US 10,520,016 B2 · Bearing roller elements and assembly

Abstract

Improved bearing roller elements are disclosed. Vanes are added to a ring-roller type element which allow fluids to flow through a bearing assembly in a controlled manner. The fluids can then provide convection cooling. The vaned ring-roller elements allow the creation of a pump, either as part of the bearing assembly's cooling system or as a dedicated device. The use of magnetic spokes in ring-roller type elements which can be used with or without the vanes which allows them to be driven by an electromagnetic field is also disclosed, as is the use of such magnetic elements in the bearing roller elements to allow electromagnetic braking and/or regenerative braking. A bearing assembly incorporating the roller elements in a ring configuration and using pre-load to produce additional benefits is also disclosed.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A roller element for bearings, comprising:

a) An outer ring having an outer circumference and an inner circumference, the outer circumference contacting an inner bearing surface and an outer bearing surface of a raceway of a bearing assembly;
and,
b) An axial magnetic member, the axial magnetic member comprising a plurality of axial magnets, each of the plurality of axial magnets having a north pole and a south pole, the axial magnetic member affixed to the inner circumference.

A bearing assembly comprising:

a) A raceway, comprising an inner bearing surface and an outer bearing surface;
b) At least two roller elements, the at least two roller elements being captive inside the raceway, each roller element having an outer circumference and an inner circumference, the outer circumference coming into contact with the outer bearing surface and the inner bearing surface;
and,
c) An axial magnetic member, the axial magnetic member comprising a plurality of axial magnets, each of the plurality of axial magnets having a north pole and a south pole, the axial magnetic member affixed to the inner circumference.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Bearing roller elements and assembly

Life of this patent

Bearing roller elements and assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12