Pre-usage Process, E.g., Preloading, Aligning Patents (Class 29/898.09)
  • Patent number: 11565547
    Abstract: A system for use in providing a load on a bearing mounted to a shaft includes a preload apparatus having a first extension and a second extension engageable with an inner race of the bearing and configured to provide a compressive load to the bearing. The first extension has a first projection and the second extension has a second projection. A stop ring is configured to limit a radially inward movement of the first extension and the second extension toward each other to position the first projection and the second projection relative to the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: TEMPER AXLE PRODUCTS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sean Strait
  • Patent number: 11346399
    Abstract: A transport-securing unit for retaining a plurality of rollers in a rolling-element bearing cage during transportation may include an annular region and a plurality of axially extending, circumferentially spaced projections extending from the annular region. Also, an assembly of the transport-securing unit, a rolling-element cage and a plurality of rollers in pockets of the rolling-element bearing cage, where the transport-securing unit is formed separately from the rolling-element bearing cage, and where the projections extend inside the cage and limit radially inward movement of the rollers relative to the cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Ludwig Edelmann, Roland Haas, Dominic Namyslo, Matthias Schuler, Johannes Zang
  • Patent number: 11305408
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing a load on a bearing mounted to a shaft includes an attaching member releasably connectable to the shaft. A press mechanism is coupled to the attaching member and is configured to provide a compressive load to the bearing. An optical sending unit is configured to output a high intensity light to allow a user to locate a shaft slot of the shaft to align the press mechanism relative to the shaft when the attaching member connects to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: TEMPER AXLE PRODUCTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: John E. Rode, Sean E. Strait
  • Patent number: 11286987
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bearing cage for a bearing of the type comprising a first ring having a first bearing race, a second ring having a second bearing race, rolling bodies positioned in an annular rolling volume between the first and the second bearing races in such a way as to enable a relative rotation between the first and second rings around a reference axis of the bearing, the cage comprising cells for housing rolling bodies, the cage being characterised in that it comprises an interface for coupling with a maneuvering member, such that when the maneuvering member is engaged with the coupling interface, the bearing cage is capable of being rotationally driven by the maneuvering member in a predetermined direction with respect to the reference axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: NTN-SNR ROULEMENTS
    Inventors: David Calatraba, Guillaume Lefort, Cyprien Teillou, Aurélien Bonnaudet, Ivan Goudet, Vincent Pallanchard
  • Patent number: 10882612
    Abstract: A tiltrotor aircraft may be provided and may include a mast assembly, in which the mast assembly may include a mast; a bearing system; a housing; and a housing cap secured to the housing, wherein the bearing system is between the mast and the housing. The bearing system may further include a first bearing assembly including a first inner race, a first outer race, and a plurality of first tapered roller bearings; a second bearing assembly including a second inner race, a second outer race, and a plurality of second tapered roller bearings; an inner spacer and an outer spacer in which the inner and outer spacers are between the first and second bearing assemblies; and a retaining device in which the retaining device and the housing cap provide, at least in part, pre-loading for the first and second bearing assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventors: Russell L. Mueller, Tyson T. Henry, Ezra M. Tiprigan
  • Patent number: 10794422
    Abstract: A slewing ring bearing includes an outer race and an inner race rotatable relative to the outer race. At least one of the outer race or the inner race is split into a first portion and a separate, second portion. The slewing ring bearing also has a plurality of roller elements arranged between one or more raceways defined by the inner and outer races. The first and second portions of at least one of the inner or outer races are coupled together via a threaded interface therebetween so as to establish a predetermined preload for the slewing ring bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Martin Scott Galehouse
  • Patent number: 10746285
    Abstract: A planetary carrier for a gear stage of a planetary gearset includes at least one planetary pin that is disposed in a rotationally fixed manner in the planetary carrier, and a pair of tapered roller bearings that are disposed on the planetary pin supporting a planet gear. The planetary pin is fastened by a pin screw connection, which comprises a pin screw and a nut, to the planetary carrier. The tapered roller bearings are clamped against each other between the planetary carrier and the planet pin and are axially pretensioned by the pin screw connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Joerg Muench, Dirk Strasser, Ralf Sperlich
