US5211489A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Radial spline assembly for antifriction bearings
Assignee: UNITED STATE OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY ADMINISTRATOR OF NASA
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Filing: 1992-10-07
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Granted: 1993-05-18
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Expires: 2012-10-07
Abstract
Abstract An outer race carrier (52) is constructed for receiving an outer race (26) of an antifriction bearing assembly (10). The carrier (52) in turn is slidably fitted in an opening (57) of a support wall to accommodate slight axial movements of a shaft (14). A plurality of longitudinal splines (54) on the carrier are disposed to be fitted into matching slots (56) in the opening (57). A deadband gap (60) is provided between sides of the splines and slots, with a radial gap (62) at ends of the splines and slots and a gap (59) between the splines and slots sized larger than the deadband gap. With this construction, operational distortions (slope) of the support wall are accommodated by the larger radial gaps (62, 59) while the deadband gaps (60) maintain a relatively high springrate of the housing. Additionally, side loads applied to the shaft are distributed between sides of the splines and slots, distributing such loads over a larger surface area than a race carrier (28) of the prior art.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerry H. Moore
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 09:56
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C35/00; F16C35/04; F16C35/06; F16C35/067; F01; F01D; F01D25/00; F01D25/16; F01D25/162; F01D25/164; F16C27/00; F16C27/04; F16C27/045; F16C35/07; F16C35/077; F16C19/00; F16C19/02; F16C19/04; F16C19/06; F16C2360/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A support for a rotating load bearing member comprising: an antifriction bearing having annular inner and outer races; a rotatable shaft extending through said inner race; a plurality of splines disposed about a periphery of said outer race, said splines extending generally parallel with said shaft; a support wall having an opening for supporting said outer race; a plurality of slots disposed along an inner circumference of said opening, said slots generally parallel with said shaft, for receiving said splines; first selected clearance defined by sides of said splines and sides of said slots; and second selected clearances greater than said first selected clearance and defined by outer and intermediate radial portions of said splines and facing regions of said intermediate portions and said slots, whereby radial movement of said shaft is limited by contact between sides of said splines and sides of said slots, and slope distortion of said opening greater than said first selected clearances are accommodated by said second selected clearances.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
A support for a rotating load bearing member comprising: an antifriction bearing having annular inner and outer races; a rotatable shaft extending through said inner race; a plurality of splines disposed about a periphery of said outer race, said splines extending generally parallel with said shaft; a support wall having an opening for supporting said outer race; a plurality of slots disposed along an inner circumference of said opening, said slots generally parallel with said shaft, for receiving said splines; first selected clearance defined by sides of said splines and sides of said slots; and second selected clearances greater than said first selected clearance and defined by outer and intermediate radial portions of said splines and facing regions of said intermediate portions and said slots, whereby radial movement of said shaft is limited by contact between sides of said splines and sides of said slots, and slope distortion of said opening greater than said first selected clearances are accommodated by said second selected clearances.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A support as set forth in claim 1 wherein said outer race is circular and fixed in an annular outer race carrier, and said splines are disposed about a periphery of said outer race carrier.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A support as set forth in claim 2 wherein rotational torque applied to said bearing is distributed against said sides of said splines and said sides of said slots, preventing said outer race from rotating.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A support as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first clearance is about 0.002".
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A support as set forth in claim 1 wherein said antifriction bearing is a ball bearing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A support as set forth in claim 1 wherein coolant flows through said bearing, with a portion of said coolant flowing through said first and second clearances.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
170 words
A bearing carrier disposed to support an outer race of an antifriction bearing in slidable relation within a support configuration, with a rotatable shaft extending through an inner race of said bearing, said bearing carrier and support configuration comprising: a generally annular ring-shaped member within which said outer race is fixed; a plurality of splines in an outer circumference of said ring-shaped member, said splines generally parallel with said shaft; and a like plurality of slots in said support configuration for receiving said splines, wherein sides of said splines and facing sides of said slots define first clearances, and intermediate and outermost radial portions of said splines and facing regions of said slots define second clearances, whereby side loads applied to said shaft are distributed between said sides of said splines and said sides of said slots positioned generally normal to said side loads, and slope distortions between said support configuration and said annular ring-shaped member are accommodated by said second clearances, maintaining said slidable relation of said outer race.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
170 words
A bearing carrier disposed to support an outer race of an antifriction bearing in slidable relation within a support configuration, with a rotatable shaft extending through an inner race of said bearing, said bearing carrier and support configuration comprising: a generally annular ring-shaped member within which said outer race is fixed; a plurality of splines in an outer circumference of said ring-shaped member, said splines generally parallel with said shaft; and a like plurality of slots in said support configuration for receiving said splines, wherein sides of said splines and facing sides of said slots define first clearances, and intermediate and outermost radial portions of said splines and facing regions of said slots define second clearances, whereby side loads applied to said shaft are distributed between said sides of said splines and said sides of said slots positioned generally normal to said side loads, and slope distortions between said support configuration and said annular ring-shaped member are accommodated by said second clearances, maintaining said slidable relation of said outer race.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A bearing carrier as set forth in claim 7 wherein said first clearance are about 0.002".
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A bearing carrier as set forth in claim 8 wherein said second clearances are larger than said first clearances.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A bearing carrier as set forth in claim 9 wherein sides of said splines and said slots distribute rotational torque applied to said bearing, preventing said bearing carrier and outer race from rotating.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A bearing carrier as set forth in claim 10 wherein coolant flows through said bearing, with a portion of the coolant flowing through said first and second clearances.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
210 words
An antifriction bearing having a flow of coolant therethrough nd support therefor disposed for supporting a rotating shaft, in combination comprising; a generally annular outer race carrier for receiving an outer race of said bearing; a support wall having a generally circular opening for supporting said outer race carrier; a plurality of splines disposed about a periphery of said outer race carrier; and a like plurality of slots about an inner circumference of said opening, said slots disposed for slidably receiving said splines, said splines and said slots defining a first clearance of about 0.002" between sides of said splines and sides of said slots, and a second clearance defined by radially outer regions of said splines and facing, radially outermost regions of said slots, said second clearance being generally greater than said first clearance and disposed for providing a flow path for a portion of said coolant flow and accommodating slope distortions of said opening without restraining said annular outer race carrier, said first clearance for distributing side loads applied to said shaft on sides of said splines and sides of said slots disposed generally normal to said side loads and for preventing rotational torque applied to said bearing from rotating said outer race and said outer race carrier.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
210 words
An antifriction bearing having a flow of coolant therethrough nd support therefor disposed for supporting a rotating shaft, in combination comprising; a generally annular outer race carrier for receiving an outer race of said bearing; a support wall having a generally circular opening for supporting said outer race carrier; a plurality of splines disposed about a periphery of said outer race carrier; and a like plurality of slots about an inner circumference of said opening, said slots disposed for slidably receiving said splines, said splines and said slots defining a first clearance of about 0.002" between sides of said splines and sides of said slots, and a second clearance defined by radially outer regions of said splines and facing, radially outermost regions of said slots, said second clearance being generally greater than said first clearance and disposed for providing a flow path for a portion of said coolant flow and accommodating slope distortions of said opening without restraining said annular outer race carrier, said first clearance for distributing side loads applied to said shaft on sides of said splines and sides of said slots disposed generally normal to said side loads and for preventing rotational torque applied to said bearing from rotating said outer race and said outer race carrier.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-05-17 | 1996-11-16 | 1997-05-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-05-17 | 2000-11-16 | 2001-05-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-05-17 | 2004-11-16 | 2005-05-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |