US3640591A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rolling contact bearing having temperature compensation
Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
•
Filing: 1970-03-04
•
Granted: 1972-02-08
•
Expires: 1990-03-04
Abstract
Abstract A bearing assembly including a rolling contact bearing member, and a raceway structure incorporating a temperature-compensating flexure-type rib arrangement for providing immediate bearing support to, and resiliently resisting excessive thermal expansion of, the bearing member to thereby counteract and inhibit spalling of the bearing components normally resulting from the excessive thermal expansion.
Inventors
- 👤 Phillip R Eklund
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 02:32
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C33/00; F16C33/30; F16C33/58; F16C19/00; F16C19/02; F16C19/14; F16C19/16; F16C19/163; F16C19/52; F16C19/525; F16C25/00; F16C25/06; F16C25/08; F16C27/00; F16C27/04; F16C33/60; F16C2300/00; F16C2300/10; F16C2300/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
282 words
In a bearing assembly having at least one antifriction, rolling contact bearing member; and a raceway structure comprising both inner and outer race members for supporting said antifriction bearing member; each of said race members including, and combined with, a temperature-compensating mechanism built into and forming a substantially integral part of said raceway structure and comprising; a first, substantially rigid, main upright support portion disposed in relatively remote relation to, and thereby indirectly supporting said antifriction bearing member; a second, direct-antifriction bearing member-support portion including first, arcuate-shaped inner disposed surface means arranged in spaced-apart and relatively remote relation to, said first, main support portion and in direct supporting contact with said antifriction bearing member, and second, outwardly disposed surface means backwardly curved to a centrally disposed, relatively flat surface portion oriented at a predetermined clearance with the inner surface of said first main, support portion to thereby positively limit any flexure applied to said direct-antifriction bearing member-support portion by the thermal expansion of said bearing member; and a third, intermediately positioned and substantially resilient, antifriction, bearing member-support portion integrally joined between, and extending in substantially projecting relation from, said first, main support portion to a yieldable attachment with said second, direct-antifriction bearing member-support portion to thereby flexibly support both of said second-named support portion and the antifriction bearing member supported thereby, and thus controllably resist and automatically compensate for the expansion of the antifriction bearing member resulting from a temperature differential existing in, and during operation of the various bearing components; said second, direct-antifriction bearing member-support portion comprising a pair of arcuateshaped members each consisting of a separate flexing rib member terminating in an inner end portion facing inwardly towards each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
282 words
In a bearing assembly having at least one antifriction, rolling contact bearing member; and a raceway structure comprising both inner and outer race members for supporting said antifriction bearing member; each of said race members including, and combined with, a temperature-compensating mechanism built into and forming a substantially integral part of said raceway structure and comprising; a first, substantially rigid, main upright support portion disposed in relatively remote relation to, and thereby indirectly supporting said antifriction bearing member; a second, direct-antifriction bearing member-support portion including first, arcuate-shaped inner disposed surface means arranged in spaced-apart and relatively remote relation to, said first, main support portion and in direct supporting contact with said antifriction bearing member, and second, outwardly disposed surface means backwardly curved to a centrally disposed, relatively flat surface portion oriented at a predetermined clearance with the inner surface of said first main, support portion to thereby positively limit any flexure applied to said direct-antifriction bearing member-support portion by the thermal expansion of said bearing member; and a third, intermediately positioned and substantially resilient, antifriction, bearing member-support portion integrally joined between, and extending in substantially projecting relation from, said first, main support portion to a yieldable attachment with said second, direct-antifriction bearing member-support portion to thereby flexibly support both of said second-named support portion and the antifriction bearing member supported thereby, and thus controllably resist and automatically compensate for the expansion of the antifriction bearing member resulting from a temperature differential existing in, and during operation of the various bearing components; said second, direct-antifriction bearing member-support portion comprising a pair of arcuateshaped members each consisting of a separate flexing rib member terminating in an inner end portion facing inwardly towards each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
113 words
In a bearing assembly as in claim 1, wherein the inner end portion of each of said flexing rib members facing towards each other are arranged both with a slight clearance therebetween to thereby provide a first groove portion, and at a predetermined distance from said main support means to thereby provide a second groove portion at right angles to said first groove portion to simultaneously both ensure a predetermined flexure and a positive controllable limit to the movement of each of said rib members resulting from the flexing action thereof and thus retaining the minimum inherent strength required for the said bearing assembly while simultaneously ensuring significant relief of any stress concentrations.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
89 words
In a bearing assembly as in claim 1, wherein the resilient, third, antifriction bearing-support portion consists of a pair of interconnecting flexing rib member-support elements integrally joined between, and yieldably mounting the outer end portions of each of said flexing rib members at a specific orientation relative to the vertical and approximately corresponding to an angular position predetermined to be in substantial alignment with, and thus controllably resisting and absorbing the resultant forces of combined thrust-radial loads predicted for, and being applied to, or by said antifriction bearing member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-07 | 1975-08-09 | 1976-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-07 | 1979-08-09 | 1980-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-07 | 1983-08-09 | 1984-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |