Abstract: A plain bearing having an outer ring and an inner ring, the outer ring and the inner ring providing respectively an inner surface and an outer surface intended to cooperate with each other for the relative movement of the outer and inner rings, the inner surface of the outer ring and the outer surface of the inner ring each including a coating including at least one layer. The hardness of the coating on the inner surface of the outer ring is less than the hardness of the outer ring, and the hardness of the coating on the outer surface of the inner ring is greater than the hardness of the inner ring.

Abstract: A contact layer is formed by a deposition method on an inner surface of a first metal element by a centrifuging process, and preferably includes an inner layer of copper alloy and an outer layer of tin alloy. Such a contact layer is used in an articulation joint including a first metal element having a surface provided with the contact layer, and a second metal element with a second surface. The first and second elements are relatively movable such that first and second surfaces slide against each other.

Abstract: A Plain bearing having an outer ring and an inner ring, the outer ring and the inner ring providing respectively an inner surface and an outer surface intended to cooperate with each other for the relative movement of the outer and inner rings, the inner surface of the outer ring and the outer surface of the inner ring each including a coating including at least one layer. The hardness of the coating on the inner surface of the outer ring is less than the hardness of the outer ring, and the hardness of the coating on the outer surface of the inner ring is greater than the hardness of the inner ring.

Abstract: A spherical ball joint having an inner ring and an outer ring that cooperate by way of respective truncated spherical contact surfaces, the inner ring having a central bore with a cylindrical bore portion. The spherical ball joint includes a cylindrical sleeve mounted securely in the cylindrical bore portion, the sleeve configured to be mounted around a shaft, the sleeve being made of a wear-resistant material different from that of the inner ring.

Abstract: A method of determining an amount of wear in a spherical working surface of a bearing ring of a spherical plain bearing, the method including providing a reference groove of predetermined depth in an unworn working surface, using the reference groove and axial end faces of the bearing ring as reference surfaces for centering and aligning a measuring tool. The tool having a first surface, and a protrusion that extends from the first surface in radial direction and is adapted to fit into the reference groove and two or more radial openings that extend from a second surface of the tool. Determining the amount of wear by measuring the radial distance to the spherical working surface through each of the radial openings and comparing the measured value with a reference value measured using the tool for an unworn working surface comprising a reference groove of the same predetermined depth.

Abstract: A contact layer is formed by a deposition method on an inner surface of a first metal element by a centrifuging process, and preferably includes an inner layer of copper alloy and an outer layer of tin alloy. Such a contact layer is used in an articulation joint including a first metal element having a surface provided with the contact layer, and a second metal element with a second surface. The first and second elements are relatively movable such that first and second surfaces slide against each other.

Abstract: A spherical ball joint having an inner ring and an outer ring that cooperate by way of respective truncated spherical contact surfaces, the inner ring having a central bore with a cylindrical bore portion. The spherical ball joint includes a cylindrical sleeve mounted securely in the cylindrical bore portion, the sleeve configured to be mounted around a shaft, the sleeve being made of a wear-resistant material different from that of the inner ring.

Abstract: A method of determining an amount of wear in a spherical working surface of a bearing ring of a spherical plain bearing, the method including providing a reference groove of predetermined depth in an unworn working surface, using the reference groove and axial end faces of the bearing ring as reference surfaces for centering and aligning a measuring tool. The tool having a first surface, and a protrusion that extends from the first surface in radial direction and is adapted to fit into the reference groove and two or more radial openings that extend from a second surface of the tool. Determining the amount of wear by measuring the radial distance to the spherical working surface through each of the radial openings and comparing the measured value with a reference value measured using the tool for an unworn working surface comprising a reference groove of the same predetermined depth.

Abstract: A bearing comprising: (a) an inner ring, (b) an outer ring, and (c) a bearing liner disposed therebetween, wherein the bearing liner comprises a resin having a glass transition temperature of less than 150° C.

Abstract: A bearing comprising (a) an inner ring, (b) an outer ring, and (c) a bearing liner disposed therebetween, wherein the bearing liner comprises a resin and the bearing liner has at least one of: (a) a flexural modulus of from 20 to 35 GPa and (b) a flexural strength of from 500 to 700 MPa.

Abstract: A ball joint member including an inner ring, with a general axisymmetrical shape around a first axis, including an external contact surface having a truncated spherical shape, the inner ring including a coating which bears the external contact surface and an outer ring, of a general axisymmetrical shape around a second axis, including an internal contact surface mating the external contact surface, cooperating with the external contact surface, the outer ring including a coating which bears the internal contact surface, wherein at least one of the inner and outer rings includes lubricant reservoirs made on the coating of one of the external and internal contact surfaces, and wherein the coating of the contact surface of one of the rings is textured with micro-cavities forming the lubricant reservoirs.

Abstract: A spherical plain bearing comprising an inner ring having an outer spherical contact surface and an outer ring having an inner spherical contact surface. The outer spherical contact surface of the inner ring cooperates with the inner spherical contact surface of the outer ring. At least one of the inner ring and the outer ring comprises at least one internal cavity running on at least a portion of the circumference of said ring.

Abstract: A bearing liner comprising a fabric impregnated with a binder, the fabric comprising: (a) a bearing element contact surface comprising lubricating fibers and (b) structural fibers supporting the bearing element contact surface, wherein at least some of the structural fibers include a structural component and a lubricating component.

Abstract: A bearing comprising: (a) an inner ring, (b) an outer ring, and (c) a bearing liner disposed therebetween, wherein the bearing liner comprises a resin having a glass transition temperature of less than 150° C.

Abstract: A bearing liner comprising a fabric impregnated with a binder, the fabric comprising: (a) a bearing element contact surface comprising lubricating fibers and (b) structural fibers supporting the bearing element contact surface, wherein at least some of the structural fibers include a structural component and a lubricating component.

Abstract: A bearing comprising (a) an inner ring, (b) an outer ring, and (c) a bearing liner disposed therebetween, wherein the bearing liner comprises a resin and the bearing liner has at least one of: (a) a flexural modulus of from 20 to 35 GPa and (b) a flexural strength of from 500 to 700 MPa.

Abstract: A spherical plain bearing comprising an inner ring having an outer spherical contact surface and an outer ring having an inner spherical contact surface. The outer spherical contact surface of the inner ring cooperates with the inner spherical contact surface of the outer ring. At least one of the inner ring and the outer ring comprises at least one internal cavity running on at least a portion of the circumference of said ring.

Abstract: This ball joint member, of the type including an inner ring, with a general axisymmetrical shape around a first axis, comprises an external contact surface having a truncated spherical shape, the inner ring including a coating which bears the external contact surface and an outer ring, of a general axisymmetrical shape around a second axis, comprising an internal contact surface mating said external contact surface, cooperating with said external contact surface, the outer ring including a coating which bears the internal contact surface. At least one of the inner and outer rings comprises lubricant reservoirs made on the coating of one of the external and internal contact surfaces and the coating of the contact surface of one of the rings is textured with micro-cavities forming the lubricant reservoirs.