Specified Sleeve Or Liner Patents (Class 384/276)
  • Patent number: 6146019
    Abstract: A plain bearing is described, the overlay (3) of which exhibits properties which are markedly improved with regard to wear resistance in comparison with overlays applied by electroplating and conventional electron beam vapor deposition methods. The surface of the overlay (3) comprises round raised portions (4) and depressed portions (6), wherein, in relation to the horizontal section plane (7), the raised portions (4) cover a proportion of the surface area amounting to 30% to 50%, based on the entire surface area of the plain bearing, the section plane (7) being at a height at which the total proportion of the surface area consisting of the raised portions (4), and obtained in vertical section, is equal to the total corresponding proportion consisting of the depressed portions (6). The round raised portions exhibit a diameter D of 3 to 8 .mu.m, in plan view, wherein, in the case of raised portions (4) and depressed portions (6) which in plan view are not circular, this value relates to the maximum diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Wiesbaden GmbH
    Inventors: Gerd Andler, Jens-Peter Heinss, Klaus Goedicke, Christoph Metzner
  • Patent number: 6139191
    Abstract: A half bearing has a backing member and at least one metallic overlay, which is applied by electron beam vapor deposition and which comprises at least one finely dispersed component in a matrix material, the atomic weight of which component is greater than that of the matrix material, wherein the concentration of the finely dispersed component (7) decreases continuously from the apex area (8) of the half bearing (1) towards the area (9) of the partial surfaces. The method is characterized in that, during the coating process, an inert gas pressure of 0.1 to 5 Pa is set in the apex area of the bearing shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Wiesbaden GmbH
    Inventors: Gerd Andler, Jens-Peter Heinss, Klaus Goedicke, Christoph Metzner
  • Patent number: 6113275
    Abstract: A sliding bearing for supporting shafts and the like, with a bearing body made of plastic and a housing supporting the bearing body, where the sliding bearing essentially encloses the full circumference of the shaft. The bearing body (1) displays a slit (2) extending along the entire length of its axis and at least one deformable zone, likewise extending along the entire length of the axis, which allows the slit (2) to be opened so that the bearing body (1) can essentially be fitted to the shaft, and also removed from the shaft, in the radial direction. This drastically reduces the work involved in replacing the bearing body during repairs. The bearing body (1) can comprise individual webs (3) which are connected to one another via deformable zones designed as flexible film bridges (6) which can be locked in place in the housing by means of projections (7) provided on the webs (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Igus Spritzgussteile fur die Industrie GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Blase
  • Patent number: 6089755
    Abstract: A sliding bearing comprises a back metal and a bearing alloy layer formed thereon, the thickness of the back metal gradually decreasing from the middle portion toward each axial end portion, and the thickness of the bearing alloy layer being increased at each axial end portion. The bearing alloy layer has a Young's modulus smaller than that of the back metal of steel plate and hence it is elastically deformed with greater ease, and therefore, particularly at the beginning of the use, the oil film pressure at each axial end portion becomes higher when misalignment takes place, with the result that the bearing alloy layer is elastically deformed in the direction of compression. In consequence, the oil film thickness at opposite end portions is increased to prevent rupture of oil film, thus avoiding occurrence of metal contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Daido Metal Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Okamoto, Takayuki Shibayama
  • Patent number: 6076419
    Abstract: A plastic gear is rotatably supported on at least one plastic fixed support stud, which is preferably formed of plastic and molded on a metal support plate. The fixed support stud has three equiangularly spaced lobes extending from its outer surface without any nominal clearance with an inner surface of a hub of a plastic gear defining a bore in the gear hub to receive the fixed support stud. The lobes cause deformation of portions of the gear hub between the adjacent lobes. By increasing the clearance between the outer surface of the fixed support stud and the inner surface of the gear hub, spaces are provided between the adjacent lobes to allow portions of the inner surface of the gear hub to extend thereinto due to the deformation of the plastic. This reduces the vibration or jitter of the plastic gear, which is the output gear of a gear train for driving a photoconductive drum of a laser printer to improve its print quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel George Mlejnek, Harald Portig, Richard Andrew Seman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6015236
    Abstract: A plain bearing shell (2a', 2b') exhibits a reduction in oil carbon formation on the plain bearing backing and an improvement in plain bearing interference fit during operation through a decrease in the relative movement between bearing backing and receiving bore. The ratio of the effective wall thickness W.sub.eff to the external bearing diameter D is defined by 0.012.ltoreq.W.sub.eff /D.ltoreq.0.02. The ratio of the installation free spread S to the external bearing diameter D is defined by: 0.025.ltoreq.S/D .ltoreq.0.05.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Glyco-Metall-Werke Glyco B.V. & Co.KG
    Inventors: Fritz Niegel, Guido Schoneich, Gerhard Arnold, Werner Lucchetti
  • Patent number: 6012850
    Abstract: A sliding bearing assembly excellent in fretting resistance which comprises a sliding bearing and a housing, the sliding bearing having a bearing alloy layer in the internal surface of its backing metal layer and the internal surface of the housing being fitted with the sliding bearing, wherein a phosphate film is formed on the back of the backing metal layer of the sliding bearing, the phosphate film being composed of needle crystals or columnar crystals which have a particle size of not more than 30 .mu.m when observed from the back of the backing metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Daido Metal Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiko Kagohara, Koji Kitagawa, Akio Umemura, Mituru Sugita, Yoshiaki Sato, Hideo Ishikawa, Takayuki Shibayama
  • Patent number: 5992137
    Abstract: A supporting disc for a supporting disc bearing of open-end spinning rotors consists of a disc-like base body and a running ring made of plastic. There are small, ball-shaped filling bodies, preferably of glass, embedded in the running ring. These filling bodies, which amount to between 0.1 and 10% of the total volume, have a diameter of, for example, 0.1 to 0.3 mm. After the peripheral surface of the running ring has been machined, a more or less porous running surface arises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Spindelfabrik, Suessen, Schurr, Stahlecker & Grill GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Wuest
  • Patent number: 5971413
    Abstract: A unique trunnion mount for an axle assembly allows the axle to pivot about a longitudinal axis of a vehicle. The trunnion mount is comprised of two separate mounts, each of which is supported by an axle housing. The first mount is supported by the bearing cage on the input side of the axle housing. The second mount is attached to the opposite side of the axle housing and is comprised of a V-shaped bushing which presents angular exterior bearing surfaces which rotatably support the vehicle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Raji Said El-Kassouf
  • Patent number: 5952753
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a vibration-proof miniature motor of high endurance including a compact enough double row bearing apparatus having a shaft of sufficient mechanical rigidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Minebea Kabushiki-Kaisha (Minebea Co., Ltd.)
    Inventor: Rikuro Obara
  • Patent number: 5911513
    Abstract: A sliding bearing of copper-based alloy is provided which is superior in seizure resistance and wear resistance.The sliding bearing of copper-based alloy is provided with a back metal layer, a bearing alloy layer disposed on the back metal layer which bearing alloy layer consists of a copper alloy, a copper-zinc intermediate layer containing 20 to 50 wt % of zinc disposed on the bearing alloy layer, and a tin-based or aluminum-based overlay disposed on the intermediate layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Daido Metal Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Tsuji, Hideo Ishikawa, Yasuo Ido, Takayuki Shibayama
  • Patent number: 5887982
    Abstract: The present bearing assembly is for use with a wastewater treatment apparatus which is driven by a drive shaft, e.g., cog rake bar screens, or water treatment apparatus, e.g., paddle wheels in flocculation mixing tanks, and submerged, partially submerged or intermittently submerged in a fluid environment. The bearing assembly includes a tubular member keyed against rotation in a bearing housing with the tubular member bore surfaces engaged against the drive shaft surfaces without rolling elements disposed therebetween thus eliminating the need for lubricators to supply the bearings with grease. Accordingly, the present dry bearing assembly is not subject to failures caused by having the grease in the bearings flushed out by wastewater flows or by submerging of the lubricator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: U.S. Filter Wastewater Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen B. Wilcher
  • Patent number: 5836699
    Abstract: A roll-formed sliding surface bearing bushing is circular in an installed state and has a butt joint which extends throughout the width of the bushing and is closed in an installed state. To ensure a backlash-free bearing arrangement, the bushing has on its outside peripheral surface a trapezoidal profile, which includes an angle of 1.degree. to 30.degree. with the plane which contains the longitudinal axis of the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Kolbenschmidt Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Karl Back, Karl Becker, Wolfgang Bickle, Thomas Storch
  • Patent number: 5828150
    Abstract: A hard disc drive is disclosed, which comprises a compound bearing assembly including a stepped shaft 1 having a large-diameter portion 1a and a small-diameter portion 1b, the large-diameter portion 1a having an inner raceway groove 2a formed in the outer periphery, an outer race ring 3 surrounding the large-diameter portion 1a and having an outer raceway groove 2b, a plurality of balls 4 provided between the inner and outer raceway grooves 2a and 2b, a ball bearing unit 5 having an inner and an outer race ring 5a and 5b and a plurality of balls 6 provided therebetween, the inner race ring 5a being fitted on the small-diameter portion 1b, and a sleeve-like spacer 7 surrounding the stepped shaft 1and having opposite end small-diameter portions, the outer race ring 3 and the outer race ring 5b of the ball bearing unit 5 being fitted on the opposite end small-diameter portions, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Minebea Kabushiki-Kaisha
    Inventor: Rikuro Obara
  • Patent number: 5803614
    Abstract: There is disclosed a bearing structure having an excellent fretting resistance. In the bearing structure in which a sliding bearing is mounted at its back face on a housing, and rotatably supports a rotation shaft at an inner face thereof, and a covering layer of an amorphous alloy is formed on at least one of the back face of the sliding bearing and an inner surface of the housing. Thanks to an excellent non-adhesion property of the amorphous alloy, adhesion is less liable to develop between the back face of the bearing and the housing even if a slight friction repeatedly occurs therebetween, thereby imparting an excellent fretting resistance to the bearing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Daido Metal Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Tsuji, Hideo Ishikawa, Motomu Wada, Takayuki Shibayama
  • Patent number: 5803613
    Abstract: In a bearing body for support of a tiltable section of a component, the bearing body includes a front body part (10), a rear tap (11) and a locking device (12), the part (10) and tap (11) being held by the locking device (12) in their position relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Riedel und Sohnne oHG
    Inventors: Norbert Riedel, Ludger Riedel
  • Patent number: 5798155
    Abstract: Composite material 19 comprising outer member 17 having ring form section and inner member 18 mounted into said outer member so as to form a unitary construction, wherein inner surface 24 of said outer member 17 and outer surface 22 of said inner member 18 are at least partially opposed to each other through a gap .delta. and wherein said members 17,18 are joined together by means of anaerobic adhesives filling said gap .delta..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Yanagawa Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chuichi Yanagawa, Eigoro Tsukagoshi
  • Patent number: 5796349
    Abstract: The axial bearing includes a first ring and a second ring. During operation of the axial bearing, the first ring rotates with respect to the second ring. Over time the foregoing rotation produces wear of the first ring; consequently, exposes layers of the first ring to the second ring. The different layers of the first ring produce variations in the coefficient of friction within the axial bearing. If the axial bearing is associated with a drive motor, then the variations in the coefficient of friction change the load on the drive motor. The change in load upon the drive motor may be monitored to indicate axial bearing wear or the need for axial bearing replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Ansimag Inc.
    Inventor: Manfred P. Klein
  • Patent number: 5758977
    Abstract: In order to improve a bush-like antifriction bearing element for mounting a shaft, a pivot or other revolving component so that penetration of dirt into the bearing as well as out of the bearing, the antifriction bearing element is made pot-shaped so that the end of the antifriction bearing element remote from the end for insertion of the shaft, the pivot or the like, is defined by a bottom portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Kolbenschmidt AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bickle, Thomas Storch
  • Patent number: 5732441
    Abstract: An industrial wheel for trolleys, carts, pulleys. And the like with a self lubricated bearing of fuoroplastic, or the like, that slants at an angle from the center of the wheel out to the rim, so as to have a larger surface area, with consequent lower force or friction. The slanted bearing also locates the wheel in the center, eliminating the need for retaining devices along sides of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Inventor: Robert Janian
  • Patent number: 5711586
    Abstract: A track bushing for use with a track assembly of a track-type machine includes a generally cylindrical member having ends adapted for mounting in opposing end portions of a track link and a longitudinal bore extending between the ends. The inner surface of the bore defines first and second load bearing portions at each of the ends. Each of the first load bearing portions define a first conical surface tapering radially inward from each of the ends at a first angle, and each of the second load bearing portions define a second conical surface tapering radially inward from each of the first conical surfaces at a second angle. In the bushing's assembled state, the first angle is in the range of 0.09 degrees to 0.18 degrees and the second angle is in the range of -0.01 degrees to 0.01. In the bushing's free state, the first angle is in the range of 0.19 degrees to 0.27 degrees and the second angle is in the range of 0.06 degrees to 0.08 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Anderton, Lawrence J. Cobb, Joseph D. Groves, Dennis R. Shookman
  • Patent number: 5707155
    Abstract: Multilayer sliding bearing, of the type comprising: an intermediate layer (20) made of a material with a certain hardness, disposed on a backing layer (10); a sliding layer (30) made of a less hard material, said intermediate layer (20) presenting a radially internal face defined by at least a pair of surfaces, which are excentric to the bearing and which intercept each other along a respective intersection line (22) of the bearing that is inclined relative the opposite end edges, in order to reduce the thickness of said intermediate layer (20), the radially internal face of the sliding layer (30) presenting a curvature radius at maximum equal to the distance between the axis of the bearing and each point of each intersection line (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Inventors: Robert Richard Banfield, JoseRoberto Simao, Ademir Carubelli
  • Patent number: 5700093
    Abstract: Disclosed is a bearing structure of a sliding bearing which is held in a housing and which rotatably supports a rotary shaft. At least one of the outer surface of the sliding bearing and the inner surface of the housing is covered with a coating layer which essentially consists of, by weight, a total amount of not more than 90% of solid lubricant and hard particles in which the solid lubricant is of 3 to 50% and the hard particles are of 1 to 50%, and the balance of polyamideimide resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Daido Metal Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobutaka Hiramatsu, Mitsuru Sugita, Yoshikazu Mizuno, Takayuki Shibayama
  • Patent number: 5692841
    Abstract: An improved sleeve bearing and associated lubrication system for the rotor shaft of a steam turbine. The bearing is lined with a metallic-polymeric composite, and is fixedly supported within a housing defining a reservoir containing a supply of liquid lubricant. The lubrication system includes a ring loosely surrounding the rotor shaft at a location spaced axially from the bearing. A lower portion of the ring is partially submerged in the lubricant. The ring is rotatably driven in response to rotation of the rotor shaft, with lubricant picked up on the ring being centrifugally discharged radially outwardly onto the surrounding housing walls. A system of communicating troughs, scuppers and passageways receives lubricant running off the housing walls for delivery under gravity to the bearing. Return passageways direct lubricant exiting from the bearing past water cooled chambers, over a weir and back to the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Tuthill Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Rivard
  • Patent number: 5675862
    Abstract: In a wiper shaft channel sleeve for a protruding wiper shaft (2) of a wiper motor (1) attached to a vehicle outer body component, in which a channel sleeve (5), made of an elastic material, placed in an opening 3 in the vehicle outer skin, is provided with a sliding bearing (6) and a sealing lip (7) and, further, the wiper shaft is supported and protected, the sliding bearing (24) and the sealing lip (28) are placed in a sliding sleeve (22) axially movable in the channel sleeve (5), made of elastic material, and the channel sleeve (5), with its main body of a high-durometer elastic material and, by means of an attachment clip (17) made of a supple elastic material, is rigidly connected to the channel sleeve, and placed in the opening (3) of the body outer skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Hans-Georg Reinl
  • Patent number: 5654597
    Abstract: A magnetic disk drive motor includes a hub stand for driving a disk while carrying the disk thereon, a shaft fixed to the middle of the hub stand, a rotor case attached to an end of the shaft and having a drive magnet on an inner side of a circumferential wall thereof, a substantially cylindrical housing rotatably supporting the shaft through a bearing, and a base plate supporting a stator core, wherein an end of the bearing is in slidable contact with the hub stand; and at least a part of the one end surface of the bearing is cut away.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sankyo Seiki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakashita, Eiji Arasaki
  • Patent number: 5651293
    Abstract: A transmission shifter having a unique structure for pivoting its lever assembly and a novel structure and method for assembling the parts. The structure for pivoting the lever assembly includes caps mounted on the ends of axles extending from the lever assembly. The apparatus and method for assembling the parts includes sockets mounted on a base and on a detent housing, which sockets capture trunnions extending from the lever assembly. Preferably such trunnions are the cap and axle combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Grand Haven Stamped Products
    Inventor: Scott M. Ebenstein
  • Patent number: 5634726
    Abstract: A system for fixating a shaft in its bearing casing as well as in a wiper installation the shaft is fixated in its bearing in that the annular gap between the shaft and the bearing is filled by the injection of a plastic material rendering optimum sealing and load bearing qualities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: ITT Automotive Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Edele, Oldrich Krizek
  • Patent number: 5632559
    Abstract: A sliding bearing is disclosed with a bearing alloy layer having an annular groove formed around its inner peripheral surface. The bearing alloy layer is sequentially coated with an intermediate layer and an overlay layer, so that upon abrasion, the portions of the overlay layer and the intermediate layer which remain in the recess of the annular groove; as well as the peaks of the bearing alloy layer which are defined between annular grooves, become exposed. In accordance with the invention, the peak has a height h and the intermediate layer has a thickness t, which, when taken on an abscissa and an ordinate, respectively, satisfy the following requirements: (1) 1.ltoreq.h<5, (2) t.ltoreq.2h/3+1/3 and (3) t.ltoreq.3, where h and t are denoted in units of .mu.m. More preferably, the following requirements are satisfied: (4) 1.ltoreq.h<5, and (5) t.ltoreq.h/2. This choice enables an improvement in the initial abrasion resistance, and the seizure resistance and affinity after the overlay layer is abraded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Taiho Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Kumada, Katsuyuki Hashizume, Soji Kamiya
  • Patent number: 5620262
    Abstract: Sliding bearing 1 comprises a bearing alloy layer 2 having peaks of a height h, an intermediate layer 3 of a thickness y, and an overlay layer 4 having a thickness t at the top of the peak. The parameters h, y and t are chosen in a range which satisfies the inequalities: 1.ltoreq.h.ltoreq.8 (1), 0<y.ltoreq.2 (2) and 0.7 h.ltoreq.t.ltoreq.2 h (3). When a shaft journalled has a diameter D, the peak height h preferably satisfies the following inequality: 0.5D/10,000.ltoreq.h.ltoreq.1.25D/10,000 (4). In these inequalities, h, y, t and D are represented in unit of .mu.m. This choice improves the initial seizure resistance, the seizure resistance upon abrasion of the overlay layer and the wear resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Taiho Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Kumada, Katsuyuki Hashizume, Soji Kamiya
  • Patent number: 5620261
    Abstract: A bearing bush, in particular for motor vehicles, includes an inner tube of metal having an outer contour. An intermediate tube of synthetic material rests against the inner tube so as to be slideable at least in a circumferential direction. The intermediate tube has an inner surface being shaped in accordance with the outer contour of the inner tube, and the intermediate tube has an outer surface. A vulcanized layer is applied onto the outer surface of the intermediate tube. A method of manufacturing the bearing bush includes inserting the inner tube and the intermediate tube into a vulcanizing mold together. The intermediate tube is deformed in accordance with an external contour of the inner tube during vulcanization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Metzeler Gimetall AG
    Inventor: Robert Salz
  • Patent number: 5618107
    Abstract: The bearing assembly for supporting one end of a rotatable shaft, such as the lower end of an agitator drive shaft inside a mixing tank, includes a mounting sleeve surrounded and spaced radially outwardly from the lower end of the drive shaft, a support supporting the mounting sleeve at a location where there is sufficient space between the mounting sleeve and the tank bottom to gain access to the lower end of the drive shaft, an annular bearing slidably mounted on the drive shaft, a bearing housing disposed inside the mounting sleeve and receiving the bearing to provide a bearing/bearing housing subassembly and a locking arrangement on the bearing housing and the mounting sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: A&B Process Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Steve A. Bartsch
  • Patent number: 5611221
    Abstract: An agitator assembly for a fabric washer includes an agitator body having an elongated agitator barrel and a plurality of vanes extending radially outwardly from one end of the agitator barrel. An auger tube is telescopically mounted over the agitator barrel and includes a helical flighting on its outer surface. A bearing assembly is located between the outer surface of the agitator barrel and the inner surface of the auger tube, and holds the inner auger tube surface free from contact with the outer agitator barrel while at the same time permitting relative rotational movement between the auger tube and the agitator body. A ratchet clutch assembly is provided for permitting the auger tube to rotate only in one direction with respect to the agitator. The ratchet clutch assembly includes a circular array of ratchet teeth, and a plurality of ball bearings resting upon the ratchet teeth. The ball bearings move vertically in vertical tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventor: Curtis J. Tremel
  • Patent number: 5601371
    Abstract: A sliding surface bearing comprising a backing shell and a roll-clad sliding surface layer consisting of an aluminum alloy containing dispersed soft interstitial elements has an improved fatigue strength because the sliding surface layer is provided on a layer consisting of a precipitation-hardenable or precipitation-hardened aluminum alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: MIBA Gleitlager Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Franz Koroschetz, Erich Puhringer
  • Patent number: 5601370
    Abstract: A bush is divided at a part of the circumference by a slit, so that at least two contacting portions provided on both end sides of the bush in the axial direction have elasticity in the radial direction, and are elastically brought into contact with the inner surface of a housing due to the elasticity. At least one elastic engagement portion between the at least two contacting portions has elasticity in the radial direction similar to the at least two contacting portions. The elastic engagement portion elastically engages with a rotary shaft which is inserted in the bush, thereby supporting the rotary shaft. Consequently, the rotary shaft rotates without vibration of the axis thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Daido Metal Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Shibayama, Masatoshi Inoue
  • Patent number: 5599112
    Abstract: The axial bearing includes a first ring and a second ring. During operation of the axial bearing, the first ring rotates with respect to the second ring. Over time the foregoing rotation produces wear of the first ring; consequently, exposes layers of the first ring to the second ring. The different layers of the first ring produce variations in the coefficient of friction within the axial bearing. If the axial bearing is associated with a drive motor, then the variations in the coefficient of friction change the load on the drive motor. The change in load upon the drive motor may be monitored to indicate axial bearing wear or the need for axial bearing replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Ansimag Inc.
    Inventor: Manfred P. Klein
  • Patent number: 5595443
    Abstract: An abrasion resistant bearing system for use in the agitation assembly of a mineral dissolution machine. The agitation assembly is part of the mixing tank where abrasive materials such as gypsum, nitrogen, potassium, sulphur and the like are kept in a mixed condition for ultimate discharge into an agricultural irrigation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Inventor: Kenneth G. Prillwitz
  • Patent number: 5570766
    Abstract: An end bearing for one-way clutch which is preferred for use in an automatic transmission is disclosed. The end bearing comprises a body formed of a steel plate, a hard coating applied to the surface of the body, and a soft coating applied to the surface of the hard coating. The steel plate of the body assures a sufficient rigidity. Regions of the end bearing which provide sliding surfaces are covered by a soft coating and a hard coating, which improves the anti-seizing resistance and the durability of the end bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignees: Taiho Kogyo Co., Ltd., Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eichi Sato, Yoshihiro Kaku, Yuji Yokota, Hiroshi Shibata, Masanori Hatanaka, Eiji Sugiyama, Jun Sonoda, Tetsuaki Numata
  • Patent number: 5531524
    Abstract: A resilient annular bearing positionable around a rotating shaft which self-adjustingly stabilizes the shaft with respect to a sleeve in which the shaft rotates. The bearing has opposite undulating surfaces, made up of a series of alternating peaks and valley, which provide resiliency. The opposite undulating surfaces extend radially, axially or obliquely to provide radial or axial stabilization or both. The peaks may be plateaued or shaped like a truncated pyramid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Douglas J. Brouwer
  • Patent number: 5522281
    Abstract: An adjustable tie-rod assembly for an automotive vehicle has inner and outer rod end sections, and an intermediate rod section. The intermediate and inner rod end sections are rotatably connected together. The intermediate rod section is threaded on the outer rod end section and a jam nut maintains this connection. A stud projects laterally outwardly from the outer rod end section for connection to a steering arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventor: Slawomir J. Herman
  • Patent number: 5505106
    Abstract: An adjustable tie-rod assembly for an automotive vehicle has inner and outer rod end sections, and an intermediate rod section. The intermediate and inner rod end sections are rotatably connected together. The intermediate rod section is threaded on the outer rod end section and a jam nut maintains this connection. A stud projects laterally outwardly from the outer rod end section for connection to a steering arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventor: Slawomir J. Herman
  • Patent number: 5505546
    Abstract: A bearing and a bushing each made of engineering plastics which are materials particularly excellent in chemical durability (e.g., chemical resistance) and each having split structure to remarkably facilitate the attachment or exchange of them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sansho
    Inventor: Masashi Okude
  • Patent number: 5505545
    Abstract: A sliding bearing (1) made of plastic has a separate press-fit area (2) and sliding area (3). The sliding area (3) is divided into individual segments, so that it only partially contacts a shaft mounted in it. The segmented sliding area (3) has a smaller inside diameter than the press-fit area (2), and the press-fit area (2) has a larger outside diameter than the sliding area (3). The sliding bearing (1) according to the invention permits virtually clearance-free shaft mounting, where the effects of moisture and temperature have absolutely no influence on the running properties of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Igus Spritzgussteile fur die Industrie GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Mergler
  • Patent number: 5489487
    Abstract: A multi-layer bearing consists of a backing steel plate, a layer of Cu--Pb bearing alloy comprising, by weight, 1 to 20% of Ni and containing Pb-phase grains dispersed in the matrix, and an overlay of Pb alloy containing In. In in the overlay is diffused into the Pb-phase grains in the bearing alloy layer and forms a diffusion layer of high corrosion resistance in which In coexists with the Pb-phase grains, in an area of 30 to 200 .mu.m from the interface to the overlay. Even if the overlay is worn and the Cu--Pb bearing alloy layer is exposed, high corrosion resistance will be maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Daido Metal Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Tanaka, Masaaki Sakamoto, Koichi Yamamoto, Tsukimitsu Higuchi
  • Patent number: 5474386
    Abstract: A bearing system comprises a motor shaft, bearings that support the shaft in a rotatable manner, a cylindrical bearing holder that holds the bearings and a cylindrical sleeve on the inner periphery of the bearing holder. The cylindrical sleeve is either made of metal of a material of high rigidity. The cylindrical sleeve, furthermore, is either integrally formed or press-fitted on the periphery of the bearing holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Sankyo Seiki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Izumi Komatsu
  • Patent number: 5468071
    Abstract: A bearing shell for heavily loaded bearings with a rolled strip interfere or force fit lining comprises a generally annular body with an axial bore fitted with a lining in which a shaft turns. The lining comprises a 2 mm thick rectangle of rolled steel strip at least the bearing surface of which has been surface hardened to a depth of approximately 0.5 mm by nitriding or by carburizing and quenching. The ends of the rolled strip bear on each other. The strip is an interference or force fit in the bore of the body and has an excess length relative to the developed length of a neutral fiber of an unstressed lining between 0.3 and 9%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Centre Stephanois De Recherches Mecaniques Hydromecanique et Frottement
    Inventors: Daniel Tourneux, Rene Mariatte, Bernard Dajoux
  • Patent number: 5441349
    Abstract: A slide bearing comprising: an outer cylinder in which two ends of a cylindrical section made of thin metal plate are respectively provided with a flange and an annular side wall section formed by bending inwardly and perpendicularly; and either a plurality of plate-like bearing elements or a single bearing element both provided with an opening having convexes and concaves in the center so that a shaft to be supported may be supported by the convexes in a state of face contact; the concaves of the bearing elements being filled with a lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Inventor: Rikuro Shimizu
  • Patent number: 5433531
    Abstract: A dispersion of hard, wear-resistant particles such as aluminum oxide is embedded within a shaft-engaging surface of a bearing such that the service life of a shaft and bearing assembly is extended. The relatively hard aluminum oxide particles exert a polishing action on the shaft surface to improve the wear resistance and seizure resistance of the bearing and shaft system. A tumbling barrel, vibratory bowl, air jet, brush or similar apparatus can be used to apply and embed tumbling media particles within the shaft-engaging surface. During the application period, aluminum oxide particles are transferred to the bearing member surfaces by the sliding, rubbing contact between the abrasive bodies and the individual bearing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald J. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5413414
    Abstract: A guide sleeve for a length-adjustable column for chairs is provided with an outside to be received and supported in a guide tube of the column. The guide sleeve is further provided with an internal surface, on which guide webs are formed which project towards a central longitudinal axis. The guide webs are separated from each other by recesses. On the guide webs, there are partial cylinder surfaces concentric of the axis and which are formed as guide surfaces for the housing of a length-adjustable element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Suspa Compart Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hans J. Bauer
  • Patent number: 5403154
    Abstract: A fan assembly ideally suited for use in small high speed low load cooling fans used in computers, peripherals and other office equipment. The assembly includes a shaft and bearing combination instead of conventional rolling element bearing, washer and lock ring assemblies. The bearing is formed of plastic and constructed so that it can be precisely positioned with respect to the shaft in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Inventor: Russell D. Ide