Abstract: A solid-lubricated ball, roller, or plain bearing assembly with solid rings made of solid lubricant loosely fitted inside the bearing envelope for replenishing the solid-lubricant films on the bearing contacting surfaces for the life of the bearing without the need for any re-lubrication. A method is also provided for mounting all-ceramic bearing rings on metal shafts and housings for operation at extremely high temperatures and solid-lubricant idler gears to replenish lubricant films on gear teeth. Cages may be used at extremely high speeds or with very large ceramic balls or rollers and when used the cages require pocket clearances in the circumferential direction several times larger than in the axial direction.

Abstract: A solid-lubricated ball, roller, or plain bearing assembly with solid rings made of solid lubricant loosely fitted inside the bearing envelope for replenishing the solid-lubricant films on the bearing contacting surfaces for the life of the bearing without the need for any re-lubrication. A method is also provided for mounting all-ceramic bearing rings on metal shafts and housings for operation at extremely high temperatures and solid-lubricant idler gears to replenish lubricant films on gear teeth. Cages may be used at extremely high speeds or with very large ceramic balls or rollers and when used the cages require pocket clearances in the circumferential direction several times larger than in the axial direction.

Abstract: A flywheel energy storage system (10) includes a vacuum enclosure (18) having a flywheel (12), motor/generator (14), and a shaft (16) enclosed within. The flywheel and motor/generator combination are designed to minimize bearing loads and thus increase system life, reliability and safety.

Abstract: A solid-lubricated bearing assembly has an outer bearing member with a generally radially inwardly facing race surface formed therein adapted to receive rotatable bearing elements for rotating motion of the rotatable bearing elements respecting the outer bearing member, an inner bearing member having a generally radially outwardly facing race surface formed therein adapted to receive the rotatable bearing elements for rotating motion of the rotatable bearing elements respecting the inner bearing member, a plurality of rotatable bearing elements retained between the race surfaces of the inner and outer bearing members, and at least one spacer circumferentially positioned between the bearing elements for maintaining the bearing elements in spaced relation to one another while permitting rotation of the bearing elements in the races with the spacer including solid lubricant material for depositing a solid lubricant film on the rotatable elements by contact therewith as the rotatable elements rotate against the s

Abstract: A solid-lubricated bearing assembly has an outer bearing member with a generally radially inwardly facing race surface formed therein adapted to receive rotatable bearing elements for rotating motion of the rotatable bearing elements respecting the outer bearing member, an inner bearing member having a generally radially outwardly facing race surface formed therein adapted to receive the rotatable bearing elements for rotating motion of the rotatable bearing elements respecting the inner bearing member, a plurality of rotatable bearing elements retained between the race surfaces of the inner and outer bearing members, and at least one spacer circumferentially positioned between the bearing elements for maintaining the bearing elements in spaced relation to one another while permitting rotation of the bearing elements in the races with the spacer including solid lubricant material for depositing a solid lubricant film on the rotatable elements by contact therewith as the rotatable elements rotate against the s

Abstract: A solid-lubricated bearing assembly comprising an outer bearing member having a generally radially inwardly facing race surface formed therein adapted to receive rotatable bearing elements for rotating motion of said rotatable bearing elements respecting said outer bearing member, an inner bearing member having a generally radially outwardly facing race surface formed therein adapted to receive said rotatable bearing elements for rotating motion of said rotatable bearing elements respecting said inner bearing member, a plurality of said rotatable bearing elements retained between said race surfaces of said inner and outer bearing members, and solid lubricant material biased against and contacting at least one of said rotatable bearing elements for depositing a film of said solid lubricant material on said rotatable element by contact therewith as said rotatable elements rotate against said race surfaces.