Self-adjusting Or Self-aligning Patents (Class 384/192)
  • Patent number: 7658546
    Abstract: A bearing assembly comprising a housing and a ball at least partially housed within the housing. The housing comprises a race having a concave bearing surface, a sleeve surrounding the race, and a resilient member disposed between the race and the sleeve. The surfaces of the race and sleeve adjacent the resilient member and the surfaces of the resilient member preferably include at least one pair of a co-operating protrusion and recess. Alternatively, or additionally, the surfaces of the race and the sleeve adjacent the resilient member have different curvatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Minebea Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Allen Clarke, Paul R. Smith
  • Patent number: 7648282
    Abstract: A spherical bearing arrangement comprising: a bearing housing; a plurality of split-ball portions which are together arranged in the housing to produce a composite ball having a spherical bearing surface, the composite ball having a bore passing therethrough, the bore having a central axis; and a bushing secured in the bore of the composite ball. A method of assembling a spherical bearing arrangement is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Minebea Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: David Shore, Philippe Dupuis, Allen Christopher Clarke, Bob Middlemass
  • Patent number: 7631878
    Abstract: A shaft seal assembly for maintaining a seal during shaft misalignment comprising a first sealing means adjacent said shaft with a defined clearance between said shaft and said sealing means, said shaft moveable axially in relation to said first sealing means; a second sealing means, said first sealing means partially encompassed within second sealing means and in cooperative communication with said second sealing means; a third sealing means, said second sealing means partially encompassed within third sealing means and in cooperative communication with said third sealing means, said third sealing means attached to said housing or vessel and allowing said first sealing means and second sealing means to cooperatively respond to said forces produced by angular misalignment of said shaft during rotation of said shaft while maintaining defined clearance between said shaft and said sealing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Isotech of Illinois, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Orlowski, Neil F. Hoelhe
  • Patent number: 7611286
    Abstract: A tilting pad journal bearing, an annular housing for an array of arcuate bearing pads resiliently mounted by spring means which biases the pads against heads of restraining bosses that limit radial displacement and cause the bearing pads to define a shaft space. The pads have associated therewith support pegs secured to housing or pad at one end and movable relative to the pad or housing at the other, and the spring means comprises stacks of individually deflectable elements mounted between relatively moving pad, housing or peg and pre-loaded by adjusting the effective gap with the pads against the bosses. Relative movement between springs provide friction damping. The restraining bosses may be displaceable together to eliminate the shaft space clearance if the magnetic suspension fails or shows signs of failing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael K. Swann, Nigel Henry New
  • Patent number: 7604412
    Abstract: A self-lubricating bearing for use in low pressure, high frequency, small amplitude applications and methods of operating and constructing the same, the bearing having a self-lubricating liner and a counterface surface in close sliding contact therewith, the counterface surface having a surface finish of less than 20 nm and a hardness of less than in the region of 1000 VPN.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Minebea Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Paul Raymond Smith
  • Publication number: 20090200122
    Abstract: A sliding arrangement for a disk brake includes a caliper adapted to engage a brake disk, and a first and a second support bearing for fixing the caliper to a brake support of the vehicle so that the caliper is axially slideable relative to the brake disk, where the first support bearing includes a first guide pin and a first guide bushing and the second support bearing includes a second guide pin and a second guide bushing, where the first guide pin and guide bushing have substantially no play between their sliding surfaces and the second guide pin and guide bushing have a play between their sliding surfaces, wherein the second guide bushing include an inner and an outer annular metal member with an annular member of resilient material therebetween, and wherein the bushing is mounted such that the center of the bushing is offset to the center of the guide pin. Hereby, brake noise created by vibrations when the brake is inactive is eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Lars Bagge, Claes Edgren
  • Patent number: 7568840
