Ball And Socket Patents (Class 384/206)
  • Patent number: 11649852
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ball joint includes arranging a ball in a bore of a housing, and enclosing an end of the bore. Plastic is injected into a space between the housing and the ball to form a bearing that has a bearing surface that engages the ball. The bearing shrinks to form a recess in the bearing surface so that the recess can be filled with a grease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: MULTIMATIC INC.
    Inventors: Rudolf Gruber, Thomas Alexander Sparrow, Ryan Warren Alexander
  • Patent number: 11278933
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an outer bearing member defining a cavity and an inner bearing member disposed within the cavity. The inner bearing member includes a spherical surface and a rod attachment opening defined in the spherical surface. The apparatus also includes an elastomeric material disposed within the cavity adjacent to the spherical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher T. Meranda, Marc D. Mayer
  • Patent number: 11124944
    Abstract: An arrangement in an articulated joint of a work machine wherein at least two machine parts are rotatably fastened to each other with a conical sleeve shaft joint in which a conical sleeve is pressed against a conical sleeve shaft by an intermediate plate. This intermediate plate includes members for receiving a channel and for connecting the channel to a lubrication channel. The members are formed on the intermediate plate's outer casing which connects a counter-surface to a pressing surface on the side of the conical sleeve to provide a continuous passage for the conical sleeve shaft of the articulated joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: PONSSE OYJ
    Inventor: Ville Hukkanen
  • Patent number: 10563670
    Abstract: A compressor for use in a gas turbine engine is disclosed herein. The compressor includes a case, vanes, and a vane actuation system. The vanes are arranged circumferentially adjacent to one another about a central axis inside the case and each one of the vanes is configured for rotation about a vane axis generally perpendicular to the central axis. The vane actuation system is configured to cause rotation of at least one of the vanes about the vane axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas D. Dierksmeier, Edward C. Rice, Ryan C. Humes
  • Patent number: 10415596
    Abstract: An actuator system including a harmonic drive operable to drive a variable vane system of a gas turbine engine. A drive arm is driven by the harmonic drive to drive a unison ring. A multiple of variable vanes driven by the unison ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Jesse M Chandler
  • Patent number: 10400622
    Abstract: A guide vane adjusting device for rotating guide vanes in a guide vane assembly having a driveshaft and a control ring that transmits a driveshaft rotation of the driveshaft to rotate the guide vanes. Each guide vane has a front and a rear vane part, which can be rotatable relative to each other about a respective guide vane rotational axis. The driveshaft is directly coupled to one of the guide vanes such that the vane parts are directly rotated without the interposition of the control ring. The driveshaft is indirectly coupled to the other guide vanes such that the guide vane parts are rotated indirectly with the interposition of the control ring. A respective drive lever acts on a bearing pin of the front vane part and a bearing pin of the rear vane part of the guide vane. The drive lever are coupled together via a respective coupling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: MAN Energy Solutions SE
    Inventor: Lennart Leopold
  • Patent number: 9989052
    Abstract: A linear compressor and a method of manufacturing a linear compressor are provided. The linear compressor may include a shell including a suction inlet, a cylinder having a compression space, in which a refrigerant suctioned in through the suction inlet may be compressed, a piston reciprocated within the cylinder, a first surface treatment disposed on an outer surface of the piston, the first surface treatment having a first hardness value, which is a measured hardness value, and a buffer disposed between the outer surface of the piston and the first surface treatment. The buffer may have a second hardness value, which is a measured hardness value. The first hardness value of the first surface treatment may be greater than the second hardness value of the buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Joonsung Park, Donghan Kim, Byungju Kim
  • Patent number: 9982712
    Abstract: A quick release pillow block bearing assembly has end pieces, a center bearing housing carrying a bearing, and quick release pins for retaining the bearing housing with the end pieces. The invention enables replacement and or repair of the bearing and its counterparts easily, efficiently, and less often. The user need only remove the quick release pins remove the bearing housing and thereby gain access to the housing, which also provides access to the bearing/shaft and counterparts. Upon removal of the quick release pins, the center housing may be removed from the structure, while the end pieces stay in place, allowing one to remove and install the bearing quickly. It also enables removal of the shaft in seconds, thus permitting easy and quick replacement of worn sections of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Inventor: Terry Michael Brown, Sr.
