Abstract: A bearing assembly having an inner race ring (14) that defines an inner raceway and an outer race ring that defines an outer raceway on which the plurality of rolling elements (22) roll. The bearing raceways are machined using surface finishing operations to create preferred surface profiles and textures for improving lubrication performance. The profile of the raceway is initially created using a first grinding process to form a rough surface profile including a rough central band (34) and rough recessed side bands (38). A second grinding process is used to smooth the central band. This raceway surface profile increases lubrication performance.

Abstract: A bearing assembly having an inner race ring (14) that defines an inner raceway and an outer race ring that defines an outer raceway on which the plurality of rolling elements (22) roll. The bearing raceways are machined using surface finishing operations to create preferred surface profiles and textures for improving lubrication performance. The profile of the raceway is initially created using a first grinding process to form a rough surface profile including a rough central band (34) and rough recessed side bands (38). A second grinding process is used to smooth the central band. This raceway surface profile increases lubrication performance.

Abstract: A method of coating spherical components with a coating process in which the spherical components have a surface area includes positioning the spherical components within a containment boundary on a moving member and positioning the moving member within a chamber. The method includes reducing the pressure within the chamber to less than one atmosphere. The method also includes revolving the moving member about a longitudinal axis. The method further includes oscillating the moving member in a direction of the longitudinal axis and commencing the coating process. The oscillating and revolving produce motion of the spherical components within the containment boundary such that an entirety of the surface area of each component is exposed to the coating process.

Abstract: A method of coating spherical components with a coating process in which the spherical components have a surface area includes positioning the spherical components within a containment boundary on a moving member and positioning the moving member within a chamber. The method includes reducing the pressure within the chamber to less than one atmosphere. The method also includes revolving the moving member about a longitudinal axis. The method further includes oscillating the moving member in a direction of the longitudinal axis and commencing the coating process. The oscillating and revolving produce motion of the spherical components within the containment boundary such that an entirety of the surface area of each component is exposed to the coating process.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for use in a medical, surgical, or dental handpiece that enables spindle rotation for a supported rotary tool at high speeds. The bearing assembly incorporates annular gap shields at each axial end to prevent contaminate ingress and to retain lubricating grease within the bearing assembly to avoid re-lubrication after each use or sterilization cycle.

Abstract: A bearing assembly (20) for use in a medical, surgical, or dental handpiece (10) that enables spindle rotation for a supported rotary tool (36) at high speeds. The bearing assembly (28) incorporates annular gap shields (50, 54) at each axial end to prevent contaminate ingress and to retain lubricating grease within the bearing assembly (28) to avoid re-lubricated after each use or sterilization cycle.

Abstract: An improved sintered material and product. A nanometer size reinforcement powder is mixed with a micron size titanium or titanium alloy powder. After the reinforcement powder is generally uniformly dispersed, the powder mixture is compacted and sintered, causing the nano reinforcement to react with the titanium or titanium alloy, producing a composite material containing nano and micron size precipitates that are uniformly distributed throughout the material.

Abstract: A structure (200) for containing a volume of lubricant additive gel (10) which is disposed within a mechanical system, in close proximity to a wear critical surface, and which is configured to provide a release of the contained additives into a flow of lubricant over time or as a function of temperature in a site-specific manner to minimize wear or reduce oil oxidation due to harsh operating conditions. The structure defines a cage or capsule with screen or mesh sides (202) having multiple perforations or openings through which the flow of lubricant may circulate. Within the contained volume of the structure (200), additives are disposed in a gel matrix (10), and are release over time or as a function of temperature, through the perorations or openings, in close operative proximity to wear critical surfaces of the mechanical system such as a bearing assembly or gear arrangement.

Abstract: The wear resistance of a bi-directional tapered roller bearing is improved by applying a tribological coating to both the small and large end faces of the roller and to at least one of the rib faces of the bearing assembly.

Abstract: The wear resistance of a bi-directional tapered roller bearing is improved by applying a tribological coating to both the small and large end faces of the roller and to at least one of the rib faces of the bearing assembly.

Abstract: A thermally stable tribological coating is applied to the outer surface of a moveable bearing outer ring in a bearing assembly for an x-ray tube rotating anode and/or the surface of a housing bore of the X-ray tube rotating anode which receives the bearing assembly. If the tribological coating is applied to the outer surface of the bearing outer ring, it is made of a material that is metallurgically incompatible with the material from which the housing containing the bearing is made. The coating includes one or more of the following: Cr, W, Mo, or Nb, or nitrides, carbides, oxides, or sulfides of Cr, W, Mo, or Nb.

Abstract: A structure (200) for containing a volume of lubricant additive gel (10) which is disposed within a mechanical system, in close proximity to a wear critical surface, and which is configured to provide a release of the contained additives into a flow of lubricant over time or as a function of temperature in a site-specific manner to minimize wear or reduce oil oxidation due to harsh operating conditions. The structure defines a cage or capsule with screen or mesh sides (202) having multiple perforations or openings through which the flow of lubricant may circulate. Within the contained volume of the structure (200), additives are disposed in a gel matrix (10), and are release over time or as a function of temperature, through the perorations or openings, in close operative proximity to wear critical surfaces of the mechanical system such as a bearing assembly or gear arrangement.

Abstract: A bearing assembly (20) for use in a medical, surgical, or dental handpiece (10) that enables spindle rotation for a supported rotary tool (36) at high speeds. The bearing assembly (28) incorporates annular gap shields (50, 54) at each axial end to prevent contaminate ingress and to retain lubricating grease within the bearing assembly (28) to avoid re-lubricated after each use or sterilization cycle.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the operating life of roller bearings assemblies (B) subject to oil-out conditions is disclosed. The method comprises applying a tribological metal carbide reinforced amorphous hydrocarbon coating layer (16) over either the sliding surfaces (SS) or the rolling surfaces (RS) of the bearing assembly rolling elements (RE), but is preferably applied at least to the sliding surfaces of the rolling element. The coating has a thickness determined according to the equation: Formula (I), where d=coating thickness P=is the ratio of force applied to the rollers/contact area; n=the number of rollers; (t?t0)=the desired operating time after oil-out condition starts; and K? is the Archard constant.

Abstract: A method of uniformly dispersing a nano powder throughout a micron powder. Ordinary mixing or agitation does not succeed in attaining uniform dispersal: the nano powder agglomerates into microscopic masses. In one form of the invention, a charge of a micron powder, with fifty weight percent of charge of nanopowder is loaded into a ball mill. The mixture is ball milled for less than two hours, at room temperature in a dry condition, and produces a highly uniform distribution of the nano powder throughout the micron powder.

Abstract: A method of uniformly dispersing a nano powder throughout a micron powder. Ordinary mixing or agitation does not succeed in attaining uniform dispersal: the nano powder agglomerates into microscopic masses. In one form of the invention, a charge of a micron powder, with fifty weight percent of charge of nanopowder is loaded into a ball mill. The mixture is ball milled for less than two hours, at room temperature in a dry condition, and produces a highly uniform distribution of the nano powder throughout the micron powder.

Abstract: The wear resistance of a bi-directional tapered roller bearing is improved by applying a tribological coating to both the small and large end faces of the roller and to at least one of the rib faces of the bearing assembly.

Abstract: A thermally stable tribological coating is applied to the outer surface of a moveable bearing outer ring in a bearing assembly for an x-ray tube rotating anode and/or the surface of a housing bore of the X-ray tube rotating anode which receives the bearing assembly. If the tribological coating is applied to the outer surface of the bearing outer ring, it is made of a material that is metallurgically incompatible with the material from which the housing containing the bearing is made. The coating includes one or more of the following: Cr, W, Mo, or Nb, or nitrides, carbides, oxides, or sulfides of Cr, W, Mo, or Nb.

Abstract: A method for treating a substrate (such as the gears of a gear set) to provide the substrate with both wear protection and corrosion resistance is disclosed. The method comprises providing the substrate with a wear protection layer and providing corrosion resistant layer. The wear protection layer can be applied to the gear and then the corrosion resistant layer can be applied over the wear resistant layer. Alternatively, the corrosion resistant lay can be provided and then the wear resistant layer can be formed over the corrosion resistant layer.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the operating life of roller bearings assemblies (B) subject to oil-out conditions is disclosed. The method comprises applying a tribological metal carbide reinforced amorphous hydrocarbon coating layer (16) over either the sliding surfaces (SS) or the rolling surfaces (RS) of the bearing assembly rolling elements (RE), but is preferably applied at least to the sliding surfaces of the rolling element. The coating has a thickness determined according to the equation: Formula (I), where d=coating thickness P=is the ratio of force applied to the rollers/contact area; n=the number of rollers; (t-t0)=the desired operating time after oil-out condition starts; and K? is the Archard constant.