Spherical bearing tester

Claim 2

A spherical bearing tester to test a spherical bearing which includes an inner race having a spherical outer surface and a center bore to receive the shaft on which the inner race is to be mounted and an outer race enveloping the inner race and havIng an inner spherical surface in mating relation with the outer spherical surface of the inner race including: a. a shaft member shaped to extend through and support the bearing inner race for motion therewith, b. means to support said shaft member for oscillatory motion about its longitudinal axis, c. first means to move said shaft member in oscillatory rotary motion about its longitudinal axis, d. a support member supporting the bearing outer race in mating relation with the bearing inner race, e. means to support said support member for oscillatory rotary motion about a second axis perpendicular to the shaft longitudinal axis, f. second means to move said support member in oscillatory rotary motion about said second axis, g. and means to impose a load on said support member along an axis perpendicular to the shaft longitudinal axis and to the second axis so as to cause said support member and hence the bearing outer race to move with respect to the inner race and hence load said races.

Claim 3

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said load imposing means imparts both a steady state and an oscillatory load to said support member.

Claim 4

Apparatus according to claim 1 and including means to impose a load on said shaft along said shaft longitudinal axis.

Claim 5

Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said last named load imposing means is an adjustable spring.

Claim 6

Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said load imposing means is a bellcrank member pivotally supported from said first means including: a. a first arm extending substantially perpendicular to said shaft longitudinal axis and having an end in alignment therewith, b. a second arm extending substantially parallel to said shaft longitudinal axis and, c. means to support testing weights from said second arm at selected distances from the bellcrank pivot axis so as to impose a moment about said bellcrank member pivotal axis, which moment acts upon said shaft through said first arm.

Claim 7

Apparatus according to claim 5 and including counterweight means cooperating with said bellcrank member so that said bellcrank member imposes no load upon said shaft when unloaded.

Claim 8

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said load imposing means includes: a. a pivotal member mounting said support member and pivotally connected to said first means about an axis parallel to and offset from said shaft longitudinal axis and including means to impose a force on said pivotal member at a point on the opposite side of said shaft from the pivotal axis of the pivotal member.

Claim 9

Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said means to impose a force on said pivotal member is a shaft member extending along an axis substantially perpendicular to the pivotal member pivotal axis and positioned on the opposite side of said shaft from said pivotal axis and further including a driven eccentric member connected to said shaft member and adapted to impose oscillatory loads on said shaft in a direction perpendicular to said shaft axis and said pivot member pivot axis as said eccentric member rotates.

Claim 10

Apparatus according to claim 8 and including means connected to said eccentric member to impose a steady state load upon said shaft at all times.

Claim 11

Apparatus according to claim 1 where said shaft support means and said support member support means are removably attached to said tester so that shaft member and said support member are replaceable to permit the testing of a spherical bearing of any size.

Claim 12

A spherical bearing tester to test a spherical bearing which includes an inner race having a spherical outer surface and a center bore to receive the shaft on which the inner race is to be mounted and an outer race enveloping the inner race and having an inner spherical surface in mating relation with the outer spherical surface of the inner race including: a. a shaft member shaped to extend through and support the bearing inner race for motion therewith, b. first meaNs to move said shaft member for oscillatory rotary motion about its longitudinal axis, c. support means adapted to support the bearing outer race in mating relation with the bearing inner race, d. second means to establish relative motion between the inner and outer races about a second axis perpendicular to the shaft longitudinal axis, e. and means to impose a load on said shaft and hence said inner race along the shaft longitudinal axis.

Claim 13

A spherical bearing tester to test a spherical bearing which includes an inner race having a spherical outer surface and a center bore to receive the shaft on which the inner race is to be mounted and an outer race enveloping the inner race and having an inner spherical surface in mating relation with the outer spherical surface of the inner race including: a. a shaft member shaped to extend through and support the bearing inner race for motion therewith, b. first meaNs to move said shaft member for oscillatory rotary motion about its longitudinal axis, c. support means adapted to support the bearing outer race in mating relation with the bearing inner race, d. second means to establish relative motion between the inner and outer races about a second axis perpendicular to the shaft longitudinal axis, e. and means to impose a load on said shaft and hence said inner race along the shaft longitudinal axis.

