A Study on Rolling Element Skew Measurement in a Tapered Roller Bearing With a Specialized Capacitance Probe

Abstract

This paper reports on roller skew in tapered roller bearings. The roller skewing of a tapered roller bearing is experimentally measured with a specialized capacitance probe (Kelvin contact potential difference, CPD, probe). The probe measures the electro-chemical potential difference between the probe and roller surfaces. Two probes are inserted through holes in the housing and bearing outer race. The electrical signals from both ends of a roller are used to determine the skewing. The technique, as well as the effect of lubrication and rotational speed on the roller skewing, is presented. It is shown that the skewing increases with an increase in rotational speed, and the lubrication of the large end of the roller. A theoretical analysis has been developed to account for the experimental results. [S0742-4787(00)01803-8]