  • Patent number: 10451107
    Abstract: A method for mounting a rolling bearing arrangement onto a rotor and into the bearing housing of a turbocharger is provided. The method includes inserting a component, which is deformable under the exertion of pressure, into the intermediate space between two rolling bearings of the rotor assembly. The rotor assembly includes a rotor shaft, inner bearing rings which are fastened to the rotor shaft or integrated into the rotor shaft and which have a spacing to one another, rolling elements which are inserted into the inner bearing rings, and outer bearing rings which likewise have a spacing to one another. The method also includes deforming, by exertion of pressure, the component that has been inserted into the intermediate space between the two rolling bearings, to set a desired axial preload between the two rolling bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: CPT Group GmbH
    Inventor: Jan Ehrhard
  • Patent number: 10208789
    Abstract: A double-row angular contact ball bearing for a CT scanning device includes an inner member including a pair of raceway rings. The raceway rings have positioning holes into which a positioning member is inserted, to thereby suppress radial decentering of the raceway rings. Both the raceway rings are fastened by fixing bolts. The raceway rings have opposed end surfaces, and are fastened by the fixing bolts to bring the end surfaces into abutment against each other to apply a preload at a fixed position between balls and raceway surfaces. The following relationship is set: Db/h?0.26, where Db represents a diameter of each of the balls, and h represents a radial dimension from a center of each of the balls to an inner diameter of the inner member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsutomu Maiwa, Takahiro Kanamoto, Miki Karasawa
  • Patent number: 9835197
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to pinion assembly preloading systems and methods of operation. Disclosed are systems including a press actuator that applies an axial force against a pinion assembly; a force sensor that measures a reaction force at the pinion assembly; and a method of controlling the press actuator according to a change in the reaction force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Alexander Szpara, Timothy John Reed, Troy Smith, Julie Anne Sunstein, Wayne Bennett Uhrick
  • Patent number: 9732801
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a rolling-element bearing assembly includes providing a first bearing ring, a second bearing ring and rolling-elements, rotating the first bearing ring relative to the second bearing ring and joining the first bearing ring, the second bearing ring and the rolling elements while the first bearing ring is rotating relative to the second bearing ring. The method additionally includes connecting one of the bearing rings to a bearing ring of another rolling-element bearing or to a spacer while the first bearing ring is rotating relative to the second bearing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Rico Dittmar, Christian Knoche, Achim Mueller, Thomas Will
  • Patent number: 9091298
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to pinion assembly preloading systems. Disclosed are systems including a press actuator configured to apply an axial force against a pinion assembly; a force sensor configured to measure a reaction force at the pinion assembly; and a controller configured to control the press actuator according to a change in the reaction force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Alexander Szpara, Timothy John Reed, Troy Smith, Julie Anne Sunstein, Wayne Uhrick
  • Publication number: 20150052758
    Abstract: A method for adjusting an axial preload in a bearing assembly that has two rolling-element bearings that are axially pressable against each other, each of the two rolling-element bearings including at least one bearing outer ring and at least one bearing inner ring and at least one row of rolling elements disposed between the at least one bearing outer ring and at least one bearing inner ring. The method includes a) driving the bearing assembly by rotating one of the bearing outer ring and the bearing inner ring while holding other bearing ring fixed and measuring the rotational speed of the circulation of the rolling elements about the bearing assembly axis or of a bearing cage about the stationary bearing ring, and b) changing the axial preload in the bearing assembly until a desired rotational speed has been obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventor: Padelis Katsaros
  • Patent number: 8955224
    Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a fluid bearing and a method of adjusting the load carrying capacity of a fluid bearing. The fluid bearing may include a bore defined in the fluid bearing and a rotatable bearing including a rotatable bearing surface. Lubricating fluid in the bore may be contacted with at least a portion of the rotatable bearing surface, wherein an effective bearing surface area is provided where the lubricating fluid contacts the rotatable bearing surface. The effective bearing surface area may be altered by either increasing or reducing the area of the rotatable bearing surface which is contacted by the lubricating fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventor: Charles E. Roberts, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150043858
