Conforming Spherical Surfaces Patents (Class 384/498)
  • Patent number: 11867235
    Abstract: A plummer block includes a bearing and a bearing housing that accommodates and supports the bearing. The bearing housing includes an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion that is separate from the upper housing portion. The upper housing portion has a first surface facing downward. The lower housing portion has a second surface facing upward. The first surface has: a contact region in contact with the second surface; and a first protruding region protruding from the contact region at least outward in a radial direction of the bearing when viewed in the up-down direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Daigo Kimura
  • Patent number: 11674413
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan and a braking system. The braking system is configured to selectively engage the fan during ground windmilling to apply a first level of braking to slow rotation of the fan. Further, when the rotation of the fan sufficiently slows, the braking system is further configured to apply a second level of braking more restrictive than the first level of braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, William G. Sheridan
  • Patent number: 11326644
    Abstract: A bearing assembly includes a rolling bearing having a bearing ring fitted to a mating member, i.e., a shaft or a housing, with a clearance fit. Of the bearing ring and the mating member, the bearing ring has a flank face that separates a fitting surface of the bearing ring across the entire width thereof. The flank face defines a radial gap between the bearing ring and the housing. In a load receiving region where the radial gap remains, a portion of the bearing ring which is deformed in a wave-shaped pattern is kept out of contact with the fitting surface of the housing. The wave-shaped deformation of the bearing ring does not act as traveling waves that cause creep of the bearing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Hayato Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 11060605
    Abstract: A bearing system is provided in one example embodiment and may include an inner bearing assembly comprising a spherical bearing and an outer race; an outer bearing assembly comprising a plurality of cylindrical roller bearings, an inner race, and an outer race; and a race element comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the outer surface of the race element is the inner race for the outer bearing assembly and the inner surface of the race element is associated with the outer race for the inner bearing assembly. The inner bearing assembly allows tilting movements of the bearing system and the outer bearing assembly allows rotational movements and supports, at least in part, radial loads for the bearing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventors: Colton J. Gilliland, Russell L. Mueller
  • Patent number: 10471825
    Abstract: A carrier bearing assembly can include a bracket comprising a first end, a second end, a first face extending between the first end and the second end width, and a second face opposite the first face. An opening can be formed completely through the bracket and extend from the first face to the second face. A bearing can be disposed within the opening and an angle between a centerline of the bearing and a centerline of the bracket can be in a range of 85-89° or 91-95°. First and second mounting structures offset from the opening can be for coupling the carrier bearing assembly to the frame of the UTV, and the centerline of the bracket can pass through a center of the first mounting structure and a center of the second mounting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Sandcraft, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Roberts, Brent G. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 9988071
    Abstract: A bearing arrangement for a motor vehicle steering system includes a sleeve arranged between an outer bearing ring and a housing. The sleeve includes an inner contact surface in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the outer bearing ring, and an outer contact surface in contact with a seat surface of the housing, wherein either of the inner contact surface or the outer contact surface of the sleeve are convex shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG
    Inventor: Thomas Riepold
  • Patent number: 9827852
    Abstract: A shaft bearing assembly including a housing, in which a bearing is arranged, is disclosed. The housing includes a first and second flange part. The first and second flange parts can be connected to each other, wherein the two flange parts jointly form a receptacle for the rolling-element bearing, wherein one of the flange parts has at least one securing interface and the other has at least one securing counter-interface, wherein the first and second flange parts can be connected to each other and/or fixed to each other in a positive-locking manner by the securing interface and the securing counter-interface that prevents the two flange parts from detaching from each other in an axial direction established by projecting the axis of rotation of the rolling-element bearing onto the housing. The first and second flange parts are hooked to each other by the securing interface and the securing counter-interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jesiel Costa, Kleberson Sierra