Claim 14

A spherical bearing tester adapted to test spherical bearings which include an inner and an outer race having a spherical interface therebetween comprising: a. means to support the inner bearing race, b. means to support the outer bearing race, c. and means pivotally connecting said support means to permit load imposing relative pivotal motion therebetween and between said races.

Claim 15

A spherical bearing tester adapted to test spherical bearings which include an inner and an outer race having a spherical interface therebetween comprising: a. means to support the inner bearing race, b. means to support the outer bearing race, c. and means pivotally connecting said support means to permit load imposing relative pivotal motion therebetween and between said races.

Claim 16

Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said inner race supporting means is stationary and said outer race supporting means is pivotally movable with respect thereto.

Claim 17

Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said inner bearing race support means includes a load support assembly having spaced walls supporting a thru-shaft adapted to extend through the bore of the spherical bearing inner race and having at least one pivotable support latch extending between said support walls.

Claim 18

Apparatus according to claim 12 and including means to cause said inner race to oscillate about a first axis within said outer race, and means to cause relative oscillation between said races about a second axis perpendicular to said first axis.

Claim 19

Apparatus according to claim 27 and including means to impart a load to said inner race along said first axis.

Claim 20

A spherical bearing tester adapted to test a spherical bearing which includes an inner race having a spherical outer surface and a center bore to receive the shaft on which the inner race is to be mounted and an outer race enveloping the inner race and having an inner spherical surface in mating relation with the outer spherical surface of the inner race including: a. a shaft member adapted to extend through and support the bearing inner race for motion therewith, b. first means to move said shaft member for oscillatory rotary motion about its longitudinal axis, c. a support member adapted to support the bearing outer race in mating relation with the bearing inner race, d. second means to support said support member for oscillatory rotary motion about a second axis perpendicular to the shaft longitudinal axis, e. means to impose a load along an axis perpendicular to the shaft longitudinal axis and to the second axis so as to cause said support member and hence the bearing outer race to move with respect to the inner race, f. means to cause said shaft and hence the bearing inner race to oscillate about the shaft longitudinal axis and, g. means to cause said support member and hence the bearing outer race to oscillate about said second axis.

Claim 21

A spherical bearing tester adapted to test a spherical bearing which includes an inner race having a spherical outer surface and a center bore to receive the shaft on which the inner race is to be mounted and an outer race enveloping the inner race and having an inner spherical surface in mating relation with the outer spherical surface of the inner race including: a. a shaft member adapted to extend through and support the bearing inner race for motion therewith, b. first means to move said shaft member for oscillatory rotary motion about its longitudinal axis, c. a support member adapted to support the bearing outer race in mating relation with the bearing inner race, d. second means to support said support member for oscillatory rotary motion about a second axis perpendicular to the shaft longitudinal axis, e. means to impose a load along an axis perpendicular to the shaft longitudinal axis and to the second axis so as to cause said support member and hence the bearing outer race to move with respect to the inner race, f. means to cause said shaft and hence the bearing inner race to oscillate about the shaft longitudinal axis and, g. means to cause said support member and hence the bearing outer race to oscillate about said second axis.

Claim 22

A spherical bearing tester adapted to test a spherical bearing which includes an inner race having a spherical outer surface and a center bore to receive the shaft on which the inner race is to be mounted and an outer race enveloping the inner race and having an inner spherical surface in mating relation with the outer spherical surface of the inner race including: a. a shaft member adapted to extend through and support the bearing inner race for motion therewith, b. first means to support said shaft member for oscillatory rotary motion about its longitudinal axis, c. a support member adapted to support the bearing outer race in mating relation with the bearing inner race, d. second means to support said support member for oscillatory rotary motion about a second axis perpendicular to the shaft longitudinal axis, e. means to impose a load along an axis perpendicular to the shaft longitudinal axis and to the second axis so as to cause said support member and Hence the bearing outer race to move with respect to the inner race, f. means to impose a load on said shaft along said shaft longitudinal axis, g. means to cause said shaft and hence the bearing inner race to oscillate about the shaft longitudinal axis and, h. means to cause said support member and hence the bearing outer race to oscillate about said second axis.

