Linear Motion Assembly With Monitoring System and Method of Monitoring

[0028]A linear motion assembly 10 constructed according to a first embodiment of the invention, and portions of that assembly 10 are shown in FIGS. 1-8. Additional embodiments are generally shown at 110 in FIGS. 11 and 12; at 210 in FIGS. 13 and 14; at 310 in FIG. 15; at 410 in FIGS. 16, 17, and 20; at 510 in FIG. 18; and at 610 in FIG. 19. Reference numerals with the digits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 in the hundredth's place indicate alternative configurations of elements that also appear in the first embodiment. Unless indicated otherwise, where a portion of the following description uses a reference numeral to refer to FIGS. 1-8, that portion of the description also applies to elements designated by numerals having the digit 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 in the hundredth's place.

[0029]The assembly 10 has a first body or elongate ball screw 14 arranged for operable communication with a second body or ball nut 16 for translation of the screw 14 and nut 16 relative to one another. The ball screw 14 inc