Process for determining the initial stress of antifriction bearings which are preloaded against each other or installed with an initial stress

摘要

A process for determining the prestress of antifriction bearings which are preloaded against each other or installed with an initial stress, and permitting a reliable determination as to the prestress actually present in the bearing. The initial stress is determined in connection with the elastic behavior (elastic deformation) of the bearing, by first, applying a first force F.sub.1 to the bearing as it rests on a flange or bearing ring, and measuring the elastic deformation S.sub.1 resulting therefrom. Second, another (higher) force F. sub.2 is applied to the bearing and again the elastic deformation S.sub.2 resulting therefrom is measured. Thereupon, the difference between the elastic deformations (S.sub.2 -S. sub.1 =&Dgr;S) is determined and the existing initial stress is found by comparison with the elastic characteristic (calculated or empirically determined) of the bearing.