Wear-indicating bearing and method

摘要

A wear-indicating bearing and method of detecting wear in a bearing are disclosed. The bearing includes a bearing stack having a first end and a second end with a longitudinal axis defined between the first and second ends. The bearing stack includes a plurality of elastomeric layers sandwiched between non-elastomeric shim layers, where each layer is concentric about the longitudinal axis. At least one elastomeric layer is a marker layer configured to indicate wear of the bearing. The marker layer is made up of a first elastomeric composition and a second elastomeric composition, wherein the first and second elastomeric compositions have optically different characteristics. Upon fatigue of the bearing, the first elastomeric composition is detectable through a fracture extending from an exterior surface of the bearing stack.

主权项

1. A wear-indicating bearing comprising:
a bearing stack having a first end and a second end with a longitudinal axis defined between said first and second ends, said bearing stack including a plurality of elastomeric layers each sandwiched between at least two non-elastomeric shim layers, wherein each elastomeric layer is concentric about the longitudinal axis, wherein at least one elastomeric layer is a marker layer configured to indicate wear of said bearing, wherein said marker layer is made up of a first elastomeric composition and a second elastomeric composition, wherein said first and second elastomeric compositions have optically different characteristics.