Electrically conductive bearing system and method

{
  "publication_number": "US9343862B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Electrically conductive bearing system and method",
  "abstract": "An electrically conductive bearing system including a support member having an inner surface, a bearing element provided at the inner surface of the support member, and an electrically conductive element provided in the bearing element forming an electrically conductive flow path to the support member.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An electrically conductive bearing system comprising: a support member having an inner surface; a bearing element provided at the inner surface of the support member; and an electrically conductive element extending through the bearing element forming an electrical connection between the bearing element and the support member.",
    "2. The electrically conductive bearing system according to claim 1, further comprising: a bearing component arranged within the bearing element, the electrically conductive element electrically connecting the bearing component and the support member through the bearing element.",
    "3. The electrically conductive bearing system according to claim 2, wherein the bearing component comprises a ball.",
    "4. The electrically conductive bearing system according to claim 3, wherein the ball comprises a shouldered ball.",
    "5. The electrically conductive bearing system according to claim 2, wherein the bearing component comprises a track roller.",
    "6. The electrically conductive bearing system according to claim 1, wherein the bearing element includes an outer surface portion, the electrically conductive element being exposed at the outer surface portion.",
    "7. The electrically conductive bearing system according to claim 1, wherein the bearing element includes an outer surface portion and an inner surface portion, the electrically conductive element being exposed at both the outer and inner surface portions.",
    "8. The electrically conductive bearing system according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive element comprises a material having a hardness that is less than a hardness of the support member.",
    "9. The electrically conductive bearing system according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive element comprises an electrically conductive pin arranged in the bearing element.",
    "10. The electrically conductive bearing system according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive element passes through a non-electrically conductive self-lubricating liner arranged between the bearing element and the support member.",
    "11. A method of forming an electrically conductive bearing comprising: inserting an electrically conductive element through, at least a portion of, a bearing element of a bearing system; and mounting the bearing element to a support member, the electrically conductive element electrically the bearing element and the support member.",
    "12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: forming an opening in the bearing element.",
    "13. The method of claim 12, wherein inserting the electrically conductive element into the bearing element comprises inserting an electrically conductive pin into the opening.",
    "14. The method of claim 11, further comprising: mounting the bearing element to a bearing component.",
    "15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: positioning the electrically conductive element to pass through a non-electrically conductive self-lubricating liner establishing an electrically conductive flow path between the bearing component and the support member.",
    "16. The method of claim 14, wherein mounting the bearing element to the bearing component comprises supporting a ball into the bearing element.",
    "17. The method of claim 16, wherein the electrically conductive element electrically connects the ball and the support member through the bearing element.",
    "18. The method of claim 14, wherein mounting the bearing element to the component comprises supporting a track roller within the bearing element.",
    "19. The method of claim 11, further comprising: exposing an end of the electrically conductive element at an outer surface portion of the bearing element.",
    "20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: deforming the end of the electrically conductive element through an interaction with the support member.",
    "21. The method of claim 19, further comprising: machining the end of the electrically conductive element to the same shape as the outer surface of the self-lubricating liner."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "Exemplary embodiments pertain to the art of bearing systems and, more particularly, to an electrically conductive bearing system and method.\n\nMany existing bearing systems include inner and outer components provided with a low friction material or coating. In many cases, the coating acts as an insulator that inhibits a flow of electrical current. However, in many applications, such as in aerospace manufacturing, it is desirable to maintain electrically conductive paths through a structure. In such applications, electrically insulated bearings, including self-lubricating bearings, create manufacturing constraints and require additional strapping or the like to maintain an electrically conductive flow path. The addition of strapping or “bridges” adds weight to the structure.\n\nIn some cases, manufacturers may employ an electrically conductive lubricant, or grease, to maintain an electrically conductive flow path across bearing components. However, overtime the electrically conductive grease may migrate from the bearing creating an opening in the electrically conductive flow path. Additionally, grease and other lubricants may attract dust and other contaminants that can adversely affect an overall service life of many types of bearing systems. In other cases, manufacturers may employ an electrically conductive bearing shield, or utilize ribs on one or more of the races. The electrically conductive bearing shield increases an overall weight of the bearing assembly and forming ribs on one or more of the races increases an overall component cost of the bearing assembly.",
  "cpc": [
    "H01R 39/643",
    "B64D 45/02",
    "F16C 11/0685",
    "F16C 2202/32",
    "F16C 41/002",
    "F16C 7/02",
    "H01R 43/00",
    "Y10T 29/49004"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "H01R 39/64",
    "H01R 43/00",
    "F16C 11/06",
    "F16C 41/00",
    "F16C 7/02",
    "H01R 39/00"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Kamatics Corp"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Andrew Zink",
    "Arkadi Zak"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2014-06-12",
  "publication_date": "2016-05-17",
  "grant_date": "2016-05-17",
  "priority_date": "2014-06-12",
  "application_number": "US-201414303035-A",
  "family_id": "53284117",
  "cited_by_count": 5,
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}