or maintained. In step <NUM>, crush height of the plain bearing shell is determined based on the plain bearing data and the housing reference data. In step <NUM>, the method ends.

In an embodiment, environmental data comprising current measurement temperature and plain bearing shell operating temperature are maintained within the system. Target contact pressure for the plain bearing shell to press to the housing surface when in the operating temperature is then received. After that material information of the plain bearing shell is determined based on the first image, and material information of the housing is determined based on the second image. Next, operation crush height of the plain bearing shell is determined based on the material information and the environmental data, and target crush height is defined based on the operation crush height and the environmental data. Finally, the target crush height may be compared with the determined crush height, and the plain bearing shell is approved for installation for operation if the determined crush height is bigger than the target crush height.

<FIG> shows schematic drawings of crush height measurement details of example embodiments.

Peripheral length is one of most critical features on half shell bearings. Assembly of a half shell bearing is based on radial pressure between a bearing housing and the shell. Bearing peripheral length on free conditions is bigger than circular length of the bearing housing. Thus, the radial pressure is created by pressing two half shells to the bearing housing so that the peripheral length difference is pressed away.

Difference of bearing peripheral length on assembled conditions and free conditions is called bearing nip or crush height. Nip is typically defined under test pressure on housing. Traditionally the bearing peripheral length is measured by nip checking tool. This requires, however, special equipment, such as a large nip checking machine, wherein the machine requires bearing specific checking block and that makes it impossible to check the crush height on field circumstances.

However, through different embodiments disclosed, the peripheral length can be measured optically with sensor device and processing means.

A firmly tightened bearing <NUM> has uniform contact with the housing <NUM> surface, which fulfils the following functions:.

<FIG> illustrates a bearing (two bearing shells) <NUM> installed in the housing <NUM>. When the bearing <NUM> is assembled and the two parts of the housing <NUM> are tightened, a compression stress <NUM> in the circumference direction of the bearing <NUM> back is formed. The stress <NUM> causes the bearing <NUM> to press to the housing <NUM> surface at a contact pressure <NUM>. The value of the radial contact pressure <NUM> determines the ability of the bearing <NUM> to transfer the heat produced by friction.

The contact pressure <NUM> also produces a friction between the bearing <NUM> back and the housing <NUM> surface that contradicts the friction generated by the journal/shaft <NUM> rotating in the bearing <NUM>. The torque of the friction force formed between the bearing <NUM> back and the housing <NUM> prevents the bearing <NUM> from shifting in the housing <NUM>.

High performance bearings <NUM> working at heavy loads, high rotation speeds and increased temperatures should be installed with a higher contact pressure <NUM>. This provides better heat transfer and secures the bearing <NUM> more tightly in the housing <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates crush height definition of a bearing installed in the housing <NUM>.

In order to achieve a required contact pressure, the outside diameter of an engine bearing <NUM> is produced greater than the diameter of its housing <NUM> bore for receiving the bearing shell. Such installation technique is called press fit (or interference fit). The difference between the diameters is called interference.

The difference between the diameters affects the amount of elastic compression of the bearing <NUM> installed in the housing <NUM> and determines the value of the contact pressure <NUM> (see <FIG>) of the bearing <NUM>.

Since direct measurement of the bearing <NUM> circumference is a challenging task, another parameter characterizing the bearing press fit is commonly measured, that is crush height <NUM>. Crush height <NUM> is the difference between the outside circumferential length of a half bearing <NUM> (one half shell) and half of the housing circumference (bore) measured at a certain press load <NUM>.

In prior known systems the tested bearing <NUM> has to be installed in the gauge block (requiring equipment <NUM>-<NUM>) and pressed with a predetermined force <NUM>. The force <NUM> is proportional to the cross-section area of the bearing wall.

The optimal value for crush height <NUM> is dependent on the bearing diameter, housing material (modulus of elasticity and thermal expansion), housing dimensions and stricture (rigidity), and temperature.

<FIG> illustrates a bearing <NUM> that is analysed based on the measuring apparatus <NUM>, <NUM> (see e.g. <FIG>). There are number of important considerations to be taken into account when considering bearings.

The bearing <NUM> (as well as the housing) inner surface <NUM> must be clean. Especially the surfaces between the bearing <NUM> and the housing needs to be checked, as well as the joint faces of the bearings.

A bearing <NUM> is provided with a free spread <NUM> to ensure that both halves assemble correctly and do not foul the shaft along the joint line when assembled.

Nip measurement describes crush height under a certain pressure, so It includes material properties as well as geometrical dimension in one value.

