CN117145876A - Snap ring assembled conductive assembly for bearing - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrically conductive assembly for preventing current flow through a bearing race includes a mounting ring. The mounting ring can be arranged in a holding groove of the outer member or of the bearing outer ring, formed from an electrically conductive elastic material. The fitting ring has two circumferentially spaced ends and is capable of being deflected inwardly so that the circumferentially spaced ends thereof are displaced toward one another for reducing the outer diameter of the fitting ring for fitting into the retaining groove. The arcuate conductor has an outer radial end connected to the mounting ring, an inner radial end engageable with the shaft or bearing inner race, and two circumferentially spaced ends. When the electrical conductor is assembled around the shaft or bearing inner race, its two circumferential ends define an arcuate gap. The conductive path extends between the shaft and the outer member through the arcuate electrical conductor and the mounting collar.

Description

Snap ring assembled conductive assembly for bearing

Technical Field

The present invention relates to bearings, and more particularly to a grounding device for preventing current or charge from flowing through a bearing.

Background

Bearings used in electrical machines (e.g., electric machines (/ motors), generators, or the like) can be damaged if current or charge flows through the bearings, particularly causing damage to the bearing raceways. Devices such as ground brushes have been developed to provide a candidate path for current flow to prevent current flow through the bearing. These devices typically comprise a plurality of conductive fibers circumferentially spaced around the entire outer surface of the bearing shaft for forming relatively dense rings of fibers for the flow of electrical current through the fibers between the bearing shaft and the housing. Other devices or mechanisms are used to provide electrical insulation to the bearing to prevent current from flowing through the bearing, and may include an insulating layer or insulating covering.

Disclosure of Invention

In one aspect, the invention is a conductive assembly (/ conductive assembly) (electrically conductive assembly) for preventing current from flowing through a raceway of a bearing. The bearing has an inner race disposed about the shaft and an outer race disposed within the inner bore of the outer member. The shaft or outer member is rotatable about a central axis passing through the shaft. An annular holding groove (annular retention groove) is formed on an inner circumferential surface of the outer member or the bearing outer ring. The conductive assembly includes a mounting ring. The mounting ring can be arranged in the holding groove and made of an electrically conductive elastic material. The fitting ring has an outer diameter and two circumferential ends spaced apart in a circumferential direction, and is capable of deflecting (/ deforming) inward in a substantially radial direction. In this way, each of the two circumferential ends can be moved (displaced) substantially toward the other of the two circumferential ends (displaces) for reducing the outer diameter of the fitting ring so as to be fitted in the holding groove. The arcuate conductor has a centerline, an outboard radial end that connects the mounting ring and an inboard radial end that is engageable with the shaft or bearing inner race such that a conductive path extends between the shaft and the outer member through the arcuate conductor and the mounting ring.

In another aspect, the invention is also a conductive assembly as described in the preceding paragraph. Wherein the arcuate conductor further comprises an arcuate conductive mount (/ arcuate conductive holder) (arcuate conductive retainer). The conductive support has an outer radial end, an inner radial end, and an annular channel extending radially outwardly from the inner radial end. A plurality of conductive fibers are circumferentially spaced about a centerline of the electrical conductor, each conductive fiber having an outboard radial end disposed within a retaining groove of a conductive bracket (retainer) and at least one inboard radial end capable of engaging a rotating shaft or bearing inner race.

In a further aspect, the invention is also a conductive assembly as described in the preceding paragraph (paragraph 3). Wherein the arcuate conductor has two circumferentially spaced ends that define an arcuate gap therebetween when the conductor is assembled around the shaft or bearing inner race.

