With Resilient Mounting Member Patents (Class 384/215)
  • Patent number: 8746981
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a bearing or tolerance ring having multiple functional layers including an annular metallic band and an elastomeric layer. The tolerance ring also includes a low friction layer that is bonded to the other layers. The elastomeric layer of the present invention provides soft performance to reduce noise and vibration without diminishing performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Pampus, GmbH
    Inventor: Juergen Hartmann
  • Patent number: 8734130
    Abstract: An exemplary anisotropic member supports a semi-floating bearing in a bore and can reduce non-synchronous vibration of the bearing in the bore. An anisotropic member can include an annular body configured to receive a semi-floating bearing and to space the bearing a distance from a bore surface and can be configured to impart anisotropic stiffness and damping terms to the semi-floating bearing when positioned in the bore. Such a member is suitable for use in a rotating assembly for a turbocharger where the bearing may be a semi-floating bearing. Various exemplary members, bearings, housings, assemblies, etc., are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Lee Meacham, Kostandin Gjika, Mohsiul Alam, Gerald D. LaRue
  • Patent number: 8696207
    Abstract: A sliding bearing 1 includes a cylindrical bearing body 11; slits 14 to 18 provided in the bearing body 11; straight grooves 35 to 39 provided on an inner side of the bearing body 11 in such a manner as to extend in an axial direction A and respectively disposed between adjacent ones of the slits 14 to 18 which are adjacent in a direction B about an axis; a sliding surface 19 which is provided on the inner side of the bearing body 11 and partially severed in the direction B about the axis by the slits 14 to 18 and the straight grooves 35 to 39; a fitting groove 21 provided in an outer surface 20 of the bearing body 11; and an elastic ring 22 which is fitted in the fitting groove 21. Each of the straight grooves 35 to 39 is closed on an end face 12 side and is open on an end face 13 side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Oiles Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Tange, Hiroyuki Kikuchi, Eiichi Yamashita, Masaya Kinjyo
  • Patent number: 8641285
    Abstract: A sliding bearing (10) having a bearing body (11) which receives a shaft (1) in a guide bore (26) and is fabricated by a noncutting production process, wherein the bearing body (11) serves for at least indirect arrangement in a preferably fixedly arranged element (2), in particular a housing. According to the invention, it is provided that the bearing body (11) is provided on its outer circumference with a receptacle (14) for an elastic bearing element (12) for bearing against the fixed element (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe Roessler
  • Patent number: 8616772
    Abstract: Bearing apparatus includes: (a) a first member comprising rigid material and having a bore defining a first contact surface; (b) a second member disposed in the bore, the second member comprising rigid material and having a cylindrical surface defining a second contact surface; (c) wherein both contact surfaces are wear-resistant, and wherein the first and second members are positioned relative to each other by a plurality of protruding bearing elements contacting at least one of the first and second contact surfaces, so as to transfer mechanical loads between the members, each bearing element including a raised central portion flanked by a pair of beam portions, while allowing relative translation and/or rotation between the members; and (e) wherein the bearing elements are shaped and sized so as to deform elastically and conform in an irregular shape to the at least one contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Little Engine, LLC
    Inventors: Franz W. Kellar, Harold Lloyd Crowder, Jr., Scott M. Duquette
  • Patent number: 8616773
    Abstract: An elastomeric bushing includes an inner component, first, second and third elastomeric or plastic members and an outer component. The first elastomeric or plastic member is disposed over the inner component. The second elastomeric or plastic member is disposed over the first elastomeric or plastic member. The third elastomeric or plastic member is disposed over the second elastomeric or plastic member. The outer component is disposed over the third elastomeric or plastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: The Pullman Company
    Inventor: Jay W. Thornhill
  • Patent number: 8616304
    Abstract: Various embodiments relate to bearing assemblies configured to enable removal and replacement of superhard bearing elements, and bearing apparatuses that may utilize such bearing assemblies. The disclosed bearing assemblies may be used in a number of applications, such as downhole motors in subterranean drilling systems, directional drilling systems, roller-cone drill bits, and many other applications. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly includes a support ring and a retention ring assembled with the support ring. The bearing assembly further includes a plurality of superhard bearing elements. The retention ring and at least a number of the superhard bearing element are collectively configured to restrict displacement of the at least a number of the superhard bearing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: Shawn C. Scott, Jeffrey A. Johns, Timothy N. Sexton, Craig H. Cooley
  • Publication number: 20130294714
    Abstract: A bush bearing includes a bearing body having an inner peripheral surface which is brought into contact with a cylindrical outer peripheral surface of a rotating shaft portion so as to be rotatable in a first direction, a groove provided on an outer peripheral surface of the bearing body so as to extend in the first direction, and an elastic ring fitted on said groove and having a pair of projecting portions and a portion, the pair of projecting portions partially projecting radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of said bearing body in second direction, the portion being provided at positions in the first direction between the pair of projecting portions, and not projecting radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the bearing body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventor: Noboru NAKAGAWA
  • Patent number: 8556512
    Abstract: Elastomeric compression preloaded support insulators for automotive drive shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventor: Larry Verbowski
  • Patent number: 8506169
    Abstract: A bush bearing 7 includes a bearing body 8 having an inner peripheral surface 7 which is brought into contact with a cylindrical outer peripheral surface 6 of a rotating shaft portion 5 so as to be rotatable in an R direction, groove means 10 provided on an outer peripheral surface 9 of said bearing body 8 so as to extend in the R direction, and elastic ring means 16 fitted on said groove means 10 and having a pair of projecting portions 12 and 13 and portion 14, the pair of projecting portions 12 and 13 partially projecting radially outward from the outer peripheral surface 9 of said bearing body 8 in an A direction, the portion 14 being provided at positions in the R direction between the pair of projecting portions 12 and 13, and not projecting radially outward from the outer peripheral surface 9 of said bearing body 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Oiles Corporation
    Inventor: Noboru Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 8496075
    Abstract: Various embodiments relate to bearing assemblies configured to enable removal and replacement of superhard bearing elements, and bearing apparatuses that may utilize such bearing assemblies. The disclosed bearing assemblies may be used in a number of applications, such as downhole motors in subterranean drilling systems, directional drilling systems, roller-cone drill bits, and many other applications. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly includes a support ring and a retention ring assembled with the support ring. The retention ring includes a plurality of through holes. The bearing assembly further includes a plurality of superhard bearing elements, with each superhard bearing element inserted partially through and projecting from a corresponding one of the through holes of the retention ring. The retention ring and each superhard bearing element are collectively configured to restrict displacement of each superhard bearing element beyond a selected position in a direction away from the support ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: Shawn C. Scott, Jeffrey A. Johns, Timothy N. Sexton, Craig H. Cooley
  • Patent number: 8449190
    Abstract: An turbocharger assembly can include a compressor side ring disposed at least partially in a compressor side annular notch of a bearing, the ring in contact with a bore wall of a housing and the bearing to hinder axial flow of lubricant to a compressor end of the bearing and to reduce variation in a lubricant squeeze film thickness defined by and between the bearing and the bore wall and a turbine side ring disposed at least partially in a turbine side annular notch, the ring in contact with the bore wall and the bearing to hinder axial flow of lubricant to the turbine end of the bearing and to reduce variation in the lubricant squeeze film thickness. Various other springs, bearings, housings, assemblies, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald D. Larue
  • Patent number: 8448964
    Abstract: A hinging arrangement for a wheel axle suspension of a vehicle, comprises an attachment eye fixed to a component to be hingedly attached to the vehicle, and a hinge pin, e.g. a hinge bolt, attached to a fixed vehicle component. The hinge pin is extending through the attachment eye, wherein the attachment eye has a bore for the hinge pin which comprises at least one tapering bore portion. The arrangement further comprises at least one resilient ring and a clamping member each provided with a central bore for the hinge pin, wherein, in the mounted state, the resilient ring is received at least partially within said tapering bore portion. The resilient ring is bearing with one side against the tapering surface of said tapering bore portion and said clamping member is forced against the other side of the resilient ring whereby the resilient ring is compressed between the clamping member and the tapering surface of the tapering bore portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: VDL Weweler B.V.
