Bearings – Rotary bearing – Antifriction bearing
Reexamination Certificate
1998-01-31
2001-06-26
Bucci, David A. (Department: 3682)
Bearings
Rotary bearing
Antifriction bearing
C384S498000, C277S581000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250813
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to self-aligning bearings and, more particularly, to self-aligning bearing assemblies with shields or seals suitable for applications characterized by harsh, highly abrasive environments.
One such application is that of mounting the auger of asphalt road paving equipment. Bearing assemblies in that application are constantly exposed to highly abrasive asphalt mixtures and high temperatures and are frequently subjected to petroleum based solvent wash-downs. Current paver bearing assemblies use a shaft mounted shield to protect them from asphalt intrusion. Those shields quickly deteriorate due to the constant abrasion of the shield rotating through the asphalt mixture. Once the outer shield has worn, contamination penetrates the interior of the bearing and failure is rapid. Additionally, it is difficult to positively seal the rotating shield against the bearing. This lack of positive sealing allows a path for contamination to enter the bearing assembly.
The foregoing illustrates limitations known to exist in present devices and methods. Thus, it is apparent that it would be advantageous to provide an alternative directed to overcoming one or more of the limitations set forth above. Accordingly, a suitable alternative is provided including features more fully disclosed hereinafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the invention, this is accomplished by providing a self-aligning bearing assembly for mounting over a rotatable shaft. A bearing having a spherically convex radially outer surface is pivotably mounted in a spherically concave bore of a bearing housing. An annular housing cap is mounted against an axial end of the bearing housing, the housing cap having a radially inwardly directed annular groove and providing clearance with respect to the rotatable shaft such that pivoting of the bearing within the housing is permitted. At least two split laminar rings located within the annular groove of the housing cap are spring-loaded radially inwardly for biased engagement with the rotatable shaft.
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Bigler John C.
Bucci David A.
Hansen Colby
The Torrington Company
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