Solid Lubricant Feature Patents (Class 384/463)
  • Publication number: 20070217723
    Abstract: A lubricating-layer-equipped bearing enabling a reduction in the minimum bearing load required in the initial operation, and a method for easily forming a lubricating layer in the lubricating-layer-equipped bearing. The extension from an inscribed circle S in which rollers are inscribed to a minimum inner-periphery face lid of a retainer 11 is provided as a non-lubricating space without a lubricating layer G being provided. The lubricating layer is formed in the bearing by inserting the bearing having a retainer inserted in an outer ring, in a forming die 7; feeding a fluid-lubricant 9 including a thermoplastic resin into the forming die; reducing pressure in the forming die with the fluid lubricant fed to remove air bubbles from the fluid lubricant; pressing a cylindrical elastic solid 13 having an outer shape greater than the minimum inner-diameter S2 of the retainer, into an inscribed circle; and heating and setting the thermoplastic resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Applicant: Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shouji Nagao
  • Patent number: 7255933
    Abstract: A multi-layer sliding part is prepared by a process including mixing 1–50 parts by volume of a Cu-plated solid lubricant powder with 100 parts by volume of a Cu-based alloy powder comprising 5–20 mass % of Sn and a remainder of Cu to form a mixed powder, sintering the mixed powder in a reducing atmosphere to form a sintered mass, pulverizing the sintered mass to form a powder, dispersing the powder formed by pulverizing on a metal backing plate, and sintering the dispersed powder to bond grains of the dispersed powder to each other and to the backing plate. After sintering of the pulverized powder to form bearing metal layer, the bearing metal layer is pressed and densified. After densification, the bearing metal layer is annealed, again pressed, and then coated with a resin having good sliding properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Senju Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Issaku Sato, Kenzo Tadokoro, Hideaki Tanibata
  • Patent number: 7234873
    Abstract: A cage, rollers and solid lubricant are all formed integrally into a complete unitary molding with using difference in thermal expansion in a mold. Assembling the complete unitary molding into the race in the rolling-contact bearing is made easier. The complete unitary molding is made such that the rollers remain exposed partially at their rolling surfaces above the inside circular surface of the complete unitary molding while the solid lubricant on the outside circular surface of the complete unitary molding is squeezed out from between the rolling surfaces of the rollers and the inside circular surface of the outside mold upon molding operation, thereby getting the rolling surfaces of the rollers exposed partially. The mold is composed of an outside mold, an inside mold and an intermediate mold, which is made of a substance larger in thermal expansion than other substance for the outside and inside molds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masataka Kato, Toshiaki Nishimatsu
  • Patent number: 7195825
    Abstract: A multi-layer sliding part is prepared by a process including mixing 1–50 parts by volume of a Cu-plated solid lubricant powder with 100 parts by volume of a Cu-based alloy powder comprising 5–20 mass % of Sn and a remainder of Cu to form a mixed powder, sintering the mixed powder in a reducing atmosphere to form a sintered mass, pulverizing the sintered mass to form a powder, dispersing the powder formed by pulverizing on a steel backing plate, and sintering the dispersed powder to bond grains of the dispersed powder to each other and to the backing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Senju Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Issaku Sato, Kenzou Tadokoro, Hideaki Tanibata
  • Patent number: 7008115
    Abstract: A film composed of grease, or a film composed of a thickener for grease, is formed on a portion of the surface of each of components constituting a bearing, the portion being opposed to a polymeric lubricant, whereby sliding frictional resistance between the bearing components and the polymeric lubricant is reduced. In the formation of the film, the assembled bearing in which the film has not yet been formed is immersed into a liquid which is obtained by diluting the grease or the thickener for grease with a solvent, and the solvent is then dried, thereby to highly reproducibly form the film of uniform thickness. In an assembled double-row self-aligning roller bearing wherein an outer race is swingable in a direction perpendicular to the center axis of the bearing, raw materials of a polymeric lubricant are poured into and solidified in two regions of an annular space between the inner and outer races.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuji Nakata, Hiroshi Komiya
  • Patent number: 6915745
