US Patent 8485052 Method and apparatus for bearing thrust monitoring

A method and apparatus for bearing thrust monitoring allows measurable detection of tilt of a support bearing a roller which rotatably supports a rotating body. A tilt meter adapted to measurably detect a tilt of the support bearing is coupled to the support bearing, where the tilt is defined as an angular difference in bearing orientation between a first bearing position and a second subsequent bearing position that is cause by an axial thrust on the rotary body. Once tilt is detected, the bearing orientation of the support bearing can be adjusted to return the support bearing to substantially the first bearing position.