Abstract: A thrust bearing assembly includes a single-piece thrust plate and thrust shaft flange having a generally cylindrical body portion, a frustoconical body portion and a bore extending through the cylindrical body portion and the frustoconical body portion. The bore defines a first bore section and a second bore section. A lip extends between the first and second bore sections. The first bore section, the second bore section and the lip are configured to receive a thrust shaft and axial thrust forces transmitted therefrom. The thrust bearing assembly also includes a bearing assembly in operable communication with the single-piece thrust plate and thrust shaft flange. The bearing assembly supports rotation of the thrust shaft and includes a plurality of first rolling elements. The bearing assembly includes a bearing cage to retain the first rolling elements and a plurality of second rolling elements disposed between the bearing cage and the thrust shaft.

Abstract: A thrust bearing assembly includes a single-piece thrust plate and thrust shaft flange having a generally cylindrical body portion, a frustoconical body portion and a bore extending through the cylindrical body portion and the frustoconical body portion. The bore defines a first bore section and a second bore section. A lip extends between the first and second bore sections. The first bore section, the second bore section and the lip are configured to receive a thrust shaft and axial thrust forces transmitted therefrom. The thrust bearing assembly also includes a bearing assembly in operable communication with the single-piece thrust plate and thrust shaft flange. The bearing assembly supports rotation of the thrust shaft and includes a plurality of first rolling elements. The bearing assembly includes a bearing cage to retain the first rolling elements and a plurality of second rolling elements disposed between the bearing cage and the thrust shaft.

Abstract: A rotating combination thrust plate and thrust shaft flange (10), and a thrust bearing assembly (40) incorporating the rotating flange plate combination (10), in which the rotating flange plate combination (10) has a generally cylindrical body portion (22) which has a rotating base surface (24) and a lateral surface (23), a frustoconical body portion (29) which has a frustoconical surface (28), and a bore (12) extending through the cylindrical and frustoconical body portions (22 and 29) and having a first bore section (14) and a second bore section (16) wherein the second bore section (16) is adjacent the rotating base surface (24) and has a smaller diameter then the first bore section (14). The first and second bore sections meet at a junction (18) defining a lip (21) which is designed to support a complimentary lip (42) of a bore shaft (20) thereby restricting the movement of the bore shaft (20) in the direction of thrust in an extruder.

Abstract: A rotating combination thrust plate and thrust shaft flange (10), and a thrust bearing assembly (40) incorporating the rotating flange plate combination (10), in which the rotating flange plate combination (10) has a generally cylindrical body portion (22) which has a rotating base surface (24) and a lateral surface (23), a frustoconical body portion (29) which has a frustoconical surface (28), and a bore (12) extending through the cylindrical and frustoconical body portions (22 and 29) and having a first bore section (14) and a second bore section (16) wherein the second bore section (16) is adjacent the rotating base surface (24) and has a smaller diameter then the first bore section (14). The first and second bore sections meet at a junction (18) defining a lip (21) which is designed to support a complimentary lip (42) of a bore shaft (20) thereby restricting the movement of the bore shaft (20) in the direction of thrust in an extruder.