FLEXIBLE INSULATING LINER FOR BEARINGS

摘要

A flexible insulating liner strip or member comprises an elongated flexible structure that can be cut to length and positioned between a race of a bearing and a bearing housing to electrically insulate the bearing race from the bearing housing and/or other components. The flexible insulating liner strip may be segmented to provide flexibility, and one or more portions of the flexible insulating liner strip may be curved to accommodate variations in the dimensions of bearing housings and races. The flexible insulating liner strip provides a cost-effective way to electrically insulate bearings.

主权项

1. An electrically isolated bearing assembly comprising:
a housing assembly including a ring-shaped inner housing and ring-shaped outer housing defining an annular space therebetween; a bearing disposed in the annular space, the bearing including at least one metal inner race and at least one metal outer race and a plurality of metal roller elements disposed between the metal inner race and the at least one metal outer race; at least one elongated flexible insulating member disposed between the bearing and at least a selected one of the inner housing and the outer housing, wherein the elongated flexible insulating member comprises a material that is electrically non-conductive to prevent formation of an electrical path through the roller elements, and wherein the elongated flexible insulating member has an elongated central portion and a first segmented leg structure extending from the base portion and a second segmented leg structure extending from the central portion whereby the elongated flexible insulating member is generally U-shaped wherein the first and second segmented leg structures each include a plurality of legs that are disconnected from one another to permit flexing of the elongated flexible insulating member about the elongated central portion, and wherein at least a portion of a selected one of the inner and outer races is disposed between the first and second segmented leg structures.