Serial communication and embedded sensors on bearings and gear reducers for increased productivity

Serial communication and embedded sensors can make the online monitoring of machine bearings and gear reducers a reality. By monitoring bearings and gear reducers, vital parameters by using embedded sensors such as thermocouples, temperature switches, accelerometers, speed pick ups and pressure switches; it is possible to increase the up time of industrial equipment substantially. Serial communication can also be used to decrease the cost of wiring thus making online monitoring possible at low cost. In this paper, a series of smart bearings and gear reducers are described and presented. The advantages of the new serial communication are also presented