    Abstract: A sealed spherical bearing having a bearing housing (1), a ball (2) located therein and a ring-like seal (4) having an inner edge (6) and an outer edge (5) located between the bearing housing (1) and the ball (2), one of the edges (5, 6) having a head (7) and a skirt (12) depending therefrom, the head (7) lying in an annular groove (8) formed in one of the ball (2) or the housing (1) and the skirt (12) lying on a lip (9) upstanding from the groove (8) to define at least two sealing lines between the seal (4) and the one of the ball (2) or the housing (1), the other edge of the seal being fixedly mounted to the other of the ball (2) or the housing (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Mineba Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Paul R. Smith, Jerome Gourdol
  • Patent number: 7559698
    Abstract: A split ball portion for a spherical bearing arrangement, which split ball portion is to form one of a plurality of split ball portions to be arranged together in a bearing housing of the spherical bearing arrangement to form a composite ball, the split ball portion comprising: an outer bearing surface; at least one separation face, which lies adjacent a separation face of a neighbouring split ball portion when forming the composite ball; and at least one axial end face, the split ball portion comprising at least one chamfer surface at the junction of at least the outer bearing surface, a separation face and an axial end face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Minebea Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: David M Shore
  • Patent number: 7543992
    Abstract: A rod end bearing comprising a body comprising a ring portion and a rod portion. The ring portion comprises a ring having an opening, the opening having a center axis. The rod portion comprises a first rod extending radially from the ring in a direction perpendicular to the center axis. The opening having a geometry sufficient to support a substantially spherical ball bearing, and permit rotation of the ball bearing inside the ring. The inner periphery of the ring is in contact with the ball bearing and includes a wear coating. An antifriction coating is disposed on a surface selected from the group consisting of a surface of the wear coating, a surface of the ball bearing and combinations thereof. The antifriction coating maintains a coefficient of friction between the wear coating and the ball bearing of up to about 0.95 in atmospheres substantially devoid of water vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert William Bruce, Jerry Donald Schell, Charles J. Beall
  • Publication number: 20090100945
    Abstract: A self-aligning device couples a temperature-controlled enclosure for a device under test to a source of temperature-controlled fluid and provides self-alignment of the temperature-controlled enclosure. The self-aligning device includes a bearing with a curved surface, a ring clamp with a curved surface and a tensioning bolt to control the amount of movement between the bearing and the ring clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: TEMPTRONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jody T. Stiles
  • Patent number: 7476033
    Abstract: Support bearing for a roll (33) for immersion in liquid metal, comprising an internal rotating bush (31) fitted coaxially on a pin (32) at the end of the roll (33), and rotating inside an external bush (34) fixed to a supporting arm (37) of the roll (33). The first bush (31) is provided with an axial helical groove (39) on its outer surface and the second bush (34) is provided with a toroidal-shaped convex outer surface to allow rotation without friction inside the cylindrical ring of the supporting arm (37).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alfredo Poloni, Andrea De Luca, Ivan Paiaro
  • Patent number: 7396017
    Abstract: A shaft seal assembly for maintaining a seal during shaft misalignment comprising a first sealing means adjacent said shaft with a defined clearance between said shaft and said sealing means, said shaft moveable axially in relation to said first sealing means; a second sealing means, said first sealing means partially encompassed within second sealing means and in cooperative communication with said second sealing means; a third sealing means, said second sealing means partially encompassed within third sealing means and in cooperative communication with said third sealing means, said third sealing means attached to said housing or vessel and allowing said first sealing means and second sealing means to cooperatively respond to said forces produced by angular misalignment of said shaft during rotation of said shaft while maintaining defined clearance between said shaft and said sealing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Isotech of Illinois, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Orlowski, Neil F. Hoelhe
  • Patent number: 7387444
    Abstract: Disclosed is an oil-impregnated sintered bearing in which local relative sliding between the oil-impregnated sintered bearing and the shaft is avoided, thereby mitigating stress concentration on the bearing surface of the oil-impregnated sintered bearing. An oil-impregnated sintered bearing 1 which has in its inner periphery a bearing surface 1a making relative sliding with the outer peripheral surface 22a of a shaft 22 and which has at both axial ends of the bearing surface 1a crowning portions 1c which are of a configuration satisfying the following conditions: 1.75×10?3??/b1?5.2×10?2, and 1.75×10?3??/b2?5.2×10?2, and 0.2?(b1+b2)/a?0.8, where ? is the maximum radial drop amount of the crowning portions 1c, b1 is the axial length of the crowning portion 1c at one axial end; b2 is the axial length of the crowning portion 1c at the other axial end; and a is the total axial length of the oil-impregnated sintered bearing 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Shimizu, Tomokazu Sonozaki
