US 11,754,454 B2
Piezoelectric strain sensor unit for a rolling bearing
Andrew Campbell, East Kilbride (GB); Hans Soetens, Hilvarenbeek (NL); and Allan Thomson, Lanark (GB)
Assigned to Aktiebolaget SKF, Gothenburg (SE)
Filed by Aktiebolaget SKF, Gothenburg (SE)
Filed on Mar. 1, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/115,894.
Application 18/115,894 is a continuation of application No. 17/241,280, filed on Apr. 27, 2021, granted, now 11,644,373.
Claims priority of application No. 102020206480.6 (DE), filed on May 25, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0204444 A1, Jun. 29, 2023
Int. Cl. G01L 5/167 (2020.01); G01L 1/16 (2006.01); G01L 5/22 (2006.01)
CPC G01L 5/167 (2013.01) [G01L 1/16 (2013.01); G01L 5/228 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A piezoelectric strain sensor unit configured for insertion into a ring of a rolling bearing, the ring defining a hole therein, a portion of the ring forming an end face which defines a distal end of the hole, a plurality of rolling elements being disposed on the ring, the piezoelectric strain sensor unit comprising:
a piezoelectric strain sensor; and
a sensor holder provided with a main body having a front face configured to contact the end face which defines a distal end of the hole, the main body having a rear face, wherein the piezoelectric strain sensor is positioned spaced from the rear face of the sensor holder;
a pin positioned in the main body and oriented along a pin axis which is perpendicular to the piezoelectric strain sensor, the pin have a first end and a second end, the first end being configured to contact the end face defined by the ring while the piezoelectric strain sensor unit is positioned in the ring, the second end being configured to abut against the piezoelectric strain sensor, the pin being moveable along the pin axis to abut the piezoelectric strain sensor with a force which is proportional to a load exerted on the plurality of rolling elements which deforms the ring.