Rolling bearing

Details Rolling bearing Rolling bearing

2000-10-27

2003-02-11

Hannon, Thomas R. (Department: 3682)

Bearings

Rotary bearing

Antifriction bearing

C384S477000, C384S462000, C384S492000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06517250

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a rolling bearing formed of a biodegradable material.
A rolling bearing includes an inner ring, an outer ring, rolling elements, a retainer and seals and contains a lubricant. The inner and outer rings and the rolling elements are usually made of a bearing steel or a ceramic material, and the retainer made of a ferrous material. The seal is usually formed of a ferrous material or rubber. Typical bearing lubes include grease and oil.
Rolling bearings are used as machine parts in various industrial machines. When their working life has expired, these machines are usually burned, dumped into the sea, left in unpopulated areas, or buried in the ground without dismounting the bearings.
In the natural environment, ferrous parts will rust and decompose with time while producing practically no harmful substances. But resin and rubber parts are extremely stable either in water, ground or air, thus causing harmful influence on the biosphere.
If a resin having fluidity is used as a bearing lubricant, it will leak out of the bearing and can damage the biosphere.
An object of the present invention is to provide an environment-friendly rolling bearing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, there is provided a rolling bearing comprising an inner ring, an outer ring, rolling elements, seals and a retainer, at least one of the inner ring, rolling elements, seals and retainer being made of a biodegradable material.
By using a biodegradable material, such parts will lose its shape with lapse of prolonged time, not impairing the biosphere.
Also, according to the present invention, retainers are used which are formed of a biodegradable resin mixed with a filler material.
By using such a material, the retainer can perform its function with sufficient strength. Also, it will lose its shape after a prolonged time and maintain life environment of living things.
By using a biodegradable lubricant, it is possible to prevent the lubricant from flowing into the ground or sea. Thus life environment of living thing will not be contaminated.


REFERENCES:
patent: 1201328 (1916-10-01), Moran
patent: 1703380 (1929-02-01), Beemer
patent: 1767107 (1930-06-01), Yates
patent: 1901580 (1933-03-01), Bott
patent: 5783528 (1998-07-01), Rodenberg
patent: 5817607 (1998-10-01), Duncan et al.
patent: 5955402 (1999-09-01), Hirata et al.
patent: 5990055 (1999-11-01), Garmier

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