    Inventors: Hans Bramer, Derk Geert Aalderink
  • Publication number: 20130084186
    Abstract: The centrifugal force bearing includes a plurality of tapered metal shims such that the thicker end of each tapered metal shim near the inner portion of bearing. The bearing can include a plurality of tapered elastomeric members that are consequently tapered so that the inner portions are narrower than the outer portions. The tapered metal shims can increase the axial stiffness in the direction of the centrifugal force, thereby reducing the axial deflection under loading, as compared to non-tapered shims. Further, reducing axial deflection reduces clearance issues that may arise when the rotor blade is allowed to axial deflect significant distances. As such, the tapered metal shims can increase the capacity of the bearing. Tapering the metal shims can decrease the compression induced shear strain near the outer portions of the elastomeric member, where loads are typically higher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Sottiaux, Frank B. Stamps
  • Publication number: 20130077904
    Abstract: A spherical bearing is provided that permits not only ease of alignment but also easily maintained alignment while immobilizing an attachment to a shaft passing through the core of the bearing. The bearing comprises a spherical inner core which is surrounded by a housing around the core. The bearing does not require alignment of the housing and core to efficiently perform its function. Design features based on structural modification of the inner core allow the bearing to be immobilized using minimal compression with the subsequent advantage of ease of release when the bearing is released to move freely.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventor: Kenneth Alvin Jungeberg
  • Patent number: 8371756
    Abstract: A journal bearing includes a bearing platform, a cylindrical bearing housing supported by the bearing platform via a plurality of load supporting members, a plurality of pads located swingable in the bearing housing so that a journal of a rotation shaft is supported by the pads, an oil supply mechanism for supplying oil to the bearing surfaces of the pads, and a connecting member which has an oil hole to communicate an oil supply passage in the bearing platform with an oil supply passage in the bearing housing so that oil is supplied from the bearing platform to the bearing surfaces of the pads. The connecting member carries a part of a bearing load exerted from the bearing housing, and is mounted such that the part of the bearing load carried by the connecting member is smaller than a bearing load carried by one of the load supporting members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Daido Metal Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Waki, Takashi Nakano, Takaaki Kaikogi, Motohisa Uesato, Shigetoshi Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20130028547
    Abstract: A mount bushing assembly of a stabilizer bar for a vehicle, may include an inner bushing including a rubber member having a tubular shape and coupled to an external circumference of the stabilizer bar, and a pipe enclosing an external circumference of the rubber member, a sliding bearing including a pair of bearings coupled to upper and lower portions of an external circumference of the inner bushing, and a bracket including upper and lower brackets that may be coupled each other, and integrally formed at an interior surface thereof with an upper outer bushing and a lower outer bushing respectively, wherein the bracket may be fixed to a vehicle body in a state of enclosing the sliding bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Daewon Jang
  • Patent number: 8353633
    Abstract: A bearing assembly support and adjustment system includes an annular support device and an annular adjustment sleeve. The annular support device has a support device outer circumferential surface located about a first axis and a support device inner circumferential surface located about a second axis spaced apart from the first axis. The annular adjustment sleeve has an adjustment sleeve outer circumferential surface located about a third axis and an adjustment sleeve inner circumferential surface located about a fourth axis spaced apart from the third axis. The annular adjustment sleeve is coupled to the annular support device with the adjustment sleeve outer circumferential surface located immediately adjacent the support device inner circumferential surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: Daniel J. Griffin
  • Patent number: 8337090
    Abstract: A bearing support ring includes a plurality of contact pads radially protruding from inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the ring. Flexible portions of the ring are defined between the contact pads and have a radial thickness less than that of the ring at the contact pads, such as to permit elastic deflection of the ring in a radial direction between the contact pads. Openings sized to permit unrestricted oil flow are provided, such as within the flexible portions of the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Jason Herborth, Lena Raykowski, Dave Beamish
  • Publication number: 20120299418
    Abstract: There is provided a bearing assembly and a motor including the same, bearing assembly including: a shaft including a first magnet provided thereon; a sleeve including a second magnet provided therein and disposed to face the first magnet so as to support the shaft; and a damping part disposed at a position at which the first and second magnets have maximum magnetic flux density in order to damp vibrations of the first and second magnets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ki Suk Woo, Ju Ho Kim, Shin Young Cheong, Han Byul Kim
  • Patent number: 8303184
    Abstract: A bearing that is used in a motor pump in which a liquid is, not only pumped by means of an impeller driven by the pump, but also is used to lubricate components of the motor pump including the motor pump shaft. The bearing is for supporting the shaft at at least one location of the shaft. The bearing is constructed of a bronze material having added thereto a small amount of graphite, preferably around 2.5%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: AquaMotion, Inc.
    Inventors: Benno Lebkuchner, Hans L. Kuster
  • Patent number: 8282285
    Abstract: A bearing support provides a circumferentially-extending structure to substantially transmit a radial bearing load to a housing when a radial deflection/deformation of the circumferentially-extending structure caused by the radial bearing load, is within a predetermined limit. The bearing support provides a direct support link bypassing the circumferentially-extending structure to transmit an over-limit portion of the radial bearing load to the housing when the radial deflection/deformation of the circumferentially-extending structure reaches the predetermined limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Louis Brillon
  • Patent number: 8272785
    Abstract: A bearing mechanism 1 includes a housing 3 having a cylindrical inner peripheral surface 2, a rack shaft 5 inserted and secured in the housing 3 and having a cylindrical outer peripheral surface 4, and a sliding bearing 6 interposed between the inner peripheral surface 2 of the housing 3 and the outer peripheral surface 4 of the rack shaft 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignees: Jtekt Corporation, Oiles Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiko Hirose, Yoshihide Ohara, Masaaki Hashimoto, Takahiro Tanaka, Hidetoshi Kaida, Eiji Oki
  • Patent number: 8272784
    Abstract: An exemplary sleeve bearing system includes a bearing housing, a sleeve bearing and a resilient washer. The bearing housing defines a receiving hole therein. The receiving hole has a first diameter. The sleeve bearing has a second diameter which is slightly less than the first diameter, and the sleeve bearing is received in the receiving hole of the bearing housing. The resilient washer is received in the receiving hole of the bearing housing and is fitted around the sleeve bearing. The resilient washer is sandwiched between the bearing housing and the sleeve bearing and resiliently abuts an outer circumferential surface of the sleeve bearing to thereby mount the sleeve bearing in the receiving hole of the bearing housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignees: Fu Zhun Precision Industry (Shen Zhen) Co., Ltd., Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yung-Ping Lin, Dung-Chang Yeh, Deng-Chu Fu, Qiang Zhang
  • Patent number: 8226296
    Abstract: An exemplary assembly includes a turbocharger center housing with a bore; a turbocharger bearing with an annular groove having a diameter; and a substantially planar spring, seated at least partially in the annular groove for positioning the turbocharger bearing in the bore of the housing, where the spring includes a first end and a second end, a free standing inner diameter, a plurality of straight sections tangent to the free standing inner diameter and disposed between the first end and the second end and a curved section disposed between two of the straight sections where the spring balances an inward radial bias with an outward radial bias to reduce contact between the bearing and the housing and variation in a squeeze film thickness. Various exemplary springs, bearings, housings, assemblies, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald D. Larue
  • Publication number: 20120171024
    Abstract: A fan module includes a frame; a fan wheel; and a bearing holding structure having a hollow bearing cup, an elastic member, and a bearing. The frame has a base, on a center of which the hollow bearing cup is formed. A portion of an inner wall surface of the hollow bearing cup is radially inward protruded, forming a shoulder portion between the inner wall surface and the protruded portion. The elastic member includes a first and a second section tightly bearing on the shoulder portion and the inner wall surface, respectively, and the bearing is tightly supported on the elastic member. The fan wheel has a shaft extended through the bearing and is therefore rotatably mounted on the base and located in the frame. With the elastic member, the bearing is tightly received in the hollow bearing cup without colliding therewith, and stable operation of the bearing is ensured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: ASIA VITAL COMPONENTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wen-Hao Liu
  • Publication number: 20120099810
    Abstract: An elastomeric bushing includes an inner component, first, second and third elastomeric or plastic members and an outer component. The first elastomeric or plastic member is disposed over the inner component. The second elastomeric or plastic member is disposed over the first elastomeric or plastic member. The third elastomeric or plastic member is disposed over the second elastomeric or plastic member. The outer component is disposed over the third elastomeric or plastic member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: THE PULLMAN COMPANY
    Inventor: Jay W. Thornhill
  • Publication number: 20120087608
    Abstract: A sliding bearing (10) having a bearing body (11) which receives a shaft (1) in a guide bore (26) and is fabricated by a noncutting production process, wherein the bearing body (11) serves for at least indirect arrangement in a preferably fixedly arranged element (2), in particular a housing. According to the invention, it is provided that the bearing body (11) is provided on its outer circumference with a receptacle (14) for an elastic bearing element (12) for bearing against the fixed element (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Uwe Roessler
  • Patent number: 8152379
    Abstract: A bearing device include: (a) a bearing supporting a shaft, and having (a-1) a tubular body portion in which the shaft is rotatably received and (a-2) a radially projecting portion that projects from the tubular body portion outwardly in a radial direction of the tubular body portion; and (b) a bearing receiver plate having (b-1) a receiver hole in which the tubular body portion of the bearing is received, and (b-2) a cutout which extends from the receiver hole and which has an opening that opens outwardly of the bearing receiver plate, such that the bearing can be introduced into the receiver hole via the cutout. The bearing receiver plate and the radially projecting portion of the bearing cooperate with each other to establish (i) a rotation preventer preventing rotation of the bearing relative to the bearing receiver plate and (ii) a backlash reducer reducing play of the bearing relative to the bearing receiver plate. Also disclosed is an image recording apparatus including the bearing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaru Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8087830
    Abstract: Disclosed is a radially movable floating bearing for a shaft of a gear of a steering system, comprising a bushing or an inner ring or a rolling bearing, which is supported in a seat of a frame or housing of the gear. The inner ring or the bushing or the rolling bearing is held by at least one support element made of material having elastomeric properties which is inserted into a gap between the seat and the inner ring, the support element being designed as a pivot bearing. In order to provide a radially movable floating bearing for a steering system gear shaft, which is low-noise, easy to pivot and highly resilient, the pivot bearing cooperates with a damping stop disposed tangentially at a distance thereto, the stop being disposed at a radial distance from the inner ring or the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Jens-Uwe Hafermalz, Dennis Fuechsel
  • Publication number: 20110305567
    Abstract: A bearing support is disclosed herein. The bearing support includes a pilot ring encircling an axis. The pilot ring is operable to be substantially-fixed in operation. The bearing support also includes a damper ring operable to receive an outer race of a bearing assembly. The damper ring also encircles the axis. The bearing support also includes a fuse pin extending through aligned apertures in the pilot ring and the damper ring to prevent relative radial movement between the pilot ring and the damper ring up to a predetermined amount of loading. The fuse pin is operable to fracture in response to loading beyond the predetermined amount. The bearing support also includes a retainer extending through one of the pilot ring and the damper ring and fixed to the other of the pilot ring and the damper ring. The retainer is operable to limit relative axial movement between the pilot ring and the damper ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventor: WALLACE L. MILFS
