阅读说明：本技术 用于带有叉头锁定导体的轴承的组合绝缘体和导体组件 (Combined insulator and conductor assembly for a bearing with a clevis lock conductor ) 是由 尼古拉斯·贝鲁埃 保罗·费利西亚诺 马蒂厄·休伯特 汤米·朱利安 基恩·A·科瓦奇 托马斯 于 2021-05-20 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种组合有绝缘体和导体的组件,所述组件用于可布置在轴与座之间的轴承,并且包括可绕着所述轴承的外圈布置的环形绝缘体。所述绝缘体被构造为防止电流在所述外圈与所述座之间流动,并且包括一个或多个轴向安装凸片。电导体具有径向外端部、径向内端部和至少一个保持件,所述至少一个保持件可与至少一个所述安装凸片接合,以使所述导体与所述绝缘体可释放地联接。每个所述保持件包括在径向上延伸的叉头,所述叉头可与单独的凸片接合。所述导体的径向外端部或/和所述导体的位于所述外端部与所述内端部之间的部分可与所述座导电地接合,并且所述导体的径向内端部可与所述轴导电地接合,以在所述轴与所述座之间提供导电路径。(An assembly for a bearing arrangeable between a shaft and a seat, the assembly comprising an annular insulator arrangeable around an outer race of the bearing, in combination with an insulator and a conductor. The insulator is configured to prevent current flow between the outer race and the seat and includes one or more axial mounting tabs. The electrical conductor has a radially outer end, a radially inner end, and at least one retention member engageable with at least one of the mounting tabs to releasably couple the conductor with the insulator. Each of the retainers includes a radially extending prong engageable with a separate tab. A radially outer end of the conductor or/and a portion of the conductor between the outer end and the inner end may be conductively engaged with the seat, and a radially inner end of the conductor may be conductively engaged with the shaft to provide a conductive path between the shaft and the seat.)

1. An assembly of an insulator and conductor in combination for a bearing disposable between a shaft and a housing, the bearing having an inner race, an outer race with opposed first and second axial ends, and a plurality of rolling elements between the inner and outer races, the shaft having a circumferential outer surface and the housing having a circumferential inner surface, the assembly comprising:

an annular insulator disposable about an outer race of the bearing, configured to prevent current flow between the outer race and the seat, and including at least one mounting tab extending in an axial direction; and

an electrical conductor having a radially outer end, a radially inner end, and at least one retainer engageable with the at least one mounting tab to releasably couple the conductor with the insulator, at least one of the radially outer end of the conductor and a portion of the conductor between the radially outer end and the radially inner end being conductively engageable with the seat, and the radially inner end of the conductor being conductively engageable with the shaft such that a conductive path is provided between the shaft and the seat.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the conductor has at least one through hole positioned radially inward of the at least one retainer, the at least one mounting tab of the insulator extends through the through hole of the conductor, and the at least one retainer includes a radial prong having a radially outer end connected to the remainder of the conductor and a free radially inner end engaged with the mounting tab.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein:

the insulator has an annular body with a radial flange disposable against a first axial end of the outer race of the bearing and the at least one mounting tab has an axially inner end and a free axially outer end, the axially inner end being integrally formed with the flange; and

the conductor includes an electrically conductive disc providing the at least one through hole through which the at least one mounting tab extends such that the electrically conductive disc is axially located between inner and outer ends of the tab, and the prongs of the at least one holder are provided by integral portions of the disc.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the insulator has a centerline and a plurality of the mounting tabs spaced circumferentially about the centerline; and

the conductor has a centerline and a plurality of the retainers spaced circumferentially about the centerline of the conductor, each retainer engaging a separate one of the mounting tabs of the conductor.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the insulator comprises:

an annular inner body having: a tubular portion disposed about a circumferential outer surface of an outer race of the bearing; and a flange extending radially inwardly from the tubular portion and disposable against a first axial end of an outer race of the bearing, the at least one mounting tab extending axially outwardly from the flange of the inner body; and

