Enhanced capacity bearing

Abstract

A bearing is provided particularly suitable for a turbine and turbine related components used in the aerospace industry. More particularly, the bearing is suitable for such applications as pneumatic starters for turbines. The bearing is preferably constructed from a M50 steel, which typically has a pre-treated hardness in the range of approximately 60 to 64 Rc. With the present invention, the bearing is nitrided to obtain a case hardness of approximately 74 Rc. To achieve such a case hardness, the bearing may require nitriding over several days. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a pneumatic starter includes a shaft, preferably constructed from M50, that has a portion of its outer surface nitrided. The nitrided surface functions as an inner race of a bearing assembly. Nitriding the portion of the shaft extends the bearing life of the bearing due to its increased hardness.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.