    Abstract: A bearing system for supporting components that are movable relative to one another includes at least one bearing and a preload mechanism for changing a preload of the at least one bearing based on an operating state of the bearing system, where the preload mechanism includes, for example, a piezoelectric element, a Peltier element, an expansion material or a micromechanical element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Wolfgang Aust, Hubert Herbst, Joerg Wainus, Volker Wendt
  • Patent number: 8904646
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing a load on a bearing mounted to a shaft includes an attaching member and a press mechanism. The attaching member is releasably connected to the shaft. The press member is coupled to the attaching member and is configured to provide a compressive load to the bearing. The press mechanism includes an aligning arm configured to engage a shaft slot of the shaft to align the press mechanism relative to the shaft when the attaching member connects to the shaft. A lock nut is engageable with the shaft and has a plurality of engaging teeth configured to engage a plurality of keeper teeth of a keeper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventor: John E. Rode
  • Patent number: 8857061
    Abstract: A system and method for mounting a bearing assembly on a shaft includes an internal flange, external flange, and a sleeve. The internal flange is securable to the bearing assembly and has a displacement pin extending outward that defines an initial position of the bearing assembly relative to the shaft. The external flange is secured to the internal flange via fasteners passing through elongated holes. The external flange has an opening configured to receive the displacement pin. The external flange may be rotated when coupled to the internal flange with the fasteners between a first position where the external flange opening is not in register with the displacement pin and a second position where the external flange opening is in register with the displacement pin. A sleeve has a tapered outside diameter and is engageable with the external flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Baldor Electric Company
    Inventor: William Gregory Hewitt
  • Publication number: 20140290065
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for preloading a bearing are provided. These methods and apparatus include preload monitoring devices whereby the mechanic can accurately monitor and regulate the preload on a bearing or bearing assembly. Aspects of the invention may also be used to adjust the endplay on a bearing or a bearing assembly. In one aspect, the preload on the bearing is transmitted through a housing having a fluid pressure that can be detected and monitored. An apparatus for precisely rotating a nut and a tool for precisely rotating a nut are also provided. A bearing retaining nut arrangement that permits the loading or evaluating of a bearing inner race is also provided. The bearing retaining nut arrangement includes a first load-setting nut, a lock washer, and a second jam nut that secures the arrangement to a shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventor: John E. Rode
  • Patent number: 8826542
    Abstract: In summary, the invention relates to a method for forming an end-side toothing arrangement of a roiling bearing, in particular a wheel bearing. The aim is to improve the uniformity of the end-side toothing arrangement and to allow a greater tooth depth. This is achieved by two method steps in that, in a first step before the reshaping of an end piece of a hub, a die is axially arranged on the rolling bearing in a preassembled state and, in a second step during the reshaping of the end piece and the shaping of the end-side toothing arrangement, the die radially delimits a radial recess of the rolling rivet collar as it forms. In addition, the die reduces or prevents radial widening of the inner ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Roland Langer, Peter Niebling, Sebastian Lorenz
  • Patent number: 8789281
    Abstract: Methods of wearing-in superhard bearing elements over time so that hydrodynamic or near hydrodynamic lubrication of opposed bearing surfaces develops and thrust-bearing apparatuses. In an embodiment, a thrust-bearing apparatus including first and second thrust-bearing assemblies is received or provided. Each thrust-bearing assembly includes a support ring and a plurality of superhard bearing elements mounted circumferentially around the support ring. The superhard bearing elements of each thrust-bearing assembly are oriented so as to be opposed to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy N. Sexton, Craig H. Cooley, Cody W. Knuteson
  • Patent number: 8782901