  • Patent number: 9925838
    Abstract: The ball joint assembly includes a housing which extends along an axis and a bearing. The bearing has an opening that extends between opposite axial ends and presents a curved bearing surface. A stud with an inner bore is positioned in the bearing and has an outer surface which is in sliding contact with the bearing surface to allow the bearing and housing to rotate relative to the stud. The assembly further includes a fastener which is receivable within the inner bore for connecting the stud with a frame of a vehicle. The fastener includes an internal passage which extends from an end of the fastener to a side surface of the fastener, and the stud has a channel which extends from the inner bore to the outer surface for allowing lubrication of the ball joint assembly while the ball joint assembly is installed in the vehicle suspension system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Motorparts LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Karpman, Thomas Byrnes
  • Patent number: 9879189
    Abstract: A method of treating or refining a wax includes hydrogenating a feed wax which has an MEK-solubility oils content of more 0.5 weight % to provide a hydrogenated wax. Thereafter the hydrogenated wax is de-oiled to reduce the MEK-solubility oils content of the hydrogenated wax, producing a refined wax or a wax product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Sasol Technology (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventors: Dylan S. Loudon, Daniel S. Bezuidenhout, Gernot Meyer, Ingo Behrmann, Hans-Jorg Scheidat, Heiko Feitkenhauer
  • Patent number: 9657776
    Abstract: A bearing includes a first member having a passageway configured to engage a shaft, the first member having a metallic material; and a second member disposed around at least a portion of the first member, the second member having a metallic material and at least one radially and inwardly bent portion capable of restricting axial movement of the first member. The first and second members are movable relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN PERFORMANCE PLASTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan Hunter, Timothy J. Hagan, Vincent DiMartino, Lars-Boris Kuntzler
  • Patent number: 9568039
    Abstract: A crankshaft assembly for a motorcycle includes a first flywheel half with a polygonal-shaped aperture therein and a second flywheel half with a polygonal-shaped aperture therein. The first and second flywheel halves are interconnected by press-fitting opposing first and second polygonal shaped end portions of a crank pin into respective polygonal-shaped apertures of the first and second flywheel half. A bearing is positioned at least partially on a surface of a cylindrical central portion of the crank pin and a connecting rod has an aperture at least partially receiving the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: STOFFEL POLYGON SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: David Michael Minton
  • Patent number: 9540099
    Abstract: A strut assembly includes a piston and a bearing housing around the piston. The bearing housing may also comprise a groove and a tapered surface opposite the groove. A bearing may be in the groove and proximate the piston. An outer cylinder may be around the bearing housing. The angle of the tapered surface may be based on a deflection angle between the outer cylinder and the piston. A wear plate may be around the tapered surface. An elastic material may be disposed between the tapered surface and the wear plate. The bearing housing may comprise a titanium alloy. The bearing housing may be configured to flex towards the wear plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis W. Martin
  • Patent number: 9422975
    Abstract: A system includes a plain bearing assembly configured to enable rotation of a shaft about a bearing system axis of the shaft. The plain bearing assembly includes the shaft, a cylindrical intermediate bearing disposed about the shaft, and an external bearing disposed about the intermediate bearing. The plain bearing assembly is configured to facilitate oscillatory motion of the shaft relative to the external bearing such that, when the shaft rotates in a first direction about the bearing system axis, the intermediate bearing rotates about the bearing system axis in the first direction, and when the shaft rotates in a second direction opposite the first direction about the bearing system axis, rotation of the intermediate bearing about the bearing system axis is resisted or prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Eric A. Vance, Michael Roy Kiddoo
  • Patent number: 9181975
    Abstract: A method of producing a spherical joint (1) with a spherical sleeve (3) having a spherical bearing area (16) and provided with a through-going assembly opening that extends, in an axial direction (4), which by virtue of the bearing area (16) is mounted and able to move by sliding in a spherical shell (2). The spherical sleeve (3) is arranged in an outer sleeve (7) in such a manner that the spherical sleeve (3) extends outwardly, in an axial direction (4), from both sides of the outer sleeve (7). A material, which hardens, is injected into an intermediate space (17), located between the spherical shell (2) and the outer sleeve (7), such that when the material hardens, the assembly of the spherical sleeve (3) and the spherical shell (2) is joined to the outer sleeve (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Martin Rechtien, Volker Grube
  • Patent number: 9157480
    Abstract: A bearing assembly includes an inner member having an outer engagement surface and an outer race. The outer race has an inner surface defining a first end and a second end and an inner engagement surface therebetween, the inner engagement surface is positioned on the outer engagement surface of the inner member. A first annular groove is formed in the inner surface, proximate one of the first end and the second end. A second annular groove is formed in the inner surface and is positioned axially inward from the first annular groove. An external seal is positioned in first annular groove and slidably engages the inner member. An internal seal is positioned in the second annular groove and slidingly engages the inner member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Roller Bearing Company of America, Inc.
