Electrically conductive bearings

An assembly comprising:

• an outer component;
• an inner component;
• and
• a bearing disposed between the outer component and the inner component, wherein the bearing comprises a generally cylindrical sidewall comprising an electrically conductive substrate, and an electrically non-conductive sliding layer coupled to the substrate, wherein the generally cylindrical sidewall comprises a plurality of protrusions protruding radially inward or radially outward from a bore defining a central axis, wherein at least one protrusion wherein at least one protrusion has a void area has a void area free of the sliding layer so as to provide electrical conductivity between the outer component and the inner component, and wherein at least one protrusion has a spring rate of not greater than 30 kN/mm, wherein the void area extends along an entire axial length of the protrusion.

A method of forming a bearing, comprising:

• providing a blank comprising an electrically conductive substrate, and
• an electrically non-conductive sliding layer coupled to the substrate;
• forming a plurality of protrusions in the blank;
• forming the blank into a bearing comprising a generally cylindrical sidewall wherein the protrusions protrude radially inward or radially outward from the generally cylindrical sidewall, wherein the thickness of the sliding layer at a circumferential base of the protrusion is at least 2 times greater than the thickness of the sliding layer at the apex of the protrusion;
• and
• removing the sliding layer from the protrusions to form a void area free of the sliding layer adapted to contact an inner component or an outer component so as to provide electrical conductivity between the inner component and the outer component, and wherein at least one protrusion has a spring rate of not greater than 30 kN/mm, wherein the void area extends along an entire axial length of the protrusion.