Method of Manufacturing Split Bearing Races
A method of manufacturing or forming a split bearing race for an angular contact roller bearing is provided. The method includes the steps of: A) forming a generally annular blank having a first annular portion, a second annular portion, and a third annular portion disposed between the first and second annular portions, the third annular portion having a thickness greater than the thickness of the first and second annular portions; B) machining at least one of the first, second, and third annular portions; and C) forming a first and second race member of the split bearing race by bifurcating the generally annular blank along the third annular portion. The method may also include the steps of: D) heat treating the generally annular blank after machining at least one of the first, second, and third annular portions; and E) finish machining the generally annular blank subsequent to the heat treating.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60/956,150, filed Aug. 16, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates to a method of manufacturing split bearing races for an angular contact roller bearing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONAngular contact roller bearings include two complements of roller elements disposed between an inner and an outer bearing race. The angular contact roller bearing typically employs a split bearing race for either the inner or outer bearing race. The split bearing race includes a first race member and a second race member. The split bearing race facilitates the loading or insertion of the first and second complement of roller elements during assembly of the angular contact roller bearing. The dimensional tolerances of the first and second race members must be maintained to ensure proper functioning and reliability of the angular contact roller bearing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA method of manufacturing or forming a split bearing race for an angular contact roller bearing is provided. The method includes the steps of: A) forming a generally annular blank having a first annular portion, a second annular portion, and a third annular portion disposed between the first and second annular portions, the third annular portion having a thickness greater than the thickness of the first and second annular portions; B) machining at least one of the first, second, and third annular portions; and C) forming a first and second race member of the split bearing race by bifurcating the generally annular blank along the third annular portion. The method may also include the steps of: D) heat treating the generally annular blank after machining at least one of the first, second, and third annular portions; and E) finish machining the generally annular blank subsequent to the heat treating. In a preferred embodiment, the generally annular blank is formed by hot rolling.
The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers correspond to like or similar components throughout the several views, there is shown in
The first and second plurality of roller elements 26 and 28 run or roll on two pairs of convergent angular pathways. The first and second race members 20 and 22 define first and second outboard pathways 30 and 32, respectively, while the outer bearing race 16 defines first and second inboard pathways 34 and 36. A first ball track 38 is the path that the center of each of the first plurality of roller elements 26 travels within the angular contact roller bearing 10. Similarly, a second ball track 40 is the path that the center of each of the second plurality of roller elements 28 travels within the angular contact roller bearing 10. The first race member 20 includes a primary face 42 and a secondary face 44, while the second race member 22 includes a primary face 46 and a secondary face 48. The primary faces 42 and 46 cooperate to provide the necessary clearances between the first and second plurality of roller elements 26 and 28, the inner bearing race 18, and the outer bearing race 16. Therefore, the dimensional tolerances of the primary faces 42 and 46 must be maintained to ensure the reliability and proper functioning of the angular contact roller bearing 10.
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Although the method described hereinabove was focused on forming the inner bearing race 18, the provided method is also an effective means of producing outer bearing races of the split bearing race variety. While the best modes for carrying out the invention have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A method of manufacturing a split bearing race for an angular contact roller bearing comprising:
- forming a generally annular blank having a first annular portion, a second annular portion, and a third annular portion disposed between said first and second annular portions;
- wherein said third annular portion has a thickness greater than the thickness of said first and second annular portions;
- machining at least one of said first, second, and third annular portions; and
- forming a first race member and a second race member of the split bearing race by bifurcating said generally annular blank along said third annular portion.
2. The method of manufacturing a split bearing race of claim 1, wherein the split bearing race is an inner bearing race.
3. The method of manufacturing a split bearing race of claim 1, wherein forming said generally annular blank includes hot rolling.
4. The method of manufacturing a split bearing race of claim 1, further comprising heat treating said generally annular blank after machining at least one of said first, second, and third annular portions.
5. The method of manufacturing a split bearing race of claim 4, further comprising finish machining said generally annular blank subsequent to said heat treating.
6. The method of manufacturing a split bearing race of claim 5, wherein said finish machining of said generally annular blank subsequent to said heat treating is performed by grinding.
7. A method of manufacturing a split bearing race for an angular contact roller bearing comprising:
- forming a generally annular blank having a first annular portion, a second annular portion, and a third annular portion disposed between said first and second annular portions;
- wherein said third annular portion has a thickness greater than the thickness of said first and second annular portions;
- wherein forming said generally annular blank includes hot rolling;
- machining at least one of said first, second, and third annular portions; and
- forming a first race member and a second race member of the split bearing race by bifurcating said generally annular blank along said third annular portion.
8. The method of manufacturing a split bearing race of claim 7, further comprising heat treating said generally annular blank after machining at least one of said first, second, and third annular portions.
9. The method of manufacturing a split bearing race of claim 8, further comprising finish machining said generally annular blank subsequent to said heat treating.
10. The method of manufacturing a split bearing race of claim 9, wherein said finish machining of said generally annular blank subsequent to said heat treating is performed by grinding.
11. A method of manufacturing a split bearing race for an angular contact roller bearing comprising:
- forming a generally annular blank having a first annular portion, a second annular portion, and a third annular portion disposed between said first and second annular portions;
- wherein said third annular portion has a thickness greater than the thickness of said first and second annular portions;
- wherein forming said generally annular blank includes hot rolling;
- machining at least one of said first, second, and third annular portions;
- heat treating said generally annular blank after machining at least one of said first, second, and third annular portions;
- finish machining said generally annular blank subsequent to said heat treating by grinding said generally annular blank; and
- forming a first race member and a second race member of the split bearing race by bifurcating said generally annular blank along said third annular portion.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 7, 2008
Publication Date: Feb 19, 2009
Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. (Detroit, MI)
Inventors: Jeffrey R. Lee (Tipton, MI), Travis M. Thompson (Ann Arbor, MI)
Application Number: 11/970,054
International Classification: B21K 1/04 (20060101);