  • Patent number: 8038387
    Abstract: A bearing for a turbomachine variable pitch stator vane pivot mounted in a bore of the turbomachine casing is disclosed. The bearing includes an inner bushing secured to the pivot and an outer bushing secured to the bore. An elastomeric material is inserted between the inner bushing and the outer bushing to allow the vane to pivot about its axis and absorb at least some of the flexing of the pivot at right angles to the axis. The design makes it possible to reduce bearing bushing wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Emmanuel Houradou, Herve Hulin, Sebastien Juste, Dominique Raulin
  • Publication number: 20110235954
    Abstract: A center support assembly includes a bearing that supports a driveshaft for rotation about an axis. A shield is fixed to the bearing and a seal is positioned between the shield and the bearing. The shield and seal cooperate to retain lube within the bearing and prevent external contaminants from entering the bearing. A lube passage is formed between an outer surface of the bearing and an inner surface of the shield. At least one externally accessible fitting is in fluid communication with the lube passage and is used to supply additional lubricant to the bearing when needed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Anthony G. Lentini, Robert J. Ostrander, Christopher J. Steele
  • Patent number: 7980976
    Abstract: A tensioner for tensioning a flexible drive means, such as a timing belt or chain, includes a pulley to contact the belt. The pulley is mounted on a tensioner arm and the tensioner arm can be rotated about a pivot shaft mounted to the tensioner by a spring. The axis about which the pulley rotates is spaced from the axis of the rotation of the tensioner arm with respect to the pivot shaft and the spacing of these axes of rotation results in the pulley moving through an eccentric towards or away from the belt when the tensioner arm is rotated. A stop is used to limit the range of movement of the tensioner arm between a desired range of movement defined by a free arm stop and a backstop. The position of the stop is adjustable by an installer. The angular range of movement of the tensioner arm is adjustable from a position suitable for installation of the tensioner to a position suitable for operation of the installed tensioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Jacek Stepniak, Jorma J. Lehtovaara, Marek Frankowski
  • Publication number: 20110170816
    Abstract: A side pressure applying mechanism for a motor may include a rotation shaft of the motor rotatably supported through a support bearing, a side pressure bearing which is loosely fitted to the rotation shaft, an urging member which is abutted with the side pressure bearing to apply a side pressure to the rotation shaft, engaging parts which are formed in a frame and with which both end portions of the urging member are respectively engaged, and a restricting part for restricting movement of the urging member toward the axial direction of the rotation shaft. The restricting part is provided at a position nearer to an abutting position where the urging member is abutted with the side pressure bearing between an engaging position where the urging member is engaged with the engaging part and the abutting position of the urging member with the side pressure bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuumi TANI
  • Patent number: 7946768
    Abstract: A bearing apparatus is disclosed. Such a bearing apparatus may comprise a rotor including at least one bearing element mounted to the rotor and a stator including at least one bearing element mounted to the stator. At least one compliant member may be positioned between at least one selected bearing element of the at least one bearing element mounted to the rotor and the at least one bearing element mounted to the stator. Mechanical systems including such a bearing apparatus are disclosed, such as, for example, a motor for use in subterranean drilling. A method of assembling a bearing apparatus is disclosed. More specifically, a rotor and a stator each including at least one bearing element may be provided and a compressive force may be applied to the rotor and the stator to compress the bearing surfaces of the rotor and the stator against one another. Rotors and stators are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignees: US Synthetic Corporation, Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Craig H. Cooley, Aaron J. Dick