  • Patent number: 9566996
    Abstract: A telescopic assembly comprises a first portion and a second portion and a support bearing assembly that acts between the two portions; the two portions being able to move relatively along a common path during telescopic adjustment; the support bearing assembly being located between the two portions and locating the two portions relative to one another to remove free play between the two portions that would otherwise occur in at least one direction orthogonal to the telescopic movement; characterized in that the support bearing assembly is fixed in position between the two portions by a release mechanism that is arranged, in use, to cause the support bearing assembly to grip both the first and second portions when they are not moving telescopically, to automatically release that grip upon relative telescopic movement of the two portions that exceeds a predetermined distance, and to automatically re-engage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: TRW LIMITED
    Inventor: Mark Anthony Wilkes
  • Patent number: 9206850
    Abstract: To provide a sensor equipped and in-wheel motor incorporated bearing device for a vehicle wheel, which is capable of accurately detecting a rotating condition of a vehicle drive wheel and is effective to accurately control an electric drive motor or an automotive vehicle, the sensor equipped and in-wheel motor incorporated bearing device includes a wheel support bearing assembly for rotatably supporting a hub of the vehicle drive wheel, an electric drive motor providing a rotation device source for the vehicle drive wheel, and a speed reducing mechanism interposed between the electric drive motor and the wheel support bearing assembly. A rotation detecting device is also provided for detecting the rotation of an output shaft of the speed reducing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toru Takahashi, Kiyotake Shibata, Minoru Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9181987
    Abstract: A coupling device (9, 10) providing end-to-end coupling between link shafts (4) and a supercritical transmission shaft (5) for driving a rotorcraft rotor (1). Since the transmission shaft (5) is movable in angular deflection (B), spherical bearing surface friction members (12, 13) are incorporated in the bearings (7) for mounting the transmission shaft (5) on a carrier structure (8). The friction members (12, 13) are caused to press against each other in dry friction via respective friction surfaces. A first friction member (12) is secured to the carrier structure (8) and a second friction member (13) is secured to a cage (14) for housing rolling members (15) carried by the transmission shaft (5). The cage is itself engaged on the transmission shaft (5) to accompany it in its movement in angular deflection (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
    Inventors: Romain Nevers, Leo Trierweiler, Francois Malburet
  • Patent number: 8840311
    Abstract: This rolling bearing (1) comprises an inner ring (12), an outer ring (14), rolling bodies (16) between said inner and outer rings, an encoder washer (32) fast in rotation with said inner ring and a support member (18) having an internal surface (26) in the form of a section of a sphere, the internal surface being adapted to be in sliding contact with a corresponding external surface (28) of the outer ring (14) which is also in the form of a section of a sphere. The support member (18) is provided with means (100; 200; 300; 400) to hold a sensor (50) with respect to the encoder washer (32), in a position where the sensor can detect a rotation of the encoder washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventor: Franck Landrieve
  • Patent number: 8539849
    Abstract: Disclosed is a bearing system for a worm engaging with a worm wheel as part of a steering gear, wherein the bearing system comprises at least one bearing with an outer ring, an inner ring, and rolling bodies that are movably accommodated between the outer an inner rings, the bearing being pivotally arranged in a bearing seat for accommodating the outer ring of the bearing, and wherein the inner ring accommodates one of the two shaft ends of the worm in order to seat said shaft end of the worm radially in the housing of the steering gear. For an improved dampening of the worm at least one spring element, which exerts a spring force on a region of the outer ring of the bearing, is provided at the bearing, said spring force supporting a pivotal motion of the worm toward the worm wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Bernhard, Marco Grau, Ekkehard Kneer, Jens-Uwe Hafermalz, Dennis Fuechsel, Juergen Bieber, Rainer Schaenzel