an annular outer body having: a tubular portion disposed about the tubular portion of the annular inner body; and a flange extending radially inward from the tubular portion of the annular outer body and disposable against a second axial end of the outer race of the bearing.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein:

the tubular portion of the annular inner body having opposing circumferential inner and outer surfaces and the tubular portion of the annular outer body having opposing circumferential inner and outer surfaces; and

wherein at least one of the annular inner body and the annular outer body is formed of an electrically insulating material or at least one of the circumferential inner surface of the inner body, the circumferential outer surface of the inner body, the circumferential inner surface of the outer body and the circumferential outer surface of the outer body is provided with an insulating layer.

7. The assembly of claim 5, wherein:

a circumferential inner surface of the tubular portion of the outer body frictionally engages a circumferential outer surface of the tubular portion of the inner body to retain the insulator disposed about the bearing; and

a circumferential outer surface of the tubular portion of the outer body is frictionally engageable with an inner surface of the seat to axially retain the bearing within the seat.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the conductor comprises:

an electrically conductive disc having an outer end and an inner end, the outer end of the electrically conductive disc providing the outer end of the conductor, the inner end of the electrically conductive disc defining a central opening for receiving a portion of the shaft, each holder including a separate one of a plurality of deflectable prongs, the prongs of each holder having a radially outer end integrally formed with the remainder of the disc and a free inner end engageable with a separate one of the mounting tabs of the insulator; and

an annular conductive brush assembly coupled with the conductive discs and including a centerline and a plurality of conductive fibers circumferentially spaced about the centerline and extending radially inward from an inner end of the conductive discs, each conductive fiber having an inner end contactable with an outer surface of the shaft so as to provide a radially inner end of the conductor.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the conductive brush assembly includes an annular retainer connected with the conductive disc and having a radially inner end with an annular groove, each of the plurality of conductive fibers having a radially outer end disposed within the groove and extending radially inward from the retainer and toward the shaft.

10. The assembly of claim 8, wherein at least one of: :

the conductive disc includes a plurality of mounting tabs spaced circumferentially about the centerline, each mounting tab engaging the brush assembly to couple the brush assembly with the conductive disc;

the brush assembly further includes a circular hoop disposed within the holder, and each of the plurality of electrically conductive fibers is bent around the hoop such that each fiber has two ends contactable with the outer surface of the shaft; and

the plurality of conductive fibers of the brush assembly are arranged in a plurality of circumferentially spaced discrete fiber groups.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to bearings, and more particularly to a grounding device for preventing current or charge from flowing through a bearing.

Background

If an electric current or charge flows through a bearing used in an electromechanical device, such as a motor, a generator, and the like, which is particularly detrimental to the bearing raceway, damage may occur at the bearing. Devices such as ground brushes (grounding brushes) have been developed to provide an alternative path for the current to prevent such current from passing through the bearing. These devices typically include a plurality of electrically conductive fibers spaced circumferentially around the entire outer surface of the shaft to form a relatively solid (solid) fiber ring, such that current passes through the fibers between the shaft and the housing. To prevent current from passing through the bearing, other devices or mechanisms are provided to electrically insulate the bearing, and may include an insulating coating or covering.

Disclosure of Invention

An assembly of a combination insulator and conductor is provided for a bearing arrangeable between a shaft and a housing, the bearing having an inner ring, an outer ring with opposite first and second axial ends and a plurality of rolling elements between the rings, the shaft having an outer circumferential surface and the housing having an inner circumferential surface. The assembly includes an annular insulator disposable about an outer race of the bearing, configured to prevent current flow between the outer race and the seat, and including at least one mounting tab extending in an axial direction. An electrical conductor has a radially outer end, a radially inner end, and at least one retention member engageable with the at least one mounting tab to releasably couple the conductor with the insulator. The radially outer end of the conductor or/and a portion of the conductor between the outer end and the inner end may be conductively engaged with the seat, and the radially inner end of the conductor may be conductively engaged with the shaft to provide a conductive path between the shaft and the seat.

