Abstract: A self-lubricating bearing assembly for supporting a load on a guide rail which includes a carriage having first and second ends, a guide surface adapter for translation atop the guide rail and an end cap assembly which mounts adjacent one of the ends of the carriage. The end cap assembly includes a seal and a lubricating assembly having a lubricating block made from a lubricant composition and a compression housing for enclosing a periphery of the lubricating block and for biasing the lubricating block against the guide rail to cause the lubricant to contact the rail.

Abstract: A gear train assembly which includes a ring gear, a drive gear and at least one planetary gear which revolves about the drive gear within the ring gear. The gear train assembly also includes a universal carrier having a plurality of mechanical interfaces disposed thereon which anchor one end of a stanchion and a universal carrier cover having a complimentary plurality of mechanical interfaces which anchor the other end of the stanchion. A pivot assembly with a bushing mounts the planetary gear to a swing arm which is coupled to the stanchion. The gear ratio of the gear train can be selectively manipulated simply by changing the size and location of the gears which, in turn, alters the number of stanchions and the size and location of the pivot assemblies. In this manner, the same carrier and carrier cover plate can be used with multiple gear ratios.

Abstract: A linear motion bearing assembly is provided including a carriage, a rail, and a bearing assembly. The linear motion bearing assembly includes deflectable structure formed in at least one of the carriage, rail and bearing assembly. The deflectable structure is configured to deflect under a predetermined force to affect load bearing characteristics of the linear motion bearing assembly. Pressure transducer structure is disposed adjacent to and configured for engaging the deflectable structure to apply the predetermined force to affect load bearing characteristics. The deflectable structure may include portions of the rail defining a cavity. The pressure transducer structure is disposed within the cavity. In another embodiment, the carriage includes a sidewall depending therefrom whereby the deflectable structure includes the sidewall. In yet another embodiment, the bearing assembly includes a ball retainer having a load bearing plate aperture.

Abstract: A linear motion bearing assembly is disclosed and preferably includes an elongated rail member and a carriage housing defining an inner cavity for receiving at least one segment bearing. The bearings can be either bearing balls or rollers. The elongated rail member is formed with an inner race portion, a flange projection and an elongated mounting slot substantially along the entire length thereof. Both the elongated rail member and carriage housing are precision formed by manufacturing techniques including drawing, stamping, extruding and rolling.

Abstract: A linear motion bearing assembly includes a carriage having a bearing track, a fluid inlet port and a fluid supply passage interconnecting the fluid inlet port and the bearing track. The bearing track has a load bearing portion, a return portion and a pair of turnarounds interconnecting the load bearing portion and the return portion. The carriage is supported for linear movement on a rail. A plurality of rolling elements are positioned in the bearing track and a pressurized hydrostatic fluid supply is connected to the fluid inlet port for supplying hydrostatic fluid under pressure to the bearing track.

Abstract: A method of forming a rail having an elongate base member and a load bearing insert is disclosed. The method includes forming a base member having surfaces with at least one longitudinal groove and inserting the load bearing insert into the longitudinal groove. Inserting of the load bearing insert may be performed by flexing the load bearing insert to fit into the longitudinal groove. The surfaces of the base member adjacent the longitudinal groove may be subsequently crimped to secure the load bearing insert.

Abstract: A self-compensating linear motion bearing assembly is provided including a bearing carriage configured to be supported on a support rail and having at least one bearing surface or race. The bearing carriage is adapted to receive a supply of pressurized hydrostatic fluid. A carriage tape is bonded to the bearing surface such that the tape is positioned between the bearing carriage and support rail. The carriage tape is constructed from a self-lubricating high performance polymer. In the event that hydrostatic fluid pressure is lost, the carriage tape permits substantially frictionless movement between the carriage and the support rail to prevent damage to the bearing assembly and/or to the load supported thereon. In a preferred embodiment, the bearing carriage includes a pair of upper and lower bearing races. Carriage tape having a compensator formed therein is bonded to each of the bearing races. Each compensator includes a supply port, a collector and an elongated relief or pocket.

