US5286117A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bearing with asymmetrical flexible section
Assignee: NTN Corp
•
Filing: 1992-08-17
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Granted: 1994-02-15
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Expires: 2012-08-17
Abstract
Abstract Rolling element bearings and particularly design features which reduce peak stresses acting on the bearing elements which affect bearing service life and rated load caring capacity. To reduce maximum stresses imposed by applied loads acting on the bearings, one or more of the bearing elements features an asymmetric configuration in which circumferential segments of the bearing element have increased flexibility. Such flexibility reduces maximum loads on the bearing and spreads out the load over a larger circumferential region. In addition to applied load components, nonuniform loads can act on rolling bearing elements at their lines of contact with the bearing raceways. In some embodiments of this invention segments of the bearing feature greater flexibility in order to adjust the load distribution acting on the rolling elements lines of contact.
Inventors
- 👤 Scott A. Wojan
- 👤 Robert W. Frayer, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 13:48
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C19/00; F16C19/22; F16C19/34; F16C19/36; F16C19/364; F16C27/00; F16C27/04; F16C33/00; F16C33/30; F16C33/58; F16C41/00; F16C41/02; F16C19/24; F16C19/26; F16C2240/00; F16C2240/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
A rolling element bearing assembly comprising: an inner bearing race having an inner bore and a bearing element raceway; an outer bearing race having a bearing element raceway, an outer diameter surface and a pair of radial face surfaces; a bearing housing for supporting said outer bearing race and having surfaces which confront and engage said outer bearing race outer diameter surface and said pair of radial face surfaces thereby defining an interface between said bearing housing and said outer bearing race; a plurality of rolling bearing elements positioned between said inner and outer bearing race raceways; said rolling element bearing assembly having a first circumferential segment which is more flexible in response to an applied load than a second remaining circumferential segment wherein at least one of said outer bearing race or said bearing housing having a geometric asymmetry in said surfaces defining said interface resulting in said first circumferential segment; and indexing means for positioning said first circumferential segment with respect to said applied load such that contact forces between said rolling bearing elements in the area of said first circumferential segment are reduced as compared to a bearing assembly having substantially uniform flexibility characteristics.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
A rolling element bearing assembly comprising: an inner bearing race having an inner bore and a bearing element raceway; an outer bearing race having a bearing element raceway, an outer diameter surface and a pair of radial face surfaces; a bearing housing for supporting said outer bearing race and having surfaces which confront and engage said outer bearing race outer diameter surface and said pair of radial face surfaces thereby defining an interface between said bearing housing and said outer bearing race; a plurality of rolling bearing elements positioned between said inner and outer bearing race raceways; said rolling element bearing assembly having a first circumferential segment which is more flexible in response to an applied load than a second remaining circumferential segment wherein at least one of said outer bearing race or said bearing housing having a geometric asymmetry in said surfaces defining said interface resulting in said first circumferential segment; and indexing means for positioning said first circumferential segment with respect to said applied load such that contact forces between said rolling bearing elements in the area of said first circumferential segment are reduced as compared to a bearing assembly having substantially uniform flexibility characteristics.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A rolling element bearing assembly according to claim 1 wherein said first circumferential segment encompasses less than 180° of the circumference of said bearing assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A rolling element bearing assembly according to claim 1 wherein said bearing housing defines a region of less rigid support of one of said pair of radial faces of said outer bearing race over said first circumferential segment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
A rolling element bearing assembly according to claim 3 wherein said bearing assembly is a tapered roller bearing wherein said outer race pair of radial face surfaces define a first and a second radial face surface with said second radial face surface being radially thicker than said first radial face surface and wherein said region of less rigid support is present adjacent said second radial face surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
A rolling element bearing assembly according to claim 3 wherein one of said outer bearing race pair of radial face surfaces is rotationally asymmetrical in that said first circumferential segment of one of said outer bearing race pair of radial face surfaces has a smaller axial thickness than said second circumferential segment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
A rolling element bearing assembly according to claim 5 wherein one of said outer bearing race pair of radial face surfaces of said second segment defines a first planer surface and said one of said pair of radial face surfaces of said first circumferential segment being displaced from said first planer surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A rolling element bearing assembly according to claim 6 wherein one of said one of said pair of radial faces surfaces of said first circumferential segment defining a second planer surface displaced from said first planer surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A rolling element bearing assembly according to claim 7 wherein said second planer surface being normal to the axial direction of said bearing assembly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A rolling element bearing assembly according to claim 7 wherein said second planer surface being skewed from the axial direction of said bearing assembly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A rolling element bearing assembly according to claim 6 wherein one of outer bearing race pair of radial face surfaces and said first circumferential segment has a stepped surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
72 words
A rolling element bearing assembly according to claim 3 wherein said bearing housing defines a generally radial surface having a first circumferential surface which is displaced from one of said outer bearing race radial face surfaces defining said region of less rigid support over said first circumferential segment and a second circumferential surface in abutting engagement with said one of said outer bearing race radial face surfaces defining said second circumferential segment.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
