Abstract: A ball joint includes: a ball stud having a spherical ball part and a shank part extending from the spherical ball part; a bearing cupping the spherical ball part of the ball stud; and a housing holding the bearing therein. The housing is provided with a recess in an inner surface thereof. The bearing deforms to enter into the recess of the housing in such a manner that a space is formed between the bearing and the spherical ball part.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to an implantable medical device comprising a surface coated with a polyelectrolyte multilayer, wherein said surface is glass, metal, plastic, polymer, or fiberglass. Another aspect of the present invention involves a method of preparing a PEM-coated implantable medical device, comprising the step of applying a film to a surface of an implantable medical device, wherein said film comprises a polyelectrolyte multilayer and said surface is glass, metal, plastic, polymer, or fiberglass.

Abstract: A multilayer sliding bearing includes a rigid metal backing having a metal bearing liner attached thereto. The metal bearing liner includes a metal bearing liner layer which is attached to the bearing surface of the metal backing layer and at least one metal overplate layer deposited over an outer surface of the metal bearing liner layer. The metal bearing liner layer has a layer of hard particles embedded in an outer surface thereof which is adjacent to the inner surface of the at least one metal overplate layer. The bearing may also include a barrier layer interposed between the metal bearing liner layer and the metal over plate layer to inhibit diffusion therebetween and/or promote adhesion of the metal over plate layer to the metal bearing liner layer. The invention may also include a thin metal protective coating layer over the outer surface of the bearing liner and backing layer.

Abstract: A journal bearing has a lining of bearing metal applied to a steel backing. The surface of the lining is laser peen hardened to locally increase the hardness and the seizure resistance of the lining. The underlying core of the lining is unaffected and maintains good conformability of the lining. The overall lining thus possesses both good seizure resistance and conformability.

Abstract: A bearing ring for a large roller bearing is formed with at least one annular race which is hardened by heating by juxtaposing that race with an inductor across a spacing which is maintained during the heating and then quenching. The spacing is controlled selectively so that it is: 1 to 2 times a depth T of hardening of the surface layer for a radial-bearing race, 0.6 to 1 times the depth T of hardening of the surface layer for an axial-bearing race whose inner diameter corresponds to an inner diameter of the bearing ring, at an outer edge of the axial-bearing race, 1.5 to 2 times the depth T of hardening of the surface layer for the axial-bearing race whose inner diameter corresponds to an inner diameter of the bearing ring at an inner edge thereof, and varying continuously between the outer edge and the inner edge, and uniformly 0.6 to 1 times the depth T of hardening of the surface layer for an axial-bearing race whose inner diameter is greater than that of the bearing ring.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a roller element bearing comprising an inner ring, an outer ring, and a series of rolling elements. A rolling surface of each rolling element is in contact with a raceway surface formed in each of the inner and the outer rings. At least one of the raceway surfaces of the inner and outer rings and the rolling surfaces of the rolling elements is provided with a topography comprising recesses which are generally isolated by lands. The recesses are formed by shot peening at least one of the surfaces. In addition, the recesses are provided with lubricant.

Abstract: A rotary member such as a member of a bearing, a rotating member of a transmission or a gear for a motor vehicle, includes a base region of a ferrous base material such as a steel. The rotary member is formed with a hydrogen blocking layer formed in a contact surface for contacting with a mating body in a relative motion. The hydrogen blocking layer includes a concentrated portion formed in the base region and made of a substance lower in hydrogen diffusion coefficient than the base material.

Abstract: A sintered bearing is produced by a production method comprising: compacting a metallic raw material powder into a bearing green compact; sintering the green compact into a sintered compact; forming a resin coating 20 over the entire surface of the sintered compact; removing the resin coating 20 on a bearing surface 14a of the sintered compact; and impregnating a lubricating fluid L through the bearing surface 14a from which the resin coating 20 is removed.

Abstract: A track pin bushing for cooperating with a track pin in an endless track has a tubular body with a metallurgically bonded wear-resistant coating and a method for forming such a coated track pin bushing is taught herein. The tubular body, formed of an iron-based alloy, has an outer surface that is carburized and quenched, i.e., case-hardened, in at least a section thereof. At least a portion of the case hardened section has been removed to a depth sufficient to expose a non-carburized layer of the iron-based alloy. A hard metal alloy slurry is disposed on the non-carburized layer and forms a metallurgical bond between the non-carburized layer and the coated unfused slurry by fusing the hard metal alloy. The thickness of the unfused slurry is adjusted to be from 1.67 to 2.0 times a final thickness of the wear-resistant coating. The wear-resistant coating comprises a fused, metal alloy comprising at least 60% iron, cobalt, nickel, or alloys thereof.

Abstract: A cylindrical roller bearing or needle roller bearing for use with a rolling raceway surface is subjected to a carbonitriding treatment to produce a layer containing 30 to 80% retained austenite in the vicinity of its surface that contacts a carburized layer of a rolling raceway surface of a roller bearing. The amount of retained austenite of the surface layer of the roller bearing is increased by about 30%. The surface layer is then heat treated to apply a residual compression stress. The surface then receives surface finishing to produce micro concavo-convex portions in a random direction.

Abstract: Ball cage for homokinetic joints, formed from a blank that is configured as a substantially annular spherical segment, the ball cage includes: window-type ball pockets located along an equator with substantially equator-parallel bearing surfaces that interact with joint balls, with substantially annular functional zones that are designed at least on outer ring edge areas and that interact with a joint bell, and with substantially annular functional areas that are designed on inner ring areas and interact with the joint spider, wherein on the blank at least some of the functional zones are elevated compared to the neighboring areas of the ball cage.

Abstract: In a dynamic pressure bearing, when a step portion (1a) is formed on the inner peripheral surface (1b) of a sleeve (1) and radial dynamic pressure grooves (3) are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the step portion, the width (L) in the axial direction of the dynamic pressure grooves is set to be slightly smaller than the width (D) in the axial direction of the step portion. The dynamic pressure grooves of the sleeve are formed by electrolytic etching.

Abstract: A rolling guide apparatus comprises a first slide member and second slide member. The first slide member includes a pair of wing portions and a connecting portion connecting the wing portions. First raceway grooves are formed on the wing portions, individually. Second raceway grooves are formed on the second slide member. Rolling elements are held under a pre-load between the raceway grooves. A residual compression stress region is created on the surface region of the first slide member. A worked portion is formed on the connecting portion. The worked portion serves to adjust the pre-load on the rolling elements by regulating the residual compression stress region by working to deform the connecting portion.

Abstract: A lead-free bearing includes a bronze matrix powder metal bearing layer bonded to a steel backing a fully densified. The bearing material has about 8 to 12% by weight tin, about 1 to less than 5% by weight bismuth, and about 0.03 to 0.08% by weight phosphorus, with the balance being copper. The tin is soluable in the copper to yield the bronze matrix, and the bismuth exists as finely dispersed, undissolved islands through the matrix. Such bearings exhibit physical properties comparable to or better than those of traditional bronze-lead bearings and improved wear in seizure properties.

Abstract: In a rolling bearing put under a working circumstance in which water tends to intrude into lubricants, it has been known such a phenomenon that hydrogen ions formed by decomposition of the lubricants are adsorbed to raceway surfaces and accumulated as hydrogen atoms in highly strained sites (in the vicinity of the position for maximum shearing stress), to cause stress corrosion cracking type peeling. The present invention provides a rolling bearing in which an oxide layer of an iron/chromium oxide series is formed at a thickness of from 1 to 1000 nm to at least one of raceway surfaces of bearing rings or rolling contact surfaces of rolling elements and a manufacturing method thereof.

Abstract: A bi-metal aluminum bearing includes an aluminum-based bearing layer, a steel backing, and an intermediate aluminum-based layer that has a thickness of from 60 to 120 micrometers positioned between the aluminum-based bearing layer and the steel backing. The intermediate layer has a yield strength that is less than that of the aluminum-based bearing layer and is preferably of pure aluminum. The aluminum-based bearing layer has a fine microstructure which imparts a very high level of conformability while retaining good fatigue strength. The aluminum bearing layer generally includes 4% to 20% by weight lead or tin, up to 26% by weight silicon and up to 2% by weight of any of the elements magnesium, manganese, nickel, zirconium, zinc, copper, or chromium with the remainder of the bearing layer being aluminum.

Abstract: In a dynamic pressure bearing, when a step portion (1a) is formed on the inner peripheral surface (1b) of a sleeve (1) and radial dynamic pressure grooves (3) are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the step portion, the width (L) in the axial direction of the dynamic pressure grooves is set to be slightly smaller than the width (D) in the axial direction of the step portion. The dynamic pressure grooves of the sleeve are formed by electrolytic etching.

Abstract: A lead-free bearing includes a bronze matrix powder metal bearing layer bonded to a steel backing a fully densified. The bearing material has about 8 to 12% by weight tin, about 1 to less than 5% by weight bismuth, and about 0.03 to 0.08% by weight phosphorus, with the balance being copper. The tin is soluable in the copper to yield the bronze matrix, and the bismuth exists as finely dispersed, undissolved islands through the matrix. Such bearings exhibit physical properties comparable to or better than those of traditional bronze-lead bearings and improved wear in seizure properties.

Abstract: A method of improving the performance and service life of a new bearing component, the component having at least one dynamic frictional surface the method includes subjecting the at least one dynamic frictional surface to a surface finishing operation thereby providing the surface with a surface roughness value RA of approximately 18-80 &mgr;in, preferably greater than 24 &mgr;in, and most preferably 30-36 &mgr;in. The method is particularly advantageous when applied to bearing components utilized in high-load, low rpm applications.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a lightweight bearing in which raceway surface parts are formed of iron-based material and body members are formed of a lightweight material that is lighter than the iron-based material. Bearing rings are manufactured by producing first and second split body members whose shapes are identical to those obtained by dividing the body members transversely along a plane perpendicular to the center axis, producing split raceway surface members whose shapes are identical to those obtained by similarly dividing the raceway surface formation members, and bonding together split raceway surface members and split body members.

Abstract: Prior to forming a thermal spray coating layer (28) on an end face (23B′) of a structural base material (23′) to be shaped into a boss, firstly an inner masking member (32) is fitted in an original hole (23A′) of the structural base material (23′) and then an outer masking member (33) is fitted on outer peripheral side of the structural base material (23′). In the next place, by the use of a hard material, a thermal spray coating layer (28) is formed on an annular coating area (23B1′) which is exposed between the inner and outer masking members (32) and (33). Surface areas on the end face (23B′) of the structural base material (23′), corresponding to an allowance range of a machining operation by which the original hole (23A′) is ultimately shaped into a joint pin hole of a specified diameter, are left as a non-coating area (23B2′) free of the thermal spray coating layer (28).

Abstract: A bi-metal aluminum bearing includes an aluminum-based bearing layer, a steel backing, and an intermediate aluminum-based layer that has a thickness of from 60 to 120 micrometers positioned between the aluminum-based bearing layer and the steel backing. The intermediate layer has a yield strength that is less than that of the aluminum-based bearing layer and is preferably of pure aluminum. The aluminum-based bearing layer has a fine microstructure which imparts a very high level of conformability while retaining good fatigue strength. The aluminum bearing layer generally includes 4% to 20% by weight lead or tin, up to 26% by weight silicon and up to 2% by weight of any of the elements magnesium, manganese, nickel, zirconium, zinc, copper, or chromium with the remainder of the bearing layer being aluminum.

Abstract: A bi-metal aluminum includes bearing an aluminum-based bearing layer, a steel backing, and an intermediate aluminum-based layer that has a thickness of from 60 to 120 micrometers positioned between the aluminum-based bearing layer and the steel backing. The intermediate layer has a yield strength that is less than that of the aluminum-based bearing layer. The aluminum-based bearing layer has a fine microstructure which imparts a very high fatigue strength. The aluminum bearing layer generally includes 4% to 15% by weight lead or tin, up to 26% by weight silicon and up to 2% by weight of any of the elements magnesium, manganese, nickel, zirconium, zinc, copper, or chromium with the remainder of the bearing layer being aluminum.

Abstract: A method of reducing hard machining time, and correspondingly increasing hard machining tooling life, of a non plunging type constant velocity joint for use in reduced angle applications. The method comprises forming a recess having a larger formed radius in a portion of the ball track and cage track areas that is non-functional in low angle operations prior to heat treat hardening. The new process results in a significant reduction of approximately forty-five percent in the hard machining of the ball and cage track surfaces.

Abstract: A machining tool for manufacturing a radial bearing, and a manufacturing apparatus and a manufacturing method using the machining tool are provided. The machining tool includes an inner surface finishing tool to finish an inner circumference surface of a bearing hole provided on a radial bearing. The inner surface finishing tool includes a tool shaft main body member that defines a hollow storage section provided within the tool shaft main body member, a rotatable core piece member mounted inside the hollow storage section in a manner to be rotatable within the tool shaft main body member, and a plurality of roll machining members each with a circular cross-sectional roll machining surface. The plurality of roll machining members rollably abut against the outer circumference surface of the rotatable core piece member. The plurality of roll machining members are in contact under pressure with the inner circumference surface of the bearing hole.

Abstract: A method for laser edge treating (LET) a slider and a slider with laser edge treatment, wherein the laser treatment is used to modify the curvature along the air-bearing surface, including altering a slider edge ridge that forms at the edges of the air bearing surface due to compressive stresses induced in the air bearing surface by a prior lapping step. The laser makes positive and negative adjustments to crown, cross curve, and twist as measured on the air bearing surface by selectively altering the treatment pattern or the treatment location on the slider's side edges.

Abstract: In the method for producing a connecting rod eye having a large eye with a cap described in the specification, a microporous aluminum bronze plasma-coating is applied to the large eye and the connecting rod eye is then opened by removing the cap, thus breaking the plasma coating. The cap is subsequently remounted and the bearing layer finished by fine spindling which produces micropores in the bearing surface for oil retention. Circumferential grooves are also provided in the bearing surface to improve oil retention.

Abstract: A component rolling tool for applying a dynamic pressure groove comprising component rolling balls, cylindrical sleeve having an outer surface, an axis, a radius, a center hole, and guide holes, and being inserted into the bearing hole, and being relatively translated along the axis with respect to the bearing, and being relatively rotated about the axis with respect to the bearing, a moving roller coaxially inserted to the center hole, pressing the balls toward an outward direction of the guide holes and being moved along the axis in accordance with a pressure contact rotation between the balls and an inner peripheral surface of the bearing hole caused by a relative movement between the sleeve and the bearing, and a returning apparatus for returning the roller to an initial position at a desired timing in a state that the balls is released from a pressure contact with the inner peripheral surface.

Abstract: A method for converting a locomotive traction motor originally equipped with sleeve bearings to roller bearings is provided. The ensuing method includes removing all parts of the original motor leaving only the motor frame. Recesses are then machined in the motor frame at both the pinion end and commutator end. The recesses are sized accordingly, to receive the roller bearings, which have a larger diameter then the sleeve bearings. Upper and lower frame inserts, each having an additional mounting opening, are then mounted to the machined frame to increase the strength and stiffness around the machined regions. A replacement axle is then equipped with the roller bearings, a pair of labyrinth seals, a gear and a pair of wheels. A pair of bearing housings may then be placed over the roller bearings. Each bearing housings has a reservoir that when the traction motor is assembled, is in communication with the roller bearings.

Abstract: A cylindrical roller bearing or needle roller bearing for use with a rolling raceway surface is subjected to a carbonitriding treatment to produce a layer containing 30 to 80% retained austenite in the vicinity of its surface that contacts a carburized layer of a rolling raceway surface of a roller bearing. The amount of retained austenite of the surface layer of the roller bearing is increased by about 30%. The surface layer is then heat treated to apply a residual compression stress. The surface then receives surface finishing to produce micro concavo-convex portions in a random direction.

Abstract: A method for surface processing of sintered oilless bearing and an apparatus thereof are disclosed by which method the efficiency of covering the pores and the surface roughness of protuberance that is nonporous surface may be improved by means of surface processing of inner diameter surface at time of sizing process using a correcting rod where many correction grooves have been formed on its top part.

Abstract: Metal powder is filled in a through-hole of a base member and a base porous body is formed by bonding the metal powder with each other and by bonding the metal powder to the base member so that an end surface on a bearing surface of the metal powder filled in the through hole is dented toward a compressed gas supply surface and at least a part of end surface on the compressed gas supply surface of the metal powder filled in the through-hole is dented toward the bearing surface. Subsequently, surface layer powder having smaller diameter than the metal powder is filled in the recess on the bearing surface to form a surface layer porous material layer by bonding the surface layer powder with each other and by bonding the surface layer powder to the base porous body 12 and the base member 10. The bearing surface is finished by removing face layer of the surface porous material layer by machining.

Abstract: A lead-free multilayer material for plain bearings and a process for the production of corresponding bearing shells for improved emergency running and mechanical load-carrying capacity characteristics. The multilayer bearing material comprises a lead-free copper alloy having a copper content ranging from 50 to 95 wt. %, and an overlay formed of a lead-free tin and copper having a tin content ranging from 70 to 97 wt. % and a copper content ranging from 3 to 20 wt. %.

Abstract: A method of controlling curvature of hydrodynamic bearing slider. The method includes adding a preselected amount of compressive surface stress to the slider to change curvature of the slider and then removing a portion of the added compressive stress to adjust the curvature.

Abstract: A method of forming a bearing includes adding at least one particulate material to an aqueous dispersion of polytetrafluoroethylene, mixing the constituents to allow the polytetrafluoroethylene to coagulate to form a mush, spreading the mush on to a support, and curing the mush to form a bearing lining layer on the support. The method is characterized in that the partiulate material is in the form of an aqueous colloidal dispersion including small particles and in that the small particles of the particulate material itself cause coagulation of the polytetrafluoroethylene without need for an additional separate coagulant material.

Abstract: In the toroidal-type continuously variable transmission, the radial needle roller bearing includes a plurality of needle rollers, the two end portions of each of the needle rollers in the axial direction thereof are crowned, and the crowning amount is set such that, in the portion of the needle roller that is situated by 7-13% of the axial-direction length toward the axial-direction central portion of the needle roller from the axial-direction end face of the needle roller, the crowning amount is 0.1-0.4% of the outside diameter of the axial-direction central portion of the needle roller.

Abstract: A process for forming a lubricating film on a direct acting bearing includes the steps of forming a liquid film on at least the rolling and sliding portions of the direct acting bearing by using a solution prepared by diluting a fluorine-containing polymer in a solvent. The liquid film is then cured to form a solid film of a fluorine-containing polyurethane high molecular compound on the direct acting bearing.

Abstract: A multilayer engine bearing (26) includes a steel backing (36) having a liner (38) of bearing metal of either copper-lead or aluminum alloys formed on the backing (36) and a thin layer (44) of either copper or nickel plated on the liner (38) to define a base lining member (40) of the bearing (26). A multilayer overplate (46) is formed on the base lining member (40) and includes an underlayer (48) of a lead-tin-copper alloy having a thickness of about 10 &mgr;m and an overlayer (50) of tin having a thickness of about 5 &mgr;m. The multilayer overplate (46) exhibits exceptional fatigue resistance under high dynamic loading conditions and retains good conformability and embedibility characteristics.