US4666318A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-lubricating bearings
Assignee: Ampep PLC
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Filing: 1985-08-21
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Granted: 1987-05-19
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Expires: 2005-08-21
Abstract
Abstract A bearing, such as a plain spherical self-aligning bearing, has a reinforced low-friction woven plastics element (for example comprising ptfe) which is in sliding contact with a very hard, very smooth counterface. The bearing exhibits reduced wear when subjected to low-stress, small-amplitude motions.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael B. Harrison
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 19:05
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C33/00; F16C33/02; F16C33/04; F16C33/043; F16C33/20; F16C33/201; F16C33/28; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S384/00; Y10S384/90; Y10S384/912; Y10S384/913
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
48 words
A bearing comprising: a reinforced low-friction plastics element comprising polytetrafluorethylene having a sliding surface; and a counterface in sliding contact with the sliding surface, wherein the counterface has a surface roughness which is not greater than 0.050 microns CLA and a hardness of not less than 1000 VPN.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
48 words
A bearing comprising: a reinforced low-friction plastics element comprising polytetrafluorethylene having a sliding surface; and a counterface in sliding contact with the sliding surface, wherein the counterface has a surface roughness which is not greater than 0.050 microns CLA and a hardness of not less than 1000 VPN.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A bearing as claim in claim 1, in which the surface roughness of the counterface is not greater than 0.02 microns CLA.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A bearing as claimed in claim 1, in which the hardness of the counterface is not less than 1100 VPN.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A bearing as claimed in claim 1, in which the counterface is the surface of a solid body comprising a material selected from the group of refractory and ceramic materials.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A bearing as claimed in claim 4, in which the said material is selected from the group comprising synthetic sapphire and synthetic diamond.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A bearing as claimed in claim 4, in which the said material is selected from the group comprising the carbides, nitrides, borides and oxides of silicon, tungsten, titanium, chromium and aluminium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A bearing as claimed in claim 6, in which the said material comprises tungsten carbide in a cobalt matrix.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A bearing as claimed in claim 6, in which the said material comprises silicon nitride in a yttrium/aluminium oxide/nitrogen vitreous matrix.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A bearing as claimed in claim 1, in which the counterface is the surface of a coating on a substrate, the coating comprising a material selected from the group of refractory and ceramic materials.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
A bearing as claimed in claim 9, in which the substrate is metal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A bearing as claimed in claim 9, in which the thickness of the coating is not less than 0.05 mm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
A bearing as claimed in claim 9, in which the said material is selected from the group comprising the carbides, nitrides, borides and oxides of silicon, tungsten, titanium, chromium and aluminium.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A bearing as claimed in claim 12, in which the said material comprises tungsten carbide in a cobalt matrix.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A bearing as claimed in claim 12, in which the said material comprises silicon nitride in a yttrium/aluminium oxide/nitrogen vitreous matrix.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A bearing as claimed in claim 9, in which the said material is selected from the group comprising synthetic sapphire and synthetic diamond.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A bearing as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15, which is a spherical self-aligning bearing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
63 words
A bearing, for use in low stress, high frequency, small amplitude motions, the bearing comprising: (a) a reinforced low-friction plastics element comprising polytetrafluorethylene having a sliding surface; and (b) a counterface in sliding contact with the sliding surface, (c) wherein the counterface has a surface roughness which is not greater than 0.050 microns CLA and a hardness of not less than 1000 VPN.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
63 words
A bearing, for use in low stress, high frequency, small amplitude motions, the bearing comprising: (a) a reinforced low-friction plastics element comprising polytetrafluorethylene having a sliding surface; and (b) a counterface in sliding contact with the sliding surface, (c) wherein the counterface has a surface roughness which is not greater than 0.050 microns CLA and a hardness of not less than 1000 VPN.
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) | 1990-05-18 | 1990-11-17 | 1991-05-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-05-18 | 1994-11-17 | 1995-05-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-05-18 | 1998-11-17 | 1999-05-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |