Method, apparatus, and nut for preloading a bearing

• US 9,574,612 B2
• Filed: 11/25/2015
• Issued: 02/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Temper AXLE Products Corporation, Temper Corporation
• Original Assignee: Temper AXLE Products Corporation
• Inventors: Rode, John E
• Primary Examiner(s): Vaughan, Jason L
• Application Number:
  US14/952,663
• Publication Number:
  US 20160084316A1
• Time in Patent Office: 454 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 19/06 Screw or nut setting or loosening machines
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 19/065 Arrangements for torque limiters or torque indicators in screw or nut setting machines for hand tools B25B23/14
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 27/062 using screws
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 31/043 Prestressed connections tensioned by means of liquid, grease, rubber, explosive charge, or the like hydraulic bolt tensioners B25B29/02
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 39/12 by means of locknuts
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 39/14 made of thin sheet material or formed as spring-washers locknuts per se made of thin sheet metal F16B37/02
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 39/28 by special members on, or shape of, the nut or bolt F16B39/26 takes precedence; locknuts F16B39/12
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 39/32 Locking by means of a pawl or pawl-like tongue
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/364 with tapered rollers, i.e. rollers having essentially the shape of a truncated cone
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/54 Systems consisting of a plurality of bearings with rolling friction spindle bearings F16C35/08
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/548 in O-arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2229/00 Setting preload
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2326/02 Wheel hubs or castors in general B60B
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 25/06 Ball or roller bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/30 Parts of ball or roller bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 43/04 Assembling rolling-contact bearings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/497 Pre-usage process, e.g., preloading, aligning
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53091 for work-holder for assembly or disassembly
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53104 Roller or ball bearing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5383 having fluid operator

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for preloading a bearing are provided. These methods and apparatus include preload monitoring devices whereby the mechanic can accurately monitor and regulate the preload on a bearing or bearing assembly. Aspects of the invention may also be used to adjust the endplay on a bearing or a bearing assembly. In one aspect, the preload on the bearing is transmitted through a housing having a fluid pressure that can be detected and monitored. An apparatus for precisely rotating a nut and a tool for precisely rotating a nut are also provided. A bearing retaining nut arrangement that permits the loading or evaluating of a bearing inner race is also provided. The bearing retaining nut arrangement includes a first load-setting nut, a lock washer, and a second jam nut that secures the arrangement to a shaft.

Claims

1. A method for use in providing a load on a bearing mounted to a shaft, the method comprising:

engaging a lock nut with a shaft, the lock nut comprising a recess in a face of the lock nut, the recess configured to expose at least a portion of a bearing mounted to the shaft, the lock nut bearing against the bearing;

connecting an attaching mechanism to an end of the shaft;

coupling a press mechanism to an attaching member, the press mechanism configured to provide a compressive load to the bearing, and the press mechanism connected to the attaching mechanism; and

the lock nut engaging a keeper, the keeper having a radially inner side engaging the shaft to inhibit rotational movement of the lock nut relative to the shaft.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a compressive load to the bearing by a plurality of extensions of the press mechanism by engaging the extensions with an inner race of the bearing through the at least one recess.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one recess comprises at least one arcuate recess.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one arcuate recess comprises a plurality of arcuate recesses equally spaced about a perimeter of a face of said nut.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one recess is bounded by a curved outer surface of said nut extending around a perimeter of said nut.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein radial inner side of said keeper comprises a shaft engaging member engageable in a shaft slot of the shaft to inhibit rotational movement of the lock nut relative to the shaft.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the lock nut further comprises a slot receiving a keeper retaining member.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the keeper retaining member comprises at least one leg received in the slot.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the keeper retaining member holds the keeper axially relative to said nut such that the plurality of engaging teeth of the keeper retaining member and a plurality of keeper teeth of the keeper are engaged.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the keeper retaining member is formed of a material different than the keeper, such that the retaining member is more flexible than the keeper.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the keeper retaining member extends continuously in an arc from a first outside end to a second outside end, the keeper located between the first end and the second end.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising elastically deforming two legs of a keeper retaining member toward one another to allow the retaining member to be attached to said nut by inserting said two legs in a slot of the lock nut.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the lock nut engaging the keeper comprises a plurality of engaging teeth of the lock nut engaging a plurality of keeper teeth of the keeper.