Claim 23

A spherical bearing tester adapted to test a spherical bearing which includes an inner race having a spherical outer surface and a center bore to receive the shaft on which the inner race is to be mounted and an outer race enveloping the inner race and having an inner spherical surface in mating relation with the outer spherical surface of the inner race including: a. a shaft member adapted to extend through and support the bearing inner race for motion therewith, b. first means to support said shaft member for oscillatory rotary motion about its longitudinal axis, c. a support member adapted to support the bearing outer race in mating relation with the bearing inner race, d. second means to support said support member for oscillatory rotary motion about a second axis perpendicular to the shaft longitudinal axis, e. means to impose a load along an axis perpendicular to the shaft longitudinal axis and to the second axis so as to cause said support member and Hence the bearing outer race to move with respect to the inner race, f. means to impose a load on said shaft along said shaft longitudinal axis, g. means to cause said shaft and hence the bearing inner race to oscillate about the shaft longitudinal axis and, h. means to cause said support member and hence the bearing outer race to oscillate about said second axis.

Claim 24

A spherical bearing tester to test a spherical bearing which includes an inner race having a spherical outer surface and a center bore to receive the shaft on which the inner race is to be mounted and an outer race enveloping the inner race and having an inner spherical surface in mating relation with the outer spherical surface of the inner race including: a. a shaft member shaped to extend through and support the bearing inner race for motion therewith, b. first means supporting said shaft member for oscillatory rotary motion about its longitudinal axis, c. means to move said shaft member in oscillatory rotary motion about its longitudinal axis, d. support means supporting the bearing outer race in mating relation with the bearing inner race, e. second means to establish relative motion between said inner and outer races about a second axis perpendicular to the shaft longitudinal axis, f. and means to impose a load on said support means along an axis perpendicular to the shaft longitudinal axis and to the second axis to cause said support means and hence the bearing outer race to move with respect to the inner race to thereby load the races.

Claim 25

A spherical bearing tester to test a spherical bearing which includes an inner race having a spherical outer surface and a center bore to receive the shaft on which the inner race is to be mounted and an outer race enveloping the inner race and having an inner spherical surface in mating relation with the outer spherical surface of the inner race including: a. a shaft member shaped to extend through and support the bearing inner race for motion therewith, b. first means supporting said shaft member for oscillatory rotary motion about its longitudinal axis, c. means to move said shaft member in oscillatory rotary motion about its longitudinal axis, d. support means supporting the bearing outer race in mating relation with the bearing inner race, e. second means to establish relative motion between said inner and outer races about a second axis perpendicular to the shaft longitudinal axis, f. and means to impose a load on said support means along an axis perpendicular to the shaft longitudinal axis and to the second axis to cause said support means and hence the bearing outer race to move with respect to the inner race to thereby load the races.

Claim 26

A spherical bearing tester to test a spherical bearing which includes an inner race having a spherical outer surface and a center bore to receive the shaft on which the inner race is to be mounted and an outer race enveloping the inner race and having an inner spherical surface in mating relation with the outer spherical surface of the inner race including: a. a shaft member shaped to extend through and support the bearing inner race for motion therewith, b. first means to support and move said shaft member in oscillatory rotary motion about its longitudinal axis, c. support means adapted to support the bearing outer race in mating relation with the bearing inner race, d. second means to cause said outer race to oscillate about said inner race about a second axis perpendicular to the shaft longitudinal axis, e. and means to impose a load along an axis perpendicular to the shaft longitudinal axis and to the second axis so as to cause said support means and hence the bearing outer race to move with respect to the inner race.

Claim 27

A spherical bearing tester to test a spherical bearing which includes an inner race having a spherical outer surface and a center bore to receive the shaft on which the inner race is to be mounted and an outer race enveloping the inner race and having an inner spherical surface in mating relation with the outer spherical surface of the inner race including: a. a shaft member shaped to extend through and support the bearing inner race for motion therewith, b. first means to support and move said shaft member in oscillatory rotary motion about its longitudinal axis, c. support means adapted to support the bearing outer race in mating relation with the bearing inner race, d. second means to cause said outer race to oscillate about said inner race about a second axis perpendicular to the shaft longitudinal axis, e. and means to impose a load along an axis perpendicular to the shaft longitudinal axis and to the second axis so as to cause said support means and hence the bearing outer race to move with respect to the inner race.

Claim 28

A spherical bearing tester adapted to test spherical bearings which include an inner and an outer race having a spherical interface therebetween comprising: a. means to support the inner bearing race, b. means to support the outer bearing race, c. means pivotally connecting said support means to permit load imposing relative pivotal motion therebetween and between said races, d. means to cause said inner race to oscillate about a first axis within the outer race, e. and means to cause the outer race to oscillate about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis with respect to the inner race.

Claim 29

A spherical bearing tester adapted to test spherical bearings which include an inner and an outer race having a spherical interface therebetween comprising: a. means to support the inner bearing race, b. means to support the outer bearing race, c. means pivotally connecting said support means to permit load imposing relative pivotal motion therebetween and between said races, d. means to cause said inner race to oscillate about a first axis within the outer race, e. and means to cause the outer race to oscillate about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis with respect to the inner race.

Claim 30

A spherical bearing tester adapted to test spherical bearings which include an inner and an outer race having a spherical interface therebetween comprising: a. means to support the inner bearing race, b. means to support the outer bearing race, c. means pivotally connecting said support means to permit load imposing relative pivotal motion therebetween and between said races, and wherein said load imposing means includes:

Claim 31

A spherical bearing tester adapted to test spherical bearings which include an inner and an outer race having a spherical interface therebetween comprising: a. means to support the inner bearing race, b. means to support the outer bearing race, c. means pivotally connecting said support means to permit load imposing relative pivotal motion therebetween and between said races, and wherein said load imposing means includes:

Claim 32

A spherical bearing tester adapted to test a spherical bearing which includes an inner race having a spherical outer surface and a center bore to receive the shaft On which the inner race is to be mounted and an outer race enveloping the inner race and having an inner spherical surface in mating relation with the outer spherical surface of the inner race including: a. a shaft member adapted to extend through and support the bearing inner race for motion therewith, b. first means to support said shaft member for oscillatory rotary motion about its longitudinal axis, c. a support member adapted to support the bearing outer race in mating relation with the bearing inner race, d. second means to support said support member for oscillatory rotary motion about a second axis perpendicular to the shaft longitudinal axis, e. means to impose a load along an axis perpendicular to the shaft longitudinal axis and to the second axis so as to cause said support member and hence the bearing outer race to move with respect to the inner race, f. means to cause said shaft and hence the bearing inner race to oscillate about the shaft longitudinal axis, g. means to cause said support member and hence the bearing outer race to oscillate about said second axis, wherein said means to cause said shaft to oscillate and said means to cause said support member to oscillate are eccentric drive members.

Claim 33

A spherical bearing tester adapted to test a spherical bearing which includes an inner race having a spherical outer surface and a center bore to receive the shaft On which the inner race is to be mounted and an outer race enveloping the inner race and having an inner spherical surface in mating relation with the outer spherical surface of the inner race including: a. a shaft member adapted to extend through and support the bearing inner race for motion therewith, b. first means to support said shaft member for oscillatory rotary motion about its longitudinal axis, c. a support member adapted to support the bearing outer race in mating relation with the bearing inner race, d. second means to support said support member for oscillatory rotary motion about a second axis perpendicular to the shaft longitudinal axis, e. means to impose a load along an axis perpendicular to the shaft longitudinal axis and to the second axis so as to cause said support member and hence the bearing outer race to move with respect to the inner race, f. means to cause said shaft and hence the bearing inner race to oscillate about the shaft longitudinal axis, g. means to cause said support member and hence the bearing outer race to oscillate about said second axis, wherein said means to cause said shaft to oscillate and said means to cause said support member to oscillate are eccentric drive members.

Claim 34

A spherical bearing tester adapted to test a spherical bearing which includes an inner race having a spherical outer surface and a center bore to receive the shaft on which the inner race is to be mounted and an outer race enveloping the inner race and having an inner spherical surface in mating relation with the outer spherical surface of the inner race including: a. a shaft member adapted to extend through and support the bearing inner race for motion therewith, b. first means to support said shaft member for oscillatory rotary motion about its longitudinal axis, c. a support member adapted to support the bearing outer race in mating relation with the bearing inner race, d. second means to support said support member for oscillatory rotary motion about a second axis perpendicular to the shaft longitudinal axis, e. means to impose a load along an axis perpendicular to the shaft longitudinal axis and to the second axis so as to cause said support member and hence the bearing outer race to move with respect to the inner race, f. means to cause said shaft and hence the bearing inner race to oscillate about the shaft longitudinal axis, g. means to cause said support member and hence the bearing outer race to oscillate about said second axis, wherein said means to cause said shaft to oscillate and said means to cause said support member to oscillate are eccentric drive members, and further wherein said eccentric drive members include variable eccentric throws to vary the degree of oscillation.

Claim 35

A spherical bearing tester adapted to test a spherical bearing which includes an inner race having a spherical outer surface and a center bore to receive the shaft on which the inner race is to be mounted and an outer race enveloping the inner race and having an inner spherical surface in mating relation with the outer spherical surface of the inner race including: a. a shaft member adapted to extend through and support the bearing inner race for motion therewith, b. first means to support said shaft member for oscillatory rotary motion about its longitudinal axis, c. a support member adapted to support the bearing outer race in mating relation with the bearing inner race, d. second means to support said support member for oscillatory rotary motion about a second axis perpendicular to the shaft longitudinal axis, e. means to impose a load along an axis perpendicular to the shaft longitudinal axis and to the second axis so as to cause said support member and hence the bearing outer race to move with respect to the inner race, f. means to cause said shaft and hence the bearing inner race to oscillate about the shaft longitudinal axis, g. means to cause said support member and hence the bearing outer race to oscillate about said second axis, wherein said means to cause said shaft to oscillate and said means to cause said support member to oscillate are eccentric drive members, and further wherein said eccentric drive members include variable eccentric throws to vary the degree of oscillation.

Claim 36

A spherical bearing tester adapted to test spherical bearings which include an inner and an outer race having a spherical interface therebetween comprising: a. means to support the inner bearing race, b. means to support the outer bearing race, c. means pivotally connecting said support means to permit load imposing relative pivotal motion, therebetween and between said races, d. means to cause said inner race to oscillate about a first axis within the outer race, e. means to cause the outer race to oscillate about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis with respect to the inner race, and f. means to impart a load to said inner race along said first axis.

Claim 37

A spherical bearing tester adapted to test spherical bearings which include an inner and an outer race having a spherical interface therebetween comprising: a. means to support the inner bearing race, b. means to support the outer bearing race, c. means pivotally connecting said support means to permit load imposing relative pivotal motion, therebetween and between said races, d. means to cause said inner race to oscillate about a first axis within the outer race, e. means to cause the outer race to oscillate about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis with respect to the inner race, and f. means to impart a load to said inner race along said first axis.

Claim 38

A spherical bearing tester adapted to test spherical bearings which include an inner and an outer race having a spherical interface therebetween comprising: a. means to support the inner bearing race, b. means to support the outer bearing race, c. means pivotally connecting said support means to permit load imposing relative pivotal motion therebetween and between said races, and wherein said load imposing means includes:

Claim 39

A spherical bearing tester adapted to test spherical bearings which include an inner and an outer race having a spherical interface therebetween comprising: a. means to support the inner bearing race, b. means to support the outer bearing race, c. means pivotally connecting said support means to permit load imposing relative pivotal motion therebetween and between said races, and wherein said load imposing means includes: