Combination thrust flange and thrust plate

A thrust bearing assembly, comprising:

• a single-piece thrust plate and thrust shaft flange, comprising,
• a generally cylindrical body portion defining a rotating base surface and a lateral surface;
• a frustoconical body portion defining a frustoconical surface and a base surface;
• a bore extending through said cylindrical body portion and said frustoconical body portion, and
• said bore extending substantially perpendicular to said rotating base surface, said bore having a first bore section and a second bore section, said second bore section being adjacent said rotating base surface and having a smaller diameter than said first bore section, and a lip extending between said first and second bore sections, wherein said first bore section, said second bore section and said lip are configured to receive a thrust shaft and accommodate axial thrust forces transmitted from said thrust shaft;
• a bearing assembly in operable communication with said generally cylindrical body portion and supporting rotation of said thrust shaft, said bearing assembly comprising a plurality of first rolling elements and a bearing cage configured to retain said first rolling elements;
• a stationary plate having a passage extending therethrough complementary to said second bore section and through which said thrust shaft is received, said stationary plate engages said bearing assembly;
• and
• a plurality of second rolling elements disposed between said bearing cage and said thrust shaft and configured to support rotation of said bearing cage around said thrust shaft.