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High reliability bearing structure

  • US 6,206,573 B1
  • Filed: 05/21/1998
  • Issued: 03/27/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/21/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A bearing assembly comprising:

  • first and second bearing members adapted for movement relative to each other;

    said first bearing member comprising, an outer layer adapted to wear in response to said relative movement between said first and said second bearing members; and

    an inner layer in contact with said outer layer, said inner layer comprising a base portion having a first hardness and a plurality of spaced apart wear indicating regions each having a second hardness, said first hardness being different than said second hardness; and

    wherein said wear indicating regions are adapted to produce a vibration during movement of said first and second bearing members relative to each other after sufficient wear of said outer layer which at least partially exposes said wear indicating regions.

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