  • Patent number: 7942580
    Abstract: A rear suspension (10) for an aircraft engine assembly comprises a structure comprising two three-point shackles (12, 12?) and one two-point shackle (14). One of the hinge pins in waiting on the two-point shackle (14), preferably the hinge pin (26) fixed to the engine yoke joint, is mounted with clearance and with a damping ring acting as a spring to prevent vibrations of the engines as long as the hinge pin (26) is not engaged. Each of the suspension connecting pins (10) is a ball joint connection, the beam (16) of the suspension (10) being provided with five aligned orifices (24, 24a, 28, 24?, 24a?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Airbus France
    Inventors: Virginie Audart-Noel, Stephane Levert
  • Publication number: 20110103724
    Abstract: Elastomeric compression preloaded support insulators for automotive drive shafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventor: Larry Verbowski
  • Patent number: 7931404
    Abstract: A bearing device is composed of a shaft, a sleeve for supporting the shaft so as to be rotatable freely and a housing having a through hole into which the sleeve is inserted. A circumferential groove that extends in a circumferential direction is formed on either one surface of an outer circumferential surface of the sleeve and an inner circumferential surface of the housing. An axial groove that extends approximately in parallel to a central axis of the sleeve is formed on either one surface of the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve and the inner circumferential surface of the housing. The outer circumferential surface of the sleeve is glued to the inner circumferential surface of the housing by adhesive that intervenes in both the circumferential groove and the axial groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Alphana Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotake Nishino, Masafumi Mizuno
  • Publication number: 20110085751
    Abstract: An exemplary sleeve bearing system includes a bearing housing, a sleeve bearing and a resilient washer. The bearing housing defines a receiving hole therein. The receiving hole has a first diameter. The sleeve bearing has a second diameter which is slightly less than the first diameter, and the sleeve bearing is received in the receiving hole of the bearing housing. The resilient washer is received in the receiving hole of the bearing housing and is fitted around the sleeve bearing. The resilient washer is sandwiched between the bearing housing and the sleeve bearing and resiliently abuts an outer circumferential surface of the sleeve bearing to thereby mount the sleeve bearing in the receiving hole of the bearing housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicants: FU ZHUN PRECISION INDUSTRY (SHEN ZHEN) CO., LTD., FOXCONN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yung-Ping Lin, Dung-Chang Yeh, Deng-Chu Fu, Qiang Zhang
  • Patent number: 7870913
    Abstract: Various aspects of the present invention relate to bearing assemblies configured to accommodate non-uniform loading and misalignment with an adjacent bearing assembly. In one aspect of the present invention, a bearing assembly is disclosed. The bearing assembly comprises a compliance ring including a plurality of beams. Each of the beams is circumferentially spaced apart from each other. The bearing assembly further comprises a plurality of bearing elements, with each of the bearing elements positioned adjacent to a corresponding beam of the plurality of beams. Each of the bearing elements deforms one of the corresponding beams when loaded. An additional aspect of the present invention is directed to a bearing assembly in which bearing elements thereof may be mounted to a support element without using a brazing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy N. Sexton, Craig H. Cooley
  • Publication number: 20100329597
    Abstract: A rolling bearing arrangement with at least one outer bearing ring and at least one inner bearing ring and with rolling bodies guided in raceways between the bearing rings. At least one damping body is provided for mechanical vibration damping. The damping body reduces the vibration transmission to at least one component following in the force flux. At least one damping body is materially bonded to at least one of the bearing rings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Herbert SCHIMSCHAL
  • Patent number: 7815373
    Abstract: A symmetric ultra-precision spindle design in which all forces of constraint are, within the tolerances of manufacturing and assembly processes, symmetrically arranged about its axis. Additionally this design may require little or no external power other than the forces to rotate the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: InsituTec Inc.