    Abstract: A seal member is fixed to a predetermined position on an outer peripheral surface of a shaft portion. During rotation of a shaft member, a lower end surface of the seal member is opposed to an upper end surface of a bearing sleeve through an intermediation of a thrust bearing gap to form a second thrust bearing gap. An outer peripheral surface of the seal member defines between itself and an inner peripheral surface of an upper end portion of a housing a seal space having a predetermined volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Mizutani
  • Patent number: 8757890
    Abstract: A method for assembling a set of bearing assemblies 100 onto a mill roll 10 and for establishing a required bearing setting. The mill roll 10 is configured to receive a set of bearing assemblies 100 at each axial end, with the bearing rolling elements 100A contained within supporting chocks 102 adapted for placement within a mill housing. The chock assembly 102R and bearing assembly 100 at a first end of the roll are positioned first, and coupled to the first end an axial center rod 22 passing through an axial bore 24 of the roll 12. The chock assembly 102L and bearing assembly 100 at the second end of the roll 12 is then positioned onto the opposite end of the roll 12, and a connecting sub-assembly 300, 400, 504A is secured to the second end of the axial center rod 22. The connecting sub-assembly engages the second chock assembly 102L and bearing assembly 100, and is adjusted to achieve a desired bearing setting for both bearing assemblies 100 through the center rod 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: The Timken Company
    Inventors: Mark E. Baker, Nigel A. Los, Thomas L. Baker
  • Patent number: 8745875
    Abstract: An interlocking nut and washer system complies with new standards identified in the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Recommended Practice J2535, Setting Preload in Heavy-Duty Wheel Bearings, and with maintenance recommendations issued by the Technology Maintenance Council (TMC) Recommended Practice RP618, Wheel Bearing Adjustment Procedure. The system includes an improved inner washer, adjustment nut, intermediate washer, and outer nut that interlocks with the intermediate washer following the introduction of an established level of preload force by the adjustment nut. The inner washer isolates the adjustment nut from the inner bearing race to eliminate frictional wear. An increase in outer diameter of the inner washer provides an interference capability that serves as a safety factor to prevent separation of the wheel hub from the axle spindle in event of bearing failure. The inner washer includes markers to establish the final adjusted preload or the endplay position of the adjustment nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventor: George A. Hagelthorn
  • Publication number: 20140144026
    Abstract: An interlocking nut and washer system complies with new standards identified in the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Recommended Practice J2535, Setting Preload in Heavy-Duty Wheel Bearings, and with maintenance recommendations issued by the Technology Maintenance Council (TMC) Recommended Practice RP618, Wheel Bearing Adjustment Procedure. The system includes an improved inner washer, adjustment nut, intermediate washer, and outer nut that interlocks with the intermediate washer following the introduction of an established level of preload force by the adjustment nut. The inner washer isolates the adjustment nut from the inner bearing race to eliminate frictional wear. An increase in outer diameter of the inner washer provides an interference capability that serves as a safety factor to prevent separation of the wheel hub from the axle spindle in event of bearing failure. The inner washer includes markers to establish the final adjusted preload or the endplay position of the adjustment nut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Inventor: George A. Hagelthorn
  • Patent number: 8713800
    Abstract: An assembly jig for a radial roller bearing comprises a retaining structure having a plurality of axially-projecting projections configured to retain a plurality of roller bodies disposed in a ring-shape during a bearing assembly process. The roller bodies are supportable in a first radial direction on a first component and each roller body contacts two adjacent projections in a second radial direction, which is opposite of the first radial direction. The projections are configured to press the roller bodies against the first component and such that a portion of the roller bodies projects past the projections in the second radial direction. The assembly jig is removable from the roller bearing in the axial direction after final assembly of the roller bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventor: Wolfgang Friedl
  • Patent number: 8650757
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing a load on a bearing mounted to a shaft includes an attaching member and a press mechanism. The attaching member is releasably connected to the shaft. The press member is coupled to the attaching member and is configured to provide a compressive load to the bearing. The press mechanism includes an aligning arm configured to engage a shaft slot of the shaft to align the press mechanism relative to the shaft when the attaching member connects to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: John E. Rode
  • Publication number: 20140020250
    Abstract: A method to ascertain measured friction torque to a bearing and a method to reduce preload variation of a hearing pair or set. Friction torque of a bearing is measured at a known load and speed. The value of the measured friction torque is then printed in a data matrix that is then applied to the bearing that was measured. Prior to assembling the bearings on a shaft system, the data matrix is read. The targeted friction torque is calculated for the shaft system based on the desired assembly preload. The bearing preload is then set and verified by measuring the friction torque of the pair of bearings assembled on the shaft. As a result of the method, bearing friction torque variation is substantially mitigated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Chad LABELLE, Shakeel SHAIKH, Michael CLAASSEN
  • Publication number: 20130205592
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a bearing arrangement for a roll journal, wherein the bearing arrangement comprises a bearing insert, with a bearing bush, and a journal bush which is mounted with bearing play in the bearing bush and can be pushed onto the roll journal. In order to extend the service life of the bearing arrangement and therefore to save costs, the method according to the invention provides, in order to eliminate scoring, for the external diameter Da of the journal bush also to be reduced below a threshold value Dak and at the same time for a novel bearing bush to be supplied which, with regard to its internal diameter Di new, is adapted to the reduced external diameter of the bearing bush in such a way that the bearing play remains within a predefined permissible value range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: SMS SIEMAG AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Karl Keller, Konrad Roeingh
  • Publication number: 20130153484
    Abstract: A fluid separation device is provided with an outer housing and a rotor rotatably received within the outer housing. The rotor housing has a first end and a second end. The outer surface of the rotor and/or the inner surface of the outer housing is adapted to allow passage of a fluid component through the surface. The device further includes a flexible seal associated with one of the ends of the rotor and adapted to allow for rotational, non-axial, and axial movement of the rotor with respect to the outer housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: FENWAL, INC.
    Inventors: Salvatore Manzella, JR., Richard L. West
  • Publication number: 20130145621
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing a load on a bearing mounted to a shaft includes an attaching member and a press mechanism. The attaching member is releasably connected to the shaft. The press member is coupled to the attaching member and is configured to provide a compressive load to the bearing. The press mechanism includes an aligning arm configured to engage a shaft slot of the shaft to align the press mechanism relative to the shaft when the attaching member connects to the shaft. A lock nut is engageable with the shaft and has a plurality of engaging teeth configured to engage a plurality of keeper teeth of a keeper. The nut includes an outer surface having a plurality of markings corresponding to a plurality of roots of the plurality of engaging teeth to allow a user to selectively rotate the nut relative to the aligning arm to an engaging position such that a radially inner side of the keeper engages a slot of the shaft when the keeper teeth engage the engaging teeth of the nut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventor: John E. Rode
  • Publication number: 20130114919
    Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a fluid bearing having an adjustable effective surface area and a method of adjusting the load carrying capacity of a fluid bearing. The fluid bearing may include a bore defining a central longitudinal axis and lubricating fluid provided within the bore. The fluid bearing may also include a bearing including a bearing surface, wherein at least a portion of the bearing is positioned within the bore. An adjustable effective bearing surface area may also be provided. The method includes adjusting effective bearing surface area of the bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Southwest Research Institute
  • Patent number: 8418367
    Abstract: To realize a manufacturing method for a wheel-supporting rolling bearing unit that can establish sufficient parallelism between a rotating side installation surface 14 for fastening to and supporting a disk of a disk brake and a stationary side installation surface 15 for fastening a caliper or support, in the present invention, while rotating a hub 2 comprising the rotating side installation surface 14 with respect to an outer race comprising the stationary side installation surface, a finishing process such as turning is performed on the rotating side installation surface 14 or both side surfaces in the axial direction of the disk which is fastened and supported to and by the rotating side installation surface 14, with the stationary side installation surface 15 as a reference surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Ishikawa, Yasunori Suzuki, Narihito Otake, Tetsu Takehara, Kiyotaka Hirata, Shouji Horike, Tetsuo Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 8397384
    Abstract: A method for attaching a bearing on a turbomachine including a stator and a rotor, the bearing including: a first portion attached on the stator of the turbomachine by a plurality of screws and nuts, a second portion attached on the rotor, rotationally movable in one given rotation direction, and a rolling bearing provided between the first and second portions of the bearing is disclosed. The method provides using screws having a screwing rotation direction contrary to the rotation direction of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Manuel Claude Bertrand Girard, Jerome Tribouiller
  • Patent number: 8356944
    Abstract: A bearing system (A) that supports a shaft (4) in a housing (2) includes two single row tapered roller bearings (6, 8) mounted in opposition. One of the bearings (8) compensates for thermal variations that would otherwise produce excessive preload in the system. It has a conventional cup (48) in the housing and tapered rollers (52) arranged in a single row along the raceway (54) of the cup. It also has a compensating assembly (50, 100, 110, 120, 130) on the shaft, and it includes a ribless cone (60) having a raceway (70) around which the rollers are organized, an axially displaceable rib ring (64) for positioning the rollers, a spring (66) for urging the rib ring against a stop surface (74) on the cone, and a compensating ring (68) formed from a material having a high coefficient of thermal expansion for displacing the rib ring against the force exerted by the spring when the temperature of the compensating assembly exceeds a prescribed set point temperature so as to reduce preload in the bearing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: The Timken Company
    Inventors: Gerald P. Fox, Bruce C. Burner
  • Patent number: 8336210
    Abstract: Inner and outer ring spacers include respective load bearing portions, which are positioned on respective sides of a gap of a predetermined size and which confront with each other in an axial direction. Each of the inner and outer ring spacers is divided into two spacer segments along a surface of division extending in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction and passing through the associated load bearing portions. Inner and outer ring divided spacer segments, having the load bearing portions, are simultaneously machined so as to have the same axially measured width. Along therewith, inner ring divided spacer segments, having no load bearing portions, are simultaneously machined so as to have the same axially measured width, thereby rendering the latter axially measured width to be larger than the former axially measured width by a quantity corresponding to the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Takiuchi
  • Patent number: 8302309
    Abstract: A method is directed to a production of a bearing device for a wheel including an inner member and an outer member rotatable relative to each other through a plurality of rolling elements, in which a component part forming one of the inner member and the outer member is a hot forged product. In the practice of this method, during or at the end of a hot forging step for hot forging the component part, a portion of the component part is cooled by spraying a coolant or by controlling an atmospheric temperature, to thereby render a matrix of the component part to represent a standard structure and render a surface portion of the component part to represent a non-standard structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignees: NTN Corporation, JFE Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Isao Hirai, Kohei Yoshino, Takayasu Takubo, Kazuhiko Yoshida, Kazukuni Hase, Hideto Kimura, Kiyoshi Uwai, Takaaki Toyooka
  • Patent number: 8225509
    Abstract: A method for making a robot pivot arm assembly includes forming from a rigid, machinable material a circular disk, and forming a circular aperture through the center of the disk. An outer bearing track is formed integrally in the inside surface which defines the aperture, and the apertured disk is positioned in a machining device with a fixturing portion that engages the outer bearing track. An integral outer race, an arm and a gear segment with teeth are then machined into the disk to form the outer portion of the pivot arm assembly. An inner race with an inner bearing track is positioned inside the integral outer race, and rolling bearing elements are inserted into the first and second bearing tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Kaydon Corporation
    Inventors: William Daniel Schmidt, Scott A. Hansen, Gregory A. Clary, David S. Dailey
  • Patent number: 8151465
    Abstract: A mounting system is disclosed for mounting a bearing assembly or other mechanical element to a shaft. The mounting system uses a tapered sleeve mechanism to secure the bearing assembly on the shaft. Specifically, a pressure loaded piston drives the sleeve from a pre-assembled position to an initial position. The initial position is determined by monitoring the pressure applied to the piston. Once the initial position has been reached, a linear indicator is used to measure the axial sleeve movement from the initial position to a final position. The system remains in place after the bearing is installed on the shaft and facilitates removal of the bearing assembly from the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Baldor Electric Company
    Inventor: William G. Hewitt
  • Patent number: 8061038
    Abstract: A rolling bearing assembling method includes: providing a subassembly member in which a cage and an outer ring raceway of an outer ring are combined with each other; disposing a rotary member that includes groove portions formed on an outer circumference thereof, concentrically with the outer ring so that the plurality of groove portions confront respectively pockets of the cage; disposing a guide member including a guide hole, above the rotary member; supplying tapered rollers from the guide hole between the pockets and the groove portions, respectively; rotating the rotary member by a predetermined angle so that the tapered rollers are pushed radially outward by raised portions between the adjacent groove portions thereby accommodating the tapered rollers into the pockets, respectively; providing the seal ring on the inner ring raceway; and assembling the hub main body together with the outer ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Shigenori Shimizu, Yoshiaki Nagashio
  • Patent number: 8042272
    Abstract: A thrust bearing assembly includes an upper thrust bearing and a lower thrust bearing for an engine assembly of a vehicle and which, are preferably, identically configured. The thrust bearings each include an arcuate bearing shell with a concave inner surface and a convex outer surface, and each includes a pair of axially spaced flanges extending radially outwardly of the bearing shells. The flanges may be formed as one piece with the bearing shell, and one flange is thicker than the other flange. The thicker flanges are load bearing and preferably contoured, whereas the thinner flanges are not. The bearings are installed with the thick flange of each bearing matched radially opposite the thin flange of the companion bearing to minimize fatigue and failure normally attributed to repeated seating and unseating of bearing assemblies having flanges of equal thickness caused by changing bending loads imparted by a shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul World Wide Inc.
    Inventors: Sean M. Welch, Ronald J. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8028409
    Abstract: In accordance with the method, a gas bearing is energized to center the piston in the cylinder prior to rigidly attaching the planar spring or springs between the piston and the compressor frame. This automatically and very accurately centers the piston in the cylinder to provide the added stiffness of a planar spring and gas bearing in an easily manufactured configuration. Various exemplary embodiments are disclosed, including embodiments having the piston cantilevered from one end using a single or multiple springs, an embodiment having a spring on each end of the piston, a double piston embodiment and embodiments using and not using the gas bearing during operation of the compressors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Inventor: Mark Hanes
  • Patent number: 8028415
    Abstract: A unitized pinion seal assembly has a seal portion and a sleeve portion that are assembled in an interference fit relationship. The unitized pinion seal assembly is assembled to a carrier bearing cage and an axle companion flange with proper spacing between non-sealing components, and without a spacer mounted between the two portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventor: Keith Clark
  • Patent number: 7966730
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint in the form of a counter-track joint. The circumferential length (L1) of the first cage windows for the balls in the first pairs of tracks is greater than the circumferential length (L2) of the second cage windows for the balls in the second pairs of tracks. This permits a method of assembly wherein first the first balls, one after the other, are mounted in first pairs of tracks which widen from the aperture end to the attaching end and wherein then the second balls, one after the other, are mounted in second pairs of tracks which widen from the attaching end to the aperture end. For mounting the second balls in the second pairs of tracks, only a small overarticulation angle is necessary, and thus a shorter circumferential length of the respective windows than there is required for mounting the first balls in the first pairs of tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Maucher, Ida Hassenrik, Thomas Weckerling
  • Patent number: 7950154
    Abstract: An assembly of a pair of roller bearings in which the inner bearing rings are axially spaced apart by a first member and the outer bearing rings are spaced apart by a second member with one of the inner or outer ring of each bearing being an axially outer bearing ring spaced axially further from the outer bearing than the other ring of that bearing. The method comprises forming an assembly of the two members and bearings in which one of the axially outer bearing ring is a loose fit on one of the first and second members, and then axially moving the axially outer bearing ring of the one bearing which is loose fit in a direction towards the other bearing to create a pre-load, and then increasing the degree of pre-load to effect elastic deformation of that ring and thereby create a shrink fit type interface load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Hansen Industrial Transmissions N.V.
    Inventor: Dirk-Olaf Leimann
  • Patent number: 7866046
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a hydrodynamic bearing (30) includes the following steps. First, a substrate having a surface with multiple protrusions thereon is formed. The protrusions are adapted for forming grooves in a preform. The preform, when finally processed, becomes a shaft of the hydrodynamic bearing or a bearing of the hydrodynamic bearing. Second, a feedstock of binder and powder is pushed to the surface of the substrate to form the perform on the surface of the substrate. Third, the substrate is removed from the preform. Fourth, the preform is sintered. Fifth, the preform is precision machined to obtain the shaft or the bearing, as the case may be. In the shaft or bearing, the grooves are for generating hydrodynamic pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chuen-Shu Hou
  • Patent number: 7866047
    Abstract: In the manufacture of a sleeve unit (22), when a sleeve (221) is to be glued to a sleeve housing (222), an endfaces (225) of the sleeve (221) while abutting on a sleeve retainer (51) is spring-biased along the center axis J1 in the direction toward the sleeve retainer (51). Meanwhile, an endface (226) on a side of the sleeve housing (222) opposite from the endface (225) of the sleeve (221) while abutting on a sleeve-housing retainer (52) is spring-biased along the center axis J1 in the direction toward the sleeve-housing retainer (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Nidec Corporation
    Inventor: Takehito Tamaoka
  • Publication number: 20100299926
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for setting bearing play or prestress of anti-friction bearing arrangements with at least two outer or inner rings which are adjustable axially with respect to one another, at least two inner or outer rings fixed axially with respect to one another, and rolling bodies arranged between them. The rolling bodies roll on rolling tracks of the bearing rings and are guided in cages in which markings are arranged on at least one rolling body. A sensor is attached to a cage and an evaluation unit is coupled to the sensor. To set the prestress and bearing play, the bearing arrangement is loaded with an axial force or tilting moment. The bearing arrangement is rotated by at least one full revolution, the rolling-body rotation is recorded by a sensor, and the outer or inner rings are adjusted in relation to the predefined prestress or hearing play.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Rupert Stitzinger
  • Publication number: 20100247016
    Abstract: A driveline assembly may include a driveline component housing, a pinion shaft located within the housing, a first bearing assembly, a second bearing assembly, a spacer assembly, and a load adjustment member. The spacer assembly may be located axially between the first and second bearing assemblies and may include first and second members. The first member may be axially fixed on the pinion shaft and may include an axial end defining a first generally conical surface. The second member may include a first axial end engaged with the second bearing assembly and a second axial end defining a second generally conical surface abutting the first generally conical surface. The load adjustment member may be axially displaceable relative to the pinion shaft to advance the second member axially along the first generally conical surface of the first member and adjust a preload on the second bearing assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: ERIC Alan RIVETT, Mike Bommarito
  • Patent number: 7721419
    Abstract: A full complement taper roller bearing consists of an inner ring or cone having an inner track on its radially outer conical surface, and an outer ring or cup having an outer track on its radially inward conical surface and one or more rows of taper rollers having a contact angle of less than 30 degrees freely disposed between the inner and outer rings and guided between said tracks. Each row of rollers is axially located within a recess on the inner track defined by a shoulder abutment disposed at least at the edge of the inner track having the greatest diameter and each of the rollers is in contact with the inner track over the entire length of the taper roller in the axial direction of the bearing. A method of assembly is also enclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Hansen Transmissions International, N.V.
    Inventor: Dirk-Olaf Leimann
  • Patent number: 7675211
    Abstract: A method of assembling a rotor shaft assembly is provided. The method includes assembling a self-aligning bearing seat from a first assembly and a second assembly such that the self-aligning bearing seat substantially circumscribes a rotor shaft. The method also includes creating an interface defined between the first assembly and the second assembly, such that when the rotor shaft experiences misalignment the interface accommodates misalignment of the rotor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Paul Stephen Dimascio, Bradley Graham Moore, Roman Kolar