Abstract: A bearing assembly including a connecting rod (30) with a first end (32) and a second end (36), the second end (36) defining a first outer raceway (44a) and a second outer raceway (44b) with a thrust ring (60) therebetween, a crankshaft (10) defining a cylindrical inner raceway (14), a first plurality of radial roller elements (52a) disposed between the first outer raceway (44a) and the inner raceway (14), and a second plurality of radial roller elements (52b) disposed between the second outer raceway (44b) and the inner raceway (14). An axial length of at least one of the first radial roller elements (52a) is greater than an axial length of the first outer raceway (44a) and the axial length of at least one of the second radial roller elements (52b) is greater than an axial length of the second outer raceway (44b).

Abstract: A roller bearing assembly (10) having an annular outer race (22) with a raceway (24), a pair of opposed flanges (30), and a pair of shoulders (32), each shoulder (32) being disposed between a corresponding flange (30) and a corresponding edge of the raceway (24), a roller retainer (12) defining a plurality of roller pockets (16), and a plurality of rollers (14), each roller (14) being disposed in a corresponding roller pocket (16). Each shoulder (32) forms an annular ridge (32a) with the corresponding edge of the raceway (24).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a split bearing ring comprises forming an endless ring (42) having first (34) and second edges (46), removing at least a portion of the ring between the first and second edges to form at least one aperture (50, 54), hardening the ring, and after hardening, splitting the ring adjacent the at least one aperture to create first and second mating ends (74, 78) of the ring.

Abstract: A vibration isolator for use between a support structure and a roller thrust bearing including a first race, a second race, a bearing cage and at least one roller element. The vibration isolator includes a radially extending portion with a mating surface, a bearing surface, an inner peripheral edge and an outer peripheral edge, the radially extending portion being substantially disk-shaped. An annular flange extends axially from one of the inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge of the radially extending portion, and at least one groove is defined by the mating surface of the radially extending portion. The bearing surface is configured to abut one of the first race and the second race and the mating surface is configured to abut the support structure such that a void is defined between the at least one groove and the support structure.

Abstract: A unitized component assembly includes an component having an aperture, and a plurality of discrete projections extending into the aperture and spaced apart from one another about the perimeter of the aperture, and a fastener having a head and a shank extending from the head. The shank includes a necked portion and a threaded portion adjacent the necked portion. The shank is positioned in the aperture such that the necked portion is in facing relationship with the projections. The threaded portion is engageable with the projections to provide an axial stop for limiting movement of the fastener relative to the component.

Abstract: A unitized component assembly includes an component having an aperture, and a plurality of discrete projections extending into the aperture and spaced apart from one another about the perimeter of the aperture, and a fastener having a head and a shank extending from the head. The shank includes a necked portion and a threaded portion adjacent the necked portion. The shank is positioned in the aperture such that the necked portion is in facing relationship with the projections. The threaded portion is engageable with the projections to provide an axial stop for limiting movement of the fastener relative to the component.

Abstract: A roller bearing assembly includes a plurality of rollers (122), a cage (114) including a plurality of slots (118) for positioning the plurality of rollers, an outer race (134) positioned radially outside the plurality of rollers and the cage, and means (126, 130, 138) for retaining axial alignment between the cage and the outer race provided integrally with at least one of the cage and the outer race.

Abstract: A tappet (10) is movable along an axis. The tappet (10) includes a skirt defining an opening (18) and an alignment device (22) positioned at least partially within the opening (18). The alignment device (22) has a generally T-shaped cross-sectional shape when taken through a plane substantially parallel to the axis and has a non-T-shaped cross-sectional shape when taken through a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis.

Abstract: A bearing cage defines an overall axial length and includes a first end portion defining a first contact surface extending at a radially-outermost diameter of the bearing cage a first axial contact length, and a second end portion spaced a distance from the first end portion and defining a second contact surface extending at the radially-outermost diameter of the bearing cage a second axial contact length. The bearing cage further includes a plurality of spanning members extending between the first and second end portions to define a spanning member axial contact length defined at the radially-outermost diameter of the bearing cage by at least one contact pad. The bearing cage produces a total contact ratio, defined as the ratio of the sum total of the first axial contact length, the second axial contact length, and the spanning member axial contact length to the overall axial length, of at least 0.380.

Abstract: A roller bearing assembly includes a plurality of rollers (122), a cage (114) including a plurality of slots (118) for positioning the plurality of rollers, an outer race (134) positioned radially outside the plurality of rollers and the cage, and means (126,130,138) for retaining axial alignment between the cage and the outer race provided integrally with at least one of the cage and the outer race.

Abstract: A thrust bearing assembly generally includes a cage and a plurality of rolling elements. The cage has first and second cage halves with each cage half having a respective radial segment with a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings. Each opening has an opening perimeter. The cage halves are interconnected with portions of the radial segments circumferentially between the plurality of openings abutting along a given plane and the respective openings aligned to defined rolling element pockets. The rolling elements are positioned in the rolling element pockets such that a centerline of each rolling element lies in or in proximity to the given plane. A flange extends along at least a portion of each opening perimeter to retain the rolling elements within a respective one of the rolling element pockets.

Abstract: A vibration isolator for use between a support structure and a roller thrust bearing including a first race, a second race, a bearing cage and at least one roller element. The vibration isolator includes a radially extending portion with a mating surface, a bearing surface, an inner peripheral edge and an outer peripheral edge, the radially extending portion being substantially disk-shaped. An annular flange extends axially from one of the inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge of the radially extending portion, and at least one groove is defined by the mating surface of the radially extending portion. The bearing surface is configured to abut one of the first race and the second race and the mating surface is configured to abut the support structure such that a void is defined between the at least one groove and the support structure.

Abstract: A tappet (10) is movable along an axis. The tappet (10) includes a skirt defining an opening (18) and an alignment device (22) positioned at least partially within the opening (18). The alignment device (22) has a generally T-shaped cross-sectional shape when taken through a plane substantially parallel to the axis and has a non-T-shaped cross-sectional shape when taken through a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis.

Abstract: A radial rolling element bearing (10) for supporting a shaft (14) for rotation with respect to an adjacent support surface (38). The radial rolling element bearing (14) includes a plurality of rolling elements (18) and a race (22). The race includes a convex first surface (44) that forms a raceway for the plurality of rolling elements and a second surface (48) opposite the convex first surface having a profile that forms a hollow space (52) between the second surface of the race and one of the adjacent support surface and the shaft. The hollow space has a first volume when a first radial load is applied to the bearing, and the hollow space has a second volume less than the first volume when a second radial load greater than the first radial load is applied to the bearing.

Abstract: A clutching device includes an outer race, an inner race, a plurality of rollers and an actuator plate. The outer and inner races have axial ridges to define opposed outer and inner race pockets. The rollers are positioned in the outer and inner race pockets. The clutching device further includes an axial projection coupled for rotation with one of the inner and outer race. An actuator plate is coupled for rotation with one of the inner and outer race and axially moveable between a first position wherein the actuator plate engages the axial projection and a second position wherein the actuator plate does not engage the axial projection.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a connecting rod includes providing a substantially cylindrical rough bore in one end of the connecting rod, applying one of a compressive load and a tensile load to the connecting rod to at least partially deform the rough bore to a non-cylindrical shape, and machining the deformed rough bore to a substantially cylindrical shape while the one of the compressive load and the tensile load is applied to the connecting rod.

Abstract: A control method for an electro-mechanical camshaft phase shifting devices in general, and a control method for an electro-mechanic camshaft phase shifting device with a self-locking mechanism in particular. The control method takes advantage of a cam shaft reaction torque in conjunction with a frictional self-locking feature of an electro-mechanical camshaft phase shifting device to simplify the control structure and to reduce the actuating torque required for the associated electric machine, consequently reducing the size of electric machine.

Abstract: A thrust bearing assembly generally includes a cage and a plurality of rolling elements. The cage has first and second cage halves with each cage half having a respective radial segment with a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings. Each opening has an opening perimeter. The cage halves are interconnected with portions of the radial segments circumferentially between the plurality of openings abutting along a given plane and the respective openings aligned to defined rolling element pockets. The rolling elements are positioned in the rolling element pockets such that a centerline of each rolling element lies in or in proximity to the given plane. A flange extends along at least a portion of each opening perimeter to retain the rolling elements within a respective one of the rolling element pockets.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a split bearing ring comprises forming an endless ring (42) having first (34) and second edges (46), removing at least a portion of the ring between the first and second edges to form at least one aperture (50, 54), hardening the ring, and after hardening, splitting the ring adjacent the at least one aperture to create first and second mating ends (74, 78) of the ring.

Abstract: A bearing for a connecting rod includes a retainer having a plurality of pockets spaced about a circumference of the retainer, a first end that defines a first flange, and a second end that defines a second flange opposite the first flange. The bearing also includes a plurality of radial bearing elements that supports a radial load, and each of the plurality of radial bearing elements is positioned in one of the plurality of pockets. A first plurality of axial bearing elements is positioned on the first flange and receives at least a portion of an axial load, and a second plurality of axial bearing elements is positioned on the second flange and receives at least a portion of the axial load.