The apparatus is configured to measure and determine circumferential length of the bearing <NUM>, which must be correlated with proper nip measurement. The apparatus may be further configured to measure and determine free spread <NUM>, bearing shell form, bearing shell length <NUM> and bearing shell thickness <NUM>, for example.

The bearing <NUM> may comprise a Tin Aluminium bearing that is configured to carry high loads. As a bearing material, unalloyed Aluminium tends to seize to a steel mating surface. It is found that <NUM>% of Tin added to the Aluminium improved seizure resistance and that cold working and annealing helped to prevent brittleness. Unique features are their good resistance to corrosion, high thermal conductivity and high fatigue strength but they may have the disadvantages of only moderate embedding properties, poor compatibility and high coefficients of thermal expansion. If used as solid unbacked bearings this type of alloy is usually too weak to maintain an interference fit and too hard to run satisfactorily against an unhardened shaft. Considerable improvement in antiscoring characteristics and embeddability is obtained by using a thin-lead babbitt or electrodeposited lead-tin overlay. Alloys containing <NUM> to <NUM>% Tin, remainder Aluminium, show excellent resistance to corrosion by products of oil breakdown and good embeddability. The sliding properties of this composition are very similar to those of Tin based white metal, but the loading capacity of this material is higher than Tin based white metals for the same working temperature; this is due to the ideal combination of Tin and Aluminium, where Tin gives the good embeddability and sliding properties, while the Aluminium mesh functions as an effective load absorber. The higher-tin alloys (<NUM>%) have adequate strength and better surface properties, which make them useful for main and crosshead bearings in high-power marine diesel engines, for example.

The bearing <NUM> may also comprise multilayer thin wall bearing that is used in e.g. diesel engines. Multilayer thin wall structure is illustrated for part A of the bearing <NUM>. Babbitt metal of layer <NUM> lacks fatigue strength. It may break down under load. The durability of Babbitt <NUM> greatly increases as the material decreases in thickness. The solution is to apply a thin layer of Babbitt metal <NUM> over a supporting layer of copper/lead <NUM> that acts as a cushioning layer and allows for slight misalignment. Next to the copper/lead layer <NUM> is steel backing layer <NUM>. Babbitt metal of layer <NUM> structure is illustrated for part B of the layer <NUM>. A modern tri-metal bearing in fact may have five layers when the Babbitt metal layer <NUM> comprises tin flash layer 1041a, tin antimony layer 1041b and nickel layer 1041c. The nickel barrier plating 1041c prevents or limits diffusion of metallic components from the babbitt anti-friction layer <NUM> into the copper/lead <NUM> supporting layer and vice versa. The tin flash coating 1041a is to protect and provide a dry lubricant.

In an embodiment, the apparatus for determining crush height of a plain bearing shell is configured to capture a first image of the plain bearing shell <NUM> in a first mode, wherein no external compression stress in a circumference direction of the plain bearing shell <NUM> is formed, and to generate plain bearing data based on the first captured image. The first image may comprise data of the surface layer <NUM> and dirt particles within the layer may be detected, for example. Based on the first image data, quality information may be determined and maintained as part of the plain bearing data. The quality information may be used for automatic selecting of the bearing for certain assembly or housing bore, as well as for pairing the bearing shell with an optimal second plain bearing shell.

Without in any way limiting the scope, interpretation, or application of the claims appearing below, a technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is improved method and apparatus for detecting crush height information of a plain bearing.

Another technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is that more convenient user experience from the point of operating user is enabled.

Another technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is that a faster and more flexible solution is provided for crush height detection.

Another technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is that system and service is cost efficient and easy-to-use.

Another technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is that selection of plain bearing shell pairs is optimised.

Another technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is that quality inspection of plain bearing shells are improved.

Claim 1:
An apparatus (<NUM>) for determining crush height of a plain bearing shell (<NUM>), comprising:
a light source (<NUM>) for forming illuminating light to the plain bearing shell a sensor device (<NUM>) configured to capture an image; at least one processor (<NUM>);
at least one memory (<NUM>) including computer program code (<NUM>); the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:
capture a first image of the plain bearing shell in a first mode, wherein no external compression stress in a circumference direction of the plain bearing shell is formed;
generate plain bearing data based on the first captured image;
maintain housing reference data comprising at least diameter information of a bore for receiving the plain bearing shell, the housing (<NUM>) having the bore for receiving the plain bearing shell; and
determine crush height of the plain bearing shell based on the plain bearing data and the housing reference data.