Abstract: A planetary wheel drive uses a thrust washer residing between a cover and a thrust plate to absorb axial loads. The thrust washer is has a slip fit to the cover. The surface area of the thrust washer engaging the cover is larger than the surface area of the thrust washer engaging the thrust washer.

Abstract: A planet gear bearing in a planetary gearset including a planet carrier having two side walls which are arranged parallel to one another and accommodate a plurality of planet gear pins in a plurality of axial holes opposite one another on the same axis is disclosed. A plurality of planet gears are rotatably mounted on the planet gear pins by radial rolling-element bearings inserted into central planet gear holes. Stop elements are arranged between the side walls of the planet carrier and the axial sides of the planet gears and act as wear protection of the planet carrier and the planet gears, and as an axial stop for the radial rolling-element bearings of the planet gears. The stop elements are axial needle bearings, which each include an axial bent-up disc and an axial needle ring formed by a plurality of bearing needles and an axial needle cage.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic axial bearing is provided with segments arranged on a circular ring on axial bearings, wherein a plurality of pressure fields are built up. The length of the individual segments is defined in the circumferential direction, between a first edge and a second edge. The first edge delimits the wedge surface of the segments. In fast-rotating bearings, the ratio of segment width to segment length has a decisive influence on the attainable load-bearing capacity and resulting friction losses. The load-bearing capacity and friction losses are improved by increasing the segment length more intensely with increasing radius. The first edge does not run straight but rather has steps, is arcuate or has linear portions with different gradients.

Abstract: A dry gas thrust bearing is provided for use in rotating equipment and more particularly, this thrust bearing is designed to support compressor/turbine thrust loads in an improved arrangement which does not require oil lubrication and which is designed to support necessary shaft thrust loading by the utilization of a dry gas film. The bearing includes a shaft rotor between two axially movable stators and relies on a dry gas film to separate the rotor and stators. The stators are axially loaded by a double spring package arranged in series wherein a lightly loaded spring engages the stator during zero thrust applications, and as the shaft begins to rotate and encounter axial thrust, a heavier stiffer spring, greater than the thrust load, quickly engages.

Abstract: A thrust bearing assembly for guiding and driving a piston member having a lead screw for dispensing a medium of a delivery device when the piston member is driven in a first axial direction is provided. The thrust bearing assembly comprises a thrust bearing means for being integrated in the delivery device, a passageway for guiding the lead screw, and a rotary drive means for driving the lead screw and being fitted into or onto the thrust bearing means while being rotatable with regard to the thrust bearing. Further, the thrust bearing means comprises a thrust face which limits axial movement of the rotary drive means when driving the lead screw in the first axial direction. A drive train and a medicament delivery device in which the thrust bearing assembly is integrated are also provided.

Abstract: A thrust bearing assembly comprising a rotating bearing runner and a stationary bearing carrier, the carrier defining a plurality of thrust pad sites annularly around the carrier, with a thrust pad disposed at a site and with the carrier constraining movement of the thrust pad in a direction generally radial to the longitudinal axis of the runner while allowing the thrust pad to move in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. An embodiment comprises a rotating bearing runner having a wear resistant face and a stationary bearing carrier defining cavities disposed annularly around the carrier. A deflection element (e.g., Belleville washer) is disposed in a cavity and a pad is disposed over the deflection element. The pad is at least partially disposed within the cavity. The wear resistant face contacts the pad. Another embodiment rigidly connects pads disposed on opposite sides of a stationary bearing carrier.

Abstract: A thrust bearing assembly comprising a rotating bearing runner and a stationary bearing carrier, the carrier defining a plurality of thrust pad sites annularly around the carrier, with a thrust pad disposed at a site and with the carrier constraining movement of the thrust pad in a direction generally radial to the longitudinal axis of the runner while allowing the thrust pad to move in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. An embodiment comprises a rotating bearing runner having a wear resistant face and a stationary bearing carrier defining cavities disposed annularly around the carrier. A deflection element (e.g., Belleville washer) is disposed in a cavity and a pad is disposed over the deflection element. The pad is at least partially disposed within the cavity. The wear resistant face contacts the pad. Another embodiment rigidly connects pads disposed on opposite sides of a stationary bearing carrier.

