Integrated bearing assemblies for guided attack rockets

• US 9,453,531 B2
• Filed: 08/26/2014
• Issued: 09/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Roller Bearing Company of America Incorporated (RBC Bearings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Roller Bearing Company of America Incorporated (RBC Bearings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Habibvand, Alex
• Primary Examiner(s): Hannon, Thomas R.
• Application Number:
  US14/468,677
• Publication Number:
  US 20160010685A1
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/163 with angular contact
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/548 in O-arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2226/60 with threaded parts, e.g. bolt and nut connections in general F16B23/00 - F16B43/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2229/00 Setting preload
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2240/14 Preload
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 25/06 Ball or roller bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 15/01 Arrangements thereon for guidance or control steering arrangements F42B10/60; aircraft flight control B64C; guidance systems other than those installed aboard F41G7/00, F41G9/00; locating by use of radio or other waves G01S; flight control in general G05D1/00; computer aspects G06]
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 15/36 Means for interconnecting rocket-motor and body section; Multi-stage connectors; Disconnecting means

Abstract

A guide mechanism, configured for use with a guided attack rocket, includes an inner housing partially disposed in an outer housing. The inner and outer housings each define a forward end and an aft end. A first angular contact bearing is positioned between the outer housing forward end and the inner housing forward end. A second angular contact bearing is positioned between the outer housing aft end and the inner housing aft end. A retaining nut is received over the inner housing forward end. The retaining nut preloads the first and second angular contact bearings. Each of the angular contact bearings includes an inner member disposed within an outer member. The outer member defines an outer raceway and the inner member defines an inner raceway. A plurality of rolling elements is disposed between the outer raceway and the inner raceway.

Claims

1. A guide mechanism configured for use with a guided attack rocket, the guide mechanism comprising:

an annular outer housing, the outer housing defining a first forward end and a first aft end;

an annular inner housing partially disposed in the outer housing, the inner housing defining a second forward end and a second aft end;

a first angular contact bearing positioned between the first forward end of the outer housing and the second forward end of the inner housing;

a second angular contact bearing positioned between the first aft end of the outer housing and the second aft end of the inner housing; and

a retaining nut received over the second forward end of the inner housing, the retaining nut preloading the first and second angular contact bearings;

wherein each of the first and second angular contact bearings comprises,

an outer member defining an outer raceway,

an inner member disposed within the outer member, the inner member defining an inner raceway,

a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the outer raceway and the inner raceway;

a first sealing element received within a first annular groove defined in the retaining nut that sealingly engages the outer housing; and

a second sealing element received within a second annular groove defined in the inner housing that sealingly engages the outer housing.

2. The guide mechanism of claim 1, wherein the inner housing comprises a one-piece inner housing.

3. The guide mechanism of claim 1, wherein the outer housing comprises a one-piece outer housing.

4. The guide mechanism of claim 1, wherein the inner housing second forward end defines an external thread for threadedly engaging and receiving the retaining nut thereon.

5. The guide mechanism of claim 1, wherein the retaining nut is configured to selectively establish a predetermined friction torque effecting the rotation of the outer housing relative to the inner housing.

6. The guide mechanism of claim 5, wherein the friction torque is in the range of about six inch-ounces to about twelve inch-ounces.

7. The guide mechanism of claim 1, wherein:

the inner and outer housings are fabricated from a material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion;

the inner and outer members of the first and second angular contact bearings are fabricated from a material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion; and

the first coefficient of thermal expansion is substantially similar to the second coefficient of thermal expansion.

8. The guide mechanism of claim 7, wherein the inner and outer housings and the inner and outer members are respectively fabricated from a corrosion-resistant stainless steel.

9. The guide mechanism of claim 1, wherein the plurality of rolling elements of at least one of the first and second angular contact bearings include a ball separation element.

10. The guide mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first and second angular contact bearings exhibit an internal preload to achieve mean rolling contact stresses in the range of about 80 KSI to about 110 KSI.

11. A guide mechanism configured for use with a guided attack rocket, the guide mechanism comprising:

an annular outer housing, the outer housing defining;

a first shoulder radially inwardly projecting from an inner surface of the outer housing;

a second shoulder radially inwardly projecting from the inner surface, the second shoulder being spaced apart from the first shoulder;

an annular inner housing partially disposed in the outer housing, the inner housing defining;

a third shoulder radially outwardly projecting from the annular inner member;

a first angular contact bearing having a first outer member and a first inner member disposed within the first outer member, the first outer member engaging the first shoulder;

a second angular contact bearing having a second outer member and a second inner member disposed within the second outer member, the second outer member engaging the second shoulder, and the second inner member engaging the third shoulder;

a retaining nut received over a portion of the inner housing, the retaining nut engaging the first inner member;

adjustment of the retaining nut effects a preload of the first angular contact bearing and the second angular contact bearing;

a first sealing element received within a first annular groove defined in the retaining nut that sealingly engages the outer housing; and

a second sealing element received within a second annular groove defined in the inner housing that sealingly engages the outer housing.

12. The guide mechanism of claim 11, wherein the preload is effected via a load path defined by the retaining nut, the first inner member, the first outer member, the first shoulder, the outer housing, the second shoulder, the second outer member, the second inner member and the third shoulder to effect a preload on the first angular contact bearing and second angular contact bearing.

13. The guide mechanism of claim 11, wherein the first outer member is positioned axially outward from the first shoulder.

14. The guide mechanism of claim 11, wherein the second outer member is positioned axially outward from the second shoulder.

15. The guide mechanism of claim 11, wherein the second outer member is positioned axially inward from the third shoulder.

16. The guide mechanism of claim 11, wherein the first outer member is spaced axially apart from the retaining nut.

17. The guide mechanism of claim 11, wherein the second outer member is spaced axially apart from the third shoulder.

18. The guide mechanism of claim 11, wherein adjustment of the retaining nut establishes a range of axial movement of the outer housing relative to the inner housing.

19. The guide mechanism of claim 11, wherein the first angular contact bearing is positioned axially between the first shoulder and the retaining nut.

20. The guide mechanism of claim 11, wherein the second angular contact bearing is positioned axially between the second shoulder and the third shoulder.

21. The guide mechanism of claim 11, wherein the at least one of the first angular contact bearing and the second angular contact bearing comprises a plurality of balls.

22. The guide mechanism of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the second angular contact bearing is positioned radially outward from the first angular contact bearing.

23. The guide mechanism of claim 11, wherein the retaining nut is configured to selectively establish a predetermined friction torque effecting the rotation of the outer housing relative to the inner housing.

24. The guide mechanism of claim 23, wherein the friction torque is in the range of about six inch-ounces to about twelve inch-ounces.