Abstract: A planetary transmission assembly including a composite planetary staking pin is disclosed. The composite planetary staking pin fixes a planetary gear to a planetary carrier, and the planetary gear is supported on the composite planetary staking pin by rolling elements. The composite planetary staking pin includes an inner pin body having axial ends with circular grooves. The composite planetary staking pin is fixed to the planetary carrier via staking of the axial ends of the inner pin body. An outer sleeve of the composite planetary staking pin is fixed to the inner pin body. The outer sleeve defines a circumferentially extending helical channel that provides a lubricant flow path between an inlet defined by the planetary carrier and an outlet to the rolling elements.

Abstract: A combination bearing is configured to support both axial loads and radial loads. The combination bearing includes a bearing housing including a radial bearing ring and an axial bearing cup. Radial rolling elements are located within the radial bearing ring, are configured to support a radial load, and collectively rotate about a central axis. Axial rolling elements are located within the axial bearing cup, are configured to support an axial load, and are axially offset from the radial rolling elements along the axis. An axial washer directly contacts the axial rolling elements. The axial washer is configured to support the axial load and transfer it toward the axial rolling elements. A sealing washer is disposed about the axis and spaced axially from the axial washer. Oil is retained within the combination bearing during free-wheeling conditions with little to no external oil supply.

Abstract: A planetary transmission assembly including a composite planetary staking pin is disclosed. The composite planetary staking pin fixes a planetary gear to a planetary carrier, and the planetary gear is supported on the composite planetary staking pin by rolling elements. The composite planetary staking pin includes an inner pin body having axial ends with circular grooves. The composite planetary staking pin is fixed to the planetary carrier via staking of the axial ends of the inner pin body. An outer sleeve of the composite planetary staking pin is fixed to the inner pin body. The outer sleeve defines a circumferentially extending helical channel that provides a lubricant flow path between an inlet defined by the planetary carrier and an outlet to the rolling elements.

Abstract: A method of assembling a thrust bearing arrangement is disclosed. The method includes (a) providing a thrust bearing assembly. The thrust bearing assembly includes a support washer. The support washer includes a radially outer rim defining a plurality of slots extending radially outward from the radially outer rim. The method includes (b) providing a spring plate. The spring plate includes projections at a radially outer region. The projections extend in an axial direction. The method includes (c) aligning the projections of the spring plate with the slots of support washer. The method includes (d) deforming the projections of the spring plate to retain the thrust bearing assembly with the spring plate.

Abstract: A cage-less thrust bearing includes first and second washers concentrically arranged such that the washers cooperate to define a ball chamber having a first pair of opposing axially extending race surfaces and a second pair of opposing radially extending race surfaces. A plurality of balls are disposed in the ball chamber without being retained by a cage. Each ball is configured to ride on each of the race surfaces.

Abstract: A cage-less thrust bearing includes first and second washers concentrically arranged such that the washers cooperate to define a ball chamber having a first pair of opposing axially extending race surfaces and a second pair of opposing radially extending race surfaces. A plurality of balls are disposed in the ball chamber without being retained by a cage. Each ball is configured to ride on each of the race surfaces.

Abstract: A carrier hub assembly includes a carrier hub and a bearing assembly. The carrier hub includes an end portion having a first face surface and a second face surface. The bearing assembly includes a first bearing positioned on the first face surface and a second bearing positioned on the second face surface. Each bearing includes a pair of washers forming a pair of races, a cage, and a plurality of rolling elements. The bearing assembly further includes a connecting sleeve connecting the first bearing to the second bearing. The connecting sleeve retains the first bearing and the second bearing on the carrier hub.

Abstract: A carrier hub assembly includes a carrier hub and a bearing assembly. The carrier hub includes an end portion having a first face surface and a second face surface. The bearing assembly includes a first bearing positioned on the first face surface and a second bearing positioned on the second face surface. Each bearing includes a pair of washers forming a pair of races, a cage, and a plurality of rolling elements. The bearing assembly further includes a connecting sleeve connecting the first bearing to the second bearing. The connecting sleeve retains the first bearing and the second bearing on the carrier hub.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides variant Pol6 polymerase polypeptides, compositions comprising the Pol6 variant polypeptides, and methods for using the variant Pol6 polypeptides for determining the sequencing of nucleic acids, for example, by nanopore sequencing. The variant Pol6 polymerases possess decreased rates of dissociation of template from the polymerase-template complex, which result in increased processivity relative to the parental Pol6 polypeptides from which they are derived.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for enhancing the processivity of a polymerase in catalyzing template-dependent DNA synthesis in high concentrations of salt. Also disclosed are methods and compositions for enhancing the assembly of polymerase-template complex compatible with active DNA synthesis in the presence of low levels of nucleotides and at a high temperature, such as temperatures at or near the melting temperature of the polymerase.

Abstract: A radial rolling bearing assembly is provided which includes first and second radial rolling bearings having respective bearing cups that include respective bearing races, respective radially extending flanges at first axial ends and respective bearing axial flanges with respective connector elements at the second axial ends. Respective cages hold rolling elements in the bearing cups that contact the races and define respective bearing support surfaces that can support, for example, a shaft or housing. A connector sleeve connects the first and second radial rolling bearings. The connector sleeve includes a first axial end with a first complementary connector that engages the first connector element, and a second axial end with a second complementary connector that engages the second connector element.

Abstract: A planetary pin used for staking in a planetary gear system is provided. The planetary pin comprises a cylindrical body, a first end having a first end surface, a second end having a second end surface, and a circular groove formed in at least one of the end surfaces concentric with the cylindrical body.

Abstract: A planetary pin used for staking in a planetary gear system is provided. The planetary pin comprises a cylindrical body, a first end having a first end surface, a second end having a second end surface, and a circular groove formed in at least one of the end surfaces concentric with the cylindrical body.

Abstract: A radial rolling bearing assembly is provided which includes first and second radial rolling bearings having respective bearing cups that include respective bearing races, respective radially extending flanges at first axial ends and respective bearing axial flanges with respective connector elements at the second axial ends. Respective cages hold rolling elements in the bearing cups that contact the races and define respective bearing support surfaces that can support, for example, a shaft or housing. A connector sleeve connects the first and second radial rolling bearings. The connector sleeve includes a first axial end with a first complementary connector that engages the first connector element, and a second axial end with a second complementary connector that engages the second connector element.

Abstract: A bearing and bearing system includes a raceway with a first and a second radial flange, a cylindrical cage with openings placed between the first flange and the second flange, and rolling elements disposed in at least some of the openings. The cage is cut by a radial plane forming first and second circumferential edges so that in a first dynamic condition the cage has a first diameter and in a second dynamic condition the cage has a second diameter.

Abstract: A planet pin for use in a planetary gear system and a gear system including a planet pin are disclosed. The inventive planet pin provides a plurality of radial passages in fluid communication with an axial passage which can advantageously eliminate, or substantially reduce, the need to orient a planet pin in a planetary gear system.

Abstract: A roller thrust bearing including a first ring including a first radial portion, and a second ring including a radially inner flange and a second radial portion is provided. Rolling elements each having a length are supported between the first ring and the second ring. A cage including an annular body defines a plurality of pockets, and the rolling elements are located in at least some of the pockets. The pockets each have a radial opening, and the length of the rolling elements is less than a length of the radial opening of the pockets, defining a clearance between at least one end side of each of the rolling elements and at least one radial end face of respective ones of the pockets that contain the rolling elements. The clearance provides radial play between each of the rolling elements and the respective ones of the pockets.

Abstract: A bearing race encapsulation apparatus, which has a spring assembly integrated into a hearing that allows the hearing to compensate for varying expansions and contractions caused by differences in temperature. The bearing race encapsulation apparatus includes an outer bearing ring with an end face and an outer face with a indent formed in the outer face. An encapsulation ring, which has a retention element that is snapped into the indent of the outer bearing ring, a first segment that extends axially outwardly from the retention element, and a second segment that extends radially inwardly from the first segment. A spring is arranged axially between the second segment of the encapsulation ring and the outer bearing ring to compensate for the expansion and contraction.

Abstract: A planet pin for use in a planetary gear system and a gear system including a planet pin are disclosed. The inventive planet pin provides a plurality of radial passages in fluid communication with an axial passage which can advantageously eliminate, or substantially reduce, the need to orient a planet pin in a planetary gear system.

Abstract: A thermal compensation element which has an inner ring, an outer ring, and a washer. The washer is arranged within the inner ring and the outer ring is mounted over the inner ring, encapsulating the washer, which can be a split wave spring. The inner ring and the outer ring each have retention features to ensure they are retained relative to each other. The thermal compensation, which is positioned between a housing or a shaft, can account for variations in loading and/or temperature that may occur to a bearing and a shaft system when the shaft and an associated component are made of different materials and have different coefficients of thermal expansion by ensuring a proper axial preload is maintained on the bearing.