Clam shell linear motion bearing assembly

A linear motion bearing assembly, comprising:

• a shaft;
• a rolling element retainer structure effective to move along the shaft, the rolling element retainer structure including a plurality of rolling element retainer segments, each of the rolling element retainer segments including
• an inner portion defining at least one rolling element track having an open load bearing portion, an open return portion, and turnarounds interconnecting the load bearing and return portions;
• a plurality of bearing rolling elements disposed in the rolling element tracks, the rolling elements effective to transmit a load from a shaft to load bearing plates and to facilitate a movement of the linear motion bearing assembly along the shaft, and
• the load bearing plates positioned axially positioned adjacent to each rolling element retainer structure, the load bearing plates effective to receive a load from the rolling elements disposed in the load bearing portion of the rolling element tracks;
• an outer housing sleeve enclosing substantially all of an exposed exterior surface of the roiling element retainer structure, the outer housing sleeve having an inner surface in direct contact with the load bearing plates, the outer housing sleeve being configured and dimensioned to maintain the load bearing plates in position and effective to receive load from the load bearing plates, the outer housing sleeve including
• a first sleeve portion including a first number of the rolling element retainer segments;
• and
• a second sleeve portion including a second number of he rolling element retainer segments;
• wherein the first sleeve portion is effective to mate with the second sleeve portion to form the outer housing sleeve;
• and
• a bearing block effective to enclose substantially all of an exposed exterior surface of the outer housing sleeve, the bearing block including
• a first bearing block segment effective to enclose a first part of the outer housing sleeve;
• and
• a second bearing block segment effective to enclose a second part of he outer housing sleeve, wherein
• the first bearing block segment and the second bearing block segment include first elements and second elements effective to interlock with each other when the bearing block encloses the outer housing sleeve;
• the first element includes a mortise and the second element includes a tenon;
• the first bearing block segment includes a tie rod hole, a tie rod, and a nut;
• the first and second sleeve portions are substantially identical;
• the first sleeve portion is mated with the second sleeve portion through a protuberance and a hole;
• the first and second sleeve portions have a first exterior cross-section;
• the bearing block segments include a second interior cross-section:
• the first cross-section section is sized and shaped so as to mate with the second cross-section;
• and
• the first and second cross-sections each define a cylinder.

A method of assembling a linear motion bearing assembly, the method comprising:

• placing a rolling element retainer structure in an outer housing sleeve,
• the rolling element retainer structure including a plurality of rolling element retainer segments, each of the rolling element retainer segments including an inner portion defining at least one roiling element track having an open load bearing portion, an open return portion, and turnarounds interconnecting said load bearing and return portions, a plurality of bearing rolling elements disposed in the rolling element tracks, the rolling elements effective to transmit a load from a shaft to the load bearing plate and to facilitate a movement of the linear motion bearing assembly along the shaft,
• the load bearing plates positioned axially positioned adjacent to each rolling element retainer structure, the load bearing plates effective to receive a load from the rolling, elements disposed in the load bearing portion of the rolling element tracks,
• the outer housing sleeve enclosing substantially all of an exposed exterior surface of the rolling element retainer structure, the outer housing sleeve having an inner surface in direct contact with the load bearing plates, the outer housing sleeve being configured and dimensioned to maintain the load bearing plates in position and effective to receive load from the load bearing plates,
• the outer housing sleeve including
• a first sleeve portion including a first number of the rolling element retainer segments;
• and
• a second sleeve portion including a second number of the rolling element retainer segments;
• wherein the first sleeve portion is effective to mate with the second sleeve portion to form the outer housing sleeve;
• and
• placing the outer housing sleeve in a bearing block, the bearing block effective to enclose substantially all of an exposed exterior surface of the outer housing sleeve, the bearing block including
• a first bearing block segment effective to enclose a first part a the outer housing sleeve;
• and
• a second bearing block segment effective to enclose a second part of the outer housing sleeve,
• wherein the first bearing block segment and the second bearing block segment include first elements and second elements effective to interlock with each other when the bearing block encloses the outer housing sleeve.