  • Patent number: 7374257
    Abstract: A track-type work machine is provided, including a roller frame and a track extending about the roller frame. A track roller is mounted along the roller frame and rotatable against the track. The track roller is rotatably supported by a bearing that includes a shaft extending in the track roller and at least one sleeve rotatable about the shaft. At least one of the sleeve and the track roller include a load transmitting crown. A method is further provided of reducing edge loading of a track roller bearing, by transmitting selected loads on the bearing toward a center thereof at least in part by crowning a rotatable sleeve of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Oertley
  • Patent number: 7344311
    Abstract: An improved bearing for use in movable sockets and suspension joints. The improved bearing is annular, having an outer dimension sized to seat within the housing of a suspension joint or movable socket. An inner surface of the bearing is configured to receive the head of an articulating stud within the housing. Three or more radial slots are disposed on the inner surface. Each radial slot disposed on one-half of the bearing inner surface has a unique radial dimension, such that the radial slots are optimally configured to minimize stress and stiffness within the improved bearing, whereby the bearing can be seated within the housing in a radially and rotationally locked configuration, but remain movable in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul World Wide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jian Lu, George Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7306374
    Abstract: The invention provides a special type bearing device that is insusceptible to damage, is light in weight, has a long service life and excellent wear resistance, is insusceptible to the effect of change in temperature, is easy to fabricate, and has little offensiveness towards mating members. Further, the same is capable of sufficiently retaining a lubricant such as oil and grease, and retaining the lubricant for a long period of time without the need of supplying oil during operation, thereby rendering it maintenance-free. That is, the special type bearing device as described above has an axial shaft, a pair of rotating bodies fixedly attached to the shaft, and a supporting body with which the rotating bodies are in contact, wherein any one of the shift, the rotating bodies, and the supporting body is made of RB ceramic or CRB ceramic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Hokkirigawa, Rikuro Obara
  • Publication number: 20070223850
    Abstract: A spherical plain bearing includes an outer ring formed from metal and having a concave first bearing surface, and an inner ring having a convex second bearing surface in sliding disposition to the first bearing surface. One of the members is made from titanium alloy and has a treated bearing surface. The other bearing surface has a lubrication liner. The liner may be made from PTFE, such as a fabric of PTFE and polyaramid fibers. The treated surface may be TiN provided by physical vapor deposition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Applicant: Roller Bearing Company of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Carla Lopes, Ruedi Tschopp
  • Patent number: 7240584
    Abstract: An engine cylinder piston connecting rod subassembly, for use in an engine, includes a piston (53), a piston pin (52) and a connecting rod (51). The connecting rod has a piston end portion with a piston pin bore (62). The piston pin is inserted through the piston pin bore and oppositely disposed portions of the piston, for securing the piston and the connecting rod together. Opposite ends of the piston pin bore are machined or profiled with relief portions (60, 61), to allow for piston pin deflection and thereby maximize the load carrying capacity, by providing a greater area of contact. The relief portions can be a curved surface (65) machined as part of the bore, or a plurality of end-to-end angled frustoconical surfaces (66a, 66b, 66c). The relief portions are shaped to correspond to the shape of the corresponding piston pin when under load during normal engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark G. Luehrmann, Mary E. Rupp, Mark D. O'Leary, Ilya L. Piraner, John M. Miller, William D. McNulty, Cheryl Klepser
  • Patent number: 7223019
    Abstract: The invention relates to a swivel slide bearing comprising an inner first bearing part (31) with an outer first bearing surface (31a) and comprising an outer second bearing part (32) with an inner second bearing surface (32a). The outer bearing part (32) surrounds the inner bearing part (31), and the outer periphery of the outer bearing part (32) is provided in the form of a ring having a spherical segment-shaped third bearing surface (32b), via which it is mounted, whereby being able to move in a manner similar to a ball but in a limited manner, inside a third bearing part (33) having a spherical segment-shaped inner fourth bearing surface (33a) that encircles the third bearing surface (32b). In order to ensure an easy mounting, at least one insertion slot (36) is provided on one side of the third bearing part (33), and the second bearing part (32) until it reaches a position in which the center of curvatures (M) of the third and fourth bearing surface (32b, 33a) overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Brueninghaus Hydromatik GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Hoppe
  • Patent number: 7207561
    Abstract: In the sheet feeder, a first intermediate gear support shaft is inserted into a bearing of a first intermediate gear, and contains a bearing engaging part including a sectional shape having a substantial D-shaped cut having a flat part and a circular part. The bearing engaging part having a substantial D-shaped cut of the first intermediate gear support shaft contains two support parts and located on the boundary line between the flat part and the circular part. The support parts are arranged so as to support the circular bearing of the first intermediate gear at two positions sloping by a predetermined angle right and left for the line of a force which passes the center of the first intermediate gear and is applied to the first intermediate gear from the rotation. The support parts have a chamfered or rounded shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kunio Sawai
  • Patent number: 7178985
    Abstract: In a bearing holding structure in which a bearing whose outer circumferential surface is formed in a spherical shape is sandwiched between an end frame and a holding plate, the holding surfaces of the end frame and the holding plate extend axially in opposite directions to each other and each of the holding surfaces is tapered axially to expand straight toward the opposing holding surface. Accordingly, the bearing holding structure may be easily formed with simpler shape of the holding surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: ASMO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Harita, Toshihiro Sato
  • Patent number: 7172352
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a bearing comprises a cylindrical bearing surface supporting a spherical journal surface. In another embodiment, a device comprises a shaft having a spherical journal surface supported inside and rotatable against a cylindrical bearing surface. In another embodiment, a sheet media feed mechanism comprises: a chassis; a motor mounted to the chassis; a rotatable shaft operatively coupled to the motor; a roller affixed to the shaft; an idler disposed opposite the roller; the idler and the roller engagable with one another to form a nip therebetween; bearings mounted to the chassis and supporting the shaft, each bearing having a cylindrical inner bearing surface; and the shaft having a spherical journal surface inside and rotatable against each bearing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Shawn Close, Mark C. Riehl
  • Patent number: 7090403
    Abstract: A combination of a bearing isolator shaft and housing with a stator member affixed to said housing, a plurality of spherical faces or interfaces between said rotor and said stator, said spherical interfaces having identical center points between said shaft and radially responsive to each other as radial movement of said rotor member occurs whereby said spherical surfaces are continually intermeshed and maintained at a constant distance from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Isotech of Illinois, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Orlowski, Neil F. Hoehle
  • Patent number: 7077573
    Abstract: A bearing adapted to support and allow controlled relative movement with an opposed bearing surface. The bearing is constructed to have a long life by incorporating a surface that addresses many causes of friction and wear. The bearing includes a plurality of support members extending from a base. Together, the plurality of support members can support a load applied to the base through an opposed bearing surface. Additionally, the plurality of support members allow sliding modes of motion between the opposed bearings. These support members can move independently to accommodate irregularities located between the support member and the opposed bearing, such that plowing is reduced and wear to the bearings is minimized. The support members may also be configured to allow certain non-sliding modes of motion between opposed bearing surfaces while resisting other non-sliding modes of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Tribotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Nam P. Suh, Matthew Sweetland
  • Patent number: 7055439
    Abstract: A contour or profile of a bore of a locomotive traction-motor support bearing structure, where such profile preserves the currently center-loading of the upper load zone but moves inboardly the lower load zone to a more general central location. The profile of the bore for the support bearing, according to the invention, takes into account not only truck-axle bending due to locomotive weight, but also that from motor tilt through bearing clearances, and couple action on the axle from heavy radial loads on PE support bearing and adjacent axle gear. The bore is configured such that the upper surface is horizontal, but the lower surface slopes downwardly in the outboard direction at an angle based on a function dependent upon the three misalignment factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Magnus Division of LV Ventures, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Bien, Robert B. Foster, John E. Macklin
  • Patent number: 7040812
    Abstract: A bearing assembly and method of manufacturing a bearing assembly exposable to transmission fluid, the method comprising the steps of: providing a bearing housing (2) having: a base; an annular wall (11) upstanding from the base having an inner (6) and an outer surface; and a flange (10) extending from the base; providing a ball (3) at one end of a stem (4); forming a hemi-spherical cup in the base of the bearing housing encircled by the annular wall, the cup having an inner surface; seating the hall in the cup; and swaging the annular wall onto the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Clive H. Boshier, Allen Christopher Clarke, Paul R. Smith
  • Patent number: 7008113
    Abstract: A ball-bearing unit for a bearing of a deep-drilling apparatus having bearing races made from steel with balls disposed therebetween. Contaminated drilling medium passes into the space between the bearing races. Load-bearing balls made from ceramic alternate with separating balls of smaller diameter made from steel between the bearing races to extend significantly the service life of the ball-bearing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Fag Kugelfischer AG
    Inventors: Günter Herles, Dieter Göbel, Richard Mützel
  • Patent number: 6974258
    Abstract: A motor shaft bearing assembly restricts the pivoting or swiveling movement of a self-aligning bearing supporting a motor shaft in a bearing seat. The bearing assembly provides projections adjacent the bearing seat that engage with an exterior surface of the bearing to restrict the movement of the bearing relative to the bearing seat. As an alternative or in addition to the projection adjacent to the bearing seat, a bearing retainer holding the bearing against the bearing seat is provided with a projection that engages into the exterior surface of the bearing to restrict the movement of the bearing relative to the bearing seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Gary W. Borcherding, L. Ranney Dohogne
  • Patent number: 6955473
    Abstract: A sleeve joint with a mount assembly unit (1) and with an inner part (2) is presented, in which the mount assembly unit (1) has a housing (3) as well as a bearing shell (4) inserted into the housing (3) for the slidingly movable mounting of a mount body (6) provided with a curved support surface (5). The mount body (6) is provided with a sliding layer (8) on its inner surface (7) facing away from the curved support surface. A sliding movement of the mount assembly unit (1) is made possible in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve joint as a consequence of the sliding contact between the mount assembly unit (1) and the inner part (2) associated with same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Günter Reddehase, Klaus Reilmann
  • Patent number: 6860637
    Abstract: A bearing arrangement for an articulatable support (6) comprises bearing assemblies (20/28, 22/29, 24/30 and 26/32). In one embodiment the assemblies comprise a ball (20, 22, 24, 26) and aperture (40 FIG. 2) having sliding contact at discrete areas (36) during relative rotation. In another embodiment the sliding contact may be formed at a ball (20,22,24,26) and a plastics e.g. P.T.F.E. support (84, 85 FIGS. 10 and 11). Resilient displacement of the bearing contact along a rotational axis (A and B) is provided by planar spring supports (28, 32) and rigid support is provided by supports (29 and 30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Renishaw PLC
    Inventors: Stephen Paul Hunter, Michael Robert John Reeve, David Roberts McMurtry, Hugo George Derrick
  • Patent number: 6860638
    Abstract: A spherical bearing including a generally annular first portion having at least a partial substantially spherical outer surface and a generally annular second portion having at least a partial substantially concave surface, the outer surface at least partially engaging the concave surface, at least one of the outer surface and the concave surface having a plurality of frayed polytetraflouroethylene fibers exposed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Polygon Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Elson B. Fish
  • Patent number: 6786642
    Abstract: A foil-fluid bearing assembly adapted for supporting a shaft within an outer bearing housing. The foil-fluid bearing assembly comprises a bearing sleeve having an outer surface and an inner circumferential surface diametrically sized to receive the shaft therewithin such that an annular clearance gap, radially defined between an outer surface of the shaft and the inner circumferential surface, is adapted for accommodating fluid therein and axially extends along a substantial portion of a length of the bearing sleeve, and has a foil element disposed therewithin. Compliant bearing supports between the outer surface of the bearing sleeve and the outer bearing housing, comprises at least two independent compliant support elements respectively having a first and a second modulus of elasticity, wherein the first modulus of elasticity is less than the second modulus of elasticity. Angular misalignment capability for the foil-fluid bearing is provided by the compliant support elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Jean Dubreuil, Denis Leclair
  • Patent number: 6758381
    Abstract: A pinch roller device for running the tape includes a rotatable hollow cylindrical elastic member; a sleeve for holding the elastic member; a bearing integrated with the sleeve; a pinch roller shaft for rotatably supporting the bearing, which has an effective bearing face for receiving a force from the pinch roller shaft; an inclination restriction member for restricting an inclination angle of the pinch roller shaft; first and second position restriction members for respectively restricting a position of the elastic member in first and second thrusting directions; and a sliding restriction member having a circular cross-section along a plane perpendicular to a rotation center line of the elastic member and disposed at a different portion from the effective bearing face. When an angle between the rotation center lines of the elastic member and the pinch roller shaft approaches a prescribed value, the sliding restriction member contacts the inclination restriction member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Tanaka, Akio Konishi
  • Patent number: 6755333
    Abstract: A tape guide post mechanism for guiding running of a tape is provided. The tape guide post mechanism includes a post arm, the post arm including a tape guide post, around which the tape is looped, and which guides running of the tape, and a hole. The tape guide post mechanism further includes an arm shaft which engages with the hole and rotatably supports the post arm. The arm shaft has an elastic portion which presses a portion of the post arm. As a result a small sized, inexpensive tape guide post mechanism, which has a simple structure, in which the slant of each element is accurately controlled, and which achieves decreases in size and cost of the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Nagasaki, Akio Konishi, Koichiro Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 6752306
    Abstract: A pinch roller apparatus which can stably move a tape in accordance with a sufficient self-aligning function is provided. A circular sliding plate brought into contact with both of an upper end surface and a lower end surface of a plain bearing is mounted to a pinch roller shaft so as to restrict an incline of the plain bearing. When setting a length of an axial gap between the circular sliding plate brought into contact with the upper end surface of the plain bearing and the plain bearing to A and a length of an outer diameter of the circular sliding plate to B, the structure is made such as to satisfy a relation 0.007≦A/B≦0.06. Further, when setting a clearance in a diametrical direction between the pinch roller shaft and the sliding surface of the plain bearing to X and an effective length of the sliding surface of the plain bearing to Y, it is preferable to structure so as to satisfy the relation X/Y≧0.052.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha, Meiji Gomu Kasei
    Inventor: Toshihiro Okada
  • Publication number: 20040066994
    Abstract: A sleeve joint with a mount assembly unit (1) and with an inner part (2) is presented, in which the mount assembly unit (1) has a housing (3) as well as a bearing shell (4) inserted into the housing (3) for the slidingly movable mounting of a mount body (6) provided with a curved support surface (5), wherein the mount body (6) is provided with a sliding layer (8) on its inner surface (7) facing away from the curved support surface, so that sliding movement of the mount assembly unit (1) is made possible in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve joint as a consequence of the sliding contact between the mount assembly unit (1) and the inner part (2) associated with same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Gunter Reddehase, Klaus Reilmann
  • Patent number: 6709183
    Abstract: A joint having a metal or plastic core and a metal or plastic outer shell. The core has two studs extending in a direction of an axis of rotation and arranged vertically at 180° from each other. The outer shell consists of two half shells, each having a reinforcing segment. A bore with a bore base is provided on each reinforcing segment. Two cup-shaped elastomeric pads are located between the core and the outer shell and are insulated from one another. The elastomeric pads surround the studs which penetrate the bore in the reinforcing segments. A ratio of the stud diameter to the pad thickness is specified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Phoenix AG
    Inventors: Rüdiger Meyer, Jörg Frohn
  • Patent number: 6700255
    Abstract: A bearing system that includes a bearing 50 supported in a flexible bearing bracket, for example for use in fractional horsepower shaded pole type electric motors. The bearing system is self aligning, the bracket being able to deflect to compensate for deviations in the radial alignment of the rotor shaft. A rotation lock restrains the bearing against rotation within the bracket. In the preferred embodiment the bracket is composed of an elastomer and the bearing is composed of a high performance plastic polymer, so that the bearing system is non-lubricating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Christopher Scott Stenta
  • Publication number: 20040022465
    Abstract: A spherical bearing including a generally annular first portion having at least a partial substantially spherical outer surface and a generally annular second portion having at least a partial substantially concave surface, the outer surface at least partially engaging the concave surface, at least one of the outer surface and the concave surface having a plurality of frayed polytetraflouroethylene fibers exposed therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Elson B. Fish
  • Publication number: 20040022464
    Abstract: The present invention is a spherical compliant load ring that serves as the interface between the bearing and the bearing housing of a self-aligning bearing assembly and allows the use of a standard cylindrical cartridge bearing. The spherical compliant load ring is an annular structure with a spherically convex surface that is used to mate with the spherically concave surface of the bearing housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Alan Schinazi, Robert Schinazi
  • Publication number: 20030235354
    Abstract: A combination of a bearing isolator shaft and housing with a stator member affixed to said housing, a plurality of spherical faces or interfaces between said rotor and said stator, said spherical interfaces having identical center points between said shaft and radially responsive to each other as radial movement of said rotor member occurs whereby said spherical surfaces are continually intermeshed and maintained at a constant distance from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: David C. Orlowski, Neil F. Hoehle
  • Patent number: 6648513
    Abstract: There is disclosed a plain bearing comprising: a back metal; and a bearing alloy layer bonded onto the back metal which bearing alloy layer is provided at a surface side thereof with a cylindrical bearing face extended in the direction of the axis of the plain bearing, the bearing alloy face being provided at each of axial terminal portions thereof with an inclination face inclined radially outwardly from a location defined between both of axially terminal ends of said bearing face toward said axially terminal ends thereof, the inclination face having an axial length varying along the circumference of the inclination face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Daido Metal Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Okamoto, Satoshi Imai, Nobutaka Hiramatsu, Hideo Ishikawa, Takayuki Shibayama, Ken Kitahara
  • Publication number: 20030108258
    Abstract: A self-aligning dynamic hinge sleeve for attachment to a pitch hinge in a position that places the hinge sleeve in contact with a pitch bearing. The hinge sleeve is comprised of an inner race, a middle race and an outer race, wherein the middle race is an elastomeric material, or another soft material, that bonds the inner and outer races together and allows the inner race and outer race to rotate with respect to each other. As the pitch hinge transmits forces and moment to a pitch shaft, the dynamic hinge sleeve aligns with a pitch bearing secured onto the pitch shaft. This results in a self-aligning pitch bearing rotor that significantly reduces the level of peak that loads upon a bearing and thereby permits the use of self-lubricating bearings in a rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: Edward G. Schellhase, Frank A. Smith, Steven J. Spear
  • Publication number: 20030052150
    Abstract: A pinch roller apparatus which can stably move a tape in accordance with a sufficient self-aligning function is provided. A circular sliding plate brought into contact with both of an upper end surface and a lower end surface of a plain bearing is mounted to a pinch roller shaft so as to restrict an incline of the plain bearing. When setting a length of an axial gap between the circular sliding plate brought into contact with the upper end surface of the plain bearing and the plain bearing to A and a length of an outer diameter of the circular sliding plate to B, the structure is made such as to satisfy a relation 0.007≦A/B≦0.06. Further, when setting a clearance in a diametrical direction between the pinch roller shaft and the sliding surface of the plain bearing to X and an effective length of the sliding surface of the plain bearing to Y, it is preferable to structure so as to satisfy the relation X/Y≧0.052.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Toshihiro Okada
  • Patent number: 6520682