    Abstract: Described are a self-lubricating, overhead conveyor system and the component parts thereof. The self-lubricating overhead conveyor system obviates the need for added lubricants, and comprises three main components: a trolley assembly, a conveyor chain and a turn wheel assembly. In one embodiment, all three components are integrated to provide an improved overhead conveyor system; however, individual components may be used to retrofit conventional overhead conveyor systems. The trolley assemblies contain a self-lubricating precision ball bearing assembly, and are joined together by a surface hardened conveyor chain internally treated to resist corrosion and eliminate flaking. The turn wheel assemblies are configured to engage the conveyor chain and provide continuous lubrication and cleaning to the conveyor chain. All components of the conveyor system of the present disclosure meet criteria established by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for use in food processing applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Tac Lube, LLC
    Inventor: Tom Carder
  • Patent number: 6726367
    Abstract: A rolling bearing 1 comprises a inner ring 2 (as a movable member), an outer ring 3 (as supporter) for supporting the inner ring 2, and a plurality of rolling elements 4 disposed between the inner ring 2 and the outer ring 3. The rolling element are rotated in accordance with the rotation of the inner ring 2. The rolling bearing is to be located in the vicinity of a heat source. The outer ring 3 located nearer to the heat source than the inner ring 2 is composed with a material of a heat conductivity being 40 W/m·K or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Toyohisa Yamamoto, Norifumi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6679634
    Abstract: A bearing cartridge which is constructed not to be disassembled for re-packing with grease or otherwise and which may be quickly and easily replaced in the field. For high temperature applications such as sinter or pellet car wheels, the bearing cartridge is lubricated by a high temperature solid lubricant, and the rolling elements preferably comprise cylindrical rolling elements for bearing radial loads and spherical rolling elements for bearing axial loads. For ultra high temperature applications such as furnace car wheels, the bearing cartridge is lubricated by a ultra high temperature lubricant composed of a graphite and molydenum paste. In order to economically provide small furnace car bearing cartridges, a two-piece bearing cartridge is provided with rolling elements, preferably having cylindrical central portions for bearing radial loads and conically shaped axially outer end portions for bearing axial loads, between the races, the rolling elements insertable by means of a feeder slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Inventor: Ronald L. Plesh, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6616336
    Abstract: A lubrication system for mutually displaceable bodies of a mechanical device, comprises a porous element and a lubricating liquid (11) comprising dispersed particles (12), the size of the pores (10) of the porous element, and the size of the particles (12) being selected such that the pores (10) of the porous element become blocked by the particles contained in the lubricant liquid film (11) in the area of contact of said porous element with one of the bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventors: Richard Stanley Sayles, Eustathios Ionnides
  • Patent number: 6613453
    Abstract: A lead-free journal bearing includes a cylindrical ferrous backing and a bearing alloy layer comprising a bearing alloy powder consisting essentially of 7-13 mass percent of Sn, 0.7-2 mass percent of Ag, optionally at most 0.5 mass percent of molybdenum disulfide, optionally at most 2 mass percent of graphite, and a remainder of Cu sintered to an inner surface of the backing. The bearing is particularly suitable for use in construction equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Senju Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Issaku Sato, Naoki Sato
  • Patent number: 6598720
    Abstract: A fan rotor (7) for an electromagnetic fan clutch is mounted on a drive shaft (1) with the help of a three-ring bearing (8) so that three different speeds of rotation of the fan rotor (7) can be obtained. To reduce wear, especially in the presence of impact loads and oscillatory movements of the three-ring bearing (8), this three-ring bearing (8) is configured so that different materials are paired with each other in regions of rolling contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Ina Walzlager Schaeffler oHG
    Inventors: Joachim Ritter, Johann Stark
  • Patent number: 6565477
    Abstract: A power roller assembly for a toroidal-type CVT, including a pair of races formed with bearing surfaces opposed to each other, a plurality of rolling elements rotatably disposed between the races in contact with the bearing surfaces, and an iron phosphate-based coat formed on at least one of bearing surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Yoshida, Masaaki Fujii, Nobuo Kino, Keizo Otani
  • Patent number: 6485184
    Abstract: A rolling bearing has first and second races that define an annular space therebetween. A plurality of rolling elements roll on the races. The space is filled with a solid lubricant composition containing a resin polymer. The space is preferably sealed with a pair of sealing members which are interposed between the races and a region between the lubricant composition and the corresponding sealing member in the space is filled with grease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken Adachi, Hiroshi Komiya
  • Patent number: 6478553