Drawings

The foregoing summary of the invention, as well as the detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings exemplary embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an axial cross-sectional perspective view of a mechanical assembly (/ mechanical component) (mechanical assembly) comprising a conductive assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an axial cross-sectional view showing the conductive assembly assembled (/ installed) in the bearing outer race;

fig. 3 is an axial sectional view showing the conductive assembly being assembled in the outer member;

fig. 4 is a perspective view of the conductive assembly;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the conductive assembly;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the conductive assembly;

FIG. 7 is an axial cross-sectional view of the conductive assembly;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view depicting certain steps in the manufacture of a preferred electrical conductor;

FIG. 9 is an axial cross-sectional view of a preferred electrical conductor; and

fig. 10 is a perspective view of a preferred electrical conductor.

Detailed Description

In the following description, certain terminology is used for the purpose of convenience only and is not limiting. The terms "inner", "inwardly" and "outer", "outwardly" refer to directions toward or away from, respectively, a designated centerline or geometric center of a component being described, the particular meaning of which is apparent from the description below. Furthermore, as used herein, the terms "connected" and "connected" each mean either a direct connection between two elements without any other elements intervening therebetween, or an indirect connection between two elements with one or more other elements intervening therebetween. The terminology includes the specific words above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

Referring now in detail to the drawings wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. Figures 1 to 10 show an arrangement for preventing current flow through the inner and outer raceways R of a bearing 1 _I 、R _O Is provided for the conductive assembly 10. The bearing 1 has an inner ring 2 provided around a rotating shaft 3, an outer ring 4 provided in an inner hole 5 of an outer member (e.g., a housing) 6, and a plurality of rolling elements 7. The rolling bodies 7 are respectively and simultaneously arranged on the rollaway nest R _I 、R _O Upper roll for rotatably connecting the bearing rings 2 and 4. The shaft 3 or the outer member 6 can be wound around a central axis a passing through the shaft 3 _C And (5) rotating. The bearing 1, shaft 3 and other components 6 (fig. 3) are all parts in a motor, other electrical machine (e.g. generator) or any other machine having rotatable parts (/ components) that may accumulate electric charge or transfer current.

Further, an annular holding groove 8 is formed in the inner circumferential surface 6a of the outer member 6 as shown in fig. 3, or in the inner circumferential surface 4a of the bearing outer ring 4 as shown in fig. 2. In any case, the conductive assembly 10 essentially comprises a fitting ring 12 which can be arranged in the holding groove 8 and an arc-shaped conductive body 14 connected to the fitting ring 12, said conductive body 14 being able to axially communicate with the racewayR _I 、R _O The space is formed at a position to be engaged with the rotating shaft 3 or the bearing inner ring 2 (/ fit) (engageable). In this way, the conductive assembly 10 provides one or more conductive paths between the shaft 3 and the outer member 6, each of which extends through the conductive body 14 and the mounting ring 12 so that current (in turn) does not flow through the bearing race R _I 、R _O (i.e. only through said conductive path) thereby preventing the two raceways R from being contacted _I 、R _O And the rolling elements 7.

The mounting collar 12 is formed of an electrically conductive resilient material, such as low carbon steel, and is formed as a generally C-shaped snap ring or "collar". The mounting collar 12 has a centerline CL _R Having an outer diameter OD _R An outer circumferential surface 12a (fig. 5), and two circumferential ends 13A, 13B spaced apart in the circumferential direction, the two circumferential ends 13A, 13B defining an outer arc gap G therebetween _O . In addition, the fitting ring 12 is capable of elastically deflecting (/ deforming) (i.e., elastically contracting) inward in a substantially radial direction so that each of the two circumferential direction ends 13A, 13B thereof is displaced substantially toward the other one of the two circumferential direction ends 13B, 13A, thereby reducing the outer diameter OD of the fitting ring 12 _R 。

This inward deformation of the fitting ring 12 and the accompanying relative displacement (approaching each other) between the two circumferential ends 13A, 13B of the fitting ring enable the fitting ring 12 to be fitted in the holding groove 8. The fitting ring 12 can also be deflected/deformed outwardly in the radial direction after being fitted in the holding groove 8 so that its outer circumferential surface 12a frictionally engages (frictionally engageable) the inner circumferential surface 8a of the holding groove 8. The frictional engagement between the fitting ring 12 and the retaining groove inner circumferential surface 8a constitutes a retaining constraint for the conductive assembly 10 connected to the outer member 6 or the bearing outer ring 4.

