Wear Indicating Lined Spherical Bearings Navy SBIR FY2012.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2012.1 Topic No.: N121-016 Topic Title: Wear Indicating Lined Spherical Bearings Proposal No.: N121-016-0685 Firm: NanoLab, Inc. 179 Bear Hill Road Waltham, Massachusetts 02451 Contact: David Carnahan Phone: (781) 609-2722 Web Site: www.nano-lab.com Abstract: The maintenance of bearings and rod ends is critical for rotary and fixed wing aircraft. There is currently no indicator or feedback mechanism in place for the maintenance crew to determine the remaining life or state of the liner. NanoLab, Security Technology Systems, and New Hampshire Ball Bearing (NHBB, a division of Astro) will all play roles in the development of a wear sensor for the AS81820 (fixed wing) and AS81819 (rotary) line of bearings. Our goal is to implement our solution as a drop-in replacement for the current lining material, with no mechanical design changes to the bearing. Benefits: Instrumented bearings could enable maintenance crews to determine which bearings need to be replaced, which would save labor and parts cost for military and commercial aircraft, rotorcraft, etc. We also recognize opportunities for these bearings in wind energy and in drilling industries. Return