Abstract: An inner tubular wall is concentrically located inside an outer tubular wall to form an annular space therebetween. A bearing is retained within the annular space. The bearing can include a pair of precision angular contact bearings, the bearing may also include an axial sleeve bearing. A frangible element such as an annular shear groove is associated with one of the outer tubular wall and the inner tubular wall. Separation occurs at the frangible element and the bearing supports the inner tubular wall member and the outer tubular wall member for rotation relative to each other upon the coupling assembly experiencing a shear event. In addition, the angular contact bearings may reduce any bending moments that might otherwise impact upon the frangible element during normal operation. The frangible element may be treated, for example, by shot-peening or coating to reduce deterioration of the frangible element during normal operation.

Abstract: A bearing assembly includes an inner race and an outer race, with the outer race positioned such that the inner race is an opposed and spaced apart relation from the outer race. Roller elements are disposed between the inner race and the outer race. A resilient seal element extends adjacent to a flange element, maintaining an effective seal during axial and/or radial movement, such as that caused by thermal expansion, of the resilient seal element relative to the flange element. The resilient seal element excludes contaminants from entering the bearing assembly and retains grease or lubricant within the bearing assembly.

Abstract: A bearing assembly having an inner ring and an outer ring and a plurality of rolling elements positioned therebetween, and a lubricant disposed about the rolling elements between the inner ring and the outer ring where the lubricant comprises a hydrocracked base oil and a lithium complex thickener.

Abstract: A clutch mechanism connects a rotating shaft to an outer clutch member having a clutch keyway. The clutch mechanism permits the shaft to rotate in a normal direction and prevents the shaft from rotating in a reverse direction when the outer clutch member is rotationally fixed to the housing. A key is moveable into an engaged position with the clutch keyway to rotationally fix the outer clutch member to the housing. The key is also moveable into a disengaged position to permit the outer clutch member to rotate relative to the housing. Thus, the shaft is permitted to rotate in both the normal direction and the reverse direction. A positive, mechanical and/or visual indication of whether the shaft is capable of operating in both directions may also be included. The assembly may include a sealed interior space in common with the machine including the shaft.

Abstract: A bearing with lubricant having metal or metal alloy nanoparticles that are more anodic than the metal or metal alloy of which the inner or outer raceways of the bearing are constructed; and method for using the same.

Abstract: A bearing assembly wherein the inner diameter of the slotted compressible annular locking collar is provided with a protrusion which extends radially inwardly, and finger extensions of the inner ring are provided with a recessed groove which extends at least partially along the collective outer annular surface of the finger extensions. When the locking collar is disposed about the finger extensions of the inner ring, the protrusion is disposed within the recessed groove to retain the locking collar on the inner ring. The inner ring finger extensions and the locking collar are relatively sized such that when they are in their free states, the inner diameter of the protrusion is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the recessed groove, such that the collar may be snapped over the finger extensions and into proper position on the inner ring prior to installation on a shaft. The protrusion may be an integrally formed part of the locking collar or a separate resilient member.

Abstract: A housing having an inner surface and having a bottom end, a bearing component positioned within the housing above the bottom end of the housing, a first seal positioned within the housing between the bottom end of the housing and the bearing component, the first seal sized to provide a seal against the inner surface of the housing and to cover the a first sidewall surface of the bearing component, a top end of the housing positioned opposite the bottom end, a second seal positioned within the housing between the bearing component and the top end of the housing, the second seal sized to provide a seal against the inner surface of the housing and to cover a second sidewall surface of the bearing component during a coating operation.

Abstract: A bearing assembly having a bearing inner ring with an inner raceway and a bearing outer ring with an outer raceway and a plurality of rolling elements positioned therebetween, and a seal cartridge including a seal carrier fixed with respect to the outer ring, a flinger element fixed with respect to the inner ring, and a flexible sealing member affixed to the seal carrier, wherein the flexible sealing member includes a first sealing leg in sliding contact with an inner surface of a first flange of the flinger element, a second sealing leg in sliding contact with the inner surface of the first flange of the flinger element, and a third sealing leg in sliding contact with the inwardly tapered inner surface of a second radially inwardly flange of the flinger element.

Abstract: A bearing assembly wherein the inner diameter of the slotted compressible annular locking collar is provided with a protrusion which extends radially inwardly, and finger extensions of the inner ring are provided with a recessed groove which extends at least partially along the collective outer annular surface of the finger extensions. When the locking collar is disposed about the finger extensions of the inner ring, the protrusion is disposed within the recessed groove to retain the locking collar on the inner ring. The inner ring finger extensions and the locking collar are relatively sized such that when they are in their free states, the inner diameter of the protrusion is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the recessed groove, such that the collar may be snapped over the finger extensions and into proper position on the inner ring prior to installation on a shaft. The protrusion may be an integrally formed part of the locking collar or a separate resilient member.

Abstract: A multiple shaft seal arrangement positioned between a shaft and an inside diameter surface of an aperture in a wall. The multiple shaft seal arrangement has a flinger attached to the shaft with a face seal mounted to the flinger. A double lip oil seal is mounted to the inside diameter of the aperture. The flinger is positioned such that the face seal is pressed against the double lip oil seal. Accordingly, rotation of the shaft causes rotation of the flinger and face seal. This centrifugally throws contaminants, such as particulate matter, away from the aperture. The void between the face seal and the inside diameter of the aperture is filled with grease or similar substance. The combination of these elements greatly prohibits debris, moisture, particulate matter or other environmental elements from passing from one side of the multiple shaft seal arrangement to the other.

