Abstract: A universal joint shaft with universal joint shaft protection comprises at least one shaft element for transmitting torque, at least one protective tube element arranged around the shaft element, and an intermediate bearing, by means of which the shaft element is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation (L) in the protective tube element, wherein the intermediate bearing comprises an outer ring fixed to the protective tube element and an inner ring fixed to the shaft element, which are rotatable relative to each other, and a clamping mechanism by means of which the inner ring is fixed on the shaft element.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine, has: an annular gaspath extending around a central axis, the annular gaspath defined between a first casing and a second casing, the first casing defining pockets; and a variable guide vane assembly having: variable guide vanes circumferentially distributed around the central axis, the variable guide vanes having airfoils extending into the annular gaspath and extending between first and second pivot members at respective first and second ends of the airfoils, the variable guide vanes rotatable about respective spanwise axes, bushings received within the pockets of the first casing, the first pivot members of the variable guide vanes rollingly engaged to the bushings, and resilient members disposed radially between surfaces of the first casing and the bushings relative to the spanwise axes, the resilient members in abutment against both of the surfaces of the first casing and the bushings.

Abstract: The notched base ring comprises a base ring sheet body including a top portion, a bottom portion, a first end connecting the top portion to the bottom portion, and a second end connecting the bottom portion to the top portion. The top portion includes a plurality of attachment lugs and defines a plurality of notches, each notch being at least partially defined by two lugs disposed on opposite sides of the notch, the top portion also including an angled top edge that is disposed at each of the attachment lugs, and the bottom portion includes a bottom support edge.

Abstract: A sliding bearing having a sealing arrangement for water pumps, configured to radially mount and seal a shaft in a housing between a wet side and a dry side. The sliding bearing and the sealing arrangement include a sliding bearing bushing made of a sintering material for radial mounting of the shaft, and a dry-side shaft seal arranged between the sliding bearing bushing and the dry side. A wet-side shaft seal is arranged between the wet side and the sliding bearing bushing and a lubricant reservoir with a substrate, made of a non-sintered material, which is porous in at least some sections, is arranged at least between the wet-side shaft seal and the sliding bearing bushing. The lubricant reservoir includes, in pores of the substrate, a lubricant insoluble in water. A volume of the lubricant reservoir and a volume of a lubricant filling take up a total volume of spaces between the wet-side shaft seal and the dry-side shaft seal.

Abstract: A pump device includes: a drive shaft; a pump element; a pump housing including; a pump element receiving space, first and second bearing receiving spaces, a suction passage, a discharge passage, a return passage, and a seal receiving space, a first bearing including a first lubrication groove, received within the first bearing receiving space, and supporting the drive shaft; a second bearing which includes a second lubrication groove having a sectional area that is perpendicular to the rotation axis, and that is greater than a sectional area of the first bearing that is perpendicular to the rotation axis, which is received within the second bearing receiving space, and which supports the drive shaft; and a seal member provided within the seal receiving space, and arranged to seal between the drive shaft and the pump housing.

Abstract: An interface member equips a control ring of a high-pressure compressor of an engine. This control ring has at least one housing intended to partially house a guide shoe. This interface member includes a central wall to which two holding tabs are secured, delimiting a through-housing having dimensions substantially identical to the initial dimensions of the housing, and suitable for being inserted into the housing, after it has been machined to receive same following a deformation, until the holding tabs keep it stationary relative to the control ring.

Abstract: A journal bearing includes: a carrier ring; a plurality of bearing pads disposed on a radially inner side of a lower half region of the carrier ring, and configured to support a rotor shaft from below; and a guide metal disposed in an upper half region of the carrier ring, in center with respect to an axial direction of the rotor shaft, so as to cover an upper region of an outer peripheral surface of the rotor shaft.

Abstract: A bearing (1a) for guiding a timepiece shaft about an axis, notably a guide bearing for a portion of a timepiece resonator shaft, comprising at least one pressing element (13a) arranged in such a way as to constantly exert an action on the shaft, radially or substantially radially with respect to the axis.

Abstract: A squeeze film damper includes an inner member configured to support a bearing unit, an outer member provided circumferentially outward from the inner member to face the inner member with a gap extending in an circumferential direction interposed therebetween, a holed member provided in the gap and having a plurality of communication holes configured to allow a first region of the gap on an inward side in a radial direction and a second region of the gap on an outward side in the radial direction to communicate with each other, and an oil supply path configured to supply oil to the first region.

