Abstract: A spherical plain bearing includes an outer ring and an inner ring that are each coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the bearing. The outer ring has a first axial outer ring end, a second axial outer ring end, and an interior spherical concave bearing surface extending therebetween. The inner ring has a first axial inner ring end, a second axial inner ring end, and an interior cylindrical bearing surface defining a bore and an exterior spherical convex bearing surface extending therebetween. The exterior spherical convex bearing surface is in interfacial sliding engagement with the interior spherical concave bearing surface. A plurality of circumferential lubrication grooves and one or more curved lubrication channels are in the exterior spherical convex bearing surface. The curved lubrication channels are positioned to intersect each of the circumferential lubrication grooves. A plurality of profiled annular lubrication grooves circumferentially extend into the interior cylindrical bearing surface.

Abstract: A roller hydraulic valve lifter includes a body having a longitudinal central axis and an interior area defined by an inside surface which has a pair of flat surfaces opposite one another and connected by a pair of walls. A first bore, essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, extends through the flat surfaces. A bearing is disposed partially in the interior area. The bearing includes an outer ring having substantially cylindrical exterior and interior bearing surfaces. A shaft extends through the first bore and the outer ring and between the pair of flat surfaces. A plurality of needle rollers is disposed between and rollingly engage the shaft and the cylindrical inner bearing surface. The shaft and the plurality of needle rollers are manufactured from an AISI 52100 alloy steel that is carbo-nitrided. The shaft and the plurality of needle rollers have a surface hardness of a minimum of HRc 65.

Abstract: A maintenance-free bearing system having self-lubricating features, seals, grooves and slots for use in a cushion hitch assembly for a hitch pull scraper vehicle. An interconnected bearing linkage system having two or more horizontal two-axis combined journal and thrust bearings with self-lubricating liners therein, two or more vertical single-axis sleeve bearings with self-lubricating liners therein and one or more vertical thrust bearing with self-lubricating liners therein, that cooperate with one another to accommodate vertical and horizontal angular movement relative to one another. The vertical thrust bearings incorporate an outer seal assembly and/or an inner seal assembly with a tapered configuration that improves retention of the seal assembly during rotation.

Abstract: A loader slot bearing includes an annular housing having first and second axial surfaces and an interior area extending therebetween. The interior area has a first inner surface that extends between the first and second axial surfaces. A portion of the inner surface is a first bearing surface that has a spherical contour. A slot extends partially into the first inner surface from the first axial surface. The slot has a first width. The annular housing is manufactured from a precipitation hardened corrosion resistant stainless steel. The loader slot bearing includes a truncated ball that is positioned in the slot and rotated so that the truncated ball is rotatably retained by the first bearing surface. The truncated ball is angularly misalignable relative to the housing and is manufactured from a 440C stainless steel. A dry lubricant is applied to the spherical exterior surface of the truncated ball.

Abstract: A loader slot bearing includes a housing and a truncated ball. The housing has an interior area that is defined by an inner bearing surface which has a concave contour defining a circumference. A single slot extends axially partway into the inner bearing surface and has a slot arc section area extending axially inward. The slot arc section area has a first circumferential slot-end, a second circumferential slot-end, and a slot arc length measured between the first circumferential slot-end and the second circumferential slot-end. A ratio of the slot arc length to the circumference of the interior area is about 0.20 to 0.35. The truncated ball has a convex exterior surface. The truncated ball is positioned in the slot and rotated so that the truncated ball is rotatably retained by the inner bearing surface. The truncated ball is angularly misalignable relative to the annular housing.

Abstract: A joint bushing that accommodates the dithering and sliding in multi segment wind turbines. The joint bushing includes a self-lubricating liner that is a composite system incorporating woven Polytetrafluoroethylene fibers intermixed with structural reinforcement fibers in a composite matrix. The composite system provides sufficient life without requiring relubrication.

Abstract: A joint bushing that accommodates the dithering and sliding in multi segment wind turbines. The joint bushing includes a self-lubricating liner that is a composite system incorporating woven Polytetrafluoroethylene fibers intermixed with structural reinforcement fibers in a composite matrix. The composite system provides sufficient life without requiring re-lubrication.

Abstract: A spherical bearing for a damper system includes a first segment and a second segment with a ball therebetween. The ball includes a shaft extending therefrom. The shaft extends out of the first segment. A lubricious liner is disposed between the first segment and the second segment.

Abstract: An anti-wear composite structure includes an anti-wear layer that has a wear surface opposite an adhesive receiving surface and a thermosetting resin applied to the adhesive receiving surface. The thermosetting resin includes a reactive adhesive configured to bond the anti-wear composite structure to a substrate at an ambient temperature band via pressure-sensitive adhesion. The thermosetting resin has an onset to cure in the ambient temperature band and has a peak cure temperature greater than the ambient temperature band to mechanically and chemically bond the anti-wear composite structure to a substrate.

Abstract: A joint bushing that accommodates the dithering and sliding in multi segment wind turbines. The joint bushing includes a self-lubricating liner that is a composite system incorporating woven Polytetrafluoroethylene fibers intermixed with structural reinforcement fibers in a composite matrix. The composite system provides sufficient life without requiring re-lubrication.

Abstract: A railway switch system includes a base plate that has an exterior surface and a movable elongate rail that has a mounting flange that has an exterior surface that faces the exterior surface of the base plate. The railway switch system includes a lubricious liner disposed between the base plate and the mounting flange and mounted in parallel engagement on top of a substrate that is one of: the exterior surface of the base plate, the exterior surface of the mounting flange, and an exterior surface of an intervening plate disposed between the base plate and the mounting flange. The lubricious liner has an exposed bearing surface, has a second width, extends continuously across the second width, and is substantially planar. The lubricious liner consists of a non-metallic graphite free material consisting of a blend of polymer resin, fibers and a lubricant.

Abstract: A spherical bearing includes an inner member that has an exterior surface extending a first width between axial ends thereof and having a first central plane located equidistant between the axial ends. The spherical bearing includes an outer member with a inner surface having a maximum inside diameter at an apex plane and extending a second width between opposing ends thereof and having second central plane located equidistant between the ends thereof. The inner member is disposed in an interior area of the outer member. The first central plane is coplanar with the apex plane and is axially offset from the second central plane. One of the opposing axial ends of the inner member is located entirely in the interior area and axially inward from ends of the outer member when the inner member is angularly misaligned relative to the outer member at non-zero angles up to 7 degrees.

Abstract: A cam follower for a ram of a metal can necker machine is provided. The cam follower has an outer ring and an inner ring coaxially disposed in the outer ring. A plurality of rolling elements is disposed in an annular cavity between the outer ring and the inner ring. The plurality of rolling elements is disposed between a first seal and a second seal. A shaft is received in a bore in the inner ring and is fixed relative thereto about the shaft axis. The outer ring is received in a tire. The tire has a thickness and a crown radius. The composition of the tire includes a metallic material, a plastic material, a non-metallic material, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An anti-wear composite structure includes an anti-wear layer that has a wear surface opposite an adhesive receiving surface and a thermosetting resin applied to the adhesive receiving surface. The thermosetting resin includes a reactive adhesive configured to bond the anti-wear composite structure to a substrate at an ambient temperature band via pressure-sensitive adhesion. The thermosetting resin has an onset to cure in the ambient temperature band and has a peak cure temperature greater than the ambient temperature band to mechanically and chemically bond the anti-wear composite structure to a substrate.

Abstract: An expandable sleeve for an interference fastener has a hollow elongate stem extending axially between an insertion end and a head portion. The elongate stem has an inside surface and an outside surface. A portion of the stem has a fluted shape and/or has a cylindrical shape with a conical portion.

Abstract: A bearing includes an outer ring with a first outer roller race, a second outer roller race, and a radially inward facing outer ball race. The bearing includes a first and second inner rings that axially abutting one another at an abutment interface. The first inner ring has a first inner roller race, the second inner ring has a second inner roller race that are disposed in an interior area coaxially with the outer ring. A plurality of first rollers rollingly engage the first outer roller race and the first inner roller race. A plurality of second rollers rollingly engage the second outer roller race and the second inner roller race. A plurality of balls rollingly engage the outer ball race and the inner ball race.

Abstract: A ball bearing and housing assembly includes a shaft having a stepped bore extending therethrough. The stepped bore is defined by a first bore segment having an inboard cylindrical interior surface that has a first bore diameter. The first bore segment extends from a shaft end and terminates at a shoulder. The shoulder is axially located between a first radial centerline of a plurality of balls and an inner axial end. The stepped bore is further defined by a second bore segment having an outboard cylindrical interior surface that has second bore diameter. The second bore segment extends axially from the inner axial end towards the shaft end and terminates at the shoulder. The second bore diameter is greater than the first bore diameter. A fastener is fitted through the first bore segment and threaded into a housing.

Abstract: A seal for a flexible alignment sealing coupling. The seal includes an annular member being symmetric about a longitudinal axis. The annular member has a radially inward facing surface extending an axial width between a first axial end and a second axial end. In a relaxed state of the seal, the radially inward facing surface has an asymmetric generally concave V-shaped cross section and is defined by a first section and a second section. The first section has a first seal taper angle measured relative to a line parallel to the longitudinal axis. The second section has a second seal taper angle measured relative to another line parallel to the longitudinal axis. The first seal taper angle is less than the second seal taper angle. Each of the first seal taper angle and the second seal taper angle is greater than zero degrees and less than 90 degrees.

Abstract: A bearing assembly includes an outer race having an inner surface defining a concave contour and an inner race positioned in the outer race. The inner race has an inner surface defining a bore therethrough and an outer surface defining at least one groove circumscribing the outer surface. A plurality of rolling elements is rollably located in the groove and is in rolling contact with the inner surface of the outer race. A lubricious liner has an inner liner-surface and an exterior liner-surface, the exterior liner-surface being disposed on the inner surface defining the bore. The lubricious liner has a modulus of compression of a magnitude sufficient to allow misalignment of the inner liner-surface relative to the exterior liner-surface in response to a force applied thereto.

Abstract: A piston assembly for a lead-lag damper for a blade mounted on a rotor of a helicopter includes a piston-rod that has an inside surface and a piston-head that extends radially outward therefrom. The piston-rod has two ports extending therethrough on opposing sides of the piston-head. A sleeve is positioned in the piston-rod and has two annular passages that communicate with the respective ports. A valve spool is disposed in and slidingly engages the sleeve. The valve spool has a channel which is in variable fluid communication with two passages. The piston assembly includes a biasing member that biases the valve spool axially away from it. The channel has an axial width configured to variably regulate fluid flow between the two ports to control dampening of the piston-rod in response to centrifugal forces applied to the valve spool.