Fluorescent grease and bearings having the same therein

Abstract

The invention provides a fluorescent grease which enables monitoring of behaviors of the grease for elucidation of the mechanism of grease lubrication, and a rolling element bearing or a condition monitoring rolling element bearing, both charged with the fluorescent grease. The fluorescent grease comprises, as its essential components, a base oil, a thickener agent, and a fluorescent substance.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A fluorescent grease comprising, at its essential components, a base oil, a thickener agent and a fluorescent substance.  
     
     
         2 . A fluorescent grease according to  claim 1 , wherein said fluorescent substance consists of at least one member selected from the group consisting of pyrene, perylene, 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene, 1,8-diphenyl- 1,3,5,7-octatetraene, and coumarine 6.  
     
     
         3 . A fluorescent grease according to  claim 1 , wherein said base oil consists of a synthetic carbonate ester, and said thickener agent consists of lithium soap.  
     
     
         4 . A fluorescent grease according to  claim 2 , wherein said base oil consists of a synthetic carbonate ester, and said thickener agent consists of lithium soap.  
     
     
         5 . A rolling element bearing charged with the fluorescent grease recited in any one of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         6 . A rolling element bearing charged with the fluorescent grease recited in any one of  claim 2 .  
     
     
         7 . A rolling element bearing charged with the fluorescent grease recited in any one of  claim 3 .  
     
     
         8 . A rolling element bearing charged with the fluorescent grease recited in any one of  claim 4 .  
     
     
         9 . A condition monitoring rolling element bearing charged with the fluorescent grease recited in any one of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         10 . A condition monitoring rolling element bearing charged with the fluorescent grease recited in any one of  claim 2 .  
     
     
         11 . A condition monitoring rolling element bearing charged with the fluorescent grease recited in any one of  claim 3 .  
     
     
         12 . A condition monitoring rolling element bearing charged with the fluorescent grease recited in any one of claim  4 .