Abstract: A high speed spindle is provided which includes a rotor driven by an electric motor and provided with tapered journals received in tapered rubber bearings. Lubricating water flows to the bearings through metered openings in the journals, flowing from the openings through reverse spiral grooves in the journals which have diminishing cross section. The water flowing through the rotor also cools the rotor, as well as the collet driven by the rotor and a tool held by the collet. Rubber seals around the rotor shaft wear to a zero clearance during run-in for confining the water that exhausts from the bearings. Compressed air is introduced into the spindle to cooperate with the seals in preventing water leakage. The compressed air also reacts against a bladder that is arranged to impose an end load on one of the bearings, which is movable, to urge the bearing toward its journal. The force is varied to increase the bearing end load as rotor speed increases.

Abstract: A helical bearing bushing for use between a cylindrical shaft and an element containing a bore disposed around the shaft, such as a kingpin and steering knuckle assembly, includes a helically wound spring wire as the bearing bushing. The spring wire is helically wound to form a tubular member having interior and exterior surfaces which form the respective bearing surfaces. The tensile force of the helical spring holds arcuate surfaces of adjacent coils in elastic abutment, although lubricant under pressure can elastically separate the coils and pass from one surface to the other. Non abutting portions of the arcuate surfaces form helical lubrication grooves. Either the interior surface or the exterior surface, or both, may be machined flat to provide a better bearing surface.