Abstract: A bearing directed to a bushing positioned within a housing that is positively retained to prevent the bushing from moving axially with respect to the housing and that also prevents the bushing from rotating relative to the housing. The present embodiment accomplishes these goals by the use of a retention pin that positively retains the bushing within the housing.

Abstract: A housing having an inner surface and having a bottom end, a bearing component positioned within the housing above the bottom end of the housing, a first seal positioned within the housing between the bottom end of the housing and the bearing component, the first seal sized to provide a seal against the inner surface of the housing and to cover the a first sidewall surface of the bearing component, a top end of the housing positioned opposite the bottom end, a second seal positioned within the housing between the bearing component and the top end of the housing, the second seal sized to provide a seal against the inner surface of the housing and to cover a second sidewall surface of the bearing component during a coating operation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bearing assembly that includes a bearing insert that engages a bearing housing at an interface. In accordance with the invention, the interface is lubricated with a lubricant that provides sufficient lubrication such that the breaking housing torque required to initiate relative movement of the outer portion and housing is no greater than 130% of the moving housing torque required to maintain relative movement of the outer portion and housing. The lubricant preferably is a fatty acid, such as stearic acid or palmitic acid. In accordance with highly preferred embodiments of the invention, the lubricant comprises a grease composed of a base lubricating oil that is thickened with a fatty acid that is substantially uniformly dispersed therein.

Abstract: A mounting system for a speed reducer having a housing with a rotatable input drive coupled with the housing and a gear train coupled with the input to drive an output. The mounting system has a cylinder having an inner and outer surface and two ends. The outer surface includes a portion adapted to couple with the drive train. The outer surface at both ends may have a threaded portion or another securement portion. The inner surface may be tapered from both the ends such that the tapers are substantially symmetrical about the cylinder. A bushing ring, with an internal diameter, may include threads to threadily connect with either threaded end of the output cylinder, or another type of securement may be used. A bushing, which includes a flange and a cylindrical portion, is adapted to couple with the bushing ring. The flange portion couples with the bushing ring on either side of the output cylinder.

Abstract: A bearing for providing the ability to more optimally and evenly share the load among a set of rolling elements to reduce maximum roller load in a cost effective and efficient manner, is provided. The bearing may include an outer race and an inner race, where the inner race includes a first and a second outer radius. The first outer radius of the inner race is radially spaced from the outer race, and the second outer radius forms an eccentric section. Rolling elements are positioned between the inner and outer races, where a portion of the bearing load is transferred to adjacent rolling elements located at the eccentric section.

Abstract: A bearing end cap having a circular mounting surface, a sidewall adjacent to the mounting surface, a seal groove positioned in the mounting surface, and an integrated seal positioned in the seal groove.

Abstract: An inner ring of a bearing for placement over a shaft having a first end with a series of finger extensions and a series of slots between the extensions, the inner ring further including finger extension slot seals positioned within the slots and a finger extension seal positioned on the outer diameter of the extensions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bearing assembly that includes a bearing insert that engages a bearing housing at an interface. In accordance with the invention, the interface is lubricated with a lubricant that provides sufficient lubrication such that the breaking housing torque required to initiate relative movement of the outer portion and housing is no greater than 130% of the moving housing torque required to maintain relative movement of the outer portion and housing. The lubricant preferably is a fatty acid, such as stearic acid or palmitic acid. In accordance with highly preferred embodiments of the invention, the lubricant comprises a grease composed of a base lubricating oil that is thickened with a fatty acid that is substantially uniformly dispersed therein.

Abstract: A bearing assembly wherein the inner diameter of the slotted compressible annular locking collar is provided with a protrusion which extends radially inwardly, and finger extensions of the inner ring are provided with a recessed groove which extends at least partially along the collective outer annular surface of the finger extensions. When the locking collar is disposed about the finger extensions of the inner ring, the protrusion is disposed within the recessed groove to retain the locking collar on the inner ring. The inner ring finger extensions and the locking collar are relatively sized such that when they are in their free states, the inner diameter of the protrusion is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the recessed groove, such that the collar may be snapped over the finger extensions and into proper position on the inner ring prior to installation on a shaft. The protrusion may be an integrally formed part of the locking collar or a separate resilient member.

Abstract: A bearing assembly wherein the inner diameter of the slotted compressible annular locking collar is provided with a protrusion which extends radically inwardly, and finger extensions of the inner ring are provided with a recessed groove which extends at least partially along the collective outer annular surface of the finger extensions. When the locking collar is disposed about the finger extensions of the inner ring, the protrusion is disposed within the recessed groove to retain the locking collar on the inner ring. The inner ring finger extensions and the locking collar are relatively sized such that when they are in their free states, the inner diameter of the protrusion is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the recessed groove, such that the collar may be snapped over the finger extensions and into proper position on the inner ring prior to installation on a shaft. The protrusion may be an integrally formed part of the locking collar or a separate resilient member.