Patents by Inventor Dennis ROFFE
Dennis ROFFE has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 12228174Abstract: A bearing assembly includes a housing having an annular interior portion, a bearing disposed radially inboard of the annular interior portion and operable to move axially along the annular interior portion, a first retainer operable between an assembled condition, wherein the first retainer extends axially along the annular interior portion a first distance, and a removed condition, and a second retainer operable between an assembled condition, wherein the second retainer extends axially along the annular interior portion a second distance, and a removed condition.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2022Date of Patent: February 18, 2025Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Dennis Roffe
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Patent number: 12203502Abstract: An improved configuration for a bearing housing assembly is disclosed herein in which a ring can be configured to be secured in at least two positions such that the bearing assembly positioned inside of the housing can be retained in either a fixed state or a floating state. The ring can be configured to be secured at least partially within the housing in at least a first configuration and a second configuration, such that: (i) the ring is configured to abut the bearing assembly in the first configuration such that the bearing assembly is axially fixed relative to the housing, and (ii) the ring is configured to be spaced apart from the bearing assembly in the second configuration such that the bearing assembly is axially displaceable within the housing.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2022Date of Patent: January 21, 2025Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Dennis Roffe, James Brown
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Patent number: 12158183Abstract: A cage assembly for a bearing includes a first cage half and a second cage half. The first cage half includes a first annular section with a first plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures for receiving a plurality of rolling elements, and a first cylindrical section arranged for positioning the cage assembly on a first shaft. The second cage half includes a second annular section with a second plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures for receiving the plurality of rolling elements, and a second cylindrical section arranged for positioning the cage assembly on a second shaft. In an example embodiment, the first cylindrical section or the second cylindrical section has an aperture for radial flow of a lubricant.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2022Date of Patent: December 3, 2024Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: James Brown, Dennis Roffe, Joseph T. Griffin
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Publication number: 20240191747Abstract: An improved configuration for a bearing housing assembly is disclosed herein in which a ring can be configured to be secured in at least two positions such that the bearing assembly positioned inside of the housing can be retained in either a fixed state or a floating state. The ring can be configured to be secured at least partially within the housing in at least a first configuration and a second configuration, such that: (i) the ring is configured to abut the bearing assembly in the first configuration such that the bearing assembly is axially fixed relative to the housing, and (ii) the ring is configured to be spaced apart from the bearing assembly in the second configuration such that the bearing assembly is axially displaceable within the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2022Publication date: June 13, 2024Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Dennis ROFFE, James BROWN
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Publication number: 20240191756Abstract: A bearing assembly includes a housing having an annular interior portion, a bearing disposed radially inboard of the annular interior portion and operable to move axially along the annular interior portion, a first retainer operable between an assembled condition, wherein the first retainer extends axially along the annular interior portion a first distance, and a removed condition, and a second retainer operable between an assembled condition, wherein the second retainer extends axially along the annular interior portion a second distance, and a removed condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2022Publication date: June 13, 2024Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Dennis Roffe
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Publication number: 20240183398Abstract: A cage assembly for a bearing includes a first cage half and a second cage half. The first cage half includes a first annular section with a first plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures for receiving a plurality of rolling elements, and a first cylindrical section arranged for positioning the cage assembly on a first shaft. The second cage half includes a second annular section with a second plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures for receiving the plurality of rolling elements, and a second cylindrical section arranged for positioning the cage assembly on a second shaft. In an example embodiment, the first cylindrical section or the second cylindrical section has an aperture for radial flow of a lubricant.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2022Publication date: June 6, 2024Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: James Brown, Dennis Roffe, Joseph T. Griffin