Abstract: The approach which is proposed here relates to an adjusting sleeve (105) for a bearing device (100) having at least one housing (110) for receiving a bearing sleeve (115), the bearing sleeve (115) for receiving a shaft (120), and the shaft (120). The adjusting sleeve (105) is configured to be capable of being received between the bearing sleeve (115) and the housing (110) and to be thermally conductive. To this end, an outer wall (125) of the adjusting sleeve (105) has at least one outer depression (135) which is configured to produce an outer chamber (140) between the adjusting sleeve (105) and the housing (110) in a received state of the adjusting sleeve (105) in the bearing device (100), and/or an inner wall (130) of the adjusting sleeve (105) has at least one inner depression (145) which is configured to produce an inner chamber (150) between the adjusting sleeve (105) and the bearing sleeve (115) in the received state of the adjusting sleeve (105) in the bearing device (100).

Abstract: A hinge bush for a vehicle pedal apparatus may include a flange connected to a cylindrical portion may include an elastic section that elastically deforms when coming in contact with the internal side of a pedal member and an inelastic section that generates a strong supporting force, whereby it is possible to remove left and right spacing of the pedal arm through the elastic section and it is also possible to increase lateral rigidity of the pedal arm through the inelastic section.

Abstract: In a bearing device, a squeeze film damper includes an annular oil chamber forming an oil film between an outer periphery of an outer race and an inner periphery of a bearing retaining member. A film thickness adjustment portion adjusting a film thickness of the oil film is provided in at least one location in a peripheral direction of the oil chamber. Therefore, it is possible, by changing a distribution in a peripheral direction of dynamic characteristics of the oil film of the squeeze film damper with a simple structure to thus freely adjust a forward mode tendency or a backward mode tendency for centrifugal whirling, to enhance damping performance of the squeeze film damper. Accordingly, centrifugal whirling of a rotating shaft is suppressed effectively by the squeeze film damper with a simple structure.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a wheel link for receiving a bearing in a vehicle that comprises a single-piece wheel link body having a first wheel link end, a second wheel link end, and a connecting section that connects the first wheel link end and the second wheel link end. The single-piece wheel link body extends along a wheel link longitudinal axis. A sleeve-shaped eyelet is formed in the first wheel link end. And the first wheel link end is bulged to form a bearing sleeve for the bearing, increasing a diameter of the sleeve-shaped eyelet and a length of the eyelet transversely with respect to the wheel link longitudinal axis beyond the dimensions of the connecting section.

Abstract: A turbine frame for a gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes a turbine case, a bearing support housing that defines a receptacle, and a tie rod preloaded in compression between the turbine case and the bearing support housing.

Abstract: A sliding bearing 1 which is interposed between a tube 4 and a rack shaft 7 includes a bearing body 11 and two elastic rings 13 and 14 fitted on an outer surface 12 of the bearing body 11, and the bearing body 11 has slits 26 extending from an end face 22 to this side of an end face 24, slits 27 extending from the end face 24 to this side of the end face 22, an inner surface 33 having a sliding surface 28, and an outer surface 12 on which are formed grooves 34 respectively receiving the elastic rings 13 and 14 and projections 35 and 36 respectively provided on axial end portions 23 and 25 with the grooves 34 disposed therebetween.

Abstract: A machine has a first member, a second member, a bearing, and a spring. The bearing inner race is mounted to the second member. A spring first end portion is mounted to the first member. The bearing outer race is mounted to a spring second end portion. The spring has a flexible portion between the first end portion and the second end portion. A first annular seal is carried by an outer diameter first groove in an outer diameter surface of the second end portion and seals with an inner diameter surface of a sealing portion of the first member. A second annular seal carried by an inner diameter second groove in the first member and seals with an outer diameter surface of the second end portion. A fluid outlet in the first member opens to a chamber between the first annular seal and the second annular seal.

Abstract: Provided is an anti-vibration device manufacturing method of press-inserting an anti-vibration bush having a rubber elastic body famed on an outer periphery of a cylindrical body into an attachment hole formed in a press-insertion object, the anti-vibration device manufacturing method including: a press-inserting step of moving the anti-vibration bush in a first direction to be press-inserted into the attachment hole; a returning step of moving the anti-vibration bush press-inserted into the attachment hole in a second direction opposite to the first direction; and a strain relaxing step of relaxing a strain of the rubber elastic body by stopping the anti-vibration bush while regulating the movement of the anti-vibration bush between the press-inserting step and the returning step.