  • Publication number: 20130163911
    Abstract: A connecting module interposed between a drive shaft of an aircraft engine fan and a rolling-element bearing, wherein the module includes an inner structure attached to the shaft and including a bonnet, and an outer structure attached to the bearing, which is radially supported on a mechanism installed on the inner structure and delimiting a raceway which is complementary to the bonnet so as to form a ball-joint connection kept in a blocked state by a blocking device installed on the inner structure and protruding radially from the bonnet, wherein a mechanism forming a mechanical fuse provides a junction between the device and the bonnet, such that the ball-joint connection is released following fracture of this mechanism forming a mechanical fuse. The radial support mechanism is added to the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventors: Serge Louis Antunes, Francois Mouly
  • Patent number: 8398310
    Abstract: A self aligning bearing and seal assembly including a bearing housing operable to mount to a surface, a bearing unit seated within the bearing housing and having an outer race, an inner race, and at least one ball intermediate the outer and inner race. The self aligning bearing and seal assembly also includes a pivot assembly having a shaft sleeve operable for receiving and maintaining a rotatable shaft and being disposed in the bearing housing and in operational contact with the inner race of the bearing unit. The pivot assembly allows for a degree of angular misalignment between the surface and the shaft greater than three degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Total Lubrication Management Company
    Inventors: Charles Wayne Ehlert, Patrick Wilson Duncan
  • Patent number: 8393796
    Abstract: In an amphibious ATV, the wheel bearings are housed in a spherical mounting-structure, because of possible angular misalignment. The spherical mounting-structure comprises separable primary and secondary elements. The new system provides that both elements are axially wide, being e.g as wide as the outer-race of the bearing. Now, the elements are highly resistant to every distortion, which means the mounting-structure can seal the bearings very effectively—both as to keeping dirt and water out, and keeping lubricant in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Ontario Drive & Gear Limited
    Inventor: Brian Mark Cressman
  • Patent number: 8231279
    Abstract: A unit (1) for supporting the axle-shafts of go-karts provided with an annular body (12) having a variable perimeter and with a rolling bearing (20), set within the annular body (12) itself with the possibility of oscillation about an axis of adjustment (B) transverse to an axis (B) of rotation of the bearing (20) itself; a tightening system (30) being provided for tightening the support (11) on the bearing (20) and for blocking the bearing (20) itself in an operative position, and being defined by at least two sharp edges (32) (33) (36), fixed with respect to the bearing (20) and set about the axis (B) of rotation for cutting into a softer material of the concave seat (13), preventing any rotation of the bearing (20) about the axis (A) of adjustment in said operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Fabio Falsetti, Paolo Andolfi
  • Publication number: 20120163746
    Abstract: A self-aligning miniature ball bearing assembly is disclosed for being pressed into an opening formed in a substrate such as a sheet, a pillar block, a mounting flange, or a shaft. In one embodiment, the assembly is self-clinching when pressed into the opening and in an alternate embodiment the assembly is press-fitable into the opening and held with a friction fit. The miniature ball bearing of the assembly is mounted within a retainer and held against an angled bearing seat by a elastomeric compression ring. This allows the axis of the ball bearing to assume any orientation within a cone having a half angle of about 5 degrees with respect to an axis of the retainer. The ball bearing is thereby self-aligning upon receiving a shaft to be rotationally mounted in the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventor: Alan C. Guthrie
  • Publication number: 20100092119
    Abstract: A spherical plain bearing for a ball-and-socket joint includes a plain bearing shell. The plain bearing shell comprises a sliding layer containing a sliding material, at least one dimensionally stable support layer, and at least one elastic layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN PERFORMANCE PLASTICS PAMPUS GMBH
    Inventor: Markus Angenheister
  • Patent number: 7093981
