Patent US3672019A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3672019A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of adjusting rolling bearings
Assignee: Timken Co
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Filing: 1970-06-22
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Granted: 1972-06-27
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Expires: 1990-06-22
Abstract
Abstract A bearing capable of carrying thrust loads is adjusted by positioning a spacer washer against one of the bearing races and applying an axial load to that washer. The load is resisted by the bearing and is sufficient in magnitude to deform the washer first elastically and then plastically. The plastic deformation is such that upon removal of the axial load and recovery of the elastic deformation, the spacer will provide the desired end play or preload adjustment for the bearing.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas George Barnbrook
- 👤 Frederick James Wren
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:41
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C25/00; F16C25/06; F16C25/08; F16C25/083; F16C19/00; F16C19/54; F16C19/546; F16C19/547; F16C19/548; F16C19/22; F16C19/34; F16C19/36; F16C19/364; F16C2300/00; F16C2300/02; F16C35/00; F16C35/04; F16C35/06; F16C35/063; F16C35/067; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49636; Y10T29/497
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of adjusting a bearing assembly for end play or preload, the bearing assembly including a shaft, a housing, and at least one bearing mounted between the shaft and housing to permit relative rotation between the two, the bearing having a plurality of rolling elements and being capable of carrying radial and thrust loads, said method comprising: positioning a spacer washer in the assembly, applying an axially directed load to the washer sufficient to deform the washer elastically and then plastically; and resisting the axial load by a reaction force transmitted through the rolling elements of the bearing, the plastic deformation being such that upon recovery of the spacer of its elastic deformation after removal of the load the resulting thickness of the spacer will provide the correct bearing adjustment.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of adjusting a bearing assembly for end play or preload, the bearing assembly including a shaft, a housing, and at least one bearing mounted between the shaft and housing to permit relative rotation between the two, the bearing having a plurality of rolling elements and being capable of carrying radial and thrust loads, said method comprising: positioning a spacer washer in the assembly, applying an axially directed load to the washer sufficient to deform the washer elastically and then plastically; and resisting the axial load by a reaction force transmitted through the rolling elements of the bearing, the plastic deformation being such that upon recovery of the spacer of its elastic deformation after removal of the load the resulting thickness of the spacer will provide the correct bearing adjustment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the spacer washer is plastically deformed by compressing it between the bearing and a tool which is advanced towards the bearing until it engages a limiting surface on the bearing assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the spacer washer is plastically deformed by compressing it between the bearing and a tool which is advanced toward the bearing; and wherein the method further comprises installing an abutment-forming element in the bearing assembly after the tool is removed so that the spacer washer is captured between the bearing and the abutment-forming element and when so captured provides the correct adjustment for the bearing.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
216 words
A method of adjusting a bearing assembly which includes an outer member such as a housing, an inner member such as a shaft positioned in the outer member, and at least one bearing mounted between the members to permit relative rotation between the two, the bearing being capable of accommodating a thrust load in the direction of the axis of rotation for the bearing and having one race seated on one of the members, another rAce which is mounted on the other member and prior to adjustment is shiftable relative to the seated race and said other member so that the adjustment of the bearing is dependent on the position of the shiftable race, and rolling elements interposed between and engaged with the two races, said method comprising: positioning a spacer washer in the bearing assembly such that it is backed by the shiftable race of the bearing, compressing the spacer washer between the shiftable race and a tool which is moved axially with respect to said other member, the compressive force being transmitted through the bearing to said one member and being sufficient to deform the washer first elastically and then plastically, and confining the spacer washer in a substantially fixed axial position with respect to said other member after it has been deformed plastically.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
216 words
A method of adjusting a bearing assembly which includes an outer member such as a housing, an inner member such as a shaft positioned in the outer member, and at least one bearing mounted between the members to permit relative rotation between the two, the bearing being capable of accommodating a thrust load in the direction of the axis of rotation for the bearing and having one race seated on one of the members, another rAce which is mounted on the other member and prior to adjustment is shiftable relative to the seated race and said other member so that the adjustment of the bearing is dependent on the position of the shiftable race, and rolling elements interposed between and engaged with the two races, said method comprising: positioning a spacer washer in the bearing assembly such that it is backed by the shiftable race of the bearing, compressing the spacer washer between the shiftable race and a tool which is moved axially with respect to said other member, the compressive force being transmitted through the bearing to said one member and being sufficient to deform the washer first elastically and then plastically, and confining the spacer washer in a substantially fixed axial position with respect to said other member after it has been deformed plastically.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
The process according to claim 4 and further characterized by withdrawing the tool after the washer has been deformed plastically, whereby the washer will recover the elastic deformation, and wherein the resulting axial thickness of the washer will provide the bearing with the proper adjustment after the washer is axially confined relative to said other member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The process according to claim 5 wherein the spacer washer is axially positioned relative to said other member by installing an abutment forming element in a fixed axial position on said other member, the deformed washer being captured between the shiftable bearing race and the abutment forming element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
The process according to claim 6 wherein the tool is advanced axially with respect to said other member until it engages a limiting surface on said other member, whereby the plastic deformation terminates upon the engagement of the tool and the limiting surface; and wherein the abutment forming element is axially positioned with respect to said other member by the limiting surface.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
189 words