Abstract: A vibration-free, rotatable, sealed support for a steering intermediate shaft, adapted to accommodate slight irregularities in the outside diameter of the intermediate shaft, with reduced complexity and cost of manufacture, and improved reliability, compared to bearing and seal assemblies known to the art, comprising a mounting flange, a sealing member, and a monolithic bearing.

Abstract: A reducer of an electric power steering apparatus include: a worm shaft having a first worm shaft bearing and a second worm shaft bearing respectively on a first end connected to a motor and an opposite second end; a gear housing receiving the first worm shaft bearing, the second worm shaft bearing, and the worm shaft; a first support member disposed between the second worm shaft bearing and the gear housing and having outer supporting portions on the outer side thereof to support the inner side of the housing and inner supporting portions on the inner side thereof to support the second worm shaft bearing; and a second support member coupled to the gear housing and supporting the outer side of the second worm bearing shaft through the first support member.

Abstract: The transmission case is provided with a bearing portion having a through hole in which a power transmission shaft is inserted, a fitting portion having a mating surface on which another member is superimposed, a plurality of fastening portions provided in the fitting portion, and ribs provided between the bearing portion and the fastening portions, respectively. The ribs are arranged between the bearing portion and the fastening portions, respectively, the fastening portions being other than the fastening portion that is the closest to the bearing portion amongst the plurality of fastening portions.

Abstract: A steering system includes a rack shaft, a tubular rack housing, and a tubular rack bushing. The rack bushing is interposed between the outer surface of the rack shaft and the inner surface of the rack housing. The rack bushing supports the rack shaft such that the rack shaft is slidable in the axial direction. The rack housing includes an annular groove on its inner surface. The rack bushing includes a collar. a through slit. and first non-through slits. The collar protrudes radially outward from substantially the entire circumference of the rack bushing. The collar is fitted into the annular groove. The through slit passes through the rack bushing in the axial direction. Each first non-through slit extends in the axial direction such that the first non-through slit passes through a portion of the rack bushing whose axial position corresponds to the axial position of the collar.

Abstract: A marine propulsion assembly includes a propeller having a threaded hub whose threads are used for engaging with a drive shaft. The drive shaft includes both a first set of threads and second set of threads such that the first set of threads are used to engage with a keeper nut and a second set of threads are used to engage within the propeller hub. The first set of threads are configured to be opposite the direction of propeller rotation for preventing rotation of the keeper nut while the second set of threads are configured opposite the direction of rotation of the propeller to prevent the propeller from loosening on the drive shaft. The drive shaft further includes a tapered section for providing a stop to the propeller when engaging with the second set of threads.

Abstract: The main spindle device for a machine tool is provided with: a bearing for rotatably supporting the main spindle; a bearing case for holding the bearing; a housing inside which the bearing case is disposed; and a stiffness-switching device, which supports the bearing case with respect to the housing and is able to switch the stiffness of the bearing case support between multiple levels. When the stiffness-switching device is supporting the bearing case at a low stiffness, the main spindle device is formed so that the bearing case slides with respect to the housing. A friction member is disposed on the area where the bearing case slides with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A valve device for controlling a bypass of an exhaust-gas turbocharger may include a valve disc for opening and closing a bypass opening of a turbine, and the bypass opening may be surrounded by a valve seat. A mandrel may protrude on a rear side of the valve disc. An adjusting lever for pivoting the valve disc may be connected with the mandrel. The adjusting lever may have a through opening that may be pierced by the mandrel. The through opening may be radially limited by an interior surface of the adjusting lever. At least one spring element may be arranged in the through opening, and the at least one spring element may subject the mandrel to a radial force.

Abstract: A rack bushing supported by an annular elastic member in a housing includes a bushing body and a flange portion extending outward in a radial direction from a first axial end of the rack bushing. The flange portion is positioned at a step portion of an inner periphery of the housing. The bushing body includes a second axial slit extending from a second axial end to a middle portion in an axial direction. A gap that communicates with the second axial slit is formed between the inner periphery of the housing and an outer surface of the bushing body. A recessed groove (communication passage) of the flange portion allows a first space, disposed on a housing-end side with respect to the rack bushing in the housing, to communicate with the gap.

Abstract: A cylindrical rack bushing is interposed between a tubular housing and a rack shaft inserted coaxially through the housing, and supports the rack shaft so that the rack shaft is slidable in an axial direction. The rack bushing has an inner periphery on which an inward protruding portion protruding toward an inner side of the rack bushing in a radial direction is formed. The inward protruding portion includes a top portion that is in sliding contact with the rack shaft in a line contact manner or a point contact manner.

Abstract: A fan vibration damping structure and a fan with the vibration damping structure. The fan vibration damping structure includes a bearing cup, a first bearing, a second bearing, a third bearing, an elastic member and at least one oil seal. The bearing cup has an internal receiving space and a bearing hole in communication with each other. The first, second and third bearings and the elastic member are disposed in the receiving space. A high-viscosity-coefficient oil is filled in the receiving space. The fan vibration damping structure is applied to the fan to greatly reduce vibration of the fan in operation.

Abstract: One embodiment describes a bearing damper including a housing; a damper with an annular gap and an internal spring, in which the annular gap is formed between an inner rim and an outer rim of the damper, the internal spring circumferentially bounds the annular gap, the outer rim is coupled to the housing, and the annular gap is configured to be filled with fluid used to dampen vibrations produced on a drive shaft; and an external spring coupled to the housing and to the inner rim, in which the external includes an axial stiffness engineered to externally offset axial forces exerted on the inner rim of the and a radial stiffness engineered to externally offset a first portion of radial forces exerted on the inner rim and to permit a second portion of the radial forces to propagate the vibrations from the drive shaft to the inner rim.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vibration isolator with a pneumatic spring. The vibration isolator comprises a leaf spring assembly for vertical isolation and a flexible rod or a buckling pendulum for horizontal isolation.

Abstract: A screw compressor utilizing radial and axial or thrust bearings to maintain the position of the rotors radially and axially and utilizing a damping fluid to dampen rotor vibrations. The damping fluid may conveniently be provided in the form of lubricant that is already used in the compressor to seal the clearances between the rotors and between the rotors and the cylinder during compression. The damping fluid is included in a squeeze film damper, arranged in a parallel arrangement with the radial or thrust bearings, which provides viscous damping to the rotor. The introduction of additional viscous damping such as may be provided by squeeze film dampers may result in significant reduction of compressor vibration regardless of the source of vibration.

Abstract: A turbocharger system can include a housing that includes a bore defined at least in part by a bore wall; a rolling element bearing unit that includes an outer race; and a mixed-element damper assembly disposed at least in part between the outer race and the bore wall where the mixed-element damper assembly includes a lobed-spring element and a squeeze film damper element.

Abstract: A bush bearing 7 includes a synthetic resin-made bush 17 having a circumferential groove 16 on an outer peripheral surface 15 thereof; an endless annular elastic member 18 fitted in the circumferential groove 16 of the bush 17; and a positioning means 19 for determining the position of the bush 17 in a B direction with respect to an inner peripheral surface 12 of a gear housing 6.

Abstract: A guide bush includes a plurality of bush elements combined to form a cylindrical shape as a whole. The plurality of bush elements includes a cylindrical fitting portion. The cylindrical fitting portion is fitted in a fit-and-hold portion of a housing, and has an inner peripheral surface configured to guide an outer peripheral surface of a displacement shaft that has been inserted in the cylindrical fitting portion in an axially displaceable manner. The diameter of the circumscribed circle of the plurality of bush elements in a state in which the end faces of the plurality of bush elements with respect to a circumferential direction abut each other is not greater than the inside diameter of the fit-and-hold portion.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for a rotary machine is disclosed herein. The bearing assembly includes a bearing housing, a squeeze film cylinder, a damper spring, and a journal bearing. The squeeze film cylinder is located within the bearing housing. The damper spring includes a first portion, a second portion, and a spring portion. The first portion is located proximal the first end. The second portion is located proximal the second end. The spring portion extends axially between the first portion and the second portion and is located within the bearing housing.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for manufacturing bearing assemblies. In accordance with one embodiment, a fixture is provided for use in brazing bearing elements to a bearing ring. The fixture comprises a substantially annular body and at least one or more force-applying mechanism associated with the annular body. The force applying mechanisms include a push rod disposed within a channel that is formed in the annular body, the push rod being displaceable within the channel. A biasing member is configured to bias the push rod in a radial direction relative to the annular body. In one embodiment, a plurality of force-applying mechanisms are circumferentially spaced about the substantially annular body. In one embodiment, the push rods extend radially inwardly from a peripheral surface of the body, while in another embodiment the push rods extend radially outwardly from peripheral surface of the body.

Abstract: A motor driven power steering system includes a worm shaft, a bearing installed on the worm shaft, and a bearing bush enclosing the bearing. The bearing bush includes a bearing guide enclosing the bearing and a damper which is mounted on an outer side surface of the bearing guide and absorbs vibrations of the worm shaft. The bearing guide and the damper are integrally formed by injection molding.

Abstract: A solar energy collection system can include support devices configured to accommodate misalignment of components during assembly. For example, the system can include piles fixed to the earth and an adjustable bearing assembly at the upper end of the pile. The adjustable bearing assembly can include at least one of a vertical adjustment device, a lateral adjustment device and an angular adjustment device. The solar energy collection system can also include a plurality of solar energy collection device pre-wired together and mounted to a support member so as to form modular units. The system can also include enhanced supports for wire trays extending between rows of solar energy collection devices.

Abstract: Disposed is an organ type electronic shift lever formed on a console surface at a periphery of a driver seat in a vehicle. The electronic shift lever may include a step motor coupled to the console surface and having both ends to which motor rotation shafts are connected, a pair of lever arms each having one end rotatably coupled to one or each of the motor rotation shafts, a pair of lever pins each rotatably coupled to the other end of one or each of the lever arms, a shift lever having side portions rotatably connected to the lever arms by the lever pins and a rear end to which a magnetic unit is coupled, a display unit formed on the shift lever, and a recognition sensor formed in the console surface and sensing a position of the magnetic unit. When the shift lever is moved forward or rearward while forming an inclination angle with the console surface, a gear shift stage of the vehicle is changed.

Abstract: An extruded bearing housing is provided. The extruded bearing housing includes a radially inner ring, and a radially outer ring located concentric with the radially inner ring. The extruded bearing housing includes webs that connect the radially inner ring and the radially outer ring, and the webs are arranged at an acute angle to a circumferential direction. Openings axially extend through the bearing housing and are defined between the webs, the radially inner ring, and the radially outer ring. Adjacent ones of the webs extend in opposite directions from each other.

Abstract: A wing foil bearing may include one or more wing or tab foil layers. A tab foil layer may comprise a thin material with a two-dimensional array of tab shapes. A tab shape may be defined by a boundary of material separated from the thin material and having an integral edge and a free edge. Tab shapes may include one or more free-state bends relative to the thin material, forming a two-dimensional array of cantilever wings or tabs. Tab arrays may be one or more of various types or two-dimensional arrays, and a tab foil layer may include additional tab arrays and tabs. One or more tab foil layers may be engaged with a mounting surface layer and a counter-surface layer to form a wing foil bearing. Tab foil layers may be stacked and or nested, including partial nesting and complete nesting.

Abstract: A rotation assistance device (1) is equipped with a rotating shaft body (11) and multiple rotation assistance bodies (20), which are equipped with rotating bodies (40). The rotating bodies are equipped with a rotation-promoting body (22), having a mass that maintains rotation, and with a spring shaft (23), one end of which is connected to the shaft body (11) and the other end of which is connected to the rotation-promoting body (22), and which expands and contracts in the lengthwise direction by means of an elastic body. The rotation assistance bodies also are equipped with guide rails (21), which guide the rotation-promoting bodies (22) of the rotating bodies (40) so as to rotate in an elliptical orbit. The rotating bodies (40) are attached to the shaft body (11) such that their respective attachment angles around the axis of rotation are displaced with respect to each other.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed damper assembly includes a sealed damper housing, a plunger, and a load transferring member coupled to the plunger. The sealed damper housing includes a body having a cavity and a resistive flow path defined therein. The cavity and resistive flow path are filled with a viscous fluid. The body includes a plurality of springs integrally formed therein. The plunger is disposed within the cavity, and separates the cavity into a first control volume and a second control volume. The resistive flow path provides fluid communication between the first and second control volumes. The plunger is coupled to the damper housing by the plurality of springs such that the springs provide a restorative force to the plunger. The load transferring member is configured to transmit mechanical loads to the plunger.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension wheel strut, includes a first bushing; a wheel carrier journaled onto the first bushing; a first bracket at a first end of the first bushing; a second bracket at a second end of the first bushing; and identical damping elements positioned between the first bracket and wheel carrier at the first end of the first bushing and the second bracket and the wheel carrier at the second end of the first bushing.

