IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,305,712
Granted Patent B2
US 12,305,712 · App. 18/122,740 · Granted May 20, 2025

Bearing shunt

Inventors: Guihui Zhong (Charlotte, NC); Venkata Kottapalli (Fort Mill, SC); James Brown (Rock Hill, SC); Joseph T. Griffin (Monroe, NC); John Tate (Cornelius, NC)
Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
F16C41/002F16C33/6681
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,305,712
App. No.
18/122,740
Granted
May 20, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A bearing shunt includes a metal washer, a conductive washer made from a carbon fiber mesh, and a metal cover. The metal washer includes a first annular surface, a lip protruding axially from the first annular surface, and a first plurality of lubricant flow holes. The conductive washer includes a second annular surface contacting the first annular surface and a second plurality of lubricant flow holes aligned with the first plurality of lubricant flow holes. The metal cover is disposed radially inside of the lip and contacts the conductive washer. The metal cover includes a third plurality of lubricant flow holes aligned with the first plurality of lubricant flow holes.

Claims (37)

1. A bearing shunt, comprising:

a metal washer comprising:

a first annular surface;

a lip protruding axially from the first annular surface; and

a first plurality of lubricant flow holes;

a conductive washer made from a carbon fiber mesh, the conductive washer comprising:

a second annular surface contacting the first annular surface; and

a second plurality of lubricant flow holes aligned with the first plurality of lubricant flow holes; and

a metal cover disposed radially inside of the lip and contacting the conductive washer, the metal cover comprising:

a third plurality of lubricant flow holes aligned with the first plurality of lubricant flow holes.

2. The bearing shunt of claim 1 wherein the metal washer, the conductive washer, and the metal cover are secured together with an electrically conductive adhesive.

3. The bearing shunt of claim 1 wherein the metal cover is secured to the metal washer at the lip.

4. The bearing shunt of claim 3 wherein the lip comprises staked portions that secure the metal cover to the metal washer.

5. The bearing shunt of claim 1 further comprising mounting screws for securing the bearing shunt to a bearing ring.

6. The bearing shunt of claim 1 further comprising a first flow limiter comprising an outer diameter having scallops aligned with the first plurality of lubricant flow holes.

7. The bearing shunt of claim 6 wherein:

the metal washer has a first inside diameter; and

the first flow limiter has a second inside diameter, less than the first inside diameter.

8. The bearing shunt of claim 7 wherein the first flow limiter comprises an inner lip disposed radially within the first inside diameter and contacting the conductive washer.

9. The bearing shunt of claim 6 wherein the first flow limiter is electrically conductive and formed from a non-woven carbon fiber fleece or felt.

10. The bearing shunt of claim 9 wherein the first flow limiter is secured to the metal washer or the metal cover with an electrically conductive adhesive.

11. The bearing shunt of claim 6 further comprising a second flow limiter comprising an outer diameter having scallops aligned with the first plurality of lubricant flow holes.

12. The bearing shunt of claim 11 wherein:

the first flow limiter is:

electrically conductive;

formed from non-woven carbon fiber fleece or felt; and

secured to the metal washer with electrically conductive adhesive; and

the second flow limiter is:

electrically conductive;

formed from non-woven carbon fiber fleece or felt; and

secured to the cover with electrically conductive adhesive.

13. A bearing assembly comprising:

an outer ring comprising a race;

a plurality of rolling elements arranged to travel along the race; and

a bearing shunt of claim 1 secured to the outer ring.

14. The bearing assembly of claim 13 wherein the bearing shunt is secured to the outer ring by screws.

15. The bearing assembly of claim 14 further comprising a conductive adhesive disposed on the screws.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 17, 2023
From: ZHONG, GUIHUI; KOTTAPALLI, VENKATA; BROWN, JAMES; GRIFFIN, JOSEPH T.; TATE, JOHN
To: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 063011/0869 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240309915A1 · Sep 19, 2024
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