Abstract: A sliding device is comprised of a first sliding member which is rotatable on an axis of the first sliding member, a second sliding member which slidably supports the first member through viscous fluid and at least a pit which is formed on a surface of at least one of the first and second sliding members so as to promote a viscous fluid flow, which has a component of a rotational direction of the shaft when the first member is rotated.

Abstract: A rotary assembly for traction drives, including a plurality of rolling elements having a rotation axis and traction contact surfaces around the rotation axis and associating with each other to transmit a motive power between the rolling elements via a traction oil film formed between the traction contact surfaces, in which at least one of the traction contact surfaces has a microstructure with irregularities which sizes are larger than a thickness of the traction oil film. The process for the traction contact surface is also disclosed.

Abstract: A traction drive rotary assembly including a plurality of rolling elements having traction contact surfaces associating with each other to transmit power between the rolling elements. At least one of the traction contact surfaces has a surface microstructure including grooves and protrusions alternately arranged. The surface microstructure is represented by an unfiltered primary profile curve including recesses and projections corresponding to the grooves and the protrusions. Each projection includes a portion located higher than a center line of the unfiltered primary profile curve and having a shape selected from a generally trapezoidal shape with rounded corners, a generally crowning shape, a generally elliptic arc shape, a generally sinusoidal shape and a generally triangular shape with a rounded apex. A ratio &lgr;/AMP of a wavelength &lgr; of the unfiltered primary profile curve to a half depth AMP of the recess is in a range of 50-400.

Abstract: A rotary assembly for traction drives, including a plurality of rolling elements having a rotation axis and traction contact surfaces around the rotation axis and associating with each other to transmit a motive power between the rolling elements via a traction oil film formed between the traction contact surfaces, in which at least one of the traction contact surfaces has a microstructure with irregularities which sizes are larger than a thickness of the traction oil film. The process for the traction contact surface is also disclosed.

Abstract: A rotary assembly for traction drives, including a plurality of rolling elements having a rotation axis and traction contact surfaces around the rotation axis and associating with each other to transmit a motive power between the rolling elements via a traction oil film formed between the traction contact surfaces, in which at least one of the traction contact surfaces has a microstructure with irregularities which sizes are larger than a thickness of the traction oil film. The process for the traction contact surface is also disclosed.

Abstract: A high bearing pressure-resistant member used as a rolling element forming part of a toroidal continuously variable transmission for an automotive vehicle. The high bearing pressure-resistant member is formed of a mechanical structural steel containing Cr. The mechanical structural steel includes a matrix having at least one of martensite structure and bainite structure. The matrix contains carbide having a mean particle size of 3 &mgr;m or less, dispersed and precipitated in form of at least one of generally spheres and pseudo-spheres.

Abstract: A toroidal continuously variable transmission including input and output disks having a common first rotation axis about which the disks are rotatable, and a power roller swingably interposed between the disks and having a second rotation axis intersecting the first rotation axis, about which the power roller is rotatable. The input and output disks and the power roller have traction surfaces cooperating with each other to transmit rotation therebetween. At least one of the input and output disks and the power roller has a surface roughness on the traction surface thereof which varies in a direction of the rotation axis thereof.

Abstract: A toroidal-type continuously variable transmission (CVT), including rolling elements having traction surfaces cooperating with each other to transmit a power between the rolling elements via a traction oil film formed between the traction surfaces. The traction surfaces have the microstructure that is defined with respect to a thickness of the traction oil film formed when the temperature of the traction portion of the traction surface is high, to thereby exhibit high traction coefficient even in the high-temperature operating condition.

Abstract: A traction drive rotary assembly including a plurality of rolling elements having traction contact surfaces associating with each other to transmit power between the rolling elements. At least one of the traction contact surfaces has a surface microstructure including grooves and protrusions alternately arranged. The surface microstructure is represented by an unfiltered primary profile curve including recesses and projections corresponding to the grooves and the protrusions. Each projection includes a portion located higher than a center line of the unfiltered primary profile curve and having a shape selected from a generally trapezoidal shape with rounded corners, a generally crowning shape, a generally elliptic arc shape, a generally sinusoidal shape and a generally triangular shape with a rounded apex. A ratio &lgr;/AMP of a wavelength &lgr; of the unfiltered primary profile curve to a half depth AMP of the recess is in a range of 50-400.

Abstract: A toroidal-type continuously variable transmission (CVT), including rolling elements having traction surfaces cooperating with each other to transmit a power between the rolling elements via a traction oil film formed between the traction surfaces. The traction surfaces have the microstructure that is defined with respect to a thickness of the traction oil film formed when the temperature of the traction portion of the traction surface is high, to thereby exhibit high traction coefficient even in the high-temperature operating condition.

Abstract: A toroidal continuously variable transmission including input and output disks having a common first rotation axis about which the disks are rotatable, and a power roller swingably interposed between the disks and having a second rotation axis intersecting the first rotation axis, about which the power roller is rotatable. The input and output disks and the power roller have traction surfaces cooperating with each other to transmit rotation therebetween. At least one of the input and output disks and the power roller has a surface roughness on the traction surface thereof which varies in a direction of the rotation axis thereof.

Abstract: A toroidal continuously variable transmission is provided with a power roller 8 which is gripped between input/output disks 5, 6 arranged on the same axis, a cam flange 2 which is disposed on the same axis as the input disk 5 and is connected to an input shaft 1, and cam rollers 3 which are gripped between the cam flange 2 and the rear face of the input disk 5. Bearings 41, 44, 45 are interposed in the contact position on the long radius end face 3b of the cam roller 3 and the inner circumference of the retainer 4. These bearings allow the reduction of frictional resistance on the contact point of the cam roller 3 and the retainer 4 and improve the torque transmission capacity and component lifespan of the toroidal continuously variable transmission.

Abstract: A pulley for use with an endless metal belt, including pulley halves rotatable about an axis. The pulley halves include truncated conical portions symmetrically opposed to each other and outer surfaces disposed on the truncated conical portions so as to be engageable with the belt. The outer surface of each pulley half has a centerline average roughness (Ra) of 0.1 to 0.5 &mgr;m, a Vickers hardness (Hv) of not less than 850 at a load of 200 g, and a microstructure with random fine irregularities in which a great number of recesses and projections are randomly located. A continuously variable transmission including the pulley is also disclosed.

Abstract: A grease-lubricated rolling bearing containing an improved grease which can prevent noise of the bearing immediately after the bearing is actuated even at a minimum environmental temperature expected in a cold district (-40.degree. C.). The grease contains a base oil, and a thickener added to the base oil so that the grease has an unworked penetration at -20.degree. C. of 190-290 and, preferably, a worked penetration at 25.degree. C. of 220-310.