    Inventor: James Voisine
  • Patent number: 9157474
    Abstract: A bearing can include a ball member, a race, and a liner located on an interior surface of the race, the liner having a first surface bonded to an interior surface of the race, the liner having a second surface that is adjacent to the ball member. The bearing also includes a wafer having a wear surface that is aligned with the second surface of the liner, the wafer being an electrically conductive member. Operational wear of the liner can be calculated by comparing a measured resistance of the wafer to an original known resistance of the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Hunter J. Davis
  • Patent number: 9010679
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a bearing is situated between a pitch link and a swashplate or a hub. The bearing comprises an outer housing having a first opening therethrough, an elastomeric bearing adjacent the housing inside the first opening and having a second opening therethrough, and an inner housing adjacent the elastomeric bearing inside the second opening and having a third opening therethrough. The inner housing comprising a first inner surface and a second inner surface defining the third opening. A first member is adjacent the first inner surface inside the third opening having a fourth opening therethrough. A second member is adjacent the second inner surface inside the third opening having a fifth opening therethrough coaxial with the fourth opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Drew Sutton, Frank B. Stamps
  • Publication number: 20150093059
    Abstract: A bearing can include a ball member, a race, and a liner located on an interior surface of the race, the liner having a first surface bonded to an interior surface of the race, the liner having a second surface that is adjacent to the ball member. The bearing also includes a wafer having a wear surface that is aligned with the second surface of the liner, the wafer being an electrically conductive member. Operational wear of the liner can be calculated by comparing a measured resistance of the wafer to an original known resistance of the wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Hunter J. Davis
  • Patent number: 8979375
    Abstract: A universal bearing includes a metal piece, a plastic housing and a spherical wheel. The metal piece includes a first insertion portion. The plastic housing wraps around the metal piece and includes a second insertion portion in communication with the first insertion portion. The spherical wheel is pivotally restricted in the first and second insertion portions. The plastic housing reduces the weight of the universal bearing. The plastic housing is formed by injection molding by injection plastic directly around the support portion, therefore, the assembly of the universal bearing will be completed automatically once the plastic housing is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Inventor: Hsien-Chang Tseng
  • Patent number: 8979376
    Abstract: A spherical plain bearing for a ball-and-socket joint includes a plain bearing shell. The plain bearing shell comprises a sliding layer containing a sliding material, at least one dimensionally stable support layer, and at least one elastic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Pampus GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Angenheister
  • Patent number: 8979093
    Abstract: A pressure balanced shaft seal assembly that allows a seal to dynamically respond to angular or radial misalignment of a shaft includes a fixed stator, a floating stator, and a labyrinth seal. In one embodiment, the floating stator and labyrinth seal are mounted within an annular groove formed in the fixed stator such that the floating stator and labyrinth seal may move a predetermined amount in the radial direction with respect to the fixed stator. A spherical interface between the labyrinth seal and floating stator may allow the labyrinth seal to pivot with respect to the floating stator during angular misalignment of a shaft around which the pressure balanced shaft seal assembly is mounted. A pressure balancing annular channel formed in the floating stator allows pressurized seal fluid to balance the axial pressure exerted on the floating stator by the process fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Inpro/Seal, LLC
    Inventors: David C. Orlowski, Neil F. Hoehle
  • Patent number: 8926185
    Abstract: A spherical bearing has an outer ring with a concave bearing surface and an inner ring having a convex bearing surface, which is in sliding engagement with the concave bearing surface. A lubrication groove is formed in the convex bearing surface and/or the concave bearing surface. The lubrication groove is defined by a concave central portion and by convex side portions. The concave central portion has a first radius of curvature and the convex side portions have a second radius of curvature. The second radius of curvature is at least 0.7 times the first radius of curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Roller Bearing Company of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Gaumer, Robert Lugosi, James Voisine
  • Patent number: 8884477
    Abstract: An electro-motor drive, in particular for a fan drive of a motor vehicle, includes a commutator motor, a motor shaft of which is rotatably mounted on axially opposite sides in shaft bearings facing away from the bearing shield in order to substantially dampen the sound of at least bearing play-related contact noise and vibration or humming noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Wuerzburg
    Inventors: Marco Stoehling, Karl-Heinz Bauer, Michael Rueb, Frank Wittstadt, Hannelore Diller, Peter Tiemeyer
  • Patent number: 8876390
