Strain based preload measurement in drive axle pinion bearings

Bearing setting has a significant impact on bearing life and system performance. A strain based load measurement technique that has been previously developed and patented will be used to measure preload in automotive drive axle pinion bearings. This technique utilizes strain gages placed in notches that have been machined into the outer diameter of a bearing cup. The performance of two gage types, semiconductor and metal foil, are compared. Preload in the pinion bearings is simulated in a machine by applying an axial load to a bearing assembly. The bearing assembly is rotated at various speeds and temperatures for each set of axial loads. Two notch geometries are compared for each set of tests conducted. An effort has been made to develop a finite element model that can be used to verify the results of the gage calibration. The results of the calibration reveal that metal foil and semiconductor gages can provide preload measurements that are accurate to within 3.7% and 7.7% of the full scale input load (73 lbs. and 155 lbs.) respectively.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2005

Author dc:creator

• Thomas, Anthony H., 1981-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Kamal Youcef-Toumi.

• Mechanical Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/30322

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/30322