Preferably, the insulator has a centerline and a plurality of mounting tabs extending axially along the centerline and spaced circumferentially about the centerline, and the conductor includes a conductive disc (electrically conductive disc) coupled with the insulator to be axially adjacent the bearing. The disk has: a radially outer end engageable with an inner surface of the seat; a radially inner end defining a central opening for receiving a portion of a shaft; and a plurality of through holes and retainer prongs (prongs) circumferentially spaced about a centerline of the conductor. Each through hole of the disc receives a separate one of the plurality of mounting tabs of the insulator, and each adjacent prong lockingly engages a separate one of the tabs to releasably couple the conductor with the insulator. Further, an annular conductive brush assembly (annular conductive brush subassembly) is coupled with the conductive disc and includes a plurality of conductive fibers spaced circumferentially about the centerline of the conductor and extending radially inward from an inner end of the conductive disc. Each conductive fiber has an inner end contactable with the outer surface of the shaft to provide an electrically conductive path between the shaft and the disc.

Drawings

The foregoing summary, as well as the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings exemplary embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembly incorporating an insulator and a conductor, shown mounted on a bearing;

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the assembly with the insulator and conductor combined;

FIG. 3 is an axial cross-sectional view of the combined insulator and conductor assembly shown installed on a shaft and in a socket;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, broken-away axial cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the combined insulator and conductor assembly mounted on a bearing;

FIG. 5 is a broken-away enlarged axial cross-sectional view of an upper portion of the insulator;

FIG. 6 is a sectioned enlarged axial cross-sectional view of an upper portion of the conductor;

FIG. 7 is a view along line 7-7 (taken) of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a view along line 8-8 (taken) of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 9A and 9B (collectively FIG. 9) are each a cut-away axial cross-sectional view of a component of the insulator during assembly onto the outer race of the bearing;

10A and 10B (collectively FIG. 10) are each a cutaway axial cross-sectional view of the insulator and an upper portion of the conductor during coupling of the conductor to the insulator; and

FIG. 11 is a cut-away enlarged axial cross-sectional view of the combined insulator and conductor assembly shown installed on the shaft and within the socket and engaged by the machine component.

Detailed Description

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words "inner", "inwardly" and "outer", "outwardly" refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, a designated centerline or geometric center of the described element, with particular meanings being apparent from the context of the description. Further, as used herein, the terms "connected" and "coupled" are each intended to include: a direct connection between two members without any other member interposed therebetween; and indirect connections between components, wherein one or more other components are interposed therebetween. The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, in which like reference numerals are used to designate like elements throughout, there is shown in fig. 1 to 11 an assembly 10 combining an electrical insulator and a conductor for a bearing 1, the bearing 1 being arrangeable about a central axis a_CBetween the rotating shaft 2 and the housing (housing) 3. The bearing 1 has: an inner ring 4; an outer race 5 with opposite first and second axial ends 5a, 5b and an outer surface 5 c; and a plurality of rolling elements 6 arranged between the rings 4 and 5. The shaft 2 has a circumferential outer surface 2a, which circumferential outer surface 2a is provided by the shaft 2 itself or by a sleeve or other component (not shown) mounted on the shaft 2, and at least the surface 2a (preferably the entire shaft 2 and/or sleeve/component) is electrically conductive. Furthermore, the seat 3 has a circumferential inner surface 3a defining the hole 7, which circumferential inner surface 3a may be the surface of the main seat 3 itself or of an annular component arranged inside the seat 3. Preferably, the bearing 1, the shaft 2 and the seat 3 are parts of a machine: a motor, or other electrical machine (e.g., a generator), or any other machine having rotating components that may accumulate electrical charge or transmit electrical current.

The combined insulator and conductor assembly 10 consists essentially of: an annular insulator 12 arrangeable around the outer ring 5 of the bearing; and an electrical conductor 14 releasably coupled to the insulator 12. The insulator 12 is configured to prevent current from flowing between the outer ring 5 and the seat 3 of the bearing and between the ring 5 and the conductor 14, and thus through the bearing 1, and the insulator 12 includes at least one axially extending mounting tab 16. The electrical conductor 14 has a radially outer end 14a, a radially inner end 14b configured to receive the shaft 2, and at least one retainer 18, the at least one retainer 18 engaging the at least one mounting tab 16 to releasably couple the conductor 14 with the insulator 12.

More specifically, the conductor 14 has at least one through hole 20 positioned radially inward of the at least one retainer 18, and the at least one mounting tab 16 of the insulator 12 extends through the hole 20 of the conductor. The at least one holder 18 preferably includes a radial prong (prong)22 (as described in detail below), the radial prong 22 having: a radially outer end 22a connected to the remainder of the conductor 14; and a free radially inner end 22b lockingly engaged with the mounting tab 16. Further, the radially outer end 14a of the conductor or/and the portion of the conductor 14 between the outer end 14a and the inner end 14b may be conductively engaged with the seat 3, respectively, and the radially inner end 14b of the conductor may be conductively engaged with the shaft 2 to provide a conductive path between the shaft 2 and the seat 3. As used herein, the term "conductively engaged" means that a conductive path is established by direct contact (e.g., outer end 14a of the conductor with inner surface 3a of the socket) or by contact with one or more intermediate components or members 8 (fig. 11) to enable current to flow between the engaged members (particularly conductor 14 and socket 3).

Preferably, the insulator 12 has a centre line 13 and comprises an annular body 24 with a radial flange 26, which radial flange 26 may be arranged against the first axial end 5a of the outer ring 5 of the bearing. At least one mounting tab 16 has: an axially inner end portion 16a formed integrally with the flange 26; and a free axially outer end 16b spaced outwardly from inner end 16a along centerline 13. The conductor 14 has a centerline 15 and preferably includes a conductive disc 40 and a conductive brush assembly 42 (as described in detail below) coupled to the disc 40, the disc 40 providing at least one through hole 20 and at least one retainer 18/prong 22. Preferably, the prongs 22 of at least one holder 18 are provided by an integral part of the disc 40, preferably formed by cutting the disc 40 and shaping the disc 40 (as discussed below), such that each prong 22 is resiliently flexible relative to the remainder of the conductive disc 40. When the conductor 14 is coupled with the insulator 12, the at least one mounting tab 16 extends through the at least one conductor aperture 20. In this way, the conductive disc 40 is axially located between the inner and outer ends 16a, 16b of the tabs, and the inner end 22b of the prong 22 of the holder is preferably lockingly engaged with the axially outer portion 16c (fig. 4) of the tabs 16 (described below).

Further, the insulator 12 preferably has a centerline 13 and a plurality of mounting tabs 16 (most preferably three tabs 16), the plurality of mounting tabs 16 extending axially along the centerline 13 and being spaced circumferentially about the centerline 13. Similarly, the conductor 14 preferably has a centerline 15 and a plurality of retainers 18 (most preferably three retainers 18), the plurality of retainers 18 being circumferentially spaced about the centerline 15 and extending generally toward the centerline 15. Each of the plurality of retainers 18 engages a separate one of the plurality of mounting tabs 16 of the insulator to releasably couple the conductor 14 with the insulator 12.

Further, the conductive plate 40 has: a radially outer end 40a providing the outer end 14a of the conductor; a radially inner end 40b defining a central opening 44 for receiving a portion of the shaft 2; and a first axial end 40c and a second axial end 40 d. The prongs 22 and the through bore 20 of the holder are located radially between the outer and inner ends 40a, 40b of the disc, and the through bore 20 extends between the first and second axial ends 40c, 40 d. The conductive brush assembly 42 has a plurality of conductive fibers 46, the plurality of conductive fibers 46 being circumferentially spaced about the centerline 15 of the conductor and extending radially inward from the inner end 40b of the conductive disk 40. Each conductive fiber 46 is preferably formed of carbon and has an inner end 46a contactable with the outer surface 2a of the shaft, such that the fiber inner ends 46a collectively (/ together) provide the radially inner end 14b of the conductor. Since the disk 40 is configured to provide a conductive path between the brush assembly 42 and the hub 3, any current or charge on the shaft 2 is directed to flow through the assembly 10 rather than through the bearing 1. Thus, the combined insulator and conductor assembly 10 serves to protect the bearing 1 by preventing direct current from flowing through the bearing 1 (i.e., due to the insulator 12) and by providing an alternative path for current in the vicinity of the bearing 1 by way of the conductor 14. Having described the primary structure and function, these and other components of the assembly 10 are discussed in detail below.

Referring now to fig. 3-5, 9 and 10, the annular body 24 of the insulator 12 preferably includes: an annular inner body 30 disposed directly around the outer race 5 of the bearing and providing the radial flange 26 as discussed above; and an annular outer body 32 disposed about the annular inner body 30, each body 30, 32 preferably being formed of a relatively thin metallic material. Specifically, the annular inner body 30 has a tubular portion 34 that is arrangeable around the circumferential outer surface 5c of the outer race 5 of the bearing, and the flange 26 extends radially inwardly from the tubular portion 34. The tubular portion 34 has opposite first and second axial ends 34a, 34B and circumferential inner and outer surfaces 35A, 35B, the circumferential inner surface 35A being frictionally engageable with the outer surface 5c of the outer race 5 to retain the insulator 12 disposed about the bearing 1. The flange 26 may be arranged against the first axial end 5a of the outer ring 5 of the bearing and has a radially outer end 26a and a radially inner end 26b, the radially outer end 26a being integrally formed with the first end 34a of the tubular portion 34. The one or more mounting tabs 16 are integrally formed with the inner end 26b of the flange and extend in an axial direction away from the remainder of the insulator 12 (and thus away from the bearing 1 when installed). Furthermore, each mounting tab 16 is preferably substantially rectangular, having a radially outer surface 17A and a radially inner surface 17B, respectively, and an opening 19, the opening 19 extending in a radial direction between the outer surface 17A and the inner surface 17B.

Further, the annular outer body 32 includes: a tubular portion 36 arranged around the tubular portion 34 of the annular inner body 30; and a radial flange 38 extending inwardly from the tubular portion 36. The tubular portion 36 has opposite first and second axial ends 36a, 36B and circumferential inner and outer surfaces 37A, 37B. The circumferential inner surface 37A may frictionally engage the circumferential outer surface 35B of the tubular portion 34 of the inner body to couple the outer body 32 with the inner body 30. Preferably, the circumferential outer surface 37B of the outer body 32 is frictionally engageable with the inner surface 3a of the seat to axially retain the bearing 1 and assembly 10, but the outer surface 37B may be disposed against/within the inner surface 3a of the seat only without frictional engagement. Furthermore, the radial flange 38 can be arranged against the second axial end 5b of the bearing and has a radially outer end 38a and a radially inner end 38b, the radially outer end 38a being formed integrally with the second axial end 36b of the tubular portion. Thus, the mounted insulator 12 "encapsulates"/encloses "the axial ends 5a, 5b and the outer surface 5c of the outer ring 5 of the bearing to electrically isolate (/ insulate) the bearing 1 from the seat 3.

Preferably, each of the inner and outer body portions 30, 32 is preferably formed of aluminum, and one or more of the inner body circumferential inner surface 35A, inner body circumferential outer surface 35B, outer body circumferential inner surface 37A or/and outer body circumferential outer surface 37B is provided with an insulating layer (not depicted). Most preferably, the one or more insulating layers are each an anodized aluminum (i.e., formed by anodizing the metal of the body portion 30 or/and 32). However, one or both of the inner and outer body portions 30, 32 may be formed from an electrically insulating material (such as a polymeric material, ceramic, etc.).

Referring to fig. 9, in the case of the above-described structure, a preferred two-piece insulator 12 is mounted around the outer race 5 of the bearing in the following manner. First, the annular inner body 30 is mounted around the outer ring 5 of the bearing by: the first axial end 5A of the bearing is inserted into the second axial end 34b of the tubular part 34 of the body (as shown in figure 9A) and then the inner surface 35A of the body is slid around the outer surface 5c of the ring until the flange 26 abuts against the first axial end 5A of the ring. The annular outer body 32 is then mounted on the inner body 30 by inserting the second axial end 5B of the bearing into the first axial end 36a of the tubular portion 36 of the body, thus on the second axial end 34B of the tubular portion 34 of the inner body (as shown in figure 9B). The inner surface 37A of the tubular portion 36 of the outer body is slid over the outer surface 35B of the tubular portion 34 of the inner body until the flange 38 abuts the second axial end 5B of the outer race, the outer body 32 being frictionally retained about the inner body 30 (as discussed above).

Referring to fig. 1-4, 6-8, 10, and 11, conductive disk 40 is generally circular and is preferably formed of a conductive metallic material, most preferably aluminum, but may be formed of any other suitable material (e.g., low carbon steel). The one or more through holes 20 and the prongs 22 of the holder are each preferably formed by: a generally C-shaped opening through the disc 40 is cut to form generally rectangular radial portions (not depicted) of the disc 40, and then portions of each disc are bent to extend axially outward from the first axial end 40C of the disc 40. Thus, due to the resiliency of the preferred metallic material, each prong 22 can resiliently flex about the prong outer end 22a to generally act as a spring. Preferably, the disk 40 further includes a plurality of mounting tabs 48, the plurality of mounting tabs 48 being circumferentially spaced about the centerline 15 of the conductor, each mounting tab 48 engaging the brush assembly 42 to couple the brush assembly 42 with the disk 40. Preferably, each mounting tab 48 is formed by cutting (e.g., by die stamping) through the disk 40 to form a rectangular tab 48 and a clearance hole 50. Each tab 48 is bent around a holder 52 (described below) of the brush assembly 42 such that each engaged mounting tab 48 is generally C-shaped and the clearance hole 50 provides a passage for a fluid (e.g., lubricant, air, etc.) to flow through the conductive disc 40 to pass through the bearing 1 or from the bearing 1 through the conductive disc 40.

Referring now to fig. 4 and 6-8, the conductive brush assembly 42 preferably includes an annular retainer 52, the annular retainer 52 being connected to the conductive disc 40 (as described above) and having an open radially inner end 52a and a closed outer end 52b, the radially inner end 52a carrying an annular groove 54. Each of the plurality of conductive fibers 46 has a radially outer end 46b disposed within the slot 54 and extends radially inward from the retainer 52 and toward the shaft 2. More specifically, the retainer 52 is preferably formed of an electrically conductive metallic material (e.g., aluminum) and has an outer axial base 56 and two opposing radial legs (leg)58 such that the retainer 52 generally has a C-shaped axial cross-section. The legs 58 of the holder preferably grip (clamp) the outer ends 46b of the conductive fibers 46 to hold the fibers 46 within the slots 54. In addition, the brush assembly 42 preferably includes a circular hoop (circular hop) 60 disposed within the holder slot 54, and each of the plurality of conductive fibers 46 is bent around the hoop 60. Thus, each conductive fiber 46 is preferably substantially U-shaped or V-shaped and has two inner ends 46a contactable with the outer surface 2a of the shaft. However, each of the conductive fibers 46 may be configured to extend as a generally straight strand (strand) (not shown) from a radially outer end 46b to a radially inner end 46 a.

Further, the plurality of electrically conductive fibers 46 of the brush assembly 42 are configured as a generally continuous fiber loop (not shown), or preferably as a plurality of discrete groups 47 of circumferentially spaced fibers 46. In the latter preferred case, the groups 47 of fibres 46 are preferably formed by die-cutting the brush assembly 42 comprising the loops of continuous fibres 46 such that the groups 47 of fibres contactable with the shaft 2 are spaced apart by groups 49 of shorter length fibres 46. Further, the size of each conductive fiber 46 preferably has a diameter in the range of five microns (5 μm) to one hundred microns (100 μm). Although each conductive fiber 46 is preferably formed of carbon, as discussed above, the fibers 46 may alternatively be made of any suitable conductive material (such as a metallic material, a conductive polymer, etc.).

Although, as described above and as depicted in the drawings, the conductor 14 preferably includes the conductive disc 40 and the brush assembly 42, the conductor 14 may alternatively be formed in any other suitable manner that can both be coupled with the insulator 12 and provide one or more conductive paths between the shaft 2 and the socket 3. For example, the conductor 14 may include a solid ring (not shown) of electrically conductive material (other than the brush assembly 42) attached to the conductive disc 40 and conductively engageable with the shaft 2, the ring having a continuous inner circumferential contact surface, or a plurality of arcuate contact surface portions (sections) provided by radially inwardly extending protrusions. As a further alternative, the conductive disc 40 may be formed with an inner end 40b contactable with the outer surface 2a of the shaft to provide a direct conductive path between the shaft 2 and the disc 40. The scope of the present invention includes these and all other suitable configurations of conductors 14 that are capable of functioning generally as described herein.

Referring to fig. 10, the conductor 14 is coupled with the insulator 12 by: the conductive disc 40 with the brush assembly 42 attached thereto is displaced axially toward the insulator 12 (mounted on the bearing 1) until the free axial end 16b of each mounting tab 16 enters and then passes through a separate one of the disc through holes 20. As the disc 40 continues to be displaced toward the insulator 12 and bearing 1, the free end 16B of each tab contacts the prong 22 of the adjacent retainer, causing the prong 22 to flex radially outward (as depicted in fig. 10B). The inner end 22b of the prong is slid over the outer surface 17A of the tab 16 until the tab opening 19 is reached whereupon the prong 22 snaps back (back) inward and the end 22b of the prong enters the opening 19 of the mounting tab 16 to lock the prong 22 within the tab 16. At this point, the conductive disc 40, and thus the entire conductor 14, is releasably coupled with the insulator 12, and if it is desired to later remove the conductor 14 from the insulator 12, the prong 22 must be bent radially outward to release (/ remove) the disc 40 from the mounting tab 16.

The insulator/conductor assembly 10 is more effective in protecting the bearing 1 from damage caused by electrical current than previously known devices. The insulator 12 effectively prevents a voltage difference from being formed (/ generated/established) between the shaft 2 and the seat 3 through the bearing 1, so that a current is prevented from flowing through the inner and outer rings 4, 5 and the rolling elements 6. To further ensure that current does not flow through the bearing 1, the conductive disc 40 and brush assembly 42 provide an alternative path for any electrical charge or current on the shaft 2 to pass through the conductive fibres 46 to the retainer 52, through the retainer 52 and into the conductive disc 40, then through the outer end 40a of the disc and into the seat 3. Additional or alternative conductive paths into the socket 3 may be provided by axial contact between a portion of the socket 3 (e.g., a radial shoulder) or a component 8 (fig. 11) of a machine disposed within the socket 3 (such as a spring, pin, etc.) and a surface of the conductive disc or/and a surface of the annular holder 52 of the brush. Thus, any electrical charge or current on the shaft 2 in the region of the bearing 1 is not only prevented from passing through the bearing 1 by the insulator 12, but is shunted to flow through the brush assembly 42 and the conducting disc 40 of the conductor 14. Further, the assembly 10 may be installed on the bearing 1 by the manufacturer or distributor so that the bearing 1 with the assembly 10 combined with the insulator and conductor may be provided to a customer or end user as a complete assembly ready to be installed on the shaft 2 and within the housing 3.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as generally defined in the appended claims.