    Abstract: A bearing assembly for a hitch link having a removable spherical bushing within a socket is arranged to be symmetrical about a plane dissecting the socket lengthwise of the link. The socket is formed with laterally extending protrusion to increase the socket strength at the location of the greatest tension forces. The socket is configured with an entry slot for the bushing that is normal to the length of the link so that the slot does not interfere with the area of the contact wear surface between the busing and the socket. Once the bushing is installed in the socket, a sleeve is inserted into a bore of the bushing. One end of the sleeve has a raised retaining lip and the opposite end of the sleeve carries a snap ring groove. A snap ring is seated in the groove and retains the sleeve in the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Daniel Benjamin Kletzli, Shane Michael Boden
  • Patent number: 6517246
    Abstract: An improved flexible support for a steady bearing in rotational contact with the surface of a shaft allows the bearing and housing to substantially track the contact surface of an impeller shaft when the shaft is subject to elastic deflection during operation. The flexible support employs a flexible disc pack, which is comprised of a plurality of thin, flexible disc elements in a stacked arrangement. The disc pack is mounted to a support ring and is also mounted to the bearing housing such that the bearing housing and other bearing elements are capable of deflection to substantially align with the axis of the impeller shaft when the shaft deflects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventor: Robert A. Blakley
  • Publication number: 20020168122
    Abstract: A bearing assembly for a hitch link having a removable spherical bushing within a socket is arranged to be symmetrical about plane dissecting the socket lengthwise of the link. The socket is formed with laterally extending protrusion to increase the socket strength at the location of the greatest tension forces. The socket is configured with an entry slot for the bushing that is normal to the length of the link so that the slot does not interfere with the area of the contact wear surface between the busing and the socket. Once the bushing is installed in the socket, a sleeve is inserted into a bore of the bushing. One end of the sleeve has a raised retaining lip and the opposite end of the sleeve carries a snap ring groove. A snap ring is seated in the groove and retains the sleeve in the bushing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Applicant: Deere & Company, a Delaware corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Benjamin Kletzli, Shane Michael Boden
  • Patent number: 6467669
    Abstract: A pinch roller apparatus which can stably move a tape in accordance with a sufficient self-aligning function is provided. A circular sliding plate brought into contact with both of an upper end surface and a lower end surface of a plain bearing is mounted to a pinch roller shaft so as to restrict an incline of the plain bearing. When setting a length of an axial gap between the circular sliding plate brought into contact with the upper end surface of the plain bearing and the plain bearing to A and a length of an outer diameter of the circular sliding plate to B, the structure is made such as to satisfy a relation 0.007≦A/B≦0.06. Further, when setting a clearance in a diametrical direction between the pinch roller shaft and the sliding surface of the plain bearing to X and an effective length of the sliding surface of the plain bearing to Y, it is preferable to structure so as to satisfy the relation X/Y≧0.052.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Meiji Gomu Kasei
    Inventor: Toshihiro Okada
  • Patent number: 6457868
    Abstract: A shaft bearing system having a housing including a spherical collar for the shaft. The shaft bearing is made up of a cage (19) into which the spherical collar (20) is inserted. The cage is installed in a recess (18) in a housing (16); a sleeve (21) is arranged in the interior of the spherical collar, and an axle stub (22) is inserted into the shaft bearing. The rotational movement preferably takes place between the sleeve (21) and the axle stub (22). The use of the spherical collar in a shaft bearing made up of a cage and a guide bushing has the advantage of greater flexibility in selecting the material or materials from which the housing and the rotatable component installed therein may be formed. The shaft bearing of the invention is particularly useful for accommodating a centrifuge rotor (10) in a centrifuge housing (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Filterwerk Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Fischer, Peter Frehland
  • Publication number: 20020133950
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a hole misalignment compensation system includes an outer bushing having a first outside diameter approximately equal to a diameter of a first hole in a first part and a first inside diameter eccentric to the first outside diameter, and an inner bushing having a second outside diameter approximately equal to the first inside diameter and a second inside diameter eccentric to the second outside diameter. The inner bushing is adapted to be positioned such that an axis of the second inner diameter approximately aligns with an axis of a second hole in a second part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Roy P. Bullard