In addition, the arcuate conductor 14 also has a centerline CL _C (with the centerline CL of the mounting collar 12) _R Coaxial), an outer radial end 14a, an inner radial end 14B, first and second axial ends 14c, 14d opposite to each other, and two circumferential ends 15A, 15B spaced apart in the circumferential direction. Outside is provided withThe radial end 14a is connected to the mounting ring 12 and the inner radial end 14b is capable of engaging with the rotating shaft 3 or the bearing inner ring 2. When the conductor 14 is assembled around the shaft 3 or the inner ring 2, an inner arc gap G is defined between the two circumferential ends 15A, 15B _I . In addition, both circumferential ends 15A, 15B of the arc-shaped conductor 14 also surround the center line CL _C Defining a clearance angle theta _C The clearance angle theta _C Preferably having an angle value of approximately 90 degrees (90 deg.). Further, by an inner arc gap G _I And, preferably, by both the inner and outer arcuate gaps G _I 、G _O The gap space is formed to provide a substantially arc-shaped gap G _I /G _I +G _O The arc gap G _I /G _I +G _O Is sized to provide a passageway for fluid flowing through the bearing and/or to provide clearance for a portion of the outer member 6 or some member(s) (not shown) that fits within the outer member 6 or that fits closely to the outer member 6.

Furthermore, the arc-shaped electrical conductor 14 is also made of a deformable material (/ flexible material/pliable material) (flexible material), preferably a combination of aluminum and carbon fibers, as discussed later, to enable deflection (/ deformation) in the radial direction. In this way, when the fitting ring 12 is deflected (/ deformed) radially inward (reflections), each of the two circumferential ends 15A, 15B of the arcuate conductor 14 can be moved (/ displaced) substantially toward the other one of the two circumferential ends 15B, 15A (displaces). After the conductive assembly 10 is fitted into the holding groove 8, the arc-shaped conductive body 14 is also deflected outward in the radial direction (/ deformed) during the outward deflection (/ deformation) of the fitting ring 12 (deflection). Having described the basic structure and function above, these and other components of the conductive assembly 10 of the present invention will be described in further detail below.

Referring now to fig. 4-10, the electrical conductor 14 preferably comprises an outer arcuate conductive support 20 and a plurality of conductive fibers 22 extending radially inward from the arcuate conductive support 20, the plurality of conductive fibers 22 being configured to engage (/ adapt) the shaft 3 or the inner ring 2. The engagement (/ adaptation) is preferably formed with a radial interference (i.e. by bending of the fibres 22) of up to 5 millimeters (5 mm) between the spindle 3 or the inner ring 2. Specifically, the arc-shaped bracket 20 has a closed outer radial end 20a, an open inner radial end 20B, an annular channel 24 extending radially outwardly from the inner radial end 20B, and two circumferential ends 21A, 21B providing the two circumferential ends 15A, 15B of the electrical conductor, respectively. Preferably, the arcuate bracket 20 includes an outer bottom wall 26 and a pair of side walls 28A, 28B extending radially inwardly from the bottom wall 26 to define the circumferential channel 24. Further, the arc bracket 20 is preferably made of a conductive metal material, preferably aluminum, but may be made of other metal materials (e.g., steel or copper), conductive polymer materials, or any other conductive material.

In addition, the plurality of conductive fibers 22 surrounds a centerline CL of the electrical conductor 14 _C Are circumferentially spaced apart and preferably evenly distributed (not shown) along the entire arc circumference between the two circumferential ends 21A, 21B of the arc bracket 20. As best shown in fig. 9, each conductive fiber 22 has an outer radial end 22a disposed in a channel 24 of the bracket 20 and at least one inner radial end 22b capable of engaging (/ fitting) with the shaft 3 or bearing inner race 2. The arcuate electrical conductor 14 also preferably further includes an arcuate conductive wire (/ arcuate conductive wire) (arcuate conductive wire) (also referred to herein simply as a "wire" or "lead") 30 (fig. 8 and 9) disposed within the bracket channel 24. Each conductive fiber 22 is bent (bent) around the arc-shaped wire 30 so that both inner radial ends 22b of each fiber 22 can be engaged (/ fitted) with the rotating shaft 3 or the bearing inner race 2, and has a substantially U-shape or V-shape.

Referring particularly to fig. 8-10, the arcuate conductor 14 is preferably formed from a plurality of conductive fibers 22 distributed along a rectangular conductive plate 32 such that each conductive fiber 22 extends beyond the lengthwise edges 32a, 32b of both sides of the rectangular plate 32, as shown in fig. 8. The wire 30 is then placed lengthwise through all of the conductive fibers 22. Thereafter, the edge portion of the rectangular plate 32 in the longitudinal direction is bent upward to form two side walls 28A, 28B, and all the fibers 22 are folded around the wire 30, thereby forming the channel 24. Preferably, the two side walls 28A, 28B of the arcuate support 20 are angled toward each other such that the plurality of conductive fibers 22 are "clamped" between the side walls 28A, 28B, as shown in fig. 9. In this manner, the arcuate wire 30 and the outer radial end 22a of the fiber 22 are retained within the annular channel 24, and a plurality of conductive paths extend from the plurality of fiber feet 22c, 22d to the two side walls 28A, 28B and the bottom wall 26, and thereafter through the mounting collar 12.

Finally, the elongated plate 32 is bent into an arcuate shape with an inside diameter ID _C (fig. 5) is sized to engage (/ fit) the outer surface of the spindle 3. Each conductive fiber 22 is preferably made of carbon, but may be made of a metallic material (e.g., copper, aluminum), a conductive polymer material, or any other suitable material in other cases. While the electrical conductor 14 preferably includes an arcuate support 20 and a plurality of conductive fibers 22, the electrical conductor 14 may be formed in any other suitable form. For example, the electrical conductor 14 may be formed as a solid member (not shown) in the shape of an arc, made of a deformable conductive polymer material, graphite, or other conductive material.

Referring now to fig. 4-7, the mounting collar 12 preferably includes an outboard arc 40, a plurality of support tabs 42, and a plurality of bracket tabs 44 "staggered" between the support tabs 42. Specifically, a plurality of support tabs 42 extend radially inward from the outer arcuate portion 40 about the centerline CL of the mounting collar 12 _R Spaced circumferentially such that a separate notch 46 is spaced from each adjacent detent 42. The first side wall 28B of the conductor arc mount 20 is preferably disposed against the plurality of support tabs 42 (and thus supported by the support tabs 42). In addition, the plurality of bracket tabs 44 also surround the centerline CL of the mounting collar 12 _R Spaced apart in the circumferential direction such that each support detent 42 is located between two support detents 44. Each of the holder tabs 44 has a radially outer portion 44a and a radially inner portion 44b, the radially outer portion 44a extending from the mounting collarThe outer arcuate portion 40 of 12 extends axially adjacent a discrete notch 46, and the radially inner portion 44b is bent radially inwardly to engage the second side wall 28A of the conductor arcuate bracket 20. In the above manner, the arcuate brackets 20, and thus the entire arcuate electrical conductor 14, are connected to the mounting collar 12.

With the above preferred construction of the mounting collar 12 and the electrical conductor 14, the conductive path is provided by the respective plurality of conductive fibers 22, arcuate brackets 20, support tabs 42 and bracket tabs 44, and ultimately through the outer arcuate portion 40 of the mounting collar 12 into the outer member 6 or bearing outer race 4 (in the latter case, after passing through the bearing outer race 4, and then into the outer member 6). Providing such axial contact with the bearing race R _I 、R _O The formation of spaced conductive paths prevents current from flowing through the race R _I 、R _O Or by way of raceways R _I 、R _O And discharging, thereby preventing the roller path from being damaged.