    Abstract: A load slot bearing system for a mounting system for a gearbox on a geared turbofan engine includes a load slot bearing assembly having a cobalt alloy inner member and a precipitation-hardenable alloy outer member. The inner member defines an outer engagement surface and the outer member defines an inner engagement surface slidably and rotatably engaged with the inner engagement surface. One of the outer engagement surface or the inner engagement surface has boron diffused therein. The load slot bearing system includes first and second slots extending inward from a face defined by the outer member, the second slot being positioned generally diametrically opposite the first slot. A first element is located in the bore of the inner member of the load slot bearing assembly and is connected to the inner member. A second element is connected to the outer member of the load slot bearing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Roller Bearing Company of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott McNeil
  • Patent number: 8783953
    Abstract: A bearing assembly includes an annular inner member defining a first outer surface and a first inner surface, and a shaft extending therefrom. The bearing assembly includes an annular outer member defining a second outer surface and a second inner surface which is adapted to engage a recess defined in the first outer surface. An annular flexible seal defines a base adapted to engage the outer member, a head adapted to engage a groove defined in one of the inner member or the shaft, and a neck having a curvilinear cross-section which is adapted to bias the base toward the recess and the head toward the groove. The flexible seal is positioned adjacent to one end of the outer member and extends between the inner member and outer member. An annular low-friction liner has a cross-section that defines an interior area adapted to engage the flexible seal head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Roller Bearing Company of America, Inc.
    Inventors: James Voisine, Bradley Smith
  • Patent number: 8783993
    Abstract: A joint and/or bearing arrangement (1) has at least two connecting rods (2, 3), which come together in a receiving region (4), and accommodate a joint (5) or bearing in the receiving region (4), The joint or bearing (5) comprises a joint body (7), which is movably held in a joint body seat (6), and a housing (8) which accommodates and radially externally encloses the joint body seat (6), is designed such that the housing (8) comprises, on the outside, at least one rotation-lock region (9, 10, 14) having a non-circular contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Hans-Gerd Brunneke, Christian Losche
  • Patent number: 8740463
    Abstract: A bearing assembly and a method of forming a bearing assembly is provided including a housing having a bore. The bore has a generally concave inner surface. The bearing assembly also includes a bearing having an inner member. The inner member is movable about a central axis and is dimensioned to fit within the bore. The inner member has a generally convex outer surface complementary to the concave inner surface of the bore. The housing functions as an outer member of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Claverham Ltd.
    Inventors: Paul R. Brewer, Steven Shortcott, Philip Andrew Rowles, Reg R. Raval
  • Patent number: 8726667
    Abstract: A bearing plate assembly for a turbine engine fuel injector includes a bearing plate 30, with an opening 80 bordered by a race 82. A swivel ball 90 nests inside the race and is rotatable relative thereto. A lock, which may be a tip bushing 108 resists disengagement of the swivel ball from the race. A fuel injector nozzle 38 extends through an opening 98 in the swivel ball. During engine operation, the ball can swivel inside the race to accommodate rotational movement of the nozzle about lateral and radial axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Keith M. Tanner, Philip J. Kirsopp
  • Patent number: 8585291
    Abstract: An aircraft spherical bearing assembly comprises a first part which is in sliding contact with an intermediate part for sliding therebetween to form a spherical joint. A second slip path is provided between the intermediate component and an outer component which can be selectively actuated when the force through the first slip path exceeds a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventor: Robert Bridgewater
  • Patent number: 8573848
    Abstract: A ball slide bearing (18) includes an inside ring (19) and an outside ring (21), whereby the inside ring (19) is provided with an essentially cylindrical inner surface (19A) and a spherical outer surface (19B), and whereby the outside ring (21) is provided with a cylindrical outer surface (21B) and a cylindrical inner surface (21A). The bearing (18) includes an intermediate ring (20) that is inserted between the outside ring (21) and the inside ring (19), whereby the intermediate ring is provided with a spherical inner surface (20A) that can work with the outer surface of the inside ring (19) to allow the rotation along the three axes of rotation and an outer surface that defines at least one curved sliding surface (20B) in a direction that can work with a corresponding inside sliding surface (21A) of the outside ring (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jean Larrochelle, François Peyruseigt
  • Patent number: 8562237
    Abstract: A ball-joint support for thin parts, through which a ball-joint is operably coupled to a thin part, and where the ball-joint includes an inner part with a central coaxial orifice through which a longitudinal axis is introduced, and an outer part that engages complementarily to the inner part is provided. The ball joint support includes a cap including a central through hole in which the ball joint is embedded inside via the outer part, and externally, the cap is embedded in a cylindrical opening included in the thin part, and mechanical means for axial retention of the thin part to the cap, wherein the thickness of the cap is greater than the thickness of the thin part where the cap engages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations, S.L.