Abstract: A sliding bearing 1 includes a cylindrical bearing body; slits provided in the bearing body; straight grooves provided on an inner side of the bearing body in such a manner as to extend in an axial direction A and respectively disposed between adjacent ones of the slits which are adjacent in a direction B about an axis; a sliding surface which is provided on the inner side of the bearing body and partially severed in the direction B about the axis by the slits to and the straight grooves; a fitting groove provided in an outer surface of the bearing body; and an elastic ring which is fitted in the fitting groove. Each of the straight grooves are closed on an end face side and is open on an end face side.

Abstract: A wing foil bearing may include one or more wing or tab foil layers. A tab foil layer may comprise a thin material with a two-dimensional array of tab shapes. A tab shape may be defined by a boundary of material separated from the thin material and having an integral edge and a free edge. Tab shapes may include one or more free-state bends relative to the thin material, forming a two-dimensional array of cantilever wings or tabs. Tab arrays may be one or more of various types or two-dimensional arrays, and a tab foil layer may include additional tab arrays and tabs. One or more tab foil layers may be engaged with a mounting surface layer and a counter-surface layer to form a wing foil bearing. Tab foil layers may be stacked and or nested, including partial nesting and complete nesting.

Abstract: A damper film bearing assembly for supporting a rotatable shaft includes a bearing housing having a longitudinal opening passing therethrough for receiving the rotatable shaft. The bearing housing also has at least one radial recess formed in an outer surface thereof. At least one resilient element is disposed within the recess in the bearing housing above the floor of the recess, the resilient element biasing the support piston away from the axis of the rotatable shaft. The resilient element in accordance with the disclosure may be a bridge spring or a rod spring as appropriate.

Abstract: A cylinder assembly includes a housing defining first and second outer cylindrical surfaces having a longitudinal axis and a shim having a retaining ring fitted over the first outer cylindrical surface. The shim includes a plurality of connector spokes extending from the retaining ring, and a corresponding plurality of shim elements configured at the ends of the plurality of connector spokes. The connector spokes extend radially from the retaining ring relative to the longitudinal axis when the shim is in a pre-installation configuration. The connector spokes are bendable such that the shim elements extend longitudinally and are positioned next to the second outer cylindrical surface when the shim is in an installation configuration. Shims, methods of assembly, bicycles and other components are also provided.

Abstract: A bearing element for a sliding bearing is configured to support a drive shaft of a hydraulic machine. The bearing element is connected to the drive shaft so as to prevent relative rotation and has an outer annular surface configured to provide sliding support. A supporting web is formed between a location at which the bearing element is fixed to the drive shaft and the outer annular surface. The supporting web is elastically deformable to compensate for deflection of the drive shaft and/or an alignment error of sliding bearings of the drive shaft. A sliding bearing has a bearing element of this kind, and a hydraulic machine has at least one sliding bearing of this kind.

Abstract: A bush bearing includes a bearing body having an inner peripheral surface which is brought into contact with a cylindrical outer peripheral surface of a rotating shaft portion so as to be rotatable in a first direction, a groove provided on an outer peripheral surface of the bearing body so as to extend in the first direction, and an elastic ring fitted on said groove and having a pair of projecting portions and a portion, the pair of projecting portions partially projecting radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of said bearing body in second direction, the portion being provided at positions in the first direction between the pair of projecting portions, and not projecting radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the bearing body.

Abstract: A bearing apparatus includes: (a) an inner member comprising rigid material with a first contact surface; (b) an outer member comprising rigid material with a second contact surface; (c) an annular intermediate member between the inner and outer members, and having: (i) a third contact surface including first bearing elements contacting the first contact surface to define a first bearing interface, each first bearing element including a raised central portion flanked beam portions; and (ii) a fourth contact surface including second bearing elements contacting the second contact surface to define a second bearing interface, each second bearing element including a raised central portion flanked by a pair of beam portions; (d) wherein the contact surfaces of each bearing interface are wear-resistant; and (e) wherein the bearing elements are shaped and sized so as to conform in an irregular shape to the at least one contact surface.