Abstract: In a self-aligning roller bearing having a plurality of spherical rollers disposed between the track surface of an inner race and the track surface of an outer race, the bus line on the track surface of the inner race is formed by a curve comprising a plurality of radii of curvature, and there are predetermined relations among the radius of curvature of the bus line on the rolling surface of the rollers, the radius of curvature of the bus line on the track surface of the outer race, the radius of curvature of the bus line on the track surface of the inner race corresponding to the axially central portion of each roller and the radii of curvature of the bus lines on the track surface of the inner race corresponding to the axial end portions of each roller.

Abstract: A roller bearing comprising an inner race, an outer race and rollers arranged between these races has a predetermined relationship between a maximum diameter of each roller of the bearing, a length of each roller, and radius of curvature of a contacting portion between a rolling surface of the roller and a chamfer portion of the roller.

Abstract: In an automatic self-aligning roller bearing including an inner race, an outer race and a plurality of rolling bodies disposed between the inner race and outer race, a radius of each of track grooves on the inner race and a radius of track groove on the outer race have a predetermined relationship established therebetween. Thus, a pressure developed on both the inner and outer races is simultaneously uniformly distributed as seen in the axial direction under a condition in proximity of a designed load whereby a running life of both the inner and outer races can be elongated. Consequently, a well balanced roller bearing of the above-mentioned type having a long running life is provided.

Abstract: A ball structure for stabilizing bearing torque in high speed, preloaded, angular contact load supporting ball bearings operating on elastohydrodynamic lubricant films. Angular momentum developed about a ball spin axis that is not parallel to the bearing rotation axis results in a continuous creep of the ball about the momentum axis, thereby allowing a long term preload and torque variation. The improved ball set is shaped so that each ball has a mass inertia about its desired spin axis that is greater than about all other axes, so as to develop a restoring moment tending to maintain rotation about a fixed axis in each ball. The ball cage is configured to maintain ball alignment during run-up and run-down of the bearing.

Abstract: A roller bearing comprising an inner and outer raceway and a row of rollers arranged between and contacting the raceways, the axes of the rollers being substantially parallel to the axes of the raceways when the latter are coinciding, the rollers and the raceways having curved longitudinal section profiles in which the curve radii are substantially greater than the greatest distance between the central axis of the bearing and the surfaces of the raceways and wherein the rollers are axially movable between the raceways without being obstructed by axial limitations at the raceways or by limited axial cage play for permitting relative inclination and axial displaceability being limited only by the rollers being squeezed radially between the raceways.

Abstract: A tripot universal joint of the end motion type is provided. The joint includes a first shaft with a cup-shaped member at one end having three axially-extending, parallel grooves in its inner periphery. Another shaft has a spider at one end with three trunnions extending radially outwardly. A roller is mounted on each trunnion for slidable, rotatable, and pivotal movements with respect to the trunnion. The roller is maintained with its axis perpendicular to the associated groove, even when the spider shaft is positioned at a substantial angle to the axis of the first shaft and the cup-shaped member. The roller mounting includes a guide ring slidably mounted on the trunnion for axial movement with respect thereto, the guide ring having an outer segmental spherical surface.

Abstract: A tripot universal joint of the end motion type is provided. The joint includes a first shaft with a cup-shaped member at one end having three axially-extending, parallel grooves in its inner periphery. Another shaft has a spider at one end with three trunnions extending radially outwardly. A roller is mounted on each trunnion for slidable, rotatable, and pivotal movements with respect to the trunnion. The roller is maintained with its axis perpendicular to the associated groove, even when the spider shaft is positioned at a substantial angle to the axis of the first shaft and the cup-shaped member. The roller mounting includes a guide ring slidably mounted on the trunnion for axial movement with respect thereto, the guide ring having an outer segmental spherical surface.

Abstract: A roller bearing having inner and outer raceways and a series of rollers interposed between the raceways characterized by a roller profiled in a predetermined manner to produce a residual frictional moment when the bearing is loaded which tends to control the direction of roller skew. To provide the residual frictional moment, the roller is designed with a profile contour having a predetermined variable curvature and the inner and outer raceways are designed with a constant radius of curvature. Thus designed, the frictional moment distribution on the roller is made to produce a positive skew resulting in decreased heat generation, less bearing friction and longer bearing life. The principle of the invention applies to bearing assemblies having barrel-shaped rollers as well as assemblies having hour-glass shaped rollers. In assemblies with barrel-shaped rollers, the geometric relationships are preferably as follows: R.sub.r2 <R.sub.o <R.sub.r1 <R.sub.iwhereinR.sub.