Abstract: The bearing assembly includes a bearing carriage having a plurality of spaced bearing races and a manifold secured to at least one end of the bearing carriage having a plurality of spaced bearing surfaces. Each manifold bearing surface is aligned with one of the carriage bearing races and includes a bearing compensator including a collector and a supply groove. A plurality of compensation channels are formed in the manifold. Each compensation channel includes a first end in communication with a collector and a second end in communication with one of four longitudinal passages extending at least partially through the bearing carriage. Each longitudinal passage communicates with a pocket formed on one of the carriage bearing races.

Abstract: A method of forming a rail having an elongate base member and a load bearing insert is disclosed. The method includes forming a base member having surfaces with at least one longitudinal groove and inserting the load bearing insert into the longitudinal groove. Inserting of the load bearing insert may be performed by flexing the load bearing insert to fit into the longitudinal groove. The surfaces of the base member adjacent the longitudinal groove may be subsequently crimped to secure the load bearing insert.

Abstract: A thermoplastic bearing liner having compliant and compensating structure to adjust for a misalignment of a shaft insertably received therein. The bearing liner comprises a hollow, substantially cylindrical shaped member having two ends and an intermediate portion. A flange extends circumferentially and projects radially from at least one of the two ends. A flexible frustoconical member is mounted adjacent a distal end of the flange and extends circumferentially from the flange.

Abstract: A linear motion bearing assembly is provided having a rail assembly comprising a base member and a pair of vertical arms which have flexible characteristics with respect to the base member. A bearing carriage assembly is also included which has a bearing carriage and a pair of legs extending therefrom. The extending legs define a longitudinal channel for accommodating the rail assembly, and are flexible with respect to the bearing carriage. A plurality of load bearing race inserts are positioned on the vertical arms of the rail assembly and the extending legs of the bearing carriage assembly. A load bearing surface of the plurality of load bearing inserts has a predisposed compressive stress. A plurality of rolling elements are disposed in load bearing tracks which are defined by the plurality of load bearing race inserts.

Abstract: A linear motion bearing assembly as provided for movement along a shaft. The ball retainer of the bearing assembly is assembled from a plurality of arcuate interengageable self-contained ball retainer segments. Preferably, the plurality of segments are all identical and can be assembled to a variety of configurations for either open-type bearing assemblies or closed-type bearing assemblies. Each of the ball retainer segments includes at least one ball track having a load bearing portion and a return portion. These segments are preferably formed of an engineering polymer and are substantially self-contained to protect the bearing balls contained therein from ambient contamination. At least one load bearing plate is axially positioned in each segment and serves to receive and transmit loads from the bearing balls in the load bearing portion of the ball tracks. The load bearing plates are preferably retained in the segments to facilitate ease of assembly and to eliminate the need for an outer housing.

Abstract: A linear motion bearing assembly is provided and includes ball retainer structure, outer housing sleeves, a plurality of load bearing plates and plate retainer structure. The ball retainer structure of the bearing assembly can be either monolithically formed or, alternatively, assembled from multiple elements. At least a portion of axial ball tracks are formed in the outer radial faces of the ball retainer structure with each ball track having a load bearing portion providing access to a support shaft or spline. An outer housing including a pair of sleeves are provided to encompass and protect the ball retainer structure and the bearing balls contained therein. These sleeves are preferably formed of an engineering plastic. A plurality of load bearing plates, preferably of the self-aligning type, are positioned within the outer housing and serve to receive and transmit loads from the bearing balls in the load bearing portion of the ball tracks.

Abstract: A linear motion bearing assembly is provided having a rail assembly with a flexible base portion and a bearing carriage assembly with flexibly depending legs configured for longitudinal movement along the rail assembly on rolling elements. A plurality of load bearing inserts are positioned on the rail assembly and/or carriage assembly and define load bearing tracks with rolling elements therebetween. The flexible rail and carriage assemblies permit optimization of the contact angle between the load bearing inserts and the rolling elements when the linear motion bearing assembly is under load.

