Redundant bearing

Claim 1

In combination with inner and outer relatively rotatable members which define annular space therebetween and have a common axis, a bearing assembly comprising, a. a ring in said space and spaced from said members to be rotatable relative thereto about said axis, b. first inner and outer annular races respectively received on the outer member and the ring and first rolling bearings engaging said first races, and second inner and outer annular races respectively received on the inner member and the ring and second rolling bearings engaging said second races, and the races and bearings characterized in that loading is transmitted between said members via said races and bearings, c. there being structure transmitting force acting to pre-load said races and bearings in an axial direction, and d. the inner member comprising a shaft having first, second and third radially solid cylindrical sections of successively increasing outer diameter, the ring and the first inner and outer races everywhere spaced radially outwardly of the shaft first cylindrical section, the second inner race received on the shaft second cylindrical section to receive transmission of said pre-loading force from the third section, and the first and second rolling bearings being axially spaced apart with centers located at substantially the same radius from said axis.