Bearing liner for accommodating thermal expansion and transmission system incorporating the same

A bearing assembly comprising:

• a bearing housing defining a bore;
• a bearing configured to allow for rotation about a longitudinal axis, the bearing being supported by the bearing housing;
• and
• a bearing liner supported by the bearing housing, the bearing liner comprising:
• a body portion having a cylindrical substrate that extends between the bearing housing and the bearing, the cylindrical substrate having an inner surface and an outer surface, and the cylindrical substrate extending between first and second sides thereof;
• a first mounting tab comprising a first arm portion extending from the body portion to a first mounting portion;
• and
• a second mounting tab comprising a second arm portion extending from the body portion to a second mounting portion,
• wherein a center line of the body portion, based on a longitudinal end view of the body portion, is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and extends through the first and second mounting portions,
• wherein the first and second arm portions comprise arcuate members extending in an arc from an attachment location on a side of the center line to the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion, respectively, the attachment locations of each arm portion being located on a same side of the center line of the body portion,
• and
• wherein at least one of the first and second mounting tabs can flex relative to the body portion so as to allow for thermal expansion and contraction of the bearing housing relative to the bearing liner.

An aircraft comprising:

• a rotor assembly comprising a rotor shaft;
• and
• a transmission for driving the rotor shaft, the transmission comprising a bearing assembly, the bearing assembly comprising:
• a bearing housing defining a bore;
• a bearing configured to allow for rotation about a longitudinal axis, the bearing being supported by the bearing housing;
• and
• a bearing liner supported by the bearing housing, the bearing liner comprising:
• a body portion having a cylindrical substrate that extends between the bearing housing and the bearing, the cylindrical substrate having an inner surface and an outer surface, and the cylindrical substrate extending between first and second sides thereof;
• a first mounting tab comprising a first arm portion extending from the body portion to a first mounting portion;
• and
• a second mounting tab comprising a second arm portion extending from the body portion to a second mounting portion,
• wherein a center line of the body portion, based on a longitudinal end view of the body portion, is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and extends through the first and second mounting portions,
• wherein the first and second arm portions comprise arcuate members extending in an arc from an attachment location on a side of the center line to the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion, respectively, the attachment locations of each arm portion being located on a same side of the center line of the body portion, and
• wherein at least one of the first and second mounting tabs can flex relative to the body portion so as to allow for thermal expansion and contraction of the bearing housing relative to the bearing liner.