Bearings – Rotary bearing – Antifriction bearing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-26
2001-06-12
Lorence, Richard M. (Department: 3681)
Bearings
Rotary bearing
Antifriction bearing
C384S517000, C384S519000, C384S563000, C384S583000, C029S898060
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244751
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates, generally, to spindle mounted bearings and, more particularly, to an adjustable spacer placed between such bearings mounted on a spindle, axle, shaft, or the like.
BACKGROUND ART
Anti-friction bearings may serve to decrease friction between, for example, a stator and a rotor. For instance, such bearings may allow relative rotation between a housing and a spindle extending through the housing. The housing may comprise, for example, a hub. The spindle may comprise a shaft, axle, or the like. The bearings may comprise roller bearings, for example, tapered roller bearings. In one example, the tapered roller bearings may be employed in wheel hub and axle assemblies. In another example, the tapered roller bearings may be employed in devices such as motors, pumps, or speed reducers.
A typical tapered roller bearing includes a cone having an inner race for mounting on a spindle, a cup having an outer race for mounting in a housing, and a plurality of roller elements within a roller cage positioned between the inner and outer races. Commonly, a pair of such tapered roller bearings may be mounted on a spindle rotation relative to or within a housing. Cooperating bearings, such as a pair of tapered roller bearings, may be included in a bearing assembly, for instance, of a motor, pump, speed reducer, or transmission assembly.
In order to properly secure bearings for operation, it is usually necessary to retain the bearings tightly under a predetermined axial tolerance or load on the spindle, for example, so that the bearings can maintain a proper running clearance of the roller elements under the influence of the combined axial and radial forces which the bearings are designed to support. Manufacturers of such assemblies often carefully measure the space between the bearing inner races, and provide a spacer of precisely the correct dimension and load requirements to fit therebetween. The spacer is typically made of ground steel tubing to a length tolerance of plus or minus one half of one thousandths of an inch. If the bearings are not maintained at a proper tolerance and/or load the bearings may not roll properly or may prematurely wear, particularly if the bearings are maintained at too high of a load, or may, if maintained under too low of a load, have excessive play causing failure of the bearings.
An exemplary configuration for an adjustable spacer is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,397 to John E. Rode (entitled “Adapter Sleeve and an Adjustable Spacer with Radial Extension Useable Thereon,” issued Aug. 27, 1996, and assigned to Temper Corporation), which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In one embodiment, such an adjustable spacer may be of a type shaped as a ring for mounting between a pair of tapered bearings mounted on an axle or spindle to allow a load to be axially placed on the bearings. The adjustable spacer may include an extension located at a radius from an imaginary axis of the spacer, a contact means oriented radially outward from the extension, and a compressible area located between the contact means and the extension wherein the compressible area deforms when a predetermined load is applied to the ring in the axial direction. The adjustable spacer may be configured to be used with an adapter sleeve for use on axles or spindles of multiple radii.
However, it remains desirable to provide refinements to such an adjustable spacer, for example, to allow additional or alternative positions of the adjustable spacer on the spindle and/or relative to one or more of the bearings, and/or to provide further configurations for support and/or loading in a bearing assembly.
Thus, a need exists for a configuration for an adjustable spacer to accommodate positioning of bearings for enhanced ease, effectiveness, and/or efficiency of assembly of, and/or enhanced structural support provided by, a bearing assembly of which the adjustable spacer is a part. A need also exists for the adjustable spacer to allow additional and/or further support and/or loading configurations in the bearing assembly. Another need exists for the adjustable spacer to allow a desired adjustment to be provided for the bearing assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Pursuant to the present invention, shortcomings of the existing art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision of an adjustable spacer having a generally axially curved bearing interface portion.
In one aspect of the invention, a bearing assembly adjustable spacer includes a first section and a second section. The first section includes an end portion and a deformable portion. The deformable portion allows the spacer to be provided with a desired adjustment. The second section includes a transversely inward face portion and transversely outward face portion. The inward face portion is generally directed radially relative to an axis of the spacer. The outward face portion has a generally axially curved portion. The curved portion is largely directed obliquely away from the first section of the spacer. Also, the curved portion is configured to interface with a generally axially curved part of a bearing.
The curved portion of the spacer can include a concave portion. The end portion, the deformable portion, and the curved portion can form an exterior portion of the spacer. The exterior portion of the spacer can comprise a substantially continuous and generally axial curve. The curve can include a concave portion and a convex portion.
The deformable portion of the spacer can form an exterior portion of the spacer. This exterior portion of the spacer can be convex. The end portion of the spacer can be located a first distance from the axis of the spacer. The inward face portion of the spacer can be located a second distance from the axis of the spacer. The second distance can be different from the first distance. Also, the second distance can be less than the first distance.
The end portion of the spacer can include a terminal face portion directed generally axially away from the second section of the spacer. The inward face portion of the spacer can resemble an arc. The curved portion of the spacer can be curved generally radially. The desired adjustment of the spacer can include a preload, an adjustment to an axial dimension of the spacer, and/or a compression of the deformable portion of the spacer.
In another aspect, a bearing assembly adjustable spacer includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and a medial portion. The first end portion is configured for generally axial abutment at a first location about a spindle portion. The second end portion is configured for generally radial abutment at a second location about a spindle portion. The medial portion is located between the first end portion and the second end portion. Further, the medial portion includes a deformable portion and a generally axially curved portion. The deformable portion allows the spacer to be provided with a desired adjustment. The curved portion is configured to interface with generally axially curved part of a bearing.
The curved portion of the spacer can include a transversely outward face portion. The outward face portion can include a concave portion. In addition, the outward face portion can be largely directed away from the first end portion of the spacer.
The first end portion, the deformable portion, and the curved portion can form an exterior portion of the spacer. The exterior portion of the spacer can comprise a substantially continuous and generally axial curve. The curve can include a concave portion and a convex portion.
The deformable portion of the spacer can include a transversely outward face portion. This outward face portion can be convex. Further, the medial portion of the spacer can include a transversely inward face portion. This inward face portion can be concave.
The first end portion of the spacer can be located a first distance from an axis of the spacer. The second end portion of the spacer can be located a second distance from the axis of the spacer.
Heslin & Rothenberg, P.C.
Lorence Richard M.
Temper Corporation
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