Wear-Indicating Rod End Bearing.

摘要

The purpose of this program was to design, analyze, and test a wear-indicating device which will provide a practical, efficient method for the in-place measurement of wear on rod end bearings, commonly called rod ends. Preliminary design concepts were investigated. Then the chosen design was modified as a result of manufacturing experience and preliminary tests. The final configuration uses a pin entrapped within a bushing which is welded in place in the rod end. Twenty-six wear-indicating rod end (WIRE) test specimens were fabricated from Government-furnished rod ends used on the damper link on the UH-1 helicopter. The test program included wear testing in sanitary and hostile environments, fatigue testing, and static testing. The objective was to determine the ability of the WIRE device to function in the helicopter environment and to assess the effect of the device on a standard rod end. It was found that the WIRE device functions properly in the wear conditions tested, that the wear endurance of the rod end has not been reduced by incorporation of the WIRE device, that the fatigue strength of the standard rod end has not been reduced, and that the ultimate static strength of the standard rod end has been reduced somewhat, which is not considered to be significant because the rod end static strength greatly exceeds that of the mounting bolt. (Author)