Abstract: A linear motion bearing assembly is provided and includes ball retainer structure, outer housing sleeves, a plurality of load bearing plates and plate retainer structure. The ball retainer structure of the bearing assembly can be either monolithically formed or, alternatively, assembled from multiple elements. At least a portion of axial ball tracks are formed in the outer radial faces of the ball retainer structure with each ball track having a load bearing portion providing access to a support shaft or spline. An outer housing including a pair of sleeves are provided to encompass and protect the ball retainer structure and the bearing balls contained therein. These sleeves are preferably formed of an engineering plastic. A plurality of load bearing plates, preferably of the self-aligning type, are positioned within the outer housing and serve to receive and transmit loads from the bearing balls in the load bearing portion of the ball tracks.

Abstract: A multiple track linear motion recirculating roller bearing assembly is provided for movement on a substantially cylindrical shaft. The bearing assembly includes a housing with a pair of end caps having a plurality of radially arranged roller turnarounds therein positioned at either end. The housing defines a plurality of radially disposed axial roller tracks, each having both load-bearing paths and return paths, which paths are in communication with the roller turnarounds formed in the end caps. Axial roller guides are provided which extend longitudinally within the housing between the end caps and are uniquely formed as a single integral axial guide element. This integral axial guide element serves to receive and retain load-bearing plates therein. Rollers are disposed in both the load-bearing and return paths of the roller tracks and are adapted to efficiently move the carriage along a substantially cylindrical shaft.

Abstract: A linear motion bearing assembly is provided having a rail, a bearing carriage supported on the rail by rolling elements, the carriage having a pair of depending legs for movement along the rail and a pair of interlocking end cap/return track elements. The depending legs have load bearing grooves formed on an inner longitudinal surface and partial return tracks form on an outer longitudinal surface. The end cap/return track elements form a complimentary portion of the return track and have rolling element turnaround, formed therin to interconnect the load bearing and return tracks. The end cap/return track elements interlock to each other around the bearing carriage and are supported thereon by integral support structure. Sealing means are optionally provided for adverse operating conditions.

Abstract: A linear recirculating anti-friction bearing assembly is disclosed for movably supporting a workpiece on a support shaft in the form of a round way. The bearing includes a housing and an elongate inner roller race for supporting the work piece on the round way. A plurality of rollers are positioned within the housing and are recirculated between loaded positions between the inner race and the round way and unloaded positions through which the rollers are recirculated back to the loaded positions. The housing is configured to retain the rollers and includes roller retainer strips at the lower end portions adjacent the inner race to retain the rollers in position when supporting the housing on the round way and to retain lubricants within the housing. Additional dust/lubrication means are provided on the housing.

Abstract: A linear bearing assembly is provided including a housing for receiving a plurality of axial ball retainers and bearing plates therein. The housing includes a pair of end caps disposed in both longitudinal ends of the bearing assembly with the end caps having a plurality of angled ball turnarounds formed therein. The bearing plates and axial ball retainers form portions of a plurality of ball tracks with the bearing plates having grooves formed in an inner radial surface thereof for defining a top radial portion of the load bearing paths and circumference grooves defining side walls of the return paths. The bearing plates and axial ball retainers are arranged so as to allow optimization of ball track quantities to radial height of the overall bearing assembly and thus increase ball track quantities and load/life characteristics of the bearing assembly.

Abstract: A linear motion ball bearing is disclosed for providing relative linear motion in combination with a shaft. A housing has an axially elongated opening therethrough and an axially elongated generally tubular shaped ball retainer is positioned within the housing opening and defines a plurality of endless ball loops therein extending generally in the axial direction of the retainer. The retainer has a radially inner surface and a radially outer surface and the ball loops are spaced generally circumferentially about the retainer. Each loop contains a plurality of balls and has a first ball duct for a row of loaded balls and a second ball duct for a row of unloaded balls.