    Inventors: Marcin B. Bauza, Stuart T. Smith, Shane C. Woody
  • Publication number: 20100260448
    Abstract: Disclosed is a radially movable floating bearing for a shaft of a gear of a steering system, comprising a bushing or an inner ring or a rolling bearing, which is supported in a seat of a frame or housing of the gear. The inner ring or the bushing or the rolling bearing is held by at least one support element made of material having elastomeric properties which is inserted into a gap between the seat and the inner ring, the support element being designed as a pivot bearing. In order to provide a radially movable floating bearing for a steering system gear shaft, which is low-noise, easy to pivot and highly resilient, the pivot bearing cooperates with a damping stop disposed tangentially at a distance thereto, the stop being disposed at a radial distance from the inner ring or the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Jens-Uwe Hafermalz, Dennis Fuechsel
  • Patent number: 7784830
    Abstract: A telescoping steering column assembly has an inner jacket and an outer jacket telescopically engaged with a sleeve between the inner and outer jackets. The sleeve has internal and external ribs which run parallel to a longitudinal axis of the sleeve, the internal ribs contacting an outer surface of the inner jacket, and the external ribs contacting an inner surface of the outer jacket. The internal and external ribs are circumferentially offset to allow the wall of the sleeve to flex relative to the opposing surfaces of the jackets, resulting in smooth telescoping action of the assembly without lash. In addition, the system provides a constant collapsing force and provides guidance for a controlled collapse of either a telescoping or non-telescoping column assembly in a vehicle crash impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: Peter J. Ulintz
  • Publication number: 20100192893
    Abstract: A bearing device includes a plurality of pairs of bearing parts for supporting shafts to each of which a plurality valves are attached and connecting parts for connecting the bearing parts. Each connecting part is elastically deformable and includes a bent portion in a bent shape to absorb the force that will act in at least one of an axial direction and a radial direction of the shafts when the shafts are rotated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinji Iwata, Naotaka Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 7766550
    Abstract: An exemplary spring for positioning a turbocharger bearing in a housing includes a free standing inner diameter, a free standing outer diameter and a substantially sinusoidal shape to provide an inward radial bias and to provide an outward radial bias wherein the spring balances the inward radial bias with the outward radial bias to thereby position a turbocharger bearing in a housing. Various exemplary springs, bearings, housings, assemblies, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald D. Larue
  • Publication number: 20100160138
    Abstract: A mounting means is provided for mounting a device comprising at least one mounting shield, a pivot bearing arranged in the mounting shield and a rotor mounted perpendicularly in the pivot bearing, an axis of rotation of the rotor being oriented substantially perpendicularly when the device is mounted on the mounting means, and the mounting means having resilient properties. In one embodiment, the resilient properties of the mounting means are direction-dependent, in particular orthotropic. As a consequence of the direction-dependent resilient properties of the mounting means, oscillations excited by a rotary movement of the rotor strike a mounting, the pivot point of which does not coincide with the axis of rotation of the rotor, but is set apart therefrom. This makes it much more difficult to excite the mounting means to form unstable oscillations, so that such oscillations are effectively damped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: THERMO ELECTRON LED GMBH
    Inventor: Sebastian Henne
  • Patent number: 7703982
    Abstract: A bearing apparatus is disclosed. Such a bearing apparatus may comprise a rotor including at least one bearing element mounted to the rotor and a stator including at least one bearing element mounted to the stator. At least one compliant member may be positioned between at least one selected bearing element of the at least one bearing element mounted to the rotor and the at least one bearing element mounted to the stator. Mechanical systems including such a bearing apparatus are disclosed, such as, for example, a motor for use in subterranean drilling. A method of assembling a bearing apparatus is disclosed. More specifically, a rotor and a stator each including at least one bearing element may be provided and a compressive force may be applied to the rotor and the stator to compress the bearing surfaces of the rotor and the stator against one another. Rotors and stators are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventor: Craig H. Cooley
  • Patent number: 7686515
    Abstract: A radially movable bearing for a shaft of a gear in a steering system includes a bush or outer ring that is supported in a receiving element of a mount or housing for the gear. In order to create a radially flexible bearing for the shaft of the gear, which movable bearing enables quiet operation for the entire service life of the gear, the outer ring or the bush is held by at least one support element that is inserted in a gap between the receiving element and the outer ring, and that is made of a material with elastomer behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Achim Schust