Bearing cage with self-lubricating grease reservoirs
AssigneeSchaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
InventorWilliam Moratz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bearing cage, including an outer circumferential surface, an inner circumferential surface, a radial surface aligned in a direction orthogonal to the axis of rotation, at least one chamber located in material forming the bearing cage and one of at least one first channel connecting the at least one chamber to the radial surface and at least one second channel connecting the at least one chamber to one of the inner circumferential surface or the outer circumferential surface, or at least one first channel connecting the at least one chamber to the inner circumferential surface and at least one second channel connecting the at least one chamber to the outer circumferential surface.
Claims18
A bearing cage, comprising:
- an outer circumferential surface;
- an inner circumferential surface;
- a radial surface connecting the inner and outer circumferential surfaces;
- at least one chamber located in material forming the bearing cage;
- and, one of:
- at least one first channel connecting the at least one chamber to the radial surface and at least one second channel connecting the at least one chamber to one of the inner circumferential surface or the outer circumferential surface;
- or,
- at least one first channel connecting the at least one chamber to the inner circumferential surface and at least one second channel connecting the at least one chamber to the outer circumferential surface.
A bearing assembly comprising:
- an inner ring including a first outer circumferential surface;
- an outer ring including a first inner circumferential surface;
- a bearing cage including:
- a second outer circumferential surface;
- a second inner circumferential surface;
- a radial surface connecting the second inner and outer circumferential surfaces;
- at least one chamber located in material forming the bearing cage;
- one of:
- at least one first channel connecting the at least one chamber to the radial surface and at least one second channel connecting the at least one chamber to the second inner circumferential surface or the second outer circumferential surface;
- or,
- at least one first channel connecting the at least one chamber to the second inner circumferential surface and at least one second channel connecting the chamber to the second outer circumferential surface;
- and,
- a plurality of rolling elements retained by the bearing cage, wherein:
- the second outer circumferential surface is engaged with the first inner circumferential surface to guide the bearing cage;
- or,
- the second inner circumferential surface is engaged with the first outer circumferential surface to guide the bearing cage.
A bearing cage, comprising:
- an outer circumferential surface;
- an inner circumferential surface;
- a plurality of chambers located in material forming the bearing cage;
- a plurality of channels connecting respective chambers from the plurality of chambers to the outer circumferential surface;
- and,
- a circumferentially disposed groove in the inner circumferential surface connected to the plurality of chambers, wherein:
- the circumferentially disposed groove is arranged to receive a lubricant;
- and,
- the plurality of channels is arranged to dispense the lubricant to the inner or outer circumferential surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.