Abstract: An annular metallic support member has a cylindrical surface mountable within a bore of the spherical plain bearing outer ring or bearing housing such that a conical surface of the metallic support member overlies the spherical member. An annular elastomeric seal lip is mounted on the conical surface of the metallic support member, and an elastomeric seal body is mounted on the conical surface of the metallic support member, axially inward of the elastomeric seal lip, such that the elastomeric seal lip and elastomeric seal body contact the spherical member. The elastomeric seal body may have grooves for supplying lubricant to the elastomeric seal lip.

Abstract: A fluid seal is joined to a seal carrier, and a magneto-responsive sensor is coupled to a carrier to sense the polarities of a magnet borne on a rotatable shaft. The seal carrier, with the incorporated sensor, is arranged about the shaft, and leads from the sensor transmit an output signal voltage which corresponds to, or is proportional to the speed of rotation of the shaft. Depending upon the type of sensor employed, the signal voltage will be of repeatedly changing amplitude (i.e., pulsed or sine wave), or of given amplitude, in which the signal goes from zero to the given amplitude, to zero cyclically, or the sine wave amplitude/voltage increases with increasing speed, or pulse widths which diminish with speed acceleration.

Abstract: First and second radial actuating clamps provide selective radial engagement with a housing for preloaded bearings. An axial actuator, retained between the first and second radial actuating clamps, provides selective expansion and contraction of the axial distance between the first and second radial actuator clamps. A method for adjusting the preload of preloaded bearings mounted within a housing is also disclosed. The method includes alternate clamping and unclamping of two radial actuating clamps against the housing while an axial actuator expands and contracts the axial distance between the radial actuating clamps.

Abstract: A first periphery portion of a bearing shield contacts one of an inner ring or an outer bearing ring and a second periphery portion of the bearing shield is adjacent the other of the bearing rings. The first periphery portion of the bearing shield and said one bearing ring have at least one localized irregularity effected by a laser beam such that rotation of the bearing shield with respect to said one bearing ring is restrained. The localized irregularity may be a mechanical interlock or a welding of the two elements and may be at several locations evenly distributed circumferentially about the first periphery of the bearing shield.

Abstract: A plastic magnet holder is constructed for use with an annular thrust bearing. The plastic magnet holder has an annular plastic magnet which was snapped into the plastic magnet holder. The plastic magnet holder is provided with a recess formed by a surface having a size and shape to permit the plastic magnet holder to be snapped over the annular thrust bearing.

Abstract: A drawn cup bearing has a tapered inside surface which was shaped by a tapered punch.

Abstract: A seal with internal reinforcement is mountable on a stationary ring of a bearing, an insulating film with conductive tracks being fixed to the reinforcement. A sensor element, for sensing an encoder element carried by a rotating ring of the bearing, contacts the insulating film and the conductive tracks. Constitutive material of the seal covers at least a portion of the reinforcement and the insulating film and provides protection for the conductive tracks and sensor element. Connecting devices for passing wiring through the reinforcement are also described.

Abstract: A tubular portion of the adaptor has a non-cylindrical outer surface to be received within an inner bearing ring bore and a non-cylindrical inner surface to receive a non-cylindrical shaft. Flanges are directed substantially radially outwardly from the tubular portion at the adaptor ends to engage the end surfaces of the inner bearing ring. Slots distributed along the perimeter of at least one adaptor end and extending longitudinally through the flange and part of the tubular portion form a plurality of retention fingers. The retention fingers may bend radially inwardly and outwardly to permit insertion into the inner bearing ring and to accommodate dimensional variation of the non-cylindrical bore and the non-cylindrical shaft.

Abstract: A track roller or cam follower type bearing has seal-thrust withstanding members. The sealing function and the thrust withstanding function are performed by a single structure.

Abstract: The ball raceways on the inside surface of the outer ring of a rod end bearing to be used on aircraft is hardened by a nitriding process while at the same time leaving the remainder of the ring soft and ductile to resist fracture.

Abstract: There is provided a roller bearing having an outer roller race with an integral radially inwardly directed lip at each end. A complement of axially extending trunnion rollers is arranged between the lips. A removable retainer ring is interconnected to the lip to prevent radial displacement of the trunnion rollers. The retainer ring includes a cylindrical medial portion disposed concentrically inside the lip, an outer flange extending radially outwardly from one side of the medial portion and overlying a portion of the outer surface of the lip, and an inner flange extending from the other side edge of the medial portion and extending in an outwardly inclined direction and terminating in abutting relation with the inner surface of the lip.

Abstract: Two magnetic field generators are located symmetrically to each other in a first plane perpendicular to a shaft, and two magnetic field detectors are immobilized in a second plane perpendicular to the shaft. The magnetic field detectors provide a signal proportional to the torsional moment as a result of angular shift of the magnetic field generators with respect to the magnetic field detectors. The magnetic field generators have a magnetized structure with antiparallel magnetization directions and are supported by a first disk mounted on the shaft and are placed at the end of a first hub which surrounds the shaft. The first hub supports a bearing for mounting a second hub and second disk, which is axially shifted and to which the magnetic field detectors are rigidly attached.

Abstract: Material is first formed into a flat ring. Ball retaining pockets are then formed in the flat ring leaving bridge material between adjacent pockets. Bearing balls are inserted into the ball retaining pockets and bridge material between adjacent pockets is then reshaped such that the bridge material wraps partially around the balls, thereby retaining the balls and forming a rigid bridge between adjacent ball pockets. The bridge is proximate a line common to the centers of adjacent balls.

Abstract: A bearing body is provided with first roller bodies such that a shaft may be rollably bearing-mounted on the surface of the first roller bodies, for centering the shaft such that the shaft is shiftable along the shaft axis, rotatable about the shaft axis, and swivelable with respect to a central axis of the bearing. The first roller bodies may be balls and may, in turn, be rollably bearing-mounted by second roller bodies. The bearing assembly achieves a device having zero runout and low friction that ensures a smooth, reliable bearing for shafts and rods, for example, in the gear shift rods of motor vehicles.

Abstract: A raceway portion and non-raceway portion are joined together to form a two-piece thrust washer. The raceway portion has a radially directed raceway for rollers, and the non-raceway portion extends radially outward from the raceway portion for engagement with a piloting surface. Mechanical devices, formed integrally on the raceway and non-raceway portions, join the raceway portion and the non-raceway portion together. A method of forcing the raceway and non-raceway portions together to provide a snap-together assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An adaptor for use with an inner bearing ring having a cylindrical bore. The adaptor comprises a tubular portion having a cylindrical outer surface adapted to be received within the inner bearing ring cylindrical bore and a non-cylindrical inner surface adapted to receive a non-cylindrical shaft. A plurality of foldable tabs are distributed along the circumference of the ends of the adaptor. The foldable tabs have a uniform thickness in the axial direction and are directed substantially radially outwardly from the cylindrical outer surface of the tubular portion and are angled axially inwardly. The tubular portion and foldable tabs are formed integrally of a resilient material such that the foldable tabs transiently fold to permit insertion of the adaptor into the bearing ring cylindrical bore and engage end surfaces of the bearing ring to retain the adaptor in the inner bearing ring after insertion.

Abstract: There is disclosed a bearing for mounting on a multi-sided shaft having an outer race and an inner race coaxial with and rotatable relative to the outer race. The inner race is formed with a central bore having a plurality of internal corners which accommodate a multi-sided shaft. The central bore is preferably adapted to accommodate hexagonal and square shafts. The central bore has at least one circumferential groove in the bore and an elastomeric ring mounted into the groove. The grooves are formed at such depth that the elastomeric ring is exposed at the internal corners of the central bore whereby when the bearing is mounted the elastomeric material will contact the shaft and dampen the relative motion between the bearing and the shaft.