Bearing monitoring method

1 . A method for monitoring a bearing comprising:

a. positioning at least one non-contacting bearing isolator adjacent a bearing on a piece of rotating equipment so that at least one operating parameter of said bearing is communicated to said bearing isolator; and,

b. positioning an energy detector within range of said bearing isolator so that said energy detector is able to monitor said at least one operating parameter of said bearing by detecting at least one operating parameter of said bearing isolator.

2 . The method for monitoring a bearing according to claim 1 wherein said at least one operating parameter is communicated to a stator exterior end face of said non-contacting bearing isolator.

3 . The method for monitoring a bearing according to claim 1 wherein said energy detector is further defined as an IR camera.

4 . The method for monitoring a bearing according to claim 1 wherein said energy detector is further defined as a device operable to detect and measure vibrational information.

5 . The method for monitoring a bearing according to claim 1 wherein said energy detector communicates the value of said at least one operating parameter to a user interface.

6 . The method for monitoring a bearing according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of bearings and a plurality of energy detectors.

7 . The method for monitoring a bearing according to claim 6 wherein said plurality of energy detectors are in communication with each other.

8 . The method for monitoring a bearing according to claim 7 wherein said plurality of energy detectors communicate the value of said at least one operating parameter to a user interface in a network.

9 . The method for monitoring a bearing according to claim 1 wherein said at least one operational parameter is chosen from a group comprised of thermal energy, vibration frequency, vibration amplitude, rotational speed, rotational resistance, axial or radial displacement of said shaft, axial or radial displacement of said conveyor roller, and wear on said bearing.

10 . A method for monitoring a bearing of a conveyor roller comprising:

a. positioning a non-contacting bearing isolator adjacent said bearing wherein said non-contacting bearing isolator comprises:

i. a stator secured to a shaft; and,

ii. a rotor secured to said conveyor roller, wherein the stator has a stator exterior end face axially distal from said bearing secured to said shaft, wherein said stator and said rotor cooperate to form a non-contacting labyrinth seal between said bearing and an atmosphere axially distal said stator exterior end face, said labyrinth seal comprising;

1. an exterior interface passage;

2. an intermediate annular chamber;

3. an interior interface passage; and

4. an immediate interface passage between said stator and said rotor.

b. allowing at least one operational parameter of said bearing to be communicated to said non-contacting bearing isolator; and,

c. positioning a monitor a predetermined distance from said non-contacting bearing isolator so that said monitor is capable of monitoring said at least one operating parameter of said bearing by detecting at least one operating parameter of said bearing isolator.

11 . A method for monitoring a bearing of a conveyor roller comprising:

a. positioning at least one non-contacting bearing isolator adjacent said bearing wherein said non-contacting bearing isolator comprises:

i. a stator secured to a shaft, wherein said stator includes a stator exterior end face;

ii. a sensor port fashioned in said stator exterior end face; and,

iii. a rotor secured to said conveyor roller, wherein the stator has a stator exterior end face axially distal from a bearing secured to said shaft, wherein said stator and said rotor cooperate to form a non-contacting labyrinth seal between said bearing and an atmosphere axially distal said stator exterior end face, said labyrinth seal comprising;

1. an exterior interface passage;

2. an intermediate annular chamber;

3. an interior interface passage; and

4. an immediate interface passage between said stator and said rotor;

b. allowing at least one operational parameter of said bearing to be communicated to said non-contacting bearing isolator; and,

c. positioning a sensor in said sensor port so that said sensor is capable of sensing said at least one operating parameter of said bearing.

12 . The method for monitoring a bearing according to claim 11 wherein said sensor is further defined as a thermal energy sensor.

13 . The method for monitoring a bearing according to claim 11 wherein said sensor is further defined as a device operable to detect and measure vibrational information.

14 . The method for monitoring a bearing according to claim 11 wherein said sensor communicates the value of said at least one operating parameter to a user interface.

15 . The method for monitoring a bearing according to claim 11 further comprising a plurality of bearings and a plurality of sensors.

16 . The method for monitoring a bearing according to claim 15 wherein said plurality of sensors are in communication with each other.

17 . The method for monitoring a bearing according to claim 11 wherein said at least one operational parameter is chosen from a group comprised of thermal energy, vibration frequency, vibration amplitude, rotational speed, rotational resistance, axial or radial displacement of said shaft, axial or radial displacement of said conveyor roller, and wear on said bearing.