Abstract: A method for heat treating a gear having gear teeth includes removably mounting the gear on a work-piece holder, moving one of either a magnet assembly or the work-piece holder to bring the gear and the magnet assembly into heating proximity, rotating the magnet assembly for a desired amount of time while said magnet assembly and gear are in heating proximity to each other to heat treat surfaces of the gear teeth, moving one of either the magnet assembly or the work-piece holder relative to the other to bring different surfaces of the gear into heating proximity with said magnet assembly, and repeating for each opposed pair of gear teeth surfaces until all said gear teeth surfaces are heat treated.

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: An epicyclic gear system includes sun and ring gears (2, 4), planet pinions (6, 8) arrayed (a, b) between these gears, and a carrier (10) to which planet pinions are coupled through flexpins (30). The pinions are located between carrier walls (20, 22) with flexpins for the respective arrays cantilevered from opposite walls. The carrier is subjected to externally applied torque which transfers through the system. The load path (pa) for one array is shorter than that (pb) for the other array, which disparity causes carrier distortion with flexpins on one wall angularly displaced from flexpins on the other wall. The system compensates for this by one wall having areas (40, 44) of weakness where the flexpins cantilever from it. This enables the pinions of the two arrays to better mesh under a load and share torque transfer more evenly.

Abstract: An axle has a journal to which an antifriction bearing is fitted on an enlarged or dust guard section located beyond the journal, with a fillet leading from the journal up to the enlarged section. A backing ring fits over and against the fillet of the journal and has a counterbore that receives the adjacent end of the enlarged section. A stabilizing ring fits into the counterbore of the backing ring and around the enlarged section of the journal to stabilize the backing ring and thereby reduce radial and circumferential movement between it and the fillet of the journal. The stabilizing ring includes a rigidifying element that fits over the enlarged section of the axle with an interference fit and a more flexible compression member that lies within the counterbore where it exists in a state of compression between the counterbore and the rigidifying element. The stabilizing ring allows some microaxial movement of the backing ring.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bearing assembly includes the steps of providing first (38) and second (42) cage frames, each including a plurality of holes (46) spaced along a circumference of the respective first and second cage frames (38, 42), positioning a plurality of rollers (22) between the first and second cage frames (38, 42), each of the rollers (22) including a bore (26) coaxial with a rotational axis (30) of the respective rollers (22), aligning the bore (26) of a first of the plurality of rollers (22) with a first hole (46) in each of the respective first and second cage frames (38, 42), then sliding a threaded end (54) of a pin (50) through the first hole (46) in the first cage frame (38) and the first roller (22) a sufficient distance to engage the second cage frame (42). The method further includes rotating the pin (50) to form a screw thread in the first hole (46) of the second cage frame (42) with the threaded end (54) of the pin (50).

Abstract: A high ratio epicyclic gear train (A) with improved load carrying capability for transmitting power from a driven input shaft, such as may be driven by a turbine engine or engines, to a output shaft, as may be coupled to a rotor of a rotary wing aircraft. The compound epicyclic gear train incorporates a load sharing mechanism consisting of a drive sun gear (10), an idler sun gear (11), a ring gear (12), a set of drive planet gear assemblies (13), a set of idler planet gear assemblies (14), and a planet carrier assembly (15) coupled to provide at least two power pathways through said epicyclic gear train (A) between said driven input shaft and said output shaft to provide an improved overall power density of the transmission.

Abstract: A light weight bearing cage assembly (100) consisting of a plurality of snap-on bridge elements (104) coupled between first and second cage support rings (102A, 102B) conforming to the surfaces of adjacent rolling elements (10). The snap-on bridge elements maintain rolling element (10) in separation, provide rolling element retention within the bearing assembly, and function as a lubrication reservoir between the rolling elements for grease lubricated bearings. Each snap-on bridge element may be individually removed and replaced by snap-on engagement with the first and second cage support rings. Optional locking clips or rings (300, 302) fitted over each snap fitting end of the bridge elements optionally provides additional security against accidental uncoupling of the bridge elements from the first and second cage rings.

Abstract: A bearing cage assembly (100) comprises a plurality of discrete bridge elements (206) disposed between adjacent rolling elements (112) and coupled between first and second axially spaced cage support wire rings (102, 104) which are appropriately tensioned. Spacers (110) are disposed between adjacent bridge elements and engage the bridge elements in a piloted engagement. The bridge elements maintain a separation between rolling elements, retain the rolling elements within the bearing assembly, and function as a lubrication reservoir for grease lubricated bearings. Profiled surfaces on the bridge elements position the bearing cage assembly on at least one axial end of the rolling elements.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing large diameter tapered roller bearing cages includes beginning with a metal strip, coil or plate of cage blank material and feeding it into a rolling mill. The rolling mill includes a pair of unparallel forming rolls disposed to define a wedge-shaped gap therebetween. As the cage blank material is fed through the wedge-shaped gap, one lateral side of the cage blank material is plastically deformed to reduce its thickness and to elongate its length, while slight or no deformation is introduced into the other lateral side, thus forming the cage blank into an arc shape. A third roll disposed at the exit side of the forming rolls bends the rolled cage blank into a circular conical ring. Adjacent butt ends of the formed conical ring cage blank are aligned and joined together during the assembly process to form the large diameter tapered roller bearing cage.

Abstract: An axle (A) has a journal (2) to which an antifriction bearing (B) is fitted on an enlarged or dust guard section (4) located beyond the journal, with a fillet (6) leading from the journal up to the enlarged section. A backing ring (R) fits over and against the fillet of the journal and has a counterbore (48) that receives the adjacent end of the enlarged section. A stabilizing ring (S) fits into the counterbore of the backing ring and around the enlarged section of the journal to stabilize the backing ring and thereby reduce radial and circumferential movement between it and the fillet of the journal. The stabilizing ring includes a rigidifying element (54) that fits over the enlarged section of the axle with an interference fit and a more flexible compression member (56) that lies within the counterbore where it exists in a state of compression between the counterbore and the rigidifying element. The stabilizing ring allows some microaxial movement of the backing ring.

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 portable lifting system includes a moveable base component including a scissors lift assembly, and a crane assembly coupled the movable base component, the crane assembly including a support member and a boom coupled to the support member.

Abstract: A non-contact labyrinth seal assembly, bearing assembly therewith, and method of construction thereof, has an outer rigid carrier and an inner sleeve. The carrier has an outer cylindrical flange and a radially inwardly extending leg and the sleeve has a cylindrical wall and a radially outwardly extending flange. A body is attached to at least one of the leg and the flange, wherein the body provides, at least in part, a purely non-contact labyrinth passage extending between the carrier and the sleeve.

Abstract: A compact modular assembly of a geared power train (100) and generator (400) suitable for use in a wind turbine application to maximize a step-up ratio between an input and output within a limited radial space. The power train is configured as a hybricyclic split-compound planetary gearing system with a grounded closed carrier flex pin system in a high torque stage (A), and an open carrier flex pin system in a low torque stage (B), having a step up ratio of approximately 30:1. To facilitate modular assembly and disassembly of the power train and generator, each component is mounted independently to opposite sides of a common support structure (500) anchored to a bedplate (502).

Abstract: A bearing assembly (20) for use in a medical, surgical, or dental handpiece (10) that enables spindle rotation for a supported rotary tool (36) at high speeds. The bearing assembly (28) incorporates annular gap shields (50, 54) at each axial end to prevent contaminate ingress and to retain lubricating grease within the bearing assembly (28) to avoid re-lubricated after each use or sterilization cycle.

Abstract: A bearing cage assembly comprising of a plurality of discrete bridge elements coupled between first and second cage support wire rings having selected tensions, and conforming to the surfaces of associated rolling elements. The discrete bridge elements maintain rolling element in separation, provide rolling element retention within the bearing assembly, and function as a lubrication reservoir for grease lubricated bearings. The discrete bridge elements may be disposed between adjacent rolling elements, or may be configured to pass through axial bores of hollow rolling elements.

Abstract: An epicyclic gear system (A) includes a sun gear (2), a ring gear (4) located around the sun gear (2) and planet pinions (6) located between the sun and ring gears (2,4). The planet pinions (6) rotate on a carrier (8) that includes flexpins (20) that are cantilevered from a wall (12) of the carrier (8) and sleeves (22) that are attached to the remote ends of the flexpins (20) and extend back over the flexpins (20) to create a double cantilever. Bearings (24) support the planet pinions (6) on the sleeves (22) so that the planet pinions (6) rotate about the flexpins (20). The double cantilever enables the flexpins (2) to flex such that the axes (Y) of the planet pinions (6) remain parallel to the common axis (X) of the sun and ring gears (2, 4). Each sleeve (22) h an integrated bearing race (44) and a bearing seat (42) that carries a separate bearing race (60).

Abstract: A bearing cage for use with a plurality of rolling elements in a bearing assembly includes a plurality of bridge elements arranged to separate the rolling elements from each other and to retain the rolling elements in alignment in the bearing assembly. Each of the bridge elements is formed of sheet material bent to define a partially hollow component. The cage further includes at least one rim element connecting the plurality of bridge elements.

Abstract: A portable lifting system includes a moveable base component including a scissors lift assembly, and a crane assembly coupled the movable base component, the crane assembly including a support member and a boom coupled to the support member.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a magnetic track having a plurality of magnetic poles separated by a plurality of pole junctions. The sensor assembly also includes a first magnetic sensor disposed proximate a high-resolution portion of the magnetic track and a second magnetic sensor disposed proximate a reference portion of the magnetic track. The second magnetic sensor spans adjacent pole junctions in the magnetic track. Each of the adjacent pole junctions includes a high-resolution segment corresponding with the high-resolution portion of the magnetic track and a reference segment corresponding with the reference portion of the magnetic track. The reference segment of each pole junction is one of offset and aligned with the corresponding high-resolution segment in each pole junction.