POWER HARVESTING BEARING CONFIGURATION

摘要

A power generating bearing assembly providing a bearing retained by a bearing housing. The bearing housing includes a bearing cooling passage system having at least one integrated liquid cooling passage integrated within the bearing housing. A turbine receiving bore is formed through the bearing housing, penetrating the integrated liquid cooling segment. A turbine assembly is inserted into the turbine receiving bore, positioning a turbine blade subassembly of the turbine assembly within the integrated liquid cooling passage, wherein fluid flowing within the integrated liquid cooling passage causes the blade subassembly to rotate. The rotation of the blade subassembly rotates an electric power generator to create electric power. The turbine assembly can include an electro-magnetic subassembly mounting plate, wherein the turbine subassembly is located on an interior surface of the mounting plate and at least a portion of the power generating portion located on an exterior portion of the mounting plate.

主权项

1. A power generating bearing assembly, the power generating bearing assembly comprising:
a bearing; a bearing housing comprising:
a bearing receptacle, andat least one integrated liquid cooling passage; anda turbine installation port extending inward from an exterior surface of the bearing housing and penetrating one of the integrated liquid cooling passages, wherein the turbine installation port is formed substantially perpendicular to the integrated liquid cooling passage; a turbine assembly comprising:
a turbine casing,a turbine shaft assembled within the turbine casing,a turbine blade subassembly rotationally carried by the turbine shaft,a turbine fluid passage passing through the turbine casing, the turbine fluid passage being oriented perpendicular to a rotational axis of the turbine blade subassembly, andan electrical generator in operational engagement with the turbine blade subassembly, wherein rotational motion of the turbine blade subassembly causes the electrical generator to generate electrical power; wherein the turbine assembly is inserted into the turbine installation port positioning the turbine fluid passage within the liquid cooling passage orienting the turbine blade subassembly to rotate about an axis that is perpendicular to a flow of fluid through the liquid cooling passage converting energy provided by fluid flowing through the liquid cooling passage to electrical energy.