Abstract: A ball bearing and housing assembly includes a shaft having a stepped bore extending therethrough. The stepped bore is defined by a first bore segment having an inboard cylindrical interior surface that has a first bore diameter. The first bore segment extends from a shaft end and terminates at a shoulder. The shoulder is axially located between a first radial centerline of a plurality of balls and an inner axial end. The stepped bore is further defined by a second bore segment having an outboard cylindrical interior surface that has second bore diameter. The second bore segment extends axially from the inner axial end towards the shaft end and terminates at the shoulder. The second bore diameter is greater than the first bore diameter. A fastener is fitted through the first bore segment and threaded into a housing.

Abstract: A maintenance-free bearing system having self-lubricating features, seals, grooves and slots for use in a cushion hitch assembly for a hitch pull scraper vehicle. An interconnected bearing linkage system having two or more horizontal two-axis combined journal and thrust bearings with self-lubricating liners therein, two or more vertical single-axis sleeve bearings with self-lubricating liners therein and one or more vertical thrust bearing with self-lubricating liners therein, that cooperate with one another to accommodate vertical and horizontal angular movement relative to one another. The vertical thrust bearings incorporate an outer seal assembly and/or an inner seal assembly with a tapered configuration that improves retention of the seal assembly during rotation.

Abstract: A ball bearing and housing assembly includes a shaft having a stepped bore extending therethrough. The stepped bore is defined by a first bore segment having an inboard cylindrical interior surface that has a first bore diameter. The first bore segment extends from a shaft end and terminates at a shoulder. The shoulder is axially located between a first radial centerline of a plurality of balls and an inner axial end. The stepped bore is further defined by a second bore segment having an outboard cylindrical interior surface that has second bore diameter. The second bore segment extends axially from the inner axial end towards the shaft end and terminates at the shoulder. The second bore diameter is greater than the first bore diameter. A fastener is fitted through the first bore segment and threaded into a housing.

Abstract: A bolt for an interference fastener and a fastener system is provided. The bolt has a body extending axially between a first end and a second end. The body has a threaded area extending axially inward from the second end and a head configured on the first end. A cylindrical expansion area extends axially between the head and the transition area. The transition area is disposed axially between the cylindrical expansion area and the threaded area.

Abstract: A ball bearing assembly includes a one piece outer ring having a first and second outer race and an exterior surface; and a one piece inner ring having a first and second inner race, the inner ring is integrally formed on a shaft. A first plurality of balls is disposed between the first outer race and the first inner race; and a second plurality of balls is disposed between the second outer race and the second inner race. The first plurality of balls has a first contact and the second plurality of balls has a second contact angle.

Abstract: A maintenance-free bearing system having self-lubricating features, seals, grooves and slots for use in a cushion hitch assembly for a hitch pull scraper vehicle. An interconnected bearing linkage system having two or more horizontal two-axis combined journal and thrust bearings with self-lubricating liners therein, two or more vertical single-axis sleeve bearings with self-lubricating liners therein and one or more vertical thrust bearing with self-lubricating liners therein, that cooperate with one another to accommodate vertical and horizontal angular movement relative to one another. The vertical thrust bearings incorporate an outer seal assembly and/or an inner seal assembly with a tapered configuration that improves retention of the seal assembly during rotation.

Abstract: A track roller assembly includes a split inner ring, a split outer ring, a one piece inner ring and/or a one piece outer ring and a liner or plurality of rolling elements engaging therewith, the track roller assembly being disposed in a structure of an Airbus A-350 aircraft, an Airbus A-320 aircraft, an Airbus A320Neo aircraft, an Airbus A330 aircraft, an Airbus A330Neo aircraft, an Airbus A321 aircraft, an Airbus A340 aircraft, and an Airbus A380 aircraft.

Abstract: An actuation system for deploying and retracting a lift assisting device of a leading edge of a wing of an aircraft including a track pivotally coupled to the lift assisting device. The track has first and second outer surfaces and side surfaces. The actuation system includes a shaft rotationally coupled within the wing of the aircraft and operable, in response to flight control signals, to deploy or retract the lift assisting device. The actuation system includes an actuator for actuating the lift assisting device, coupled to the shaft, between a retracted position to a deployed position along an arcuate path. The actuation system includes a plurality of track roller bearings rotatably contacting the first and second outer surfaces of the track to guide the track along the arcuate path. The plurality of track roller bearings includes one or more lined track roller assembly.

Abstract: An edge flap arrangement for an aircraft wing includes a main flap element and an actuator for moving the main flap element relative to the aircraft wing. A linkage arrangement supports the main flap element and includes a drop hinge link arrangement having a fixed strut secured to the aircraft wing and a drop link secured to the main flap element. The fixed strut and the drop link are connected by a hinge point having an hourglass bearing assembly having hourglass shaped rollers with a circular cross section symmetrical about a longitudinal axis, first and second axial ends, and an exterior surface. The exterior surface defines a concave engagement surface having a first radius of curvature R1 and a second radius of curvature which is greater than the first radius of curvature R1. The first radius of curvature is between 50 and 95 percent of the second radius of curvature.

Abstract: An actuation system for deploying and retracting a lift assisting device of a leading edge of a wing of an aircraft including a track pivotally coupled to the lift assisting device. The track has first and second outer surfaces and side surfaces. The actuation system includes a shaft rotationally coupled within the wing of the aircraft and operable, in response to flight control signals, to deploy or retract the lift assisting device. The actuation system includes an actuator for actuating the lift assisting device, coupled to the shaft, between a retracted position to a deployed position along an arcuate path. The actuation system includes a plurality of track roller bearings rotatably contacting the first and second outer surfaces of the track to guide the track along the arcuate path. The plurality of track roller bearings includes one or more lined track roller assembly.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention resides in an edge flap arrangement for an aircraft wing that has a main flap element and an actuator for moving the main flap element relative to the wing, a linkage arrangement that supports the main flap element from the aircraft wing for movement relative to the wing, the linkage arrangement including a drop link and a hinge point. The fixed strut and the drop link are pivotally connected by the hinge point. The hinge point includes a bearing. The bearing is an hourglass bearing assembly that has an inner raceway outer raceway. The outer raceway is positioned around the inner raceway. A plurality of rollers is disposed between the inner raceway and the outer raceway. The plurality of rollers, the outer raceway and/or the inner raceway are manufactured from CREN and/or CRES.

Abstract: A compression rod has a buckling initiating feature. The compression rod includes an elongate body. The elongate body has a first cross sectional area along a first a length of the elongate body and a second cross sectional area along a second length of the elongate body. The second cross sectional area defines the buckling initiating feature. The second cross sectional area is configured to cause buckling along the elongate body upon application of a predetermined axially oriented compressive force.

Abstract: An edge flap arrangement for an aircraft wing includes a main flap element and an actuator. A linkage arrangement supports the main flap. The linkage arrangement includes a drop hinge link arrangement. The drop hinge link arrangement includes a fixed strut and a drop link. The fixed strut and the drop link are pivotally connected by a hinge point. The hinge point includes an hourglass bearing. The hourglass bearing includes an inner member, an outer member, and a plurality of hourglass rollers. Any combination of the inner member, the outer member, and the hourglass rollers are fabricated from CREN, Cronidur 30, XD15NW, 422 Stainless Steel, CRES, and/or 440C Stainless Steel. A cage is disposed between the inner member and the outer member. The cage includes a plurality of first rails and a plurality of second rails. Opposing pairs of first rails and second rails define a plurality of pockets.

Abstract: An edge flap arrangement for an aircraft wing includes a main flap element and an actuator for moving the main flap element relative to the aircraft wing. A linkage arrangement supports the main flap element and includes a drop hinge link arrangement having a fixed strut secured to the aircraft wing and a drop link secured to the main flap element. The fixed strut and the drop link are connected by a hinge point having an hourglass bearing assembly having hourglass shaped rollers with a circular cross section symmetrical about a longitudinal axis, first and second axial ends, and an exterior surface. The exterior surface defines a concave engagement surface having a first radius of curvature R1 and a second radius of curvature which is greater than the first radius of curvature R1. The first radius of curvature is between 50 and 95 percent of the second radius of curvature.

Abstract: A track roller assembly includes a split inner ring, a split outer ring, a one piece inner ring and/or a one piece outer ring and a liner or plurality of rolling elements engaging therewith, the track roller assembly being disposed in a structure of an Airbus A-350 aircraft, an Airbus A-320 aircraft, an Airbus A320Neo aircraft, an Airbus A330 aircraft, an Airbus A330Neo aircraft, an Airbus A321 aircraft, an Airbus A340 aircraft, and an Airbus A380 aircraft.

Abstract: An actuation system for deploying and retracting a lift assisting device of a leading edge of a wing of an aircraft including a track pivotally coupled to the lift assisting device. The track has first and second outer surfaces and side surfaces. The actuation system includes a shaft rotationally coupled within the wing of the aircraft and operable, in response to flight control signals, to deploy or retract the lift assisting device. The actuation system includes an actuator for actuating the lift assisting device, coupled to the shaft, between a retracted position to a deployed position along an arcuate path. The actuation system includes a plurality of track roller bearings rotatably contacting the first and second outer surfaces of the track to guide the track along the arcuate path. The plurality of track roller bearings includes one or more lined track roller assembly.

Abstract: An edge flap arrangement for an aircraft wing includes a main flap element and an actuator. A linkage arrangement supports the main flap. The linkage arrangement includes a drop hinge link arrangement. The drop hinge link arrangement includes a fixed strut and a drop link. The fixed strut and the drop link are pivotally connected by a hinge point. The hinge point includes an hourglass bearing. The hourglass bearing includes an inner member, an outer member, and a plurality of hourglass rollers. Any combination of the inner member, the outer member, and the hourglass rollers are fabricated from CREN, Cronidur 30, XD15NW, 422 Stainless Steel, CRES, and/or 440C Stainless Steel. A cage is disposed between the inner member and the outer member. The cage includes a plurality of first rails and a plurality of second rails. Opposing pairs of first rails and second rails define a plurality of pockets.

Abstract: A compression rod has a buckling initiating feature. The compression rod includes an elongate body. The elongate body has a first cross sectional area along a first a length of the elongate body and a second cross sectional area along a second length of the elongate body. The second cross sectional area defines the buckling initiating feature. The second cross sectional area is configured to cause buckling along the elongate body upon application of a predetermined axially oriented compressive force.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention resides in an edge flap arrangement for an aircraft wing that has a main flap element and an actuator for moving the main flap element relative to the wing, a linkage arrangement that supports the main flap element from the aircraft wing for movement relative to the wing, the linkage arrangement including a drop link and a hinge point. The fixed strut and the drop link are pivotally connected by the hinge point. The hinge point includes a bearing. The bearing is an hourglass bearing assembly that has an inner raceway outer raceway. The outer raceway is positioned around the inner raceway. A plurality of rollers is disposed between the inner raceway and the outer raceway. The plurality of rollers, the outer raceway and/or the inner raceway are manufactured from CREN and/or CRES.

Abstract: A bearing having a surface and a self-lubricating surface coating composition deposited on the surface, wherein the self-lubricating surface coating composition includes a curable acrylate composition having a metallic composition.