    Inventors: Jose Maria Pina Lopez, Enrique Vera Villares
  • Patent number: 8505204
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ball joint assembly including providing an internal centerpiece substantially in the shape of a hollow truncated sphere, placing the centerpiece within a metal hollow sleeve and deforming the sleeve by forcing the sleeve against an outer surface of the centerpiece to shape the sleeve to complement the outer surface of the centerpiece, forming at least one groove in an exterior surface of the sleeve and there after molding a plastic matrix composite material over the exterior surface of the sleeve to form an external body over the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: SKF Aerospace France
    Inventor: Patrick Jean-Marie Firmin Reverchon
  • Patent number: 8421283
    Abstract: An electro-motor drive, in particular for a fan drive of a motor vehicle, includes a commutator motor, a motor shaft of which is rotatably mounted on axially opposite sides in shaft bearings facing away from the bearing shield in order to substantially dampen the sound of at least bearing play-related contact noise and vibration or humming noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG Wuerzburg
    Inventors: Marco Stoehling, Karl-Heinz Bauer, Michael Rueb, Frank Wittstadt, Hannelore Diller, Peter Tiemeyer
  • Patent number: 8393796
    Abstract: In an amphibious ATV, the wheel bearings are housed in a spherical mounting-structure, because of possible angular misalignment. The spherical mounting-structure comprises separable primary and secondary elements. The new system provides that both elements are axially wide, being e.g as wide as the outer-race of the bearing. Now, the elements are highly resistant to every distortion, which means the mounting-structure can seal the bearings very effectively—both as to keeping dirt and water out, and keeping lubricant in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Ontario Drive & Gear Limited
    Inventor: Brian Mark Cressman
  • Patent number: 8371753
    Abstract: Bearing arrangement for a shaft rotatable around an axis of rotation comprising a first bearing for rotatably mounting an end of the shaft for rotation thereof around the axis of rotation, and a second bearing for pivotably mounting the end of the shaft for pivoting movements out of the axis of rotation, and an arrangement comprising a shaft, as well as an oscillator, each comprising the bearing arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: ABI Anlagentechnik—Baumaschinen—Industriebedarf Maschinenfabrik und Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Albrecht Kleibl, Christian Heichel
  • Patent number: 8360646
    Abstract: A compound conduit containing inner and outer conduits with apertures in the former that are angled to direct jets of fluid in a rearward direction from the inner conduit into the annular space is used to draw sludge or undesirable material from a vessel without imposing a vacuum on the system. In conjunction with the compound conduit is a rotary tube seal that allows the conduit to be mounted to an orifice in a tank wall and pivoted or rotated over a range of angles. A tubing drive mechanism grasps the tubing at locations well removed from the distal end and causes the tubing to travel in the direction of the tubing axis. The gripping members in the mechanism engage the sides of the tubing and are capable of shifting position relative to each other to accommodate changes in the curvature of the tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Sierra Process Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry McNaughton, Stanley W. Ellis
  • Patent number: 8333513
    Abstract: A bearing shell made of plastic material is provided for a ball and socket joint for mounting a ball and socket joint pivot mounted rotatably and pivotably in the bearing shell with at least two shell parts (1a, 1b) forming a bearing surface with an inner, hollow spherical shape is presented, wherein the shell parts form in their entirety the shape of a bearing ring (1) with an opening (2, 3) each arranged on the front sides of the bearing ring, which front sides are located opposite each other, at least one web (4) connecting the shell parts (1a, 1b) being arranged crosswise above one of the opening cross sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Frank Budde, Hans-Gerd Brunneke, Martin Rechtien, Volker Grube, Rainer Ungruh, Michael Rossol
  • Patent number: 8226297
    Abstract: An outer race for a rocker bearing includes an internal sliding layer and an external support layer, wherein the sliding layer and the bearing layer are formed from a wound composite fiber material. The outer race is identified by exactly one parting line. A rocker bearing with such an outer race and a method for its production is also provided, in which a sliding layer and a support layer of synthetic resin impregnated fibers are wound in succession onto a winding mandrel, and outer races are formed after setting on the winding body thus produced. The sliding layer and the support layer are wound onto a cylindrical winding mandrel, and the outer race is provided with exactly one parting line opening it, and sliding layer material on its inside is removed to such an extent that a partially spherical contour is obtained for receiving a complementary inner race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Deva GmbH