Furthermore, the mounting collar 12 preferably has a first tool engagement hole (/ first tool engagement hole) (first tool engagement hole) 50A adjacent its first circumferential end 13A and a second tool engagement hole (/ second tool engagement hole) 50B adjacent its second circumferential end 13B. With such engagement holes (/ fitting holes) 50A, 50B, when a tool (not shown) is fitted to both tool fitting holes 50A, 50B at the same time, the fitting collar 12 can be contracted or deformed radially inward, thereby moving one circumferential end 13A, 13B toward the other circumferential end 13B, 13A. The mounting collar 12 also preferably includes two radially inwardly extending mounting tabs 52A, 52B, each located adjacent one discrete (separate) circumferential end 13A, 13B of the mounting collar 12. Each of the fitting tabs 52A, 52B is engageable (/ fittable) with one circumferential end 21A, 21B of the conductor arc mount 20 to prevent the conductor 14 from surrounding the central axis a _C An angular displacement is generated.

Although the mounting collar 12 is preferably formed in the manner described above, the mounting collar 12 may be formed in any other suitable manner so long as it is capable of being disposed in the retaining groove 8 to support the electrical conductor 14. For example, the mounting collar 12 may comprise a generally flat arcuate disk and a single one or more spaced apart brackets (blackbackets) movably attached to the arcuate disk capable of engaging (/ fitting) with the arcuate support 20 of the electrical conductor to secure it to the flat disk. The scope of the present invention encompasses all suitable constructions of the mounting collar 12 that are capable of performing substantially the functions described herein.

Representative, non-limiting embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above in connection with the accompanying drawings. This detailed description is merely intended to teach a person of ordinary skill in the art further details for practicing preferred aspects of the present teachings and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Furthermore, the above detailed description of combinations of features and steps disclosed may not be necessary to practice the invention in the broadest sense, and are instead used to specifically describe representative embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, the various features of the foregoing representative embodiments, as well as the various independent and dependent claims appended hereto, may be combined in ways not specifically enumerated for providing useful implementations beyond the present teachings.

All of the features disclosed in the specification and/or in the claims are disclosed separately and independently of each other for original written disclosure and for restricting the claimed subject matter, independent of the composition of the features of the embodiments and/or the claims. Furthermore, all numerical ranges or characterizations of the entity group are disclosed for the purpose of original written disclosure and for the purpose of limiting the claimed subject matter as each possible intermediate value or intermediate entity. The invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, but may be varied within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (20)

1. An electrically conductive assembly for preventing current from flowing through a bearing raceway, the bearing having an inner race disposed about a shaft and an outer race disposed within an inner bore of an outer member, the shaft or outer member being rotatable about a central axis passing through the shaft, the outer member or bearing outer race having an annular retaining groove formed on an inner circumferential surface thereof, the electrically conductive assembly comprising:

a fitting ring capable of being disposed in the holding groove, formed of an electrically conductive elastic material, having an outer diameter and two circumferential ends spaced apart in a circumferential direction, and capable of being deflected inward in a substantially radial direction so that each of the two circumferential ends is capable of being displaced substantially toward the other one of the two circumferential ends to reduce the outer diameter of the fitting ring to be fitted in the holding groove; and

an arcuate conductor having a centerline, an outboard radial end attached to the mounting ring, and an inboard radial end engageable with the shaft or bearing inner race such that a conductive path extends between the shaft and the outer member through the arcuate conductor and the mounting ring.

2. The conductive assembly of claim 1, wherein: the fitting ring is capable of deflecting radially outwardly after fitting into the holding groove such that an outer circumferential surface thereof is capable of frictionally engaging an inner circumferential surface of the holding groove such that the conductive assembly is held within the outer member or the bearing outer race.

