Spring bearing assembly

• US 3,980,352 A
• Filed: 02/24/1975
• Issued: 09/14/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tribotech, Co.
• Original Assignee: Tribotech, Co.
• Inventors: Carlson, Jerome A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Spar, Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Beltran, Howard
• Application Number:
  US05/552,126
• Time in Patent Office: 568 Days
• Field of Search: 285/261, 308/29, 308/72, 308/73, 308/144, 308/237 R, 308/237 A, 308/26, 308/137, 308/160, 29/149.5, 29/149.5 B, 317/11
• US Class Current: 384/302
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 17/10 for both radial and axial load
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 17/18 with floating brasses or brushing, rotatable at a reduced speed F16C17/03, F16C17/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 23/043 with spherical surfaces, e.g. spherical plain bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 23/045 for radial load mainly, e.g. radial spherical plain bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2326/43 Aeroplanes; Helicopters in general B64C
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 27/02 Sliding-contact bearings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49654 having liner
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49698 Demounting

Abstract

A bearing member positioned between an inner race surface and an outer race surface and urged into constant positive contact with said race surfaces by internal bearing spring forces. Predetermined contact areas are formed on the outer surface of said bearing member for contact with the outer race, and on the inner surface of said bearing for contact with the inner race. The bearing member is flexed between the inner and outer races within the range of elastic deformation of the bearing member material and is configured to cooperate with the inner and outer races to provide either radial or thrust load capability or a combination of both.

Claims

1. A spring bearing member disposed between an inner race surface and an outer race surface for supporting a load therebetween, a plurality of separate segments in annular disposition between the inner and outer race surfaces in end to end relation and having inner and outer surfaces, a portion of said inner and outer segment surfaces being in positive contact with said inner and outer race surfaces respectively for both static and dynamic conditions, said separate segments having a dimensional configuration so that elastic deformation only occurs about the arc length thereof by relative radial motion between said inner and outer race surfaces, whereby bearing loads are supported and relative rotation between said inner and outer races may occur.

2. A spring bearing member as in claim 1 wherein said plurality of separate segments comprises three segments, each of said three segments subtending an obtuse angle.

3. A spring bearing member as in claim 1 wherein said separate segments have a cross section which is curviformed on at least one of said inner and outer segment surfaces, said inner and outer race surfaces being similar in configuration to said inner and outer segment surfaces respectively, whereby said separate segments are retained axially between said race surfaces.

4. A spring bearing member for maintaining positive contact between an inner race and an outer race disposed for relative rotating motion therebetween for yieldably supporting a load, comprising a bearing member having a plurality of separate segments disposed in an annular array, an outer surface on each of said plurality of separate segments, an inner surface on each of said plurality of separate segments, said annular array of separate segments being disposed between the inner and outer races for contact therewith, the ends of one separate segment being adjacent ends of others of said plurality of separate segments, said annular array operating to support pressure between said inner and outer segment surfaces and the inner and outer races respectively.

5. A spring bearing member as in claim 4 wherein said plurality of separate segments comprises three segments, each of said segments subtending an obtuse angle.

6. A bearing for use between a housing and a journal, comprising an inner race on the journal, an outer race in the housing, a segmented bearing member disposed between said inner and outer races and having separate segments disposed in end to end relationship forming an annular array, means for retaining said separate segments axially between said inner race and said outer race, a first plurality of areas on said segmented bearing member for contact with said outer race, a second plurality of areas on said segmented bearing member for contact with said inner race, said separate segments yielding elastically only when subjected to bearing loading thereby maintaining a positive contact force between said second and first plurality of areas and said inner and outer races respectively for all operating conditions, whereby assembly of the bearing is facilitated by the segmented character of said bearing member and fretting and wear at said inner and outer races due to impact and vibratory bearing loads is reduced.

7. A bearing as in claim 6 wherein said separate segments are three in number, and each segment subtends an obtuse angle.

8. A bearing as in claim 6 wherein said separate segments have a cross sectional shape which is curviform on at least one surface thereof, said inner and outer races having cross section contours substantially conforming to said cross sectional shape, said segmented bearing member being retained axially between said inner and outer races by said cross section contours.

9. A bearing as in claim 6 wherein said means for retaining said separate segments axially comprises shoulders on said outer race in juxtaposition with the edges of said segmented bearing member.