    Inventors: Kamran Laal Riahi, August Stadlmayr
  • Publication number: 20120151741
    Abstract: A pivot bearing includes a spherical bearing body and a single-piece bearing shell. The bearing shell encloses the bearing body at least partially and creates a clearance fit between the bearing body and the bearing shell which clearance fit permits a degree of articulated freedom of the pivot bearing. The single-piece bearing shell includes a radial slot based on a wall thickness of the bearing shell and has at least one contoured bulge. At least one push-in element has a part shape corresponding to the bulge such that the part shape of the push-in element has a defined oversize with respect to the bulge of the slot. The oversize indicates a predetermined clearance fit between the bearing body and the bearing shell that defines a bearing play when the push-in element is mounted in the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Mueller Martini Holding AG
    Inventors: Jean-Claude OPPLIGER, Michael Landolt
  • Publication number: 20120128283
    Abstract: A bearing device (10) is provided with bearing pads (13) placed around a rotating shaft (3) to support a thrust collar (12) and carrier rings (15), each of which houses the bearing pads and is supported by a casing (20). And, a supported surface (15a) which is supported by the casing on the carrier ring is a curved surface which is raised at least along one direction orthogonal to the rotating shaft at a substantially constant curvature around the center of gravity (G) of the thrust collar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Takaaki Kaikogi, Takashi Nakano, Yuichiro Waki
  • Publication number: 20120051679
    Abstract: An aircraft spherical bearing assembly (100, 200) comprises a first part (102, 202) which is in sliding contact with an intermediate part (104, 106, 204, 206) for sliding therebetween to form a spherical joint. A second slip path is provided between the intermediate component (104, 106, 204, 206) and an outer component (110, 112, 208) which can be selectively actuated when the force through the first slip path exceeds a predetermined level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIOMS LIMITED
    Inventor: Robert BRIDGEWATER
  • Patent number: 8075196
    Abstract: A spherical outer diameter tapered roller bearing pillow block system (100) for supporting the rotating main shaft of a wind turbine. The bearing system is configured with a unitized construction and factory set preload bearing settings to facilitate installation and setup. A spherical outer diameter surface (114) is formed on the outer race (116) of a tapered roller bearing assembly disposed about the rotating main shaft of the wind turbine. The bearing assembly is secured to a stationary support structure of the wind turbine through a pillow block housing assembly (102) providing a matching spherical housing seat (112) to form a ball and socket interface between the tapered roller bearing assembly (118) and the pillow block housing assembly (102). The ball and socket interface accommodates static and dynamic misalignments between the wind turbine main shaft and the supporting structure, while the bearing assembly (118) accommodates radial and axial loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: The Timken Company
    Inventors: Bruce C. Burner, Gerald Fox
  • Patent number: 8047718
    Abstract: In a bearing device for a roll of a hot dipping bath, i.e., zinc pot, a sleeve is fastened to a shaft of the roll of the hot dipping bath in a continuous hot dip coating line, i.e., a continuous galvanizing line. A bush housing has a bush internally fixed to support the sleeve, and a curved annular outer surface. Also, bush housing fixed rings are fixed to both inner sides of a fixed ring housing which is associated with a rig of the hot dipping bath roll. Each of the bush housing fixed rings has a curved annular inner surface supporting the bush housing at both sides thereof and in abutment with the curved annular outer surface of the bush housing. The invention allows the steel sheet to be coated with molten metal stably and speedily with high efficiency. Also, the bush and sleeve of the bearing device are not locally worn away, thereby extending useful life of the roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Posco
    Inventors: Gun-Young Kim, Yung-Up Kim, Hong-Jong Yoo, Gyn-Sam Hwang
  • Patent number: 7958599
    Abstract: A friction hinge includes a socket made up of a compressible elastomer insert sleeve inside a relatively rigid cup substrate. The insert sleeve defines an opening with a lip around the opening, and a relatively rigid ball or other center portion can be snap assembled through the lip and opening to center itself in the socket. A mount portion extends through the opening off the ball/center portion, and hand pressure on the mount portion can adjust the angular position of the joint. The size of the ball/center portion relative to the size of the cup substrate causes dimensional compression of the insert sleeve, such as about 15% of its thickness. The compression of the insert sleeve creates a controlled friction force on the ball/center portion, so the snap assembly friction hinge works consistently over a long time and over wide temperature ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventor: James B. Easley
  • Publication number: 20110064343
    Abstract: A ball slide bearing (18) includes an inside ring (19) and an outside ring (21), whereby the inside ring (19) is provided with an essentially cylindrical inner surface (19A) and a spherical outer surface (19B), and whereby the outside ring (21) is provided with a cylindrical outer surface (21B) and a cylindrical inner surface (21A). The bearing (18) includes an intermediate ring (20) that is inserted between the outside ring (21) and the inside ring (19), whereby the intermediate ring is provided with a spherical inner surface (20A) that can work with the outer surface of the inside ring (19) to allow the rotation along the three axes of rotation and an outer surface that defines at least one curved sliding surface (20B) in a direction that can work with a corresponding inside sliding surface (21A) of the outside ring (21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Jean LARROCHELLE, François PEYRUSEIGT
  • Publication number: 20100143141
    Abstract: Embodiments of a bi-axial compliant bearing assembly and methods of assembling the bi-axial compliant bearing assembly are disclosed. A bi-axial compliant bearing assembly employs a transition bearing race. The transition bearing race comprises a cylindrical surface. The cylindrical surface is configured to rotatably engage a rotational bearing element and to slidably engage the rotational bearing element along an axis. The transition bearing race also includes a spherically-compliant surface. The spherically-compliant surface is configured to engage a spherically-compliant element and to enable the spherically-compliant element to rotate transversely to the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Neal W. Muylaert, Lyndon Claudius Lamborn
  • Publication number: 20100135603
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bearing shell comprising a first exposed region and a second exposed region, said two exposed regions being formed on the inner surface of the two bearing shell ends. The oil grooves arranged in the two exposed regions are inclined in relation to the central line of the bearing shell, in the direction of flow of the lubricating oil. In this way, the lubricating oil is prevented from escaping in the axial direction in the exposed regions. The invention also relates to a method for producing such bearing shells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Martin Klein, Christian Wolf
  • Patent number: 7726661
    Abstract: A pressure balanced shaft seal assembly that allows a seal to dynamically respond to angular or radial misalignment of a shaft is disclosed. The pressure balanced shaft seal assembly includes a fixed stator, a floating stator, and a labyrinth seal. In one embodiment, the floating stator and labyrinth seal are mounted within an annular groove formed in the fixed stator such that the floating stator and labyrinth seal may move a predetermined amount in the radial direction with respect to the fixed stator. A spherical interface between the labyrinth seal and floating stator may allow the labyrinth seal to pivot with respect to the floating stator during angular misalignment of a shaft around which the pressure balanced shaft seal assembly is mounted. A pressure balancing annular channel formed in the floating stator allows pressurized seal fluid to balance the axial pressure exerted on the floating stator by the process fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Inpro/Seal LLC
    Inventors: David C. Orlowski, Neil F. Hoelhe
  • Patent number: 7658546
    Abstract: A bearing assembly comprising a housing and a ball at least partially housed within the housing. The housing comprises a race having a concave bearing surface, a sleeve surrounding the race, and a resilient member disposed between the race and the sleeve. The surfaces of the race and sleeve adjacent the resilient member and the surfaces of the resilient member preferably include at least one pair of a co-operating protrusion and recess. Alternatively, or additionally, the surfaces of the race and the sleeve adjacent the resilient member have different curvatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Minebea Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Allen Clarke, Paul R. Smith