A rolling element bearing assembly according to claim 1 wherein said interface between said outer bearing race outside diameter and said bearing housing defines a radial region of less rigid support to define said first circumferential segment.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A rolling element bearing assembly according to claim 12 wherein said outer bearing race outer diameter is rotationally asymmetrical.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
A rolling element bearing assembly according to claim 13 wherein said outer bearing race outside diameter has a portion defining a cylindrical surface defining said second circumferential segment and said portion defining said region of less rigid support being displaced from said cylindrical surface and defining said first circumferential segment.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
A rolling element bearing assembly according to claim 14 wherein said portion defining said region of less rigid support defining a second cylindrical surface having a diameter less than said first cylindrical surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A rolling element bearing assembly according to claim 15 wherein said second cylindrical surface being parallel to the axial direction of said bearing assembly.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
A rolling element bearing assembly according to claim 15 wherein said portion defining said region of less rigid support having a cylindrical surface skewed from the axial direction of said bearing assembly.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A rolling element bearing assembly according to claim 14 wherein said portion defining said region of less rigid support having a stepped surface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
47 words
A bearing assembly according to claim 12 wherein said bearing housing defines a first cylindrical surface which closely receives said bearing outer race outer diameter surface and a second surface displaced radially outward of said first cylindrical surface to define said radial region of less rigid support.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
A bearing assembly according to claim 1 wherein said bearing assembly is a cylindrical bearing wherein said rolling bearing elements are cylindrical elements.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
131 words
A tapered roller bearing assembly comprising: a bearing cone having an inner bore and a bearing element raceway; a bearing cup having a bearing element raceway, an outer diameter surface, generally radial back and front faces, with said back face having a larger radial thickness than said front face; a plurality of tapered rolling bearing elements positioned between said cup and cone raceways; at least one of said cup or cone having a first circumferential segment which is more compliant than the remaining second circumferential segment; and indexing means for positioning said first circumferential segment with respect to an applied load such that contact forces between said rolling bearing elements in the areas of said first circumferential segment are reduced as compared to a bearing assembly having substantially uniform compliancy characteristics.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
131 words
A tapered roller bearing assembly comprising: a bearing cone having an inner bore and a bearing element raceway; a bearing cup having a bearing element raceway, an outer diameter surface, generally radial back and front faces, with said back face having a larger radial thickness than said front face; a plurality of tapered rolling bearing elements positioned between said cup and cone raceways; at least one of said cup or cone having a first circumferential segment which is more compliant than the remaining second circumferential segment; and indexing means for positioning said first circumferential segment with respect to an applied load such that contact forces between said rolling bearing elements in the areas of said first circumferential segment are reduced as compared to a bearing assembly having substantially uniform compliancy characteristics.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
A tapered roller bearing assembly according to claim 21 wherein said first circumferential segment encompasses less than 180° of the circumference of said bearing assembly.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
66 words
A tapered roller bearing assembly according to claim 21 further wherein said bearing assembly is adapted to be supported by a bearing housing and one of said pair of outer bearing race radial faces defines a gap between one of said outer bearing race radial front or back faces and said bearing housing thereby defining a region of less rigid support over said first circumferential segment.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
A tapered roller bearing assembly according to claim 23 wherein one of said cup radial faces is rotationally asymmetrical.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
A tapered roller bearing assembly according to claim 24 wherein said cup back face surface has a portion defining a plane and said portion defining said region of less rigid support being displaced from said plane.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
A tapered roller bearing assembly according to claim 25 wherein said portion defining said region of less rigid support having a planer surface.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
31 words
A tapered roller bearing assembly according to claim 26 wherein said portion defining said region of less rigid support having a planer surface normal to the axial direction of said bearing.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
31 words
A tapered roller bearing assembly according to claim 26 wherein said portion defining said region of less rigid support having a planer surface skewed from the axial direction of said bearing.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
A tapered roller bearing assembly according to claim 25 wherein said portion defining said region of less rigid support having a stepped surface.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
48 words
A tapered roller bearing assembly according to claim 21 wherein said bearing assembly is adapted to be supported by a bearing housing and said cup outside diameter and said bearing housing defines a region of less rigid support over a circumferential region to define said first circumferential segment.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
A tapered roller bearing assembly according to claim 30 wherein said outer bearing race outer diameter is rotationally asymmetrical.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
37 words
A tapered roller bearing assembly according to claim 31 wherein said cup outside diameter has a portion defining a cylindrical surface and said portion defining said region of less rigid support being displaced from said cylindrical surface.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
A tapered roller bearing assembly according to claim 32 wherein said portion defining said region of less rigid support having a cylindrical surface.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
31 words
A tapered roller bearing assembly according to claim 33 wherein said portion defining said region of less rigid support having a cylindrical surface parallel to the axis of said bearing assembly.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