A method of adjusting a bearing assembly which includes an outer member such as a housing, an inner member such as a shaft positioned in the outer member, and at least one bearing mounted between the members to permit relative rotation between the two, the bearing being capable of carrying axial and radial loading and having a plurality of rolling elements positioned around the axis thereof, said method comprising: positioning a deformable spacer in the bearing assembly along one of the members; applying an axial deforming force to the spacer; resisting the deforming force by a reaction force transmitted from the other member to said one member through the rolling elements of the bearing; the deforming force being of sufficient magnitude to elastically and then plastically deform the spacer; and positioning an abutment on said one member after the spacer has been plastically deformed to maintain the spacer in the proper position in the bearing assembly; the plastic deformation of the spacer being such that upon recovery of the elastic deformation after relief of the axial deforming force the resulting thickness of the spacer will provide correct bearing adjustment.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
189 words
A method of adjusting a bearing assembly which includes an outer member such as a housing, an inner member such as a shaft positioned in the outer member, and at least one bearing mounted between the members to permit relative rotation between the two, the bearing being capable of carrying axial and radial loading and having a plurality of rolling elements positioned around the axis thereof, said method comprising: positioning a deformable spacer in the bearing assembly along one of the members; applying an axial deforming force to the spacer; resisting the deforming force by a reaction force transmitted from the other member to said one member through the rolling elements of the bearing; the deforming force being of sufficient magnitude to elastically and then plastically deform the spacer; and positioning an abutment on said one member after the spacer has been plastically deformed to maintain the spacer in the proper position in the bearing assembly; the plastic deformation of the spacer being such that upon recovery of the elastic deformation after relief of the axial deforming force the resulting thickness of the spacer will provide correct bearing adjustment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
85 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein the bearing in addition to the rolling elements includes a race engaged with the rolling elements and fitted to said one member along which the spacer is disposed such that prior to the application of the deforming force the race is shiftable in the axial direction relative to that one member, whereby the adjustment of the bearing is dependent on the position of the race; and wherein the spacer is positioned between the shiftable race and the abutment.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein the deforming force is applied by advancing a deforming tool relative to said one member along which the shiftable race is disposed, and terminating the movement of the tool at a predetermined position along said one member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein the deforming tool is advanced to and the abutment is positioned by a single limiting surface on said one membEr along which the shiftable race is positioned.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein the deforming force is less than the static thrust capacity of the bearing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 12 wherein the spacer plastically deforms under a substantially constant deforming force, whereby the elastic recovery of the spacer will be substantially the same upon relief of the deforming force irrespective of the amount of plastic deformation.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
295 words
A method of adjusting a bearing assembly which includes an outer member such as a housing, an inner member such as a shaft positioned in the outer member, and a pair of axially spaced bearings mounted between the members to permit one member to rotate relative to the other member, each bearing including a plurality of rolling elements encircling the inner member, one of the bearings being mounted to carry thrust loading in one axial direction and the other bearing being mounted to carry thrust loading in the other axial direction, at least one of the bearings having a race which is positioned on one of the members and is initially shiftable axially along that member so that the adjustment of the bearing assembly is dependent on the axial position of the shiftable race with respect to the member along which it is disposed; said method comprising: positioning a deformable spacer in the bearing assembly on the member along which the shiftable race is disposed; applying an axial deforming force to the spacer; resisting the deforming force by a reaction force transmitted from the member along which the shiftable race is disposed to the other member through rolling elements of one of the bearings and thence through the rolling elements of the other bearing to the spacer, the deforming force being of sufficient magnitude to elastically and then plastically deform the spacer; and positioning an abutment in a fixed axial position on the member on which the shiftable race is disposed so that the spacer is captured in the bearing assembly; the plastic deformation of the spacer being such that upon recovery of the elastic deformation after relief of the axial deforming force, the resulting thickness of the spacer will provide the correct bearing adjustment.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
295 words
A method of adjusting a bearing assembly which includes an outer member such as a housing, an inner member such as a shaft positioned in the outer member, and a pair of axially spaced bearings mounted between the members to permit one member to rotate relative to the other member, each bearing including a plurality of rolling elements encircling the inner member, one of the bearings being mounted to carry thrust loading in one axial direction and the other bearing being mounted to carry thrust loading in the other axial direction, at least one of the bearings having a race which is positioned on one of the members and is initially shiftable axially along that member so that the adjustment of the bearing assembly is dependent on the axial position of the shiftable race with respect to the member along which it is disposed; said method comprising: positioning a deformable spacer in the bearing assembly on the member along which the shiftable race is disposed; applying an axial deforming force to the spacer; resisting the deforming force by a reaction force transmitted from the member along which the shiftable race is disposed to the other member through rolling elements of one of the bearings and thence through the rolling elements of the other bearing to the spacer, the deforming force being of sufficient magnitude to elastically and then plastically deform the spacer; and positioning an abutment in a fixed axial position on the member on which the shiftable race is disposed so that the spacer is captured in the bearing assembly; the plastic deformation of the spacer being such that upon recovery of the elastic deformation after relief of the axial deforming force, the resulting thickness of the spacer will provide the correct bearing adjustment.
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) | 1975-06-27 | 1975-12-27 | 1976-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-27 | 1979-12-27 | 1980-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-27 | 1983-12-27 | 1984-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |