Abstract: A pinion shaft assembly facilitates assembly of an automotive differential. An angular contact double row ball bearing is assembled to an outer surface of a hollow pinion shaft. An axial pre-load is established and maintained by orbitally forming an outwardly turned portion of the hollow pinion shaft. In some embodiments, the two inner rings are assembled to the pinion shaft. In other embodiments, a raceway may be formed directly on an outer surface of the pinion shaft to eliminate one of the inner rings. The pinion shaft includes a spline, such as an axial spline or a face spline, for fixation to a driveshaft.

Abstract: A ball-ramp clutch includes two stamped ramp plates and at least one molded support ring. The molded support ring transmits axial force from one of the ramp plates to a thrust bearing, which, in turn, transmits the axial force to the pressure plate of a clutch pack. The molded support ring may radially locate one of the races of the thrust bearing. The molded support ring may be plastic.

Abstract: A differential includes a unitized double row angular contact ball bearing supporting a pinion stub shaft. The bearing includes two inner rings which are slightly separated before assembly. As the stub shaft is inserted into the bearing, one of the inner rings is pushed against a land such as the back of the pinion gear. Pushing the inner rings together ensures a suitable pre-load. The inner rings have an interference fit with the stub shaft such that friction maintains the pre-load without a nut. The bearing and shaft are then inserted between halves of a two-piece case.

Abstract: A pinion shaft assembly facilitates assembly of an automotive differential. An angular contact double row ball bearing is assembled to an outer surface of a hollow pinion shaft. An axial pre-load is established and maintained by orbitally forming an outwardly turned portion of the hollow pinion shaft. In some embodiments, the two inner rings are assembled to the pinion shaft. In other embodiments, a raceway may be formed directly on an outer surface of the pinion shaft to eliminate one of the inner rings. The pinion shaft includes a spline, such as an axial spline or a face spline, for fixation to a driveshaft.

Abstract: A ball-ramp clutch includes two stamped ramp plates and at least one molded support ring. The molded support ring transmits axial force from one of the ramp plates to a thrust bearing, which, in turn, transmits the axial force to the pressure plate of a clutch pack. The molded support ring may radially locate one of the races of the thrust bearing. The molded support ring may be plastic.

Abstract: Tapered roller bearings are disclosed. The bearing may include an inner ring defining an inner raceway and an outer ring defining an outer raceway. A plurality of tapered rollers may be disposed between the inner and outer rings and a cage may be configured to retain the plurality of tapered rollers. The inner ring may include a rib at a first axial end configured to retain a larger diameter end of the tapered rollers but not have a rib at a second axial end that is proximate a smaller diameter end of the tapered rollers. A gap may be defined between the cage and the inner ring at the second axial end, the gap configured to control a lubricant flow to the plurality of tapered rollers.

Abstract: Reaction plates and clutch assemblies including the reaction plates are disclosed. The clutch assembly may include at least one rotatable clutch plate, a reaction plate arranged to rotate with and apply a force to the clutch plate(s), and a piston. At least one bearing rolling element may be arranged between the reaction plate and the piston to permit relative rotational motion therebetween. A bearing cage may be retained by the reaction plate or the piston. A spring may be configured to urge the reaction plate away from the clutch plate(s). The reaction plate may include a retention tab configured to retain the spring in an axial direction. The retention tab may be formed on an axial portion of the reaction plate that extends in the axial direction. The axial portion may be disposed between two radial portions of the reaction plate that extend in a radial direction.

Abstract: Tapered roller bearings are disclosed. The bearing may include an inner ring defining an inner raceway and an outer ring defining an outer raceway. A plurality of tapered rollers may be disposed between the inner and outer rings and a cage may be configured to retain the plurality of tapered rollers. The inner ring may include a rib at a first axial end configured to retain a larger diameter end of the tapered rollers but not have a rib at a second axial end that is proximate a smaller diameter end of the tapered rollers. A gap may be defined between the cage and the inner ring at the second axial end, the gap configured to control a lubricant flow to the plurality of tapered rollers.

Abstract: Piston assemblies and clutch assemblies including the piston assemblies are disclosed. The clutch assembly may include at least one rotatable clutch plate, a reaction plate arranged to rotate with and apply a force to the at least one rotatable clutch plate, and a piston including a first segment having a radially extending portion. At least one bearing rolling element may be arranged between the reaction plate and the radially extending portion of the piston to permit relative rotational motion therebetween. A bearing cage may be retained by the reaction plate. The first segment of the piston may further include a retaining portion configured to retain the reaction plate. The retaining portion may include an axially extending portion having a radial bump, wherein the radial bump configured to retain the reaction plate. The radial bump may be disposed on a distal end of the retaining portion.

Abstract: Wheel bearings utilize two sets of tandem ball bearings. Each set of tandem ball bearings utilize a single cage that staggers the circumferential positions of balls in one row relative to balls in a second row. As a result of the staggering, the two rows can be closer together. This improves the wheel bearing stiffness relative to tilting without increasing the overall bearing dimensions.

Abstract: Reaction plates and clutch assemblies including the reaction plates are disclosed. The clutch assembly may include at least one rotatable clutch plate, a reaction plate arranged to rotate with and apply a force to the clutch plate(s), and a piston. At least one bearing rolling element may be arranged between the reaction plate and the piston to permit relative rotational motion therebetween. A bearing cage may be retained by the reaction plate or the piston. A spring may be configured to urge the reaction plate away from the clutch plate(s). The reaction plate may include a retention tab configured to retain the spring in an axial direction. The retention tab may be formed on an axial portion of the reaction plate that extends in the axial direction. The axial portion may be disposed between two radial portions of the reaction plate that extend in a radial direction.

Abstract: Piston assemblies and clutch assemblies including the piston assemblies are disclosed. The clutch assembly may include at least one rotatable clutch plate, a reaction plate arranged to rotate with and apply a force to the at least one rotatable clutch plate, and a piston including a first segment having a radially extending portion. At least one bearing rolling element may be arranged between the reaction plate and the radially extending portion of the piston to permit relative rotational motion therebetween. A bearing cage may be retained by the reaction plate. The first segment of the piston may further include a retaining portion configured to retain the reaction plate. The retaining portion may include an axially extending portion having a radial bump, wherein the radial bump configured to retain the reaction plate. The radial bump may be disposed on a distal end of the retaining portion.

Abstract: A tandem ball bearing, including: an axis of rotation; outer and inner races; a cage radially disposed between the inner and outer races and including a surface, the surface facing at least partially in a first axial direction and bounding a portion of the cage extending furthest in the first axial direction; a first roller ball disposed in the cage and radially disposed between the inner and outer races; a second roller ball disposed in the cage radially outwardly of the first roller ball; and a channel bounded by the inner race and the cage and including an opening facing in the first axial direction and bounded by the inner race and the first surface of the cage. A first line, in a second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction, passes through in sequence: the cage; the channel; the inner race; and the first roller ball.

Abstract: A tandem ball bearing, including: an axis of rotation; outer and inner races; a cage radially disposed between the inner and outer races and including a surface, the surface facing at least partially in a first axial direction and bounding a portion of the cage extending furthest in the first axial direction; a first roller ball disposed in the cage and radially disposed between the inner and outer races; a second roller ball disposed in the cage radially outwardly of the first roller ball; and a channel bounded by the inner race and the cage and including an opening facing in the first axial direction and bounded by the inner race and the first surface of the cage. A first line, in a second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction, passes through in sequence: the cage; the channel; the inner race; and the first roller ball.

Abstract: A strut bearing, including: an axis of rotation; cap; a body portion; and a bearing fixed to the strut bearing cap and to the body portion. The cap includes: a first radial surface facing in a first axial direction; a plurality of ribs; a plurality of spaces, each space circumferentially disposed between a respective pair of ribs; and a plurality of radial recess surfaces. Each rib includes: a radial rib surface extending radially outwardly from the first radial surface; and a slant surface extending from the radial rib surface partly radially outwardly and partly in a second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction. Each radial recess surface: faces in the first axial direction; is circumferentially disposed between two respective ribs; and is off-set, in the second axial direction, from the first radial surface.

Abstract: A seal for a bearing assembly, including: a longitudinal axis; a first portion arranged to engage an outer ring for the bearing assembly; and a second portion extending radially inward and in a first axial direction from the first portion. The second portion includes: a first lip arranged to contact a rotatable shaft passing through the bearing assembly; and a second lip located past the first lip in a second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction, and arranged to be separated, in a radial direction, from the rotatable shaft by a first distance.

Abstract: A cage for a thrust bearing, comprising: a first plurality of circumferentially aligned pockets arranged to accept a first plurality of roller elements; a second plurality of circumferentially aligned pockets located radially inward of the first plurality of pockets and arranged to accept a second plurality of roller elements; a plurality of pairs of circumferentially extending protrusions; and a plurality of openings. Each opening in the plurality of openings: passes through material forming the cage and wholly surrounded by the material forming the cage; and is located between a respective pair of protrusions in a first circumferential direction.

Abstract: A cage for a thrust bearing, comprising: a first plurality of circumferentially aligned pockets arranged to accept a first plurality of roller elements; a second plurality of circumferentially aligned pockets located radially inward of the first plurality of pockets and arranged to accept a second plurality of roller elements; a plurality of pairs of circumferentially extending protrusions; and a plurality of openings. Each opening in the plurality of openings: passes through material forming the cage and wholly surrounded by the material forming the cage; and is located between a respective pair of protrusions in a first circumferential direction.

Abstract: A seal for a bearing assembly, including: a longitudinal axis; a first portion arranged to engage an outer ring for the bearing assembly; and a second portion extending radially inward and in a first axial direction from the first portion. The second portion includes: a first lip arranged to contact a rotatable shaft passing through the bearing assembly; and a second lip located past the first lip in a second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction, and arranged to be separated, in a radial direction, from the rotatable shaft by a first distance.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an outer raceway for a rolling element bearing that contains lubrication cutouts in at least one of the side walls. These lubrication cutouts provide for an increased amount of oil or lubrication to access the critical rolling element interfaces.