Method, apparatus, and nut for preloading a bearing

• US 9,651,094 B2
• Filed: 09/11/2015
• Issued: 05/16/2017
• 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): Delisle, Roberta
• Application Number:
  US14/852,100
• Publication Number:
  US 20160053806A1
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 411 145
• 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
• 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 system for providing a load on a bearing mounted to a shaft, the system comprising:

a preload apparatus configured to provide a compressive load to the bearing, said preload apparatus releasably connectable to the shaft;

a lock nut engageable with the shaft to inhibit rotational movement of said nut relative to the shaft; and

at least one recess in a face of the nut, said at least one recess configured to expose an inner race of the bearing to allow access by said preload apparatus to the bearing to provide a load to the bearing.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said preload apparatus comprises a press mechanism having a plurality of extensions engageable with the inner race of the bearing through the at least one recess when said preload apparatus is connected to the shaft and said nut is engaged with the shaft and adjacent the bearing.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said nut comprises a plurality of engaging teeth configured to engage a plurality of keeper teeth of said keeper to engage said nut and said keeper.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one recess comprises at least one arcuate recess.

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

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the at least one arcuate recess comprises a single annular recess extending around the perimeter of said face.

7. The system 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.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a keeper having an inner side comprising a shaft engaging member engageable in a shaft slot of the shaft to inhibit rotational movement of said nut relative to the shaft.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said nut further comprises a nut slot for receiving a keeper retaining member.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said keeper retaining member comprises at least one leg configured to be received in said nut slot.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said keeper retaining member is configured to hold said keeper axially relative to said nut such that said plurality of engaging teeth and said plurality of keeper teeth are engaged when said at least one leg is received in said nut slot.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said at least one leg comprises two legs elastically deformable toward one another to allow said retaining member to be attached to said nut by inserting said two legs in said nut slot.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein said retaining member is formed of a material different than said keeper, such that said retaining member is more flexible than said keeper.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein said retaining member extends continuously in an arc from a first outside end to a second outside end, said keeper located between said first end and said second end.

15. An apparatus for maintaining a load on a bearing mounted to a shaft, applied using a preload apparatus releasably connectable to the shaft and configured to provide a compressive load to the bearing comprising:

a lock nut engageable with the shaft and a keeper, said keeper having a radially inner side configured to engage the shaft to inhibit rotational movement of said nut relative to the shaft when said radially inner side engages the shaft; and

at least one recess in a face of the nut, said at least one recess configured to expose an inner race of the bearing to allow access by said preload apparatus to the bearing to provide a load to the bearing.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least one recess comprises at least one arcuate recess.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one recess is bounded by a curved outer surface of said nut extending around a perimeter of said nut.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said inner side of said keeper comprises a shaft engaging member engageable in a shaft slot of the shaft to inhibit rotational movement of said nut relative to the shaft.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said nut further comprises a nut slot for receiving a keeper retaining member.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said retaining member is formed separate relative to said keeper.