Rod End Wear Detection Device

Abstract

The Rod End Wear Detection Device (REWDD) is a fully portable light weight apparatus that precisely measures bearings in two axis. When employed for the purpose of assessing rod end bearings, the invention is capable of obtaining the measurement in confined spaces, without the need to remove the rod end from its fully installed position or reorient the rod end to facilitate both measurements. By using the disclosed apparatus, a user may ascertain the serviceability of a bearing by detecting the level of wear in the bearing allowing timely replacement and/or repair.

1 . An apparatus comprising a body, an expanding mandrel for the securing of the internal element of the bearing, a means of clamping with protective insert for the external element of the bearing or rod end shaft, a radial axis lock, an axial axis lock, an indicator, an optional indicator guard, an indicator plate, a radial actuator and an axial actuator. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , which has the means for taking wear measurements in both axial and radial directions in a fully portable light weight devise unit. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , which has the means for taking wear measurements in both axial and radial directions without the need to permanently modify the subject bearing. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , which has the means for taking wear measurements in both axial and radial directions without the need to reorient the subject bearing. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , where a single indicator shows wear measurements to within one one thousandths of an inch in both the axial and radial directions. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , where the indicator plate provides an indicator interface, the axial actuator receptacle, the radial actuator receptacle, the radial lock receptacle and the axial lock receptacle. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , where the bearing external element clamp comprises a clamping arrangement suitable to restrain the external bearing element or rod end shaft with protective insert if required for the application. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , where wear measurements can be taken in both axial and radial directions of any bearing constructed with an internal and external element (rod end or rolling element) with the adaptation of the clamping element. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , where wear measurements of rod end bearings can be taken in both axial and radial directions without the need to completely remove the link in which a subject bearing may be installed. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , where the jaws of the clamping device are manufactured from an appropriate material as to alleviate any potential damage to the component being inspected. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , where the axial actuator comprises an eccentric cam which operates the movement of a plate within the device in the axial direction. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , where the radial actuator comprises an eccentric cam which operates the movement of a plate within the device in the radial direction. 
     
     
         13 . A method utilizing the apparatus of  claim 1  to measure bearing wear in a rod end to within one one-thousandth of an inch in both the radial and axial directions utilizing single indicator, without the need to permanently modify the subject bearing, without the requirement to completely remove the link in which the subject bearing is installed, without the need to reorient the subject bearing to facilitate both measurements and without the need of additional indicators. 
     
     
         14 . A method utilizing the apparatus of  claim 1  to measure bearing wear in both axial and radial directions of any bearing constructed with an internal and external element (rod end or rolling element) with the adaptation of the clamping element.