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Patent number: 11965553Abstract: A bearing cage for a bearing assembly is disclosed herein. The bearing cage includes a first ring, a second ring, and a plurality of crossbars extending between the first ring and the second ring to define a plurality of rolling element pockets. A first terminal end of each of the plurality of crossbars is connected to the first ring and a second terminal end of each of the plurality of crossbars is connected to the second ring. A medial portion of each of the plurality of crossbars is defined between the first terminal end and the second terminal end, and a pair of recesses are defined on opposing circumferential sides of the medial portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2022Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Dennis Roffe, Seth Claus, Guihui Zhong, Charles Schwab, Arjun Kailassh Magalingam Adithyan
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Patent number: 11933357Abstract: A bearing, including: an inner ring defining a first groove; an outer ring including a radially inner surface, the radially inner surface facing an axis of rotation of the bearing and defining a second groove and a third groove; a cage radially disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring; a plurality of balls retained by the cage, and disposed in the first groove, and in the second groove; and a preloaded resilient washer assembly including a rigid washer and a resilient washer including a radially outermost surface disposed in the third groove. The resilient washer urges the rigid washer away from the outer ring in an axial direction parallel to an axis of rotation of the bearing.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2021Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Dennis Roffe, Michael Heaton, Guihui Zhong, James Brown, Daniel Wuerdinger
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Publication number: 20240068513Abstract: A bearing assembly includes an inner ring and an outer ring arranged coaxially with the inner ring. A first axial washer and a second axial washer are axially spaced from each other. A central ring is disposed radially between the inner ring and the outer ring and axially between the first axial washer and the second axial washer. Four rows of rolling bodies are provided. The rolling bodies in each row are engaged with the central ring. Each of the inner ring, the outer ring, the first axial washer, and the second axial washer are engaged with the rolling bodies of one respective row.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2022Publication date: February 29, 2024Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Dennis Roffe, Michael Heaton
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Patent number: 11892036Abstract: A bearing track cage includes a plurality of retention elements, wherein each retention element includes at least a first axial side and a second axial side, and wherein each adjacent pair of retention elements of the plurality of retention elements defines a rolling element pocket configured to retain a rolling element. A first support is slidably coupled to each of the plurality of retention elements on the first axial side thereof and a second support is slidably coupled to each of the plurality of retention elements on the second axial side thereof.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2022Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Dennis Roffe, Michael Heaton, Guihui Zhong
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Publication number: 20240026925Abstract: A bearing track cage includes a plurality of retention elements, wherein each retention element includes at least a first axial side and a second axial side, and wherein each adjacent pair of retention elements of the plurality of retention elements defines a rolling element pocket configured to retain a rolling element. A first support is slidably coupled to each of the plurality of retention elements on the first axial side thereof and a second support is slidably coupled to each of the plurality of retention elements on the second axial side thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2022Publication date: January 25, 2024Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Dennis Roffe, Michael Heaton, Guihui Zhong
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Publication number: 20230407919Abstract: A bearing cage for a bearing assembly is disclosed herein. The bearing cage includes a first ring, a second ring, and a plurality of crossbars extending between the first ring and the second ring to define a plurality of rolling element pockets. A first terminal end of each of the plurality of crossbars is connected to the first ring and a second terminal end of each of the plurality of crossbars is connected to the second ring. A medial portion of each of the plurality of crossbars is defined between the first terminal end and the second terminal end, and a pair of recesses are defined on opposing circumferential sides of the medial portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2022Publication date: December 21, 2023Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KGInventors: Dennis Roffe, Seth Claus, Guihui Zhong, Charles Schwab, Arjun Kailassh Magalingam Adithyan
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Publication number: 20220403882Abstract: A bearing, including: an inner ring defining a first groove; an outer ring including a radially inner surface, the radially inner surface facing an axis of rotation of the bearing and defining a second groove and a third groove; a cage radially disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring; a plurality of balls retained by the cage, and disposed in the first groove, and in the second groove; and a preloaded resilient washer assembly including a rigid washer and a resilient washer including a radially outermost surface disposed in the third groove. The resilient washer urges the rigid washer away from the outer ring in an axial direction parallel to an axis of rotation of the bearing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2021Publication date: December 22, 2022Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Dennis Roffe, Michael Heaton, Guihui Zhong, James Brown, Daniel Wuerdinger
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Publication number: 20220341467Abstract: A bearing, including: an inner ring defining a first groove; an outer ring including a radially inner surface, the radially inner surface facing an axis of rotation of the bearing, defining a second groove, and defining at least one third groove; a cage radially disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring; a plurality of balls retained by the cage, and disposed in the first groove, and in the second groove; an annular sleeve including a first portion disposed in the third groove; and a resilient element urging the outer ring and the annular sleeve away from each other parallel to the axis of rotation of the bearing.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2021Publication date: October 27, 2022Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Guihui Zhong, Daniel Wuerdinger, Michael Heaton, Dennis Roffe, James Brown
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Patent number: 11396909Abstract: A double row axial roller bearing assembly includes a compressible ring between the two rows. This compressible ring prevents excessive axial forces if the respective shafts impact one another after becoming axially separated. One embodiment is fully unitized such that all parts of the bearing assembly remain with one of the two shafts if the shafts become axially separated. Another embodiment is semi-unitized such that one row of rollers and the compressible ring remain with one of the shafts while the other row of rollers remains with the other shaft. In both cases, all bearing components are prevented from falling out of position such that they return to their proper axial and radial position when the shafts come back together.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2020Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Dennis Roffe, James Brown
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Publication number: 20220163062Abstract: A double row axial roller bearing assembly includes a compressible ring between the two rows. This compressible ring prevents excessive axial forces if the respective shafts impact one another after becoming axially separated. One embodiment is fully unitized such that all parts of the bearing assembly remain with one of the two shafts if the shafts become axially separated. Another embodiment is semi-unitized such that one row of rollers and the compressible ring remain with one of the shafts while the other row of rollers remains with the other shaft. In both cases, all bearing components are prevented from falling out of position such that they return to their proper axial and radial position when the shafts come back together.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2020Publication date: May 26, 2022Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Dennis Roffe, James Brown
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Patent number: 11286988Abstract: A cage for a ball bearing is optimized for high-speed applications. To reduce weight, the cage is formed by a number of conical blades which collectively form an “X” shape. To add rigidity, a number of gussets are placed between the blades at various circumferential locations. The light weight reduces the centrifugal forces for a given diameter and rotational speed. The rigidity permits the cage to withstand the centrifugal forces without excessive deflection or stress.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2020Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Dennis Roffe, Guihui Zhong, Michael Heaton
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Publication number: 20220025929Abstract: A cage for a ball bearing is optimized for high-speed applications. To reduce weight, the cage is formed by a number of conical blades which collectively form an “X” shape. To add rigidity, a number of gussets are placed between the blades at various circumferential locations. The light weight reduces the centrifugal forces for a given diameter and rotational speed. The rigidity permits the cage to withstand the centrifugal forces without excessive deflection or stress.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2020Publication date: January 27, 2022Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Dennis Roffe, Guihui Zhong, Michael Heaton
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Patent number: 11209048Abstract: A two-piece plastic ball bearing cage is designed to handle high-speed applications. Posts on one bearing half fit into holes in the other bearing half After the two halves are brought together, ultrasonic vibration is applied to the ends of the posts. The ultrasonic vibration deforms the post end to fit into a widened portion of the holes and welds material, thereby firmly securing the two cage halves to one another.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2020Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Dennis Roffe, Michael Heaton, Guihui Zhong
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Patent number: 11193538Abstract: A bearing cage assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a stiffening ring formed from a first material, and a cage formed from a second material that is different than the first material. The cage includes a plurality of arms extending axially away from a base rim. The plurality of arms define a plurality of rolling element pockets therebetween. Each of the plurality of arms defines a slot dimensioned to receive a portion of the stiffening ring, such that the stiffening ring is secured to the cage via engagement within the slots of the plurality of arms.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2020Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KGInventors: Michael Heaton, Dennis Roffe, Guihui Zhong