Load indicating take-up frame
View Patent ↗A method of operating a take-up frame is disclosed herein. Specifically, a method of operating a take-up frame is disclosed which includes reading a force indication, wherein the force indication is obtained and provided through mechanical means. Additionally, the method includes adjusting the amount of force applied to achieve a desired amount of force.
1. A bearing take-up frame assembly comprising:
a bearing assembly configured to move within a take-up frame framework;
a force transmission member coupled to the bearing assembly, the force transmission member being configured to apply force to and displace the bearing assembly in the framework;
a spring member configured to be compressed as force is applied by the transmission member to the bearing assembly;
a load indicating apparatus mechanically measuring the displacement of the spring member and indicating the amount of force applied to the bearing assembly, the load indicating apparatus comprising:
a position indicator coupled to the force transmission member and configured to move according to the displacement of the spring element, the position indicator comprising a cover extending over at least a portion of the take-up frame; and
a load indicator plate coupled to the take-up frame and configured to indicate relative displacement of the position indicator.
2. The take-up frame of claim 1 , wherein the force transmission member is a threaded rod, the threaded rod being supported in the take-up frame by a hex nut, wherein turning of the hex nut adjusts the force applied by the force transmission member.
3. The take-up frame of claim 1 , wherein the spring member comprises Belleville washers.
4. The take-up frame of claim 1 , wherein the load indicator plate is adjustable for calibration of the take-up frame with respect to the position indicator.
5. The take-up frame of claim 1 , wherein the bearing assembly supports a shaft.
6. The take-up frame of claim 1 , wherein the force transmission member and the load indicating apparatus are configured to operate for compressive or tensile loading.
7. A take-up frame system comprising:
a rotating component supported by first and second bearing assemblies;
a first take-up frame supporting the first bearing assembly and a second take-up frame supporting the second bearing assembly, the first and second take-up frames each comprising:
force transmission members coupled to the bearing assemblies;
spring members having an axis of displacement along a longitudinal axis of the force transmission members; and
force indicating mechanisms configured indicate the displacement of the spring members;
wherein the force indicating members comprise covers configured to move according to the displacement of the spring members.
8. The take-up frame system of claim 7 , wherein the spring members comprise Belleville washers.
9. The take-up frame system of claim 7 , wherein the spring members are mounted on the force transmission members.
10. The take-up frame system of claim 7 , wherein the force transmission members are threaded rods supported by hex nuts.
11. The take-up frame system of claim 7 , wherein the covers comprises position indicators, wherein the position indicators correspond to load indicating plates mounted on the take-up frame.
12. The take-up frame system of claim 11 , wherein the load indicating plates have numbers representative of the amount of force being applied to the bearing assembly.
13. The take-up frame system of claim 11 , wherein the load indicating plates have markings indicating appropriate loading levels.
14. The take-up frame system of claim 7 , wherein the load indicating plates are adjustable for calibration of the take-up frame with respect to the position indicators.