Abstract: A spherical bearing includes an inner member that has an exterior surface extending a first width between axial ends thereof and having a first central plane located equidistant between the axial ends. The spherical bearing includes an outer member with a inner surface having a maximum inside diameter at an apex plane and extending a second width between opposing ends thereof and having second central plane located equidistant between the ends thereof. The inner member is disposed in an interior area of the outer member. The first central plane is coplanar with the apex plane and is axially offset from the second central plane. One of the opposing axial ends of the inner member is located entirely in the interior area and axially inward from ends of the outer member when the inner member is angularly misaligned relative to the outer member at non-zero angles up to 7 degrees.

Abstract: A spherical plain bearing includes an outer ring having a concave interior spherical surface, and an inner member having a convex exterior spherical surface. The inner member is pivotally disposed in the outer ring such that the inner member and the outer ring are angularly misalignable relative to one another. The spherical plain bearing includes an angular misalignment restraint system which includes an inner member restraint feature on the inner member and an outer ring restraint feature on the outer member. The first and second portions are spaced apart when the inner member and the outer ring are angularly misaligned relative to one another by less than a predetermined maximum angle ?, and come into abutment when the inner member and the outer ring are angularly misaligned relative to one another by angle ?. The abutment prevents any further relative angular misalignment of the inner member and the outer ring.

Abstract: A spherical plain bearing includes an outer ring and an inner ring that are each coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the bearing. The outer ring has a first axial outer ring end, a second axial outer ring end, and an interior spherical concave bearing surface extending therebetween. The inner ring has a first axial inner ring end, a second axial inner ring end, and an interior cylindrical bearing surface defining a bore and an exterior spherical convex bearing surface extending therebetween. The exterior spherical convex bearing surface is in interfacial sliding engagement with the interior spherical concave bearing surface. A plurality of circumferential lubrication grooves and one or more curved lubrication channels are in the exterior spherical convex bearing surface. The curved lubrication channels are positioned to intersect each of the circumferential lubrication grooves. A plurality of profiled annular lubrication grooves circumferentially extend into the interior cylindrical bearing surface.

Abstract: A spherical bearing includes an inner member that has an exterior surface extending a first width between axial ends thereof and having a first central plane located equidistant between the axial ends. The spherical bearing includes an outer member with a inner surface having a maximum inside diameter at an apex plane and extending a second width between opposing ends thereof and having second central plane located equidistant between the ends thereof. The inner member is disposed in an interior area of the outer member. The first central plane is coplanar with the apex plane and is axially offset from the second central plane. One of the opposing axial ends of the inner member is located entirely in the interior area and axially inward from ends of the outer member when the inner member is angularly misaligned relative to the outer member at non-zero angles up to 7 degrees.

Abstract: A bearing and seal arrangement for joints in heavy duty vehicles includes two spherical bearing each having an outer ring surrounding an inner member with lubricious liner disposed therebetween. One of the spherical bearings has a seal receiving area having an axially extending width that is greater than that of the other spherical bearing. The spherical bearings are aligned coaxially with one another. One seal receiving areas has a flexible double lipped annular seal and a scraper seal positioned therein. The scraper seal is positioned axially outward from the flexible double lipped annular seal. The other seal receiving area has a boot seal positioned therein.

Abstract: A flexible double lipped annular seal includes an anchor segment at a radially outermost portion thereof and having a pocket formed therein. The annular seal includes a branch segment extending axially outward and radially inward from the first leg at an angle. A first lip seal and a second lip seal extend radially inward from the branch segment and have a gap therebetween. The branch segment terminates in a stub segment. The annular seal includes a metallic shield secured to the annular seal and a portion of which seats in the pocket.

Abstract: A bearing and seal arrangement for joints in heavy duty vehicles includes two spherical bearing each having an outer ring surrounding an inner member with lubricious liner disposed therebetween. One of the spherical bearings has a seal receiving area having an axially extending width that is greater than that of the other spherical bearing. The spherical bearings are aligned coaxially with one another. One seal receiving areas has a flexible double lipped annular seal and a scraper seal positioned therein. The scraper seal is positioned radially outward from the flexible double lipped annular seal. The other seal receiving area has a boot seal positioned therein.

Abstract: A flexible double lipped annular seal includes an anchor segment at a radially outermost portion thereof and having a pocket formed therein. The annular seal includes a branch segment extending axially outward and radially inward from the first leg at an angle. A first lip seal and a second lip seal extend radially inward from the branch segment and have a gap therebetween. The branch segment terminates in a stub segment. The annular seal includes a metallic shield secured to the annular seal and a portion of which seats in the pocket.

Abstract: A seal for a spherical bearing has an annular body portion having an arcuate cross section extending between a first axial end and a second axial end. The second axial end is positioned radially outward from the first axial end. The seal includes retaining ring positioned proximate the second end. The seal includes a scraper seal extending radially inward from the second end.

Abstract: A spherical bearing includes a split outer ring having a spherical radially inner facing surface, an axially outward facing shoulder and a radially outward extending first groove formed therein. A first snap ring is snap fit in the first groove. The spherical bearing includes an inner race defining a spherical exterior surface and having a radially inward extending second groove. A second snap ring is snap fit into the second groove. A seal extends between the outer ring and the inner race and includes a retaining ring secured to a second end of the seal. A first end of the seal defines a lip extending radially inward. The lip is seated against the second snap ring. The retaining ring is positioned between the first snap ring and the axially outward facing shoulder. The seal is axially compressed between the axially outward facing shoulder and the second snap ring.

Abstract: A seal for a spherical bearing has an annular body portion having an arcuate cross section extending between a first axial end and a second axial end. The second axial end is positioned radially outward from the first axial end. The seal includes retaining ring positioned proximate the second end. The seal includes a scraper seal extending radially inward from the second end.

Abstract: A suspension system for a rail car has at least two undercarriage members and at least one equalizer bar removably and pivotally secured to and between the two undercarriage members. A spherical bearing has an outer member that surrounds an inner member. The outer member is removably secured to one of the undercarriage members. The inner member is removably secured to the equalizer bar. The outer member defines at least one outer member section having an arcuate interior surface and the inner member defines at least one inner member section having an arcuate exterior surface. A low friction liner is disposed on at least one of the arcuate interior surface or the arcuate exterior surface.

Abstract: A bearing assembly includes an inner member having an outer engagement surface and an outer race. The outer race has an inner surface defining a first end and a second end and an inner engagement surface therebetween, the inner engagement surface is positioned on the outer engagement surface of the inner member. A first annular groove is formed in the inner surface, proximate one of the first end and the second end. A second annular groove is formed in the inner surface and is positioned axially inward from the first annular groove. An external seal is positioned in first annular groove and slidably engages the inner member. An internal seal is positioned in the second annular groove and slidingly engages the inner member.

Abstract: A spherical bearing includes a split outer ring having a spherical radially inner facing surface, an axially outward facing shoulder and a radially outward extending first groove formed therein. A first snap ring is snap fit in the first groove. The spherical bearing includes an inner race defining a spherical exterior surface and having a radially inward extending second groove. A second snap ring is snap fit into the second groove. A seal extends between the outer ring and the inner race and includes a retaining ring secured to a second end of the seal. A first end of the seal defines a lip extending radially inward. The lip is seated against the second snap ring. The retaining ring is positioned between the first snap ring and the axially outward facing shoulder. The seal is axially compressed between the axially outward facing shoulder and the second snap ring.

Abstract: A spherical plain bearing is configured for use within an articulated joint in an articulating vehicle. The spherical plain bearing includes an outer member defining an exterior surface and an interior surface which defines an interior engagement surface, and an inner member is encircled at least partially by the outer member. The inner member has an interior surface defining a bore therethrough, and an exterior surface defining an exterior engagement surface. A radial gap extends between the interior engagement surface and the exterior engagement surface. A lubricant is disposed in the radial gap and a diamond chromium composite matrix hard coating is disposed on the interior engagement surface and the exterior engagement surface.

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 bearing assembly includes an annular inner member defining a first outer surface and a first inner surface, and a shaft extending therefrom. The bearing assembly includes an annular outer member defining a second outer surface and a second inner surface which is adapted to engage a recess defined in the first outer surface. An annular flexible seal defines a base adapted to engage the outer member, a head adapted to engage a groove defined in one of the inner member or the shaft, and a neck having a curvilinear cross-section which is adapted to bias the base toward the recess and the head toward the groove. The flexible seal is positioned adjacent to one end of the outer member and extends between the inner member and outer member. An annular low-friction liner has a cross-section that defines an interior area adapted to engage the flexible seal head.

Abstract: A suspension system for a rail car has at least two undercarriage members and at least one equalizer bar removably and pivotally secured to and between the two undercarriage members. A spherical bearing has an outer member that surrounds an inner member. The outer member is removably secured to one of the undercarriage members. The inner member is removably secured to the equalizer bar. The outer member defines at least one outer member section having an arcuate interior surface and the inner member defines at least one inner member section having an arcuate exterior surface. A low friction liner is disposed on at least one of the arcuate interior surface or the arcuate exterior surface.

Abstract: A spherical plain bearing and method of assembling the same is disclosed. The bearing has an outer ring having a bore, a concave surface, and at least one fracture. The bearing further includes an inner ring having a convex surface. The convex surface is in sliding disposition with the concave surface when the inner ring is disposed in the bore. The bearing has a groove in a face of the outer ring radially outside a first opening of the bore. The bearing further includes a band coupled to a portion of the outer ring defining the groove. The band retains the outer ring around the inner ring when the inner ring is disposed in the bore.

Abstract: A bearing assembly includes an inner member having an outer engagement surface and an outer race. The outer race has an inner surface defining a first end and a second end and an inner engagement surface therebetween, the inner engagement surface is positioned on the outer engagement surface of the inner member. A first annular groove is formed in the inner surface, proximate one of the first end and the second end. A second annular groove is formed in the inner surface and is positioned axially inward from the first annular groove. An external seal is positioned in first annular groove and slidably engages the inner member. An internal seal is positioned in the second annular groove and slidingly engages the inner member.