    Abstract: An improved turbocharger for railway locomotive sized engines includes, in a preferred embodiment, first and second axially spaced ball bearings supporting a rotor with the first bearing being a hybrid ceramic ball bearing mounted to accept both radial and axial loads acting on the shaft at the compressor end. The first bearing is mounted on a reduced diameter portion of the shaft, providing reduced bearing diameter to acceptably limit centrifugal loading of ceramic balls in the bearing against a surrounding bearing race. The first bearing has dual rows of ceramic ball bearings mounted to share all axial thrust loads on the shaft. The second bearing is also a ball bearing. Lubrication of the bearings is preferably by direct impingement on the inner race to minimize oil churning causing heating and power loss. Additional features and advantages are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jean B Panos, James William Heilenbach, Eric J Duve
  • Patent number: 6439019
    Abstract: A roller cage (6) is provided for a minimum of one work roller (3) of a tool for deep rolling of grooves or radii of a crankshaft bearing (1) where the work roller (3) at a section of its circumference is loosely guided by the roller cage (6) or inside a concave void of the roller cage (6). Portions of the roller cage (6) by which the work roller (3) is guided, consist of a material that dispenses solid lubricant to the work roller (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Hegenscheidt-MFD GmbH Co. KG
    Inventors: Alfred Heimann, Hans Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 6367982
    Abstract: A cylindrical roller bearing includes a plurality of cylindrical rollers disposed between a circular outer race and a circular inner race without using a retainer. The inner and outer races are devoid of annular flanges extending radially from opposite axial ends of the races for controlling the position of the cylindrical rollers in an axial direction. A pair of thrust bearing plates are disposed on the opposite sides of the outer race for controlling the positions of the outer race and the cylindrical rollers in the axial direction. One or more of the cylindrical rollers are formed shorter than the other cylindrical rollers. With this arrangement, a skew of one or more of the cylindrical rollers, which may occur when the outer race is subjected to an axial load, is taken up by circumferential gaps formed between the shorter cylindrical roller and adjacent cylindrical rollers at opposite ends of the shorter cylindrical roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Katsuo Doi, Takahiro Yoneda, Hiroshi Nishimura
  • Patent number: 6329326
    Abstract: A rolling bearing has a grease filled therein. The grease contains a perfluoropolyether oil having a straight-chain structure having a dynamic viscosity of from 40 to 160 mm2/s, preferably from 40 to 100 mm2/s, at 40° C. as a base oil and a particulate fluororesin as a base oil, and a particulate polytetrafluoroethylene as a thickening agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Iso, Atsushi Yokouchi, Hideki Koizumi, Kenji Okuma, Yasuhiro Hirayama
  • Patent number: 6296393
    Abstract: A lubricant-containing polymer-filled rolling bearing comprising a lubricant-containing polymer packed in the space formed by an outer race, an inner race and rolling elements, wherein the lubricant-containing polymer is packed with the interposition of a grease layer having a thickness of from 10 &mgr;m to 1,000 &mgr;m formed at least on the inner peripheral surface of the outer race, the outer peripheral surface of the inner race and the surface of the rolling elements and a lubricant-containing polymer-filled rolling bearing comprising an inner race, an outer race, a plurality of rolling elements provided between the inner race and the outer race, a cage protruding outwardly from the end face of either the inner race or the outer race and retaining the rolling elements, and a lubricant-containing polymer packed in the space formed by the inner race, the outer race, the rolling elements and the cage, wherein the cage is covered with the lubricant-containing polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Yabe, Nariaki Aihara, Morio Sorimachi
  • Patent number: 6238744
    Abstract: A method for eliminating hoot noise in a bearing assembly (12) of an idler or tensioner pulley (10) includes applying a three component dry lubricating compound onto steel contact surfaces of the inner and outer raceways (14, 16) on which the ball bearings (20) ride, curing the compound to bond it to the contact surfaces, and pressure rolling the lubricating compound onto the surfaces. Pressure rolling fills voids (22) in the contact surfaces with particles of the lubricating compound and smoothes the surfaces thereby reducing friction. The dry lubricating compound has a very strong affinity for oil to attract and hold oil to provide an oil film which prevents metal to metal contact thereby eliminating hoot noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Thomas Magoulick, Vemulapalli Durga Nageswar Rao
  • Patent number: 6228813
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lubricative composition obtained by polymerizing a monomer or prepolymer for a thermosetting resin or by crosslinking a crosslinking resin, the polymerization and crosslinking being conducted in either a lubricating oil or a grease containing the lubricating oil as a base oil. The lubricative composition is usable at high temperatures, free from lubricating-oil or grease deterioration, and excellent in mechanical strength and moldability and in the amount of the lubricating oil held therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Yabe, Takahiko Uchiyama, Atsuhiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6116785
    Abstract: A solid lubrication type self-aligning roller bearing is low in frictional torque and high in high-speed rotation performance. Only the space between fingers of the retainer protruding into the spaces between the outer ring and adjacent rollers arranged in two rows is filled with a lubricating composition manufactured by solidifying a mixture of an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyolefin and a grease to reduce the number of contact portions of the solid lubricating composition with the outer ring and the rollers. It is thus possible to considerably reduce torque and heat buildup due to sliding friction at the contact portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiro Kondo, Yukimitsu Yamamoto, Takeshi Maeda
  • Patent number: 6007251
    Abstract: There is provided a method for manufacturing a bearing, which has increased adhesive strength of lubricant to surfaces of rolling elements, a surface of a raceway or a surface of a cage. A surface of a ball, a raceway surface of an inner ring and a raceway surface of an outer ring are subjected to fluoride coating substitution process or ion bombardment process so that their oxygen concentration becomes not more than 2 ppm/mm.sup.2, by which surface oxide is removed. After the removal of the oxide, the surfaces are coated with a solid lubricant of silver, lead or the like. The surfaces from which oxide has been removed have good lubricant adhesion, making breaks in the lubricant unlikely to occur. Thus, the life of the bearing is prolonged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunori Hayashida, Hiroaki Takebayashi, Shoji Eguchi, Kouichi Okuda
  • Patent number: 6004039
    Abstract: In a structure for lubricating an oil seal interposed between a shaft and an outer circumferential member that surrounds the shaft, a bearing device provides: a shaft rotatable; an outer case surrounding the shaft and including a large-diameter portion, a medium-diameter portion, a small-diameter portion, and a contact portion connecting the medium-diameter portion and the small-diameter portion; a bearing assembly disposed in the large-diameter portion for supporting the shaft; an oil seal assembly interposed between the shaft and the outer case and contacting the medium-diameter portion and the contact portion; and a lubricant-containing member fitted to the oil seal assembly and molded plastically in an annular shape out of a resinous material containing a lubricant. The structure improved by the bearing device ensures satisfactory lubricating effects in a consistent manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Yabe, Fumio Ueki, Hiroji Etoh
  • Patent number: 5988891
    Abstract: A rolling bearing apparatus is disclosed, which have a cage disposed between an inner ring raceway track and an outer ring raceway track in a freely rotatable manner so as to guide and hold a plurality of rolling elements, wherein said cage is made of a resin composition which comprises a melt-moldable fluororesin as the main component and further contains at least one solid lubricant having an average particle diameter of from 0.1 to 60 .mu.m and a fibrous filler having an aspect ratio of from 3 to 200.The rolling bearing apparatus is inexpensive and, in particular, is capable of retaining lubricity over long even in a high-temperature environment and is reduced in the outward flying of particles therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Toyohisa Yamamoto, Takahiko Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 5904426
    Abstract: Each of the inner and outer rings of a non-retainer type rolling bearing has a wear-resistant solid film of a fluorine-containing synthetic resin formed on its track surface. The solid film carries a very small amount of grease having a low vapor pressure, e.g. fluorine-containing grease, as an effective lubricant for the inner and outer rings, and the rolling elements held therebetween, while the solid film is also restrained from producing dust. The amount of the grease does not exceed 5% of the volume of the open space in the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Tsuru, Tsugio Matsushita, Hiroshi Ono, Nobuhito Sakai
  • Patent number: 5860747
    Abstract: A greased lubricated rolling element bearing including an inner ring, an outer ring, a plurality of rolling elements disposed between said rings, and a cage for holding the rolling elements at a predetermined mutual spacing, has a lubricating grease composition present on the surfaces of said rings, said rolling elements and said cage. The cage is coated on at least the parts of its surface that are in sliding contact with said rolling elements, said inner ring or said outer ring, with a solid lubricant containing coating for lowering the running temperature of at least the cage. The solid lubricant containing coating preferably comprises a disulfide and/or diselenide of a Group V or VI transition metal, more preferably MoS.sub.2 and/or WS.sub.2 in combination with an organic resin such as PTFE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: SKF Industrial Trading and Development Company B.V.