    Abstract: In a self-aligning bearing positioning and supporting one end of a rotation shaft in an axial direction and allowing the rotation shaft to bend, the bearing is structured as a double row cylindrical roller bearing with aligning ring, a first row of cylindrical roller group is positioned by being held in an axial direction between a radially inward flange provided in an intermediate portion in an axial direction of an outer ring having an outer peripheral surface formed in a spherical surface shape, and a flange provided in one outer end of two inner rings, and a second row of cylindrical roller group is positioned by being held in the axial direction between the flange of the outer ring and a flange provided in another outer ends of the two inner rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Masui, Youichi Numada, Toshikazu Kawakami, Keiichi Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 6948857
    Abstract: A bearing system includes a ball-and-socket joint (1) having an annular spherical body (2) and a congruently shaped, socket-type guide ring (3) for accommodating the spherical body (2), the ball-and-socket joint (1) being radially connected to an elastic annular spring element (4) made of an elastomer material and also being radially connected to a bearing (5); the spring element (4) being connected to a housing (6) on the side facing radially away from the ball-and-socket joint (1); the bearing (5) being able to execute cardanic movements relative to the housing (6); and the facing surfaces (7, 8) of the ball-and-socket joint (1) and housing (6) being always positioned relative to each other in a manner that avoids relative cardanic movements during operation of the bearing system as intended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventor: Michael Schuetz
  • Patent number: 6942084
    Abstract: A release mechanism for actuating a friction clutch between an internal combustion engine and a transmission of a motor vehicle that is designed for concentric assembly on a guide sleeve mounted on a transmission shaft in order to bear against a release spring of the friction clutch where the guide sleeve and the friction clutch each having a respective center axis. The release mechanism includes a clutch release bearing. The release mechanism also includes a first device for compensating for at least one of a tilt between the center axes and wobbling eccentricity of the release spring where the first device includes a spherical surface between the release bearing and the guide sleeve, and a second device for compensating for offset between the center axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Thomas Riess, Karl Müller, Kurt Lindner, Martin Geiger
  • Publication number: 20040218843
    Abstract: A radial bearing unit for a driveshaft in motor vehicles, in particular a halfshaft for connecting a transmission with a driven front wheel, includes a holder having a housing made of two housing portions which are so configured as to form together a spherical receptacle. The integrity of the housing is realized by providing the housing portions with flanges for mutual support. Seated in the spherical receptacle is a curved outer surface area of a rolling-contact bearing. Each of the housing portions has at least two tabs extending radially in spaced-apart relationship from the flanges for form-fitting engagement in a machine part, when the radial bearing unit is installed in the machine part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: INA-SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventors: Peter Jennes, Uwe Abraham, Pierre Simon
  • Patent number: 6550974
    Abstract: The rolling bearing 1 of this bearing assembly is of the relubricatable type and is mounted tightly on the shaft 4 by its inner race 2 in such a way as to be prevented from rotating and translating on the shaft, the latter for this purpose comprising a thrust shoulder 3. The outer race 6 of the rolling bearing is housed in a ball swivel with a spherical outer peripheral surface consisting of two half ball swivels 7 back to back and this ball swivel is itself mounted in the spherical housing 8 of a support consisting of two flanges 9, 10 arranged facing one another and slightly separated from one another in the axial direction prior to clamping. One 9 of these flanges may be fixed by lugs 11 to the structure of the craft and the other flange 10 may be fixed to the previous one using screws 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventors: Elio Zoppitelli, Claude Bocoviz, Jean-Pierre Jalaguier
  • Publication number: 20020037122
    Abstract: An annular casing partially encloses the outer race of a pair of the angular contact bearings. The casing is split along a radial plane into two casing halves, each casing half being molded of a polymer. The two casing halves are retained axially such that relative axial movement of the angular contact bearings is limited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Applicant: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: Daniel R. McLarty, Walter Waskiewicz
  • Patent number: 6331078
    Abstract: A bearing system has a bearing axis initially coincident with a shaft axis and an outer member axis. An inner bearing element is associated with and coupled to the shaft. An outer bearing element is associated with and coupled to the outer member. A first of the inner and outer bearing elements is coupled to its associated member via a coupling having a trunnion stiffness which, upon experiencing a trunnion moment above a threshold moment, releases from an initial stiffness to a reduced stiffness, less than the initial stiffness, entering a released condition and allowing the shaft axis to locally rotate out of parallel with the outer member axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Keven G. Van Duyn
  • Patent number: 6250813
    Abstract: A bearing having a spherically convex radially outer surface is pivotably mounted in a spherically concave bore of a bearing housing. An annular housing cap is mounted against an axial end of the bearing housing, the housing cap having a radially inwardly directed annular groove and providing clearance with respect to the rotatable shaft such that pivoting of the bearing within the housing is permitted. At least two split laminar rings located within the annular groove of the housing cap are spring-loaded radially inwardly for biased engagement with the rotatable shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: James Thibault
  • Patent number: 6168530
    Abstract: The annular cushion 25 interposed between the fixed housing 22, 23 and a swiveling exterior surface 27 in the shape of a spherical sector with relatively large radius of curvature of the bearing block 12, 15, 16, is in a relatively rigid and incompressible material, with low coefficient of friction surface, and has a transverse section wholly adapted to the section of the annular space arranged between the inner surface of the fixed housing 22, 23 and the swiveling exterior surface of the bearing block 12, 15, 16, this annular cushion consisting of two rings 25 spaced apart and arranged on each side of the transverse median plane of the swiveling exterior surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventors: Bruno Guimbal, Elio Zoppitelli, Jean-Pierre Jalaguier
  • Patent number: 6132099
    Abstract: The invention relates to a radial bearing assembly for a drive shaft of vehicles which connects a transmission (2) with a driven front wheel (5), with a laterally sealed radial bearing (11a) received in a holder (15) which is securely fixed in place on the side of an internal combustion engine for supporting the drive halfshaft (7). In accordance with the invention, a drive shaft (7) in the form of a hollow shaft is provided, with an inner ring (12a) of the radial bearing (11a) being formed from a sheet metal band in a non-cutting fashion. The radial bearing (11a) is received via a spherically shaped outer surface area (14) of an outer ring (13a) in an oriented position in the holder (15) which is assembled from flanges (16, 17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: INA Walzlager Schaeffler OHG
    Inventors: Piotr Olszewski, Pierre Simon, Raphael Wittmann, Peter Jennes
  • Patent number: 5857782
    Abstract: A two-piece annular bearing ring seat with an annular concave spherical inside surface is adapted to slidably receive a spherical outer surface of a bearing ring. An annular strap having a coefficient of thermal expansion higher than the coefficient of thermal expansion of a bearing housing holds the bearing ring seat and annular strap together as a subassembly. The subassembly can be press fit into the housing to provide a housed self-aligning bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Walter P. Waskiewicz
  • Patent number: 5795078
    Abstract: A rotary and angular movement balanceable assembly includes a first balancer member having concave inner race surface and defining a receiving cavity, a second balancer member disposed in the receiving cavity having a convex outer race surface, a ball bracket mounted inside the receiving cavity, and a plurality of balls retained by the ball bracket in such manner that each ball is in rolling contact with the concave inner race surface of the first balancer member and the convex outer race surface of the second balancer member. Thereby, the rotary and angular movement balanceable assembly is installed between a thrust receiving unit and a thrust applying unit so as to rotatably support the thrust applying unit and enable the thrust applying unit to have both rotary and angular movement while a loading force is applied by the thrust applying unit to the thrust receiving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Inventor: Alvin Yi Li
  • Patent number: 5791787
