Abstract: A control stick pivot (200) comprises a primary pivot bearing (210), a redundant pivot bearing (220), and a detection component for detecting malfunction of the primary pivot bearing. The redundant pivot bearing is provided on one side of the primary pivot bearing. The redundant pivot bearing becomes operative as a bearing in the event that the primary pivot bearing malfunctions. The detection component may comprise one or more features (230) provided on the redundant pivot bearing for applying a torque to the redundant pivot bearing during maintenance or testing and/or a sensor (300; 310; 320) configured to detect relative motion at an interface between the primary pivot bearing and the redundant pivot bearing.

Abstract: A convergent flap roller assembly is provided that includes a first hanger flange, a second hanger flange, a roller, and a pivot axle. Each hanger flange has a panel, a roller shaft, and at least one track tab. Each roller shaft extends outwardly from the respective panel, and includes a roller shaft bore. The roller has a center bore and an exterior contact surface. The roller shafts are received within the roller center bore and are in contact with each other, and the pivot axle extends through the roller shaft bores.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods provide for a zero-moment fitting for securing a fluid conduit to a structure. According to various embodiments, a fitting may include a spherical bearing and a bearing housing. The spherical bearing may include a conduit aperture for receiving a fluid conduit through the spherical bearing. The bearing housing may be configured to encompass and retain the spherical bearing within the bearing housing, allowing for rotation of the spherical bearing within the bearing housing. The bearing housing may be fixedly attached to the structure to secure the fitting to the structure.

Abstract: A slide bearing device, includes an inner ring-shaped internal element, an intermediate element that encloses the internal element in the radial direction of the slide bearing device and is at least approximately ring-shaped, and a ring-shaped external element that encloses the intermediate element in the radial direction. The internal element is rotatable relative to the external element, and the intermediate element is rotatable relative to the internal element and relative to the external element. In a default state of the slide bearing device, the internal element is arranged at a distance to the intermediate element in the radial direction of the slide bearing device, and the intermediate element is arranged at a distance to the external element. The internal element and the external element are made of a metallic material and the intermediate element with a non-metallic material.

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.

Abstract: A split bearing generally includes first and second bearing halves each having complementary partial shaft receiving portions, wherein the first and second bearing halves are substantially identically configured. The split bearing further includes means for releasably coupling the first and second bearing halves together, such that when coupled, the complementary partial shaft receiving portions of the first and second bearing halves define a center bearing thru-hole for receiving a shaft, and when decoupled, the first and second bearing halves can be removed from the shaft.

Abstract: A split bearing generally includes first and second bearing halves each having complementary partial shaft receiving portions, wherein the first and second bearing halves are substantially identically configured. The split bearing further includes fasteners for releasably coupling the first and second bearing halves together, such that when coupled, the complementary partial shaft receiving portions of the first and second bearing halves define a center bearing thru-hole for receiving a shaft, and when decoupled, the first and second bearing halves can be removed from the shaft.

Abstract: Two objects are articulated together by a strong and compact joint which provides two rotational degrees of freedom about axes X and Y, and which comprises a bearing have a male inner ring swivel mounted in a female outer ring. The male inner ring is rotatably mounted on a shaft integral with one of the objects and defining the axis X, and the female outer ring is attached to the other object. The two rings are rotationally linked in the direction of an axis Z perpendicular to the X and Y axes by two flat support surfaces on the inner ring arranged between two flat guide surfaces in the outer ring, the said support surfaces and the said guide surfaces being parallel to the X and Z axes.

Abstract: A method of producing a replaceable one piece annular outer race having an axial bore, an uninterrupted inner annular concave raceway facing into the bore and an outer surface. The method comprises the steps of applying an overlayment of filaments onto a cylindrical axially split mold assembly to form a one piece outer race substrate. The mold assembly includes first and second separable semi-cylindrical mold halves each having a semi-cylindrical convex outer mold surface, a mounting bore extending axially through the mold assembly, a removal axis normal to the mounting bore axis and a support removably mounted in the mold assembly mounting bore. A coat of hardenable liquid resin is applied to penetrate the filament overlayment substrate, after which the coated substrate is cured to form a hardened one piece outer race on the mold assembly. The cylindrical mold halves are removed from the hardened outer race to yield a single piece annular outer race.

Abstract: A drawbar bearing block for a slackless drawbar system which connects adjacent ends of a pair of railway cars in a semi-permanent manner. Such bearing block includes a top portion supported and retained in a hemispherical recess which extends partially around a pin opening formed in a pin receiving opening disposed in a butt end of a drawbar. Such top portion of the bearing block has an outer surface which closely matches a surface of such hemispherical recess and an inner surface having a cylindrical shape to receive a pin therein. There is at least one recessed opening formed in the top portion adjacent a bottom surface and an outer surface thereof. A bottom portion is supported and retained in such hemispherical recess and assists in supporting and retaining such top portion in the hemispherical recess. Such bottom portion of the bearing block includes an outer surface which closely matches the surface of such hemispherical recess and an inner surface having a cylindrical shape to receive a pin therein.

Abstract: A self-aligning bearing having a first bearing member connected to a rotatable shaft and a stationary second bearing member located around the first bearing member. The second bearing member includes at least two annular rings with mating recesses in each which together define a groove. The first bearing member is provided with a continuous flange located for rotation within the groove when in use. The second bearing member has a convexly curved exterior providing a self-aligning surface for engaging a mating concavely curved surface of a bearing housing.

Abstract: A hitch ball (20) with a mating first set of shells (25a and 25b) and optionally a second set of shells (27a and 27b) to increase the diameter of the ball to accommodate various sized hitch assemblies (11) are described. In a preferred form detents (25e and 25f) in the first set of shells are provided in a recess (23) in the ball. Detents (27c and 27d) are provided on the detents (25e and 25f) of the first set of shells. The invention provides safe and effective mounting of the sets of shells on the hitch ball and prevents the shells being used on a conventional hitch ball which might not be rated for the increased capacity provided by the larger ball size.