    Inventors: George Tin Yau Wan, Bo Olov Jacobson
  • Patent number: 5845997
    Abstract: In a roller bearing, surface layers are formed on the inner surfaces of flanges which confront with the end faces of cylindrical rollers. The surface layers contain solid lubricant. The end faces of the cylindrical rollers are brought into slide contact with the surface layers. Hence, even when the roller bearing is insufficiently lubricated, the temperature rise is effectively suppressed, thus being free from the occurrence of seizure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Dai Kinno, Atsushi Yokouchi
  • Patent number: 5823686
    Abstract: An oilless antifriction bearing capable of supporting a large load, not requiring maintenance work for lubrication and having high durability comprises an outer ring (1) having an outer-ring race, an inner ring (2) having an inner-ring race, a plurality of metallic rolling elements (3), and a plurality of polyethylene rolling elements (4). The plurality of metallic rolling elements (3) and the plurality of polyethylene rolling elements (4) are arranged circumferentially alternately in the space between the outer-ring race of the outer ring (1) and the inner ring race of the inner ring (2). The polyethylene rolling elements (4) are interposed between the metallic rolling elements (3) to prevent the direct contact between the metallic rolling elements (3), making lubrication unnecessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Murano, Hiroshi Nishimura
  • Patent number: 5669719
    Abstract: In a roller bearing, surface layers are formed on the inner surfaces of flanges which confront with the end faces of cylindrical rollers. The surface layers contain solid lubricant. The end faces of the cylindrical rollers are brought into slide contact with the surface layers. Hence, even when the roller bearing is insufficiently lubricated, the temperature rise is effectively suppressed, thus being free from the occurrence of seizure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Dai Kinno, Atsushi Yokouchi
  • Patent number: 5615956
    Abstract: A roller bearing includes an outer ring having a raceway formed on its inner periphery, a plurality of rollers arranged along the raceway at predetermined intervals, and a solid lubricant filling the spaces between the adjacent rollers. The rollers and the solid lubricant form a one-piece body. The problems of large friction between rollers and the skewing of rollers are solved and it is possible to increase the load-bearing capacity of the bearing by using a large number of longer rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Fumio Oba, Toshihiko Matsushima, Hitoshi Murakami, Tomoaki Terada
  • Patent number: 5588751
    Abstract: A rolling bearing has a pair of races, rolling elements and a cage. A region defined between the pair of races is filled with a solid lubricating composition. A film including a lubricating component is formed in a clearance between the cage and the rolling elements, whereby the solid lubricating composition is prevented from being interposed therebetween. The film including a lubricating component is formed prior to the process of filling the region with the lubricating composition to solidify the lubricating composition. It is preferable that the film including a lubricating component is formed on the respective surfaces in contact with the solid lubricating composition of the races, the rolling elements and the cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuji Nakata, Hiroshi Komiya
  • Patent number: 5529401
    Abstract: A rolling element bearing comprises at least two bearing rings (1, 2; 14, 15; 21, 22, 23) enclosing a bearing space (40), which bearing space (40) contains rolling elements (3, 13, 41), a cage (50, 16, 36) and lubrication structures having a porous matrix (8, 11; 17, 18; 36) containing oil and accommodated between bearing rings, cage and/or rolling elements. In order to obtain a better lubrication for an improved useful service life, the porous matrix (8, 11; 17, 18; 36) is connected to a rotatable bearing element such as a cage (50, 16, 36), a seal (4, 5) or a ring (22, 23, 24) in such a way that it does not physically contact another bearing element and that no frictional forces are generated with respect to such other bearing element, whereby upon rotation of the bearing element carrying the matrix the oil is driven through the matrix under the influence of centrifugal forces and any contaminants contained in the oil are filtered out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: SKF Industrial Trading and Development Company B.V.
    Inventors: Antonio Gabelli, Gerardus De Vries, Bob C. Klijnveld, George T. Y. Wan
  • Patent number: 5486052
    Abstract: A solid-lubricated bearing assembly has an outer bearing member with a generally radially inwardly facing race surface formed therein adapted to receive rotatable bearing elements for rotating motion of the rotatable bearing elements respecting the outer bearing member, an inner bearing member having a generally radially outwardly facing race surface formed therein adapted to receive the rotatable bearing elements for rotating motion of the rotatable bearing elements respecting the inner bearing member, a plurality of rotatable bearing elements retained between the race surfaces of the inner and outer bearing members, and at least one spacer circumferentially positioned between the bearing elements for maintaining the bearing elements in spaced relation to one another while permitting rotation of the bearing elements in the races with the spacer including solid lubricant material for depositing a solid lubricant film on the rotatable elements by contact therewith as the rotatable elements rotate against the s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Tribology Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lewis B. Sibley, C. Brian Kelly
  • Patent number: 5399026
    Abstract: A bearing, such as a tapered roller bearing, has races provided with opposed raceways and rollers which lie in a circular row between the races and have side faces along which they contact the raceways. In addition, the bearing has a rib provided with an abutment face located at the end of one of its raceways. The ends of the rollers contact this face, and here the bearing experiences its greatest friction. Even though the bearing loses its normal supply of lubrication, it still will not be damaged by the friction between the end faces of the rollers and the abutment face of the rib, since it contains a supplemental source of lubrication. To this end, the bearing includes a lubricating ring having a band which extends across the end faces of the rollers and tabs which project from the band into the spaces between the rollers so as to be presented opposite the abutment face on the thrust rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: The Timken Company
    Inventor: Dwight C. Witte
  • Patent number: 5356227
    Abstract: A solid-lubricated bearing assembly has an outer bearing member with a generally radially inwardly facing race surface formed therein adapted to receive rotatable bearing elements for rotating motion of the rotatable bearing elements respecting the outer bearing member, an inner bearing member having a generally radially outwardly facing race surface formed therein adapted to receive the rotatable bearing elements for rotating motion of the rotatable bearing elements respecting the inner bearing member, a plurality of rotatable bearing elements retained between the race surfaces of the inner and outer bearing members, and at least one spacer circumferentially positioned between the bearing elements for maintaining the bearing elements in spaced relation to one another while permitting rotation of the bearing elements in the races with the spacer including solid lubricant material for depositing a solid lubricant film on the rotatable elements by contact therewith as the rotatable elements rotate against the s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Tribology Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lewis B. Sibley, C. Brian Kelly
  • Patent number: 5351786
    Abstract: Metal and ceramic bearing means being operated at elevated temperatures of at least 300.degree. C. and higher under atmospheric conditions are effectively lubricated with a novel class of vapor-phase deposited polymer lubricants. The lubricants are formed in situ during bearing operation and can further be applied as a precoat upon at least one of the untreated bearing surfaces for subsequent operation in the same manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Cleveland State University
    Inventors: Edgar E. Graham, Nelson H. Forster
  • Patent number: 5327995
    Abstract: In a method of lubrication between two sliding members at least one of which is made of a ceramic material, the improvement according to the present invention is characterized in that soot as produced by burning a hydrocarbon fuel is supplied between the two sliding members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Ishii, Kazuhisa Kitamura, Hiroaki Takebayashi, Kouichi Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 5284394
    Abstract: Improved structures in bearings operable to receive and support shafts or members which are supported for rotation on shafts or pins are disclosed. In one form, just the inner cylindrical surface of a solid bearing made of metal or hard ceramic material is coated with a synthetic diamond material deposited in situ therein as carbon atoms by means of high energy radiation, which also serves to form synthetic diamond structures of layers of such carbon atoms so deposited. In another form, the entire race of a multiple part bearing is coated with synthetic diamond material. In a third form, a rolling member type bearing, such as a ball or roller bearing, is provided containing an inner race, an outer race, and a plurality of balls, rollers, or other rolling members supported between the inner and outer race. In certain instances, the rolling members are retained by means of a cage supported therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Inventor: Jerome Lemelson