Abstract: A drilling motor includes an upper end connection adapted to connect to a drill string, and a lower end connection adapted to connect to a drill bit, a thrust bearing assembly having a plurality of stages assembled in a stack, each stage including at least one rotating inner bearing subassembly configured to contact at least one corresponding stationary outer bearing subassembly, wherein axial loads among the plurality of stages are substantially equal under normal operating conditions.

Abstract: A MacPherson strut tube having an upper spring seat, a spring, a strut tube, and a ring bearing disposed for engaging the spring seat, the spring and the strut tube. The ring bearing comprises an upper casing, a lower casing, and a plastic ring engaged between the upper and lower casings, thereby forming said ring bearing.

Abstract: A thrust bearing configuration for rotary applications includes a shaft (12) having an external surface (14) and a housing (16) having an internal surface (18). The housing and the shaft are adapted for relative rotational movement. Inner bearing support members (22) extend radially outwardly from the external surface of the shaft in axially spaced relation. Outer bearing support members (26) extend radially inwardly from the internal surface of the housing. A bearing pad (24, 28) is disposed between each one of the inner bearing support members and an adjacent one of the outer bearing support members. With the described configuration an axial force exerted upon the shaft is transmitted from the shaft through each of the inner bearing support members and bearing pads to the outer bearing support members and the housing. This thrust bearing acts like a bearing stack. It is possible to stack any number of these bearing pads to withstand anticipated axial loads.

Abstract: A MacPherson strut tube having an upper spring seat, a spring, a strut tube, and a ring bearing disposed for engaging the spring seat, the spring and the strut tube. The ring bearing comprises an upper casing, a lower casing, and a plastic ring engaged between the upper and lower casings, thereby forming said ring bearing.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a vibration-proof miniature motor of high endurance including a compact enough double row bearing apparatus having a shaft of sufficient mechanical rigidity.

Abstract: A hard disc drive is disclosed, which comprises a compound bearing assembly including a stepped shaft 1 having a large-diameter portion 1a and a small-diameter portion 1b, the large-diameter portion 1a having an inner raceway groove 2a formed in the outer periphery, an outer race ring 3 surrounding the large-diameter portion 1a and having an outer raceway groove 2b, a plurality of balls 4 provided between the inner and outer raceway grooves 2a and 2b, a ball bearing unit 5 having an inner and an outer race ring 5a and 5b and a plurality of balls 6 provided therebetween, the inner race ring 5a being fitted on the small-diameter portion 1b, and a sleeve-like spacer 7 surrounding the stepped shaft 1and having opposite end small-diameter portions, the outer race ring 3 and the outer race ring 5b of the ball bearing unit 5 being fitted on the opposite end small-diameter portions, respectively.

Abstract: A planet carrier of an automotive automatic transmission includes an annular main body portion disposed around a pinion shaft between the carrier body and the pinion gear. A washer formed of a porous material such that lubricating fluid can flow therethrough to both sides of the washer is disposed around the pinion shaft. Further, a boss portion may be formed at the inner periphery of the washer opening, which portion is inserted between the surface of the pinion shaft and an inner circumference of the pinion gear. A fluid passage is defined according to installation of the washer, between the edge of the washer and the bearings of the pinion gear such that lubricating fluid is retained therein, which fluid flows around the pinion shaft.

Abstract: A bearing assembly including a bearing member with a passageway therethrough at least in part defining a cylindrical journaling surface having a central axis and a preselected axial length is described. A partial circumferential or spherical surface on at least a part of a peripheral portion of the bearing member extends generally coaxial about the cylindrical journaling surface. A bearing seat supports the bearing member at a generally circular line of engagement defining an imaginary plane extending generally perpendicular to the central axis through the mid-point of the preselected axial length of the cylindrical journaling surface.

Abstract: A planet gear is rotatably supported in a planet carrier assembly on needle bearings. A first, gear thrust washer bearing member permits relative rotation between the planet gear and the carrier assembly while transmitting thrust forces between the planet gear to the carrier. The thrust forces generated by the needle bearings are transmitted to the first, gear thrust washer bearing member through a second, needle, thrust washer bearing member which is disposed in a recess within the face of the planet gear and freely rotatable relative to the planet gear.

Abstract: A non-reversible thrust washer is provided. One corner of the thrust washer is curved to abut against a shoulder in the element to which the thrust is being transferred. The other portions of the thrust washers are held in a groove in the part from which thrust is being transferred. The groove is asymmetrical and the thrust washer is provided with a corresponding asymmetry so that the thrust washer cannot be inserted into the groove backwards. The thrust washer preferably is manufactured out of sintered powdered metal in a die having the curved portion formed in the die, with the punch having the asymmetrical portion formed in the punch.

Abstract: A thrust washer pilots on an end of a planet gear. The piloting relationship is established by an outside diameter surface of the washer and an inside diameter surface of the planet gear. Piloting of the thrust washer on an outside diameter surface of the washer permits the provision of a radial gap between the thrust washer and a shaft on which the gear rotates, facilitating lubricant flow past the washer in an axial direction along the shaft, as well as facilitating assemble of the planet gear and thrust washer to a planet gear carrier.

Abstract: A high-capacity elastomeric combination journal-thrust bearing comprises at least one encapsulated lobe. The encapsulated lobe comprises an outer tubular member having a first ring joined along substantially all of its outer periphery to the inner periphery of the outer tubular member at a first end and having a second ring joined along substantially all of its outer periphery to the inner periphery of the outer tubular member at a second end. The encapsulated lobe further comprises an inner tubular member having the same longitudinal axis of the outer tubular member, and having a third ring joined along substantially all of its inner periphery to the outer periphery of the inner tubular member, spaced between the first and second rings. An elastomer separates and joins the rings to each other and to the tubular members, and the tubular members to each other. As the radial distance from the longitudinal axis increases, the thickness of the elastomer increases.

Abstract: A thrust bearing arrangement in which individual thrust bearings are arranged in a plurality of stages. These bearings are connected to thrust-load adjustment devices (1st type with travel limitation, 2nd type without travel limitation) as a result of which the beginning of load-carrying by each bearing can be determined as a result of an adjustable initial tensioning.

Abstract: An apparatus which seals a shaft mounted rotatably on a bearing member. At least two spaced apart annular flanges are mounted on the shaft. One of the flanges being is arranged to bear radially against the bearing member. An annular sealing member is mounted on the shaft between the two flanges in abutting relation with at least one of the flanges to form a radial seal with the bearing member.

Abstract: A downhole drive shaft and bearing structure having a unitary, generally cylindrical housing with a radial bearing surface affixed to its interior; a drive shaft having a radial bearing surface affixed to its exterior and thrust bearing inserts mounted at the bit end thereof; and a drive shaft cap affixed to the drive shaft and carrying thrust bearing inserts, the thrust bearing inserts of the cap and drive shaft interfacing with oppositely disposed inserts mounted in the housing.

Abstract: A composite ferrofluid bearing and seal apparatus which comprises a ferrofluid seal apparatus which contains disposed therein a bearing element, to form a ferrofluid-film bearing with the surface of a shaft, the ferrofluid seal apparatus retaining the bearing ferrofluid film within the bearing cavity, by forming a ferrofluid O-ring seal, held by magnetic flux, at each end of the bearing element, the composite ferrofluid bearing and seal apparatus acting to contain the bearing ferrofluid film within the fluid-film bearing cavity and to exclude gases from being entrained in the ferrofluid.