3. The conductive assembly of claim 1, wherein: the mounting collar has a first tool engagement aperture near a first circumferential end thereof and a second tool engagement aperture near a second circumferential end thereof, the mounting collar being capable of collapsing inwardly to displace each of the two circumferential ends toward the other when a tool engages the two tool engagement apertures.

4. The electrical conductor assembly of claim 1 wherein the arcuate conductor comprises an arcuate bracket having first and second axial ends, the mounting collar having a centerline and comprising an outer arcuate portion, a plurality of support tabs extending radially inwardly from the outer arcuate portion and circumferentially spaced about the centerline, and a plurality of bracket tabs disposed circumferentially spaced about the centerline, the plurality of bracket tabs being disposed between the two support tabs, each bracket tab being bent axially from the outer axial portion and extending radially inwardly so as to engage the second axial end of the arcuate bracket of the conductor.

5. The conductive assembly of claim 1, wherein: the arcuate conductor has two circumferentially spaced ends such that when the conductor is assembled about a shaft or bearing inner race, an arcuate gap is defined between the two circumferentially spaced ends.

6. The conductive assembly of claim 5, wherein: the arcuate conductor is deflectable such that when the mounting collar deflects radially inwardly, each of the two circumferential ends of the arcuate conductor is displaced generally toward the other of the two circumferential ends of the conductor.

7. The conductive assembly of claim 5, wherein: the two circumferential ends of the arcuate conductor define a clearance angle about the centerline, the clearance angle having an angle value of at least 30 degrees.

8. The conductive assembly of claim 5, wherein: the arcuate gap is sized to provide a passageway for fluid flowing through the bearing or to provide clearance for a portion of the outer member or a component part mounted in the outer member.

9. The conductive assembly of claim 1, wherein the conductive body comprises:

an arcuate conductive support having an outer radial end, an inner radial end, and an annular channel extending radially outwardly from the inner radial end; and

a plurality of conductive fibers spaced circumferentially about the centerline, each conductive fiber having an outer radial end disposed in an annular channel of the conductive mount and at least one inner radial end engageable with the shaft or bearing inner race.

10. The conductive assembly of claim 9, wherein: the electrical conductor further comprises an arcuate wire disposed in the annular channel of the conductive support, each conductive fiber being bent around the arcuate wire such that both inner radial ends of each conductive fiber engage the shaft or bearing inner race.

11. The conductive assembly of claim 9, wherein:

the arc-shaped conductive support comprises: an outer bottom wall having first and second axial ends opposite each other; a first sidewall extending radially inward from a first axial end of the bottom wall; and a second sidewall extending radially inward from a second axial end of the bottom wall, the annular channel being formed between the first and second sidewalls; and is also provided with

The assembly ring has a centerline and includes an outer arcuate portion, a plurality of support tabs extending radially inwardly from the outer arcuate portion and circumferentially spaced about the centerline, and a plurality of support tabs disposed circumferentially spaced about the centerline such that each support tab is disposed between two support tabs, each support tab being bent axially from the outer axial portion and extending radially inwardly such that it engages a second sidewall of the arcuate conductive support of the electrical conductor.

12. The conductive assembly of claim 11, wherein: the mounting ring includes two radially inwardly extending retention tabs, each located adjacent a separate one of the two circumferential ends of the mounting ring, each retention tab being engageable with a separate one of the two circumferential ends of the arcuate conductive support of the electrical conductor to prevent angular displacement of the electrical conductor relative to the central axis.