  • Patent number: 5222816
    Abstract: The raceway surfaces of inner ring 1 and outer rings 2 and the surfaces of rolling elements are respectively formed with solid lubricating films 1a, 2a and 3a of PTFE whose average molecular weight is not more than 5,000.These solid lubricating films each have a continuous island distribution comprising island film portions 5 and connective film portions 6 interconnecting the island film portions 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Kondoh, Hiroshi Yamada, Takahiro Mizutani, Norihide Satoh
  • Patent number: 5164266
    Abstract: A slidable ceramic member includes a base of a sintered ceramic material which is a compound including silicon (Si) as a constituent element, the base having a sliding surface, and a coated layer covering the sliding surface of the base, the coated layer comprising a compound of elements, such as barium (Ba) and calcium (Ca), belonging to group IIa of the periodic table, silicon (Si), and oxygen (O). The slidable ceramic member is used as a slidable component of a heat engine such as a cylinder liner or a piston ring which is subjected to repeated thermal stresses. Such a slidable ceramic member is manufactured by placing powder of a fluoride including elements belonging to group IIa of the periodic table on a surface of a base, and heating the base while rubbing the powder against the surface of the base, whereby the silicon (Si) contained in the base and the group-IIa elements contained in the powder can react with each other, thereby forming a slidable layer on the surface of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Isuzu Ceramics Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideki Kita
  • Patent number: 5163757
    Abstract: Ceramic bearing means being operated at elevated temperatures under atmospheric conditions are lubricated with metal oxide products. The lubricants are formed in situ by continuously oxidizing a metal source located in physical proximity to the ceramic bearing surfaces during operation of such bearing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Cleveland State University
    Inventor: Edgar E. Graham
  • Patent number: 5150974
    Abstract: The grease-sealed bearing is formed on rolling surfaces (4) of rings (2, 2) of the bearing (1) with oxide layers (5) having a thickness of 0.1-2.5 microns, the development of peculiar peeling on the rolling surfaces of the bearing can be prevented. If it is used as a bearing for an alternator or the like, its duration can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Tamada, Hirokazu Nakajima, Akio Okayama, Takahiro Mizutani
  • Patent number: 5106672
    Abstract: A structural element made of a castable or extrudable polymeric material reinforced by fillers, said structural element having a contact surface in sliding engagement with another element, the structural element being provided on its contact surface with a layer, thin in comparison to the structural element's dimensions, of polymeric material free of fillers, the said layer being unitary with the structural element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: INA Walzlager Schaeffler KG
    Inventor: Jurgen Rabe
  • Patent number: 5080195
    Abstract: A lubricant supply source is disposed in the vicinity of a sliding or rotary portion of a machine element, and an electrical power source is intermittently driven by a controller, so as to intermittently supply lubricant from the lubricant supply source to the machine element. When required, a sensor for monitoring the operating state of the machine element, and/or a remote controller is used, so that the supply of lubricant is controlled on the basis of the signal of the sensor and/or by means of the remote controller. Consequently, lubricant can be supplied or supplemented to the machine element in accordance with necessity. Therefore, the machine element will be able to stably operate for a long time, even in relative inaccessible places which people cannot inadvertently access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Koji Kato
    Inventors: Muneo Mizumoto, Koji Kato, Hiroshi Inoue, Nobuo Tsumaki
  • Patent number: 5066145
    Abstract: A solid-lubricated bearing assembly comprising an outer bearing member having a generally radially inwardly facing race surface formed therein adapted to receive rotatable bearing elements for rotating motion of said rotatable bearing elements respecting said outer bearing member, an inner bearing member having a generally radially outwardly facing race surface formed therein adapted to receive said rotatable bearing elements for rotating motion of said rotatable bearing elements respecting said inner bearing member, a plurality of said rotatable bearing elements retained between said race surfaces of said inner and outer bearing members, and solid lubricant material biased against and contacting at least one of said rotatable bearing elements for depositing a film of said solid lubricant material on said rotatable element by contact therewith as said rotatable elements rotate against said race surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Tribology Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lewis B. Sibley, C. Brian Kelly