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a bearing assembly suitable for use in a wet or harsh chemical environment. The bearing assembly includes a bearing housing that is resistant to corrosion, oxidation, contamination and deterioration when exposed to water, bacteria and various chemicals. Specifically, the bearing housing in accordance with the present invention is made from sintered stainless steel. In one embodiment, the housing can also be impregnated with a polymeric sealant which prevents the housing from entrapping bacteria and chemicals to which it may be exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Industrial Company
    Inventor: Donald L. Nisley
  • Patent number: 5536090
    Abstract: A bearing assembly having an improved lubrication arrangement includes an inner ring and an outer ring assembly defining a bearing chamber within which bearing elements are disposed. The inner ring, outer ring assembly and bearing elements comprise a bearing group. A housing is disposed about and positionally secures the bearing group. A first lubrication path is defined by the outer ring assembly to conduct lubricant to the bearing chamber. A second lubrication path is defined by the housing to conduct lubricant to the first lubrication path. Preferably, a threaded fitting extends through the second lubrication path and is threadably secured to the first lubrication path so that lubricant may be conducted directly into the first lubrication path without leakage between the bearing group and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Industrial Company
    Inventor: Donald L. Nisley
  • Patent number: 5468074
    Abstract: A bearing assembly has a stationary housing with a bore with a constant inside diameter. The non-metallic or powdered metal outer assembly is fixedly retained in the housing. A non-metallic or powdered metal inner assembly ring is slidably retained in the outer assembly ring. A ball bearing is retained by the inner assembly ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: Maksimilijan Godec, John A. Larson, Walter P. Waskiewicz
  • Patent number: 5460456
    Abstract: An automatic transmission tail housing includes a bearing housing which is mountable to an automatic transmission. A spherical roller bearing is mounted in the bearing housing for supporting a portion of a coupler assembly. An inner race of the spherical roller bearing is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of an output shaft of the automatic transmission to rotatably support the coupler assembly when engaged with the output shaft. The spherical roller bearing is also pivotable about a point on the output shaft longitudinal axis so that the coupler assembly is pivotally engageable with the tail housing to compensate for misalignment between the coupler assembly and the tail housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Inventor: James C. Beattie
  • Patent number: 5426988
    Abstract: A device for reciprocating a plunger according to the present invention comprises: an electric motor; a drive shaft rotated by the electric motor; an inner race fixedly mounted on the drive shaft, the inner race having an inner race track which is formed on the outer cylindrical surface of the inner race in such a manner that the inner trace track is not coaxial with the inner cylindrical surface of the inner race and the drive shaft; an outer race provided around the inner race, the outer race having an outer race track which is coaxial with the inner race track; a plurality of rolling members provided between the outer race track and the inner race track; and a plunger member movably supported in an axial direction thereof, one end of the plunger member being elastically abutted against the outer cylindrical surface of the outer race. According to the present invention, it is possible to make a manufacturing cost lower, to make the whole of the device smaller in weight, and to make a quality higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihisa Ohata, Takayuki Yatabe
  • Patent number: 5237884
    Abstract: A power transmission device for converting rotational movement of a rotation shaft having a rotation shaft axis and a top end, into oscillatory movement having a primary component of movement in a direction perpendicular to the rotation shaft axis in a plane parallel to or containing the rotation shaft axis, includes a recessed portion formed in the top end of the rotation shaft, a bearing with an outer race rockably mounted in the recessed portion, an inner race positioned within the outer race, and balls positioned between the outer race and the inner race for permitting relative rotation between the outer race and the inner race, an extending link having a first end fit in the inner race such that rotation of the rotating shaft causes rotation of the outer race therewith about the inner race, the link also having a second, opposite end, a rotary plate, a pin for connecting the rotary plate to the second end of the extending link, the pin having a central axis, and a supporting mechanism for providing that
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Osada Research Institute, Ltd.
    Inventor: Norio Seto
  • Patent number: 5106210
    Abstract: A bicycle hub includes a pair of sleeves rotatably supported on an axle, and a dust cap having a cylindrical portion engaged on each of the sleeves. An outer peripheral surface of one sleeve is curved, and an inner peripheral surface of a cylindrical portion of a dust cap is curved and is rotatably engaged with the curved outer peripheral surface of the sleeve so that the axle is rotatable about the dust cap by engagement between the curved outer peripheral surface of the sleeve and the curved inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Inventor: Yi-Chen Chi
  • Patent number: 5048646
    Abstract: An anti-skid device of the type including an arm, carrying in its outer end a chain-provided pulley that is brought in contact with a vehicle wheel so that the chains are thrown in under the vehicle wheel. The arm is, in its inner end, journaled in a U-shaped or fork-shaped bracket via a short axle that, in its ends, rests in bowl-shaped hemispherical bearings that are threaded into the legs of the bracket. The bearing bowls are pretensioned against the axle. At the apex of the shaft's spherical ends, recesses are made that take-up lubrication grease and, in this way, a point-like contact between the bearing shells and the axle is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Onspot AB
    Inventor: Lennart Carlsson
  • Patent number: 5028151
    Abstract: A bearing assembly suitable for use in a wet or harsh chemical environment including a support housing having a bore therein and a bearing insert received in said bore, exterior surfaces of said housing and interior surfaces defining said bore having tough, durable coatings of fluorocarbon polymer to render same resistant to corrosive chemical attack during usage in the good and chemical industry and the method of making the same, and to permit said bearing insert to self-seat in said bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Company
    Inventor: Donald L. Nisley
  • Patent number: 4973172
    Abstract: A product for use in a power train such as a bearing assembly, a reducer, a coupling or the like and which is suitable for use in a wet or harsh chemical environment including a housing, exterior surfaces of said housing having tough, durable coatings of fluorocarbon polymers to render same resistant to corrosion or chemical attack during usage in the food and chemical industry, and the method of making the same. A first polymer is present in a thickness of from about 0.5 to about 0.8 mill and exhibits thermoset characteristics for bonding to the housing. A second polymer is applied over the first polymer on all exterior surfaces to be protected in a thickness of up to about 4.0 mils and is bondable to said first polymer coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Industrial Company
    Inventors: Donald L. Nisley, Randall H. Alvis
  • Patent number: 4842129
    Abstract: A bearing and housing assembly includes first and second housing sections and fasteners for releasably securing the first housing section to the second housing section. A bearing assembly interposed between the housing section includes an inner bearing member fixed to a shaft and an outer bearing member rotatably mounted to the inner bearing member. The housing sections include openings for securing the bearing assembly therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: Conveyor Units Limited
    Inventors: Edward W. Toye, Leslie Bowen, deceased, Janet R. Bowen, legal representative, Walter L. Danks, legal representative
  • Patent number: 4708499
    Abstract: A pivot mounting assembly for movably mounting a steering column of a vehicle in a housing or the like comprising a rolling bearing including an outer ring and a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the steering column and a housing for pivotally mounting the outer ring in the housing including an intermediate mounting member disposed between the outer ring and housing and adopted for positive form locking connection with the housing in an axial direction and including a pair of cooperating retaining ring members having cooperable axially oriented projectors and recesses which are interengageable in a friction locking manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Assignee: SKF Gleitlager GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Loser, Leopold Tilgner, Jurgen Scholer
  • Patent number: 4668110
    Abstract: According to the invention, an inexpensive antifriction bearing is located in a plastic block and the plastic block is encircled by a further plastic ring. The softening point of the plastic ring is lower by 20.degree. C. than that of the material of the bearing block and between the softening point and melting point of the ring a difference of at least 30.degree. C. exists ensuring that in case of excessive warming up of the bearing, the sliding on each other of the plastic block and of the outer plastic ring as plain bearing, puts the bearing out of action for a certain time. The contact surfaces of the bearing block and the ring are spherical, ensuring the compensation of possible eccentricity by self-aligning. The ring is fixed in the seat of a roller by flanging. The invention renders superfluous the otherwise indispensable high-precision single-purpose machine or horizontal lathe for boring the roller, and makes possible the application of the technology of mass production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: Nikex Nehezipari Kulkereskedelmi
    Inventors: Csaba /E/ geto, Zolt/a/ n Szalay, B/e/ la D/o/ r/o/ mb/o/ sy, K/a/ roly Krauz
  • Patent number: 4606656
    Abstract: A bearing in which a locking or locating pin is used to substantially prevent relative motion between its outer race and its housing, the locking pin preferably being formed by a cold heading technique from a slug of metal so, as to have a generally cylindrical sleeve and a pin-like member in the sleeve which extends therefrom. When an axial compressive force is applied to the locking pin, the pin-like member telescopes into the sleeve, thereby preventing damage to the outer race of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: Albert M. LaRou