Pre-tensioned rolling element mounting

A pre-tensioned bearing assembly, comprising:

• a first rolling bearing including:
• a first outer ring;
• a first inner ring including a first cylindrical surface defining a first bore;
• and,
• a first plurality of rolling elements radially disposed between the first inner ring and the first outer ring;
• a second rolling bearing including:
• a second outer ring;
• a second inner ring including a second cylindrical surface defining a second bore;
• and,
• a second plurality of rolling elements radially disposed between the second inner ring and the second outer ring;
• a shaft including a shoulder in contact with the second rolling bearing;
• a first conically-shaped sleeve:
• in contact with the first cylindrical surface and the second cylindrical surface;
• and,
• including a conically formed inner surface;
• a second conically-shaped sleeve in contact with the conically formed inner surface;
• and,
• a shaft nut:
• including an internal thread in cooperation with the shaft;
• and,
• fixing the first inner ring and the second inner ring axially onto the shaft.

A method of assembling a pre-tensioned bearing assembly including a first rolling bearing with a first inner ring including a first cylindrical surface defining a first bore, a second rolling bearing including a second inner ring including a second cylindrical surface defining a second bore, a shaft including a shoulder, a first conically-shaped sleeve, a second conically-shaped sleeve, and a shaft nut, the method comprising:

• fitting the first rolling bearing and the second rolling bearing on the shaft such that the second rolling bearing contacts the shoulder;
• inserting the first conically-shaped sleeve around the shaft and through the first bore and through the second bore;
• contacting the first cylindrical surface and the second cylindrical surface with a cylindrical outer casing of the first conically-shaped sleeve;
• inserting the second conically-shaped sleeve into a space defined by the shaft and a conically formed inner surface of the first conically-shaped sleeve, the space radially increasing in a first axial direction parallel to an axis of rotation of the pre-tensioned bearing assembly;
• displacing, in a second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction, the shaft nut along the shaft;
• displacing, with the shaft nut, the first conically-shaped sleeve in the second axial direction;
• contacting the first inner ring with a flange of the first conically-shaped sleeve;
• urging, with the first conically-shaped sleeve, the second rolling bearing against the shoulder of the shaft;
• screwing a feed screw through a threaded axial bore in the shaft nut and into contact with a collar of the second conically-shaped sleeve;
• and,
• displacing, with the feed screw, the second conically-shaped sleeve, with respect to the first conically-shaped sleeve, in the second axial direction.