  • Patent number: 4934837
    Abstract: This invention provides a bearing structure of a rotary machine wherein a shaft is supported on housings through rolling bearings made of a ceramic material, solid lubricants made of a powder lubricant of CaF.sub.2, Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3, etc., are disposed adjacent to and on both sides of the rolling bearings and seal rings are disposed between the shaft and the housings and on the sides of the solid lubricants. In a ultra-high speed rotary machine, this structure provides a bearing which is excellent in heat-resistance, deformation resistance, wear resistance and durability. The temperature of the bearing structure is raised as a whole to a high temperature without cooling the housings to provide solid lubrication by the solid lubricants, and to reduce drastically frictional resistance. The frictional resistance is further reduced under a high temperature condition to attain low friction and to drastically reduce the wear quantity of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventor: Hideo Kawamura
  • Patent number: 4923761
    Abstract: The invention is related to a bearing material having multiple layers therein and a method for manufacturing the same. The invention features that a bearing layer consisting mainly of an integrated resin powder is formed on a porous layer covering a back metal, such as a steel plate of like, that the integrated resin powder consists of P T F E resin precipitate and F E P resin precipitate and/or P F A resin precipitate and that each particle of the integrated resin powder is covered with Pb-Sn alloy powders.Accordingly, the integrated resin powder independently provides a predetermined lubricating property. In addition, since these resin precipitates are in unity, it is possible to maintain excellent cavitation resistance property and load resistance property, even under severe boundary conditions.Furthermore, since each of the integrated resin powder is covered with the Pb-Sn alloy powder, an uniform and deep penetration of the alloy powder into pores of the porous layer can be easily obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: NDC Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Shindo
  • Patent number: 4906110
    Abstract: A bearing unit has rolling elements separated by floating solid-lubricant spacers which interfit with the roller elements. When the rolling elements are rollers, the ends of the rollers are lubricated by solid lubricant caps on the rollers, or by end portions of the spacer which overlap the roller ends, or by end ring members of solid-lubricant material. If the bearing unit includes a cage, floating solid-lubricant spacers are located between the cage dividers and the rolling elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Balanced Engines, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan W. Van Wyk, David A. Zornes, Bruce L. Zornes
  • Patent number: 4871266
    Abstract: Slide assemblies, which each include a metallic member and a ceramic member to slide with the metallic member. The metallic member has a sliding surface coated with a mixture consisting essentially of a solid lubricant and a binder. The mixture of the solid lubricant and the binder is a combination selected from the group consisting of LiF+MoO.sub.3, PbO+Cu, MoS.sub.2 +Cu, LiF+Ni--Cr--Mo--Si, and LiF+Co--Mo--Cr--Si. Silicon nitride, sialon, mullite, partially stabilized zirconia, or silicon carbide is preferably used as the ceramic member. The slide assemblies exhibit excellent high frictional resistance and wearing resistance even in dry condition at high temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventor: Isao Oda
  • Patent number: 4859090
    Abstract: A rotating, conductive, heat transfer device is provided. The device includes an outer race having an axis, an inner race coaxial with the outer race, and a plurality of bearing balls disposed in a radial direction between the inner race and the outer race. The device also includes a plurality of separators disposed alternately in a peripheral direction between the bearing balls. The device has a first track and a second track, supported by the inner race, for supporting the separators. The inner race has a first, fixed, inner ring portion with a first bearing surface, and has a second, separable, inner ring portion with a second bearing surface. The outer race has a third bearing surface, disposed in a radial direction opposite to the first bearing surface. The outer race also has a fourth bearing surface, disposed in a radial direction opposite to the second bearing surface. The first and second and third and fourth bearing surfaces are in contact with a spherical surface of each bearing ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis W. Smith