33 words
A tapered roller bearing assembly according to claim 34 wherein said portion defining said region of less rigid support having a cylindrical surface which is skewed from the axial direction of said bearing.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
A tapered roller bearing assembly according to claim 32 wherein said portion defining said region of less rigid support having a stepped surface.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
151 words
A tapered roller bearing assembly comprising: a bearing cone having an inner bore and a bearing element raceway; a bearing cup having an inner bearing element raceway, an outer diameter surface, and generally radial back and front faces, with said back face having a larger radial thickness than said front face; a bearing housing for supporting said cup having a generally cylindrical surface for receiving said cup and a generally radial surface for engaging said cup back face, a plurality of tapered rolling bearing elements positioned between said cup and cone raceways; and wherein either the interface between said cup outer diameter surface and said housing cylindrical surface or the interface between said cup back face and said housing generally radial surface defining a region of less rigid support for the purpose of adjusting the uniformity of contact forces along the lines of contact between said bearing elements and said raceways.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
151 words
A tapered roller bearing assembly comprising: a bearing cone having an inner bore and a bearing element raceway; a bearing cup having an inner bearing element raceway, an outer diameter surface, and generally radial back and front faces, with said back face having a larger radial thickness than said front face; a bearing housing for supporting said cup having a generally cylindrical surface for receiving said cup and a generally radial surface for engaging said cup back face, a plurality of tapered rolling bearing elements positioned between said cup and cone raceways; and wherein either the interface between said cup outer diameter surface and said housing cylindrical surface or the interface between said cup back face and said housing generally radial surface defining a region of less rigid support for the purpose of adjusting the uniformity of contact forces along the lines of contact between said bearing elements and said raceways.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
32 words
A tapered roller bearing assembly according to claim 37 wherein said region of less rigid support is formed at the interface between said cup outer diameter and said housing generally cylindrical surface.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
38 words
A tapered roller bearing assembly according to claim 38 whereby said region of less rigid support is defined by forming said bearing housing generally cylindrical surface with a cylindrical surface and said cup outside diameter surface being conical.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
36 words
A tapered roller bearing assembly according to claim 38 wherein said region of less rigid support is formed by forming said cup outside diameter surface with a stepped outside surface of cylindrical segments of decreasing diameter.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
33 words
A tapered roller bearing assembly according to claim 38 wherein said region of less rigid support is defined by said cup outside surface being cylindrical and said housing generally cylindrical surface being conical.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
29 words
A tapered roller bearing assembly according to claim 37 wherein said region of less rigid support is formed between said cup back face and said housing generally radial surface.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
33 words
A tapered roller bearing assembly according to claim 42 wherein said region of less rigid support is formed by said cup back face being planer and said housing generally radial surface being conical.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
32 words
A tapered roller bearing assembly according to claim 42 wherein said region of less rigid support is formed by said cup back face being planer and said housing radial surface being planer.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
35 words
A tapered roller bearing assembly according to claim 42 wherein said region of less rigid support is formed by said back face and said housing generally radial surface are parallel and displaced form one another.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
193 words
A tapered roller bearing assembly comprising: a bearing cone having an inner bore and a bearing element raceway; a bearing cup having a bearing element raceway, an outer diameter surface, and generally radial back and front faces with said back face having a larger radial thickness than said front face, a bearing housing for supporting said outer bearing race; a plurality of tapered rolling bearing elements positioned between said cup and cone raceways; at least one of said cup or cone having a first circumferential segment which is more flexible than the remaining second circumferential segment; indexing means for positioning said first circumferential segment with respect to an applied load such that contact forces between said rolling bearing elements in the region of said first circumferential segment are reduced as compared to a bearing assembly having substantially uniform flexibility characteristics; and wherein the interace between said cup outer diameter surface and said housing or the interface between said cup back face and said housing defining a region of less rigid support for the purpose of adjusting the uniformity of contact faces along the line of contact between said bearing elements and said raceways.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
193 words
A tapered roller bearing assembly comprising: a bearing cone having an inner bore and a bearing element raceway; a bearing cup having a bearing element raceway, an outer diameter surface, and generally radial back and front faces with said back face having a larger radial thickness than said front face, a bearing housing for supporting said outer bearing race; a plurality of tapered rolling bearing elements positioned between said cup and cone raceways; at least one of said cup or cone having a first circumferential segment which is more flexible than the remaining second circumferential segment; indexing means for positioning said first circumferential segment with respect to an applied load such that contact forces between said rolling bearing elements in the region of said first circumferential segment are reduced as compared to a bearing assembly having substantially uniform flexibility characteristics; and wherein the interace between said cup outer diameter surface and said housing or the interface between said cup back face and said housing defining a region of less rigid support for the purpose of adjusting the uniformity of contact faces along the line of contact between said bearing elements and said raceways.
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) | 1997-02-14 | 1997-08-16 | 1998-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-02-14 | 2001-08-16 | 2002-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-02-14 | 2005-08-16 | 2006-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |