Abstract: A spherical bearing has an outer ring with a concave bearing surface and an inner ring having a convex bearing surface, which is in sliding engagement with the concave bearing surface. A lubrication groove is formed in the convex bearing surface and/or the concave bearing surface. The lubrication groove is defined by a concave central portion and by convex side portions. The concave central portion has a first radius of curvature and the convex side portions have a second radius of curvature. The second radius of curvature is at least 0.7 times the first radius of curvature.

Abstract: A high-cycle, short range-of-motion linkage apparatus is provided for actuating a positioning device. The linkage apparatus includes a pivot member having a head portion configured to receive by plastic deformation a bearing assembly therein. The head portion defines a bore therein having a substantially cylindrical inner surface that defines an inner diameter having a first center point. The head portion further defines a truncated arcuate outer surface, a portion of which defines a radius of curvature and a second center point. A stem having a central axis extends from the pivot member along the central axis in a first direction. The second center point is offset from the first center point in the first direction and a distance between the first center point and the second center point, measured along the central axis, is in the range of up to about 33% of the radius of curvature.

Abstract: A spherical bearing including a ball having an external surface defined by an outside diameter of said ball and an outer race having an inside surface contoured to a shape defined by said external surface of the ball. The inside surface extends between a stud end and a cover end of the outer race. The ball is moveably positioned within the outer race such that the inside surface and the external surface slidably engage one another. The inside surface includes at least one lubrication groove formed therein. The lubrication groove initiates at a first position adjacent to the cover end and terminates at a second position adjacent to the cover end. Remaining portions of the lubrication groove are spaced apart from the stud end.

Abstract: A spherical bearing including a ball having an external surface defined by an outside diameter of said ball and an outer race having an inside surface contoured to a shape defined by said external surface of the ball. The inside surface extends between a stud end and a cover end of the outer race. The ball is moveably positioned within the outer race such that the inside surface and the external surface slidably engage one another. The inside surface includes at least one lubrication groove formed therein. The lubrication groove initiates at a first position adjacent to the cover end and terminates at a second position adjacent to the cover end. Remaining portions of the lubrication groove are spaced apart from the stud end.

Abstract: An A-arm frame 10 for a vehicle has two arms 12, 14 that converge at an apex 16. Each arm has a mounting end opposite the apex for mounting to the housing for an axle of the vehicle. A pivot joint at the apex connects the A-arm frame to the vehicle frame. The pivot joint includes a case-hardened spherical plain bearing 22 that includes an inner ring 26 and an outer ring 28. The inner ring 26 may have a lubrication aperture therethrough, but the outer ring 28 has no lubrication aperture therethrough. The outer ring 28 may have a multi-fracture configuration and, therefore, a greater wrap-around of the inner ring 26 than it otherwise would have.

Abstract: A spherical plain bearing having dual sealing capability includes an outer race bearing member having an outer ring and an inner race bearing member having an inner ring, the inner ring being located within an opening defined by the outer ring. The opening is defined in part by two generally opposed peripheral edges with a spherical concave bearing surface extending therebetween. The inner ring defines a bore extending therethrough and a spherical convex bearing surface engagable with the concave bearing surface defined by the outer ring. A first ring seal is positioned in a first seal groove defined by the outer ring and is inboard of a first face surface defined by the outer ring. The outer and inner rings, or at least portions thereof, are heat treated using one of carburizing, nitriding, or nitrocarburizing.

Abstract: A spherical plain bearing for a heavy haul truck strut includes an outer ring and an inner ring. The outer ring includes an outer ring core disposed between a concave spherical first bearing surface and an exterior mounting surface. The inner ring includes an inner ring core disposed between a convex spherical second bearing surface and an interior surface. The inner ring is disposed within the outer ring with the first bearing surface engaging the second bearing surface. At least a portion of at least one of the first bearing surface, the second bearing surface, the exterior mounting surface and the interior surface has a hardness greater than that of at least one of the outer ring core and the inner ring core, for providing wear and impact resistance.

Abstract: A spherical plain bearing has outer and inner rings each having a bearing surface, one bearing surface being in sliding disposition to the other. The inner ring has a third bearing surface for engaging a member to be mounted to the bearing. There is a lubrication groove in one or more of the first, second or third bearing surfaces, the lubrication groove comprising a contoured side. In an alternative a spherical plain bearing, there is a segmented lubrication groove in the third bearing surface that might have a sharp edge or a contoured side. A contoured lubrication groove can be formed by forming a lubrication groove that has a sharp edge; and machining the sharp edge to a contoured side having a reduced tendency to wipe lubricant from a second surface facing the lubrication groove.