Linear bearing for an electromagnetic solenoid and solenoid having said linear bearing
AssigneeFlextronics Automotive Inc.
InventorsMatthew Peterson, Edward DeBeck
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A rolling-element bearing for an electromagnetic solenoid includes a hollow cylindrical cage with a plurality of spherical pockets formed around a first circumference and a second circumference of the cage. The pockets around the first circumference are offset from the pockets around the second circumference. Spherical rolling elements are provided in the spherical pockets and are captured for free rotation in the first pockets and second pockets.
Claims20
A cage for a rolling-element bearing for an electromagnetic solenoid comprising:
- a hollow cylindrical body;
- a plurality of spherical first pockets formed around a first circumference of the hollow cylindrical body on a first pitch diameter;
- and
- a plurality of spherical second pockets formed around a second circumference