Abstract: A roller bearing (10) defines a bearing axis (34) and a radial plane (52) oriented parallel with the bearing axis. The roller bearing (10) includes an inner ring (42) having an inner raceway (44) and an inner flange (46) extending from the inner raceway. The inner flange (46) includes an inner guide surface (48). The roller bearing (10) also includes a plurality of rollers (22) in rolling engagement with the inner raceway (44) about the bearing axis (34). Each roller (22) includes a first end surface (24a) in engagement with the inner guide surface (48) of the inner flange (46) as the plurality of rollers (22) move relative to the inner ring (42). The first end surfaces (24a) of each roller (22) define a curvature such that a ratio of a first principal effective curvature (Rx) radius in a plane perpendicular to the radial plane (52) and a second principal curvature radius (Ry) in the radial plane (52) is no less than 3.0.

Abstract: A Hall effect sensor system for detecting magnetic fields includes a Hall effect sensor having a central body with a substantially square shape, a first pair of outwardly oriented and opposing arms projecting outwardly from opposing sides of the central body and a second pair of outwardly oriented and opposing arms projecting outwardly transverse from the first pair of arms to form a cross-shape. Each of the arms has a plurality of fingers projecting outwardly therefrom and electrodes are provided on the fingers. In operation, at least two electrodes on the first pair of opposing arms provide a path for bias current through the Hall effect sensor. An electrode on each of the second pair of opposing arms senses voltage formed in the Hall effect sensor by a magnetic field and provides an output to an amplifier.

Abstract: A sensor for an encoder. The sensor includes a sensing circuit, an active setting module, an inactive setting module, and a sensor interface. The sensing circuit module is configured to generate an output signal related to a sensed characteristic. The active setting module includes a first pole width setting. The first pole width setting is associated with a first pole width for the encoder. The first pole width setting is accessible by the sensing circuit module. The inactive setting module includes second pole width setting. The second pole width setting is associated with a second pole width for the encoder. The second pole width setting is not accessible by the sensing circuit module. The sensor interface is configured for retrieving the second pole width setting from the inactive setting module and writing the second pole width setting to the active setting module.

Abstract: A sensor system including a clock generation module, a sensor, a conditioning module, and an output module. The clock generation module is configured to generate a modulation signal and an output sampling signal. The modulation signal has a modulation frequency, and the sampling signal has a sampling frequency. The sensor is configured to generate an output signal having an output value. The output signal is modulated by the modulation signal, and the output value includes a sensor output value and an offset value. The conditioning module is configured to receive the output signal, condition the output signal, and generate a conditioned output signal including the sensor output value and the offset value. The output module is configured to receive the conditioned output signal and the output sampling signal. The output sampling signal is operable to sample the conditioned output signal at a value that corresponds to the sensor output value.

Abstract: A steel article with resistance to contact fatigue having a martensitic stainless steel body with a hardened surface layer and a core. The hardened surface layer is tempered martensite and M7C3 carbides, has at least 1.6 wt. % carbon, and has a depth equal to or greater than the depth where the steel article experiences the maximum shear stress when placed in service. Also, a method of manufacturing such as a steel article having resistance to contact fatigue comprising: providing a martensitic stainless steel article having a prior austenite grain size of ASTM #6 or smaller; carburizing the surface of the steel article; solution treating the steel article; tempering the steel article for a first time; hardening the steel article; cooling the steel article at a temperature below 0° F.; and tempering the steel article for a second time.

Abstract: A bearing assembly having an inner race ring (14) that defines an inner raceway and an outer race ring that defines an outer raceway on which the plurality of rolling elements (22) roll. The bearing raceways are machined using surface finishing operations to create preferred surface profiles and textures for improving lubrication performance. The profile of the raceway is initially created using a first grinding process to form a rough surface profile including a rough central band (34) and rough recessed side bands (38). A second grinding process is used to smooth the central band. This raceway surface profile increases lubrication performance.

Abstract: A retainer (30) for maintaining a relative angular spacing of a plurality of rolling elements includes a body (34) having an annular portion (38) and a plurality of engaging portions (42). Each of the engaging portions is configured to engage at least one of the plurality of rolling elements. The body is made of a sintered powdered metal infiltrated with bronze.

Abstract: An apparatus for magnetic induction hardening of a workpiece includes a magnetic tool having a body portion formed of a generally non-magnetic material. The body portion has a surface configured to be positioned in close proximity to the workpiece being hardened. The apparatus further includes a magnetic arrangement coupled to the body portion at or adjacent the surface of the body portion and configured to provide regions of alternating polarity. A workpiece holder is configured to support the workpiece in close proximity to the surface of the magnetic tool. A drive arrangement for rotating the magnetic tool relative to the workpiece holder about an axis of rotation is provided to induce heating of the workpiece to achieve a temperature in the austenitic range of the workpiece resulting in hardening of the workpiece through a microstructural transformation.

Abstract: A method of forming a component includes heating the component to a burnishing temperature above 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and burnishing a surface of the component while the component is at the burnishing temperature to densify the surface. The burnishing process at an elevated temperature may be integrated into other processes, such as the sintering or heat treating processes.

Abstract: A roller bearing includes an outer raceway, an inner raceway, and a roller positioned between the outer and inner raceways. The roller bearing also includes a relief contour between the roller and at least one of the outer and inner raceways. The relief contour defines a slope along its length. The slope of the relief contour defines at least one inflection region.

Abstract: A sensor system including a clock generation module, a sensor, a conditioning module, and an output module. The clock generation module is configured to generate a modulation signal and an output sampling signal. The modulation signal has a modulation frequency, and the sampling signal has a sampling frequency. The sensor is configured to generate an output signal having an output value. The output signal is modulated by the modulation signal, and the output value includes a sensor output value and an offset value. The conditioning module is configured to receive the output signal, condition the output signal, and generate a conditioned output signal including the sensor output value and the offset value. The output module is configured to receive the conditioned output signal and the output sampling signal. The output sampling signal is operable to sample the conditioned output signal at a value that corresponds to the sensor output value.

Abstract: A sensor system for detecting at least one of a speed and a position of a rotatable member. The sensor system includes a high-resolution sensor circuit including a plurality of Hall effect sensors and at least one independent Hall effect sensor, wherein the independent Hall effect sensor includes at least one of a power supply line, a ground line, and an output line, none of which are connected to the high-resolution sensor circuit.

Abstract: A dual tip cutter (10) includes a body (12) defining a feed direction (F), a cutting direction (C) perpendicular to the feed direction, and a depth direction (D) perpendicular to both feed and cutting directions. A first cutting portion (35) is fixed relative to the body at a body first end. A second cutting portion (45) is fixed relative to the body at the body first end, adjacent the first cutting portion. The first and second cutting portions are stacked in the cutting direction so that the first cutting portion forms a leading cutting portion and the second cutting portion forms a trailing cutting portion for simultaneous cutting. The second cutting portion extends from the body further in the depth direction than the first cutting portion. A relative position between the first and second cutting portions is set such that a total chip load is shared between the first and second cutting portions in a predetermined ratio (K).

Abstract: A bearing assembly having an inner race ring (14) that defines an inner raceway and an outer race ring that defines an outer raceway on which the plurality of rolling elements (22) roll. The bearing raceways are machined using surface finishing operations to create preferred surface profiles and textures for improving lubrication performance. The profile of the raceway is initially created using a first grinding process to form a rough surface profile including a rough central band (34) and rough recessed side bands (38). A second grinding process is used to smooth the central band. This raceway surface profile increases lubrication performance.

Abstract: A method of coating spherical components with a coating process in which the spherical components have a surface area includes positioning the spherical components within a containment boundary on a moving member and positioning the moving member within a chamber. The method includes reducing the pressure within the chamber to less than one atmosphere. The method also includes revolving the moving member about a longitudinal axis. The method further includes oscillating the moving member in a direction of the longitudinal axis and commencing the coating process. The oscillating and revolving produce motion of the spherical components within the containment boundary such that an entirety of the surface area of each component is exposed to the coating process.

Abstract: A method of determining a position on a magnetic track of an encoder includes providing a group of magnetic pole pairs that forms a portion of the magnetic track, recording a relative position within a first magnetic pole pair in the group using a first magnetic sensor proximate a high-resolution portion of the magnetic track, detecting adjacent pole junctions within the group of magnetic pole pairs with a second magnetic sensor positioned proximate a reference portion of the magnetic track, correlating the adjacent pole junctions with the first magnetic pole pair to determine a relative position of the first magnetic pole pair within the group, and calculating a local absolute position within the group using the relative position within the first magnetic pole pair and the relative position of the first magnetic pole pair within the group.

Abstract: A double row thrust bearing assembly (10) includes a bottom plate (11) having inner and outer conical raceways (12, 13), a top plate (14) with a flat raceway (15), and respective sets of identically formed inner and outer rollers (16, 17) mounted on respective inner and outer cages (18, 19). When the bearing is fully assembled, the apices of the inner and outer rollers directed at the same point (A) on an axis (X) of the bearing. Various relationships with respect to the size and shapes of the rollers are determined in order to maximize the bearing assembly's load carrying capacity while occupying the same spatial envelope as that of a single row thrust bearing assembly (BA) which can only support a lesser load.

Abstract: A magnetic encoder has a high resolution track including a plurality of North/South pole pairs defining a plurality of pole junctions, and a reference track including a North/South pole pair defining a North/South pole junction aligned with a first pole junction of the high resolution track, and a South/North pole junction aligned with a second pole junction of the high resolution track. Only a single pole junction of the high resolution track is positioned between the first and second pole junctions of the high resolution track.

Abstract: A dual tip cutter (10) includes a body (12) defining a feed direction (F), a cutting direction (C) perpendicular to the feed direction, and a depth direction (D) perpendicular to both feed and cutting directions. A first cutting portion (35) is fixed relative to the body at a body first end. A second cutting portion (45) is fixed relative to the body at the body first end, adjacent the first cutting portion. The first and second cutting portions are stacked in the cutting direction so that the first cutting portion forms a leading cutting portion and the second cutting portion forms a trailing cutting portion for simultaneous cutting. The second cutting portion extends from the body further in the depth direction than the first cutting portion. A relative position between the first and second cutting portions is set such that a total chip load is shared between the first and second cutting portions in a predetermined ratio (K).

Abstract: A coupling (30) for the introduction of a bias voltage into a vacuum chamber. The coupling consists of a metallic ball bearing assembly (36), a bearing sleeve or cup (34), and an EMI shielding gasket (42) seated within the bearing sleeve or cup. The ball bearing assembly is fitted within the EMI shielding gasket, about a metallic shaft (32) which, in turn, is coupled to a source of the bias voltage. The bearing sleeve or cup is, in turn, coupled to a rotating component such as a platen, for receiving the bias voltage within the vacuum chamber.