13. An electrically conductive assembly for preventing current from flowing through a bearing raceway, the bearing having an inner race disposed about a shaft and an outer race disposed within an inner bore of an outer member, the shaft or outer member being rotatable about a central axis passing through the shaft, the outer member or bearing outer race having an annular retaining groove formed on an inner circumferential surface thereof, the electrically conductive assembly comprising:

a fitting ring which can be provided in the holding groove, is made of an electrically conductive elastic material, has an outer diameter and two circumferential ends spaced apart in a circumferential direction, and can be deflected substantially radially inward so that each of the two circumferential ends can be displaced substantially toward the other one of the two circumferential ends to reduce the outer diameter of the fitting ring so as to be fittable in the holding groove; and

an arcuate electrical conductor having a centerline and comprising an arcuate conductive support having an outboard radial end, an inboard radial end, an annular channel extending radially outwardly from the inboard radial end, and a plurality of conductive fibers circumferentially spaced about the centerline, each conductive fiber having an outboard radial end disposed in the annular channel of the conductive support and at least one inboard radial end engageable with the shaft or bearing inner race such that a conductive path can extend between the shaft and the outer member through the arcuate electrical conductor and the mounting ring.

14. The conductive assembly of claim 13, wherein: the fitting ring is capable of deflecting radially outwardly after being fitted in the holding groove so that its outer circumferential surface can frictionally engage with the inner circumferential surface of the holding groove so that the conductive assembly is held within the outer member or bearing outer race.

15. The conductive assembly of claim 13, wherein: the arcuate electrical conductor includes an arcuate bracket having first and second axial ends, the mounting collar has a centerline, and includes an outer arcuate portion, a plurality of support tabs extending radially inwardly from the outer arcuate portion and circumferentially spaced about the centerline, and a plurality of bracket tabs disposed circumferentially spaced about the centerline such that each bracket tab is disposed between two support tabs, each bracket tab being axially bent from the outer axial portion and extending radially inwardly such that it engages the second axial end of the arcuate bracket of the electrical conductor.

16. The conductive assembly of claim 13, wherein: the arc-shaped bracket has two circumferential ends spaced apart in a circumferential direction such that an arc-shaped gap is defined between the two circumferential ends of the electric conductor when it is assembled around the rotating shaft or the bearing inner race.

17. The conductive assembly of claim 16, wherein: the arcuate gap is sized to provide a passage for fluid flowing through the bearing or to provide a clearance space for a portion of the outer member or a component part assembled in the outer member.

18. The conductive assembly of claim 16, wherein:

the arcuate conductor is deflectable such that when the mounting ring deflects radially inwardly, each of the two circumferential ends of the arcuate conductor is displaceable generally toward the other of the two circumferential ends of the conductor; and is also provided with

The fitting ring and the arcuate electrical conductor are each capable of deflecting radially outwardly after being fitted into the retaining groove such that an outer circumferential surface of the fitting ring is capable of frictionally engaging an inner circumferential surface of the retaining groove such that the electrical conductor assembly is retained in the outer member or bearing outer race.

19. The conductive assembly of claim 13, wherein: the electrical conductors also include arcuate wires disposed within the channels of the arcuate brackets, each of the conductive fibers being bent around the arcuate wires such that both inner radial ends of each conductive fiber are engageable with the shaft or bearing inner race.

20. An electrically conductive assembly for preventing current from flowing through a raceway of a bearing having an inner race disposed about a shaft and an outer race disposed in an inner bore of an outer member, the shaft or outer member being rotatable about a central axis passing through the shaft, the outer member or bearing outer race having an annular retaining groove formed on an inner circumferential surface thereof, the electrically conductive assembly comprising:

a fitting ring which can be provided in the holding groove, is made of an electrically conductive elastic material, has an outer diameter and two circumferential ends spaced apart in a circumferential direction, and can be deflected substantially radially inward so that each of the two circumferential ends can be displaced substantially toward the other one of the two circumferential ends to reduce the outer diameter of the fitting ring to be fitted in the holding groove; and

an arcuate conductor having a centerline, an outer radial end attached to the mounting ring, an inner radial end engageable with the shaft or the bearing inner race, and two circumferential ends spaced apart in a circumferential direction such that when the conductor is assembled around the shaft or the bearing inner race an arcuate gap is defined between the two circumferential ends thereof, the conductive path extending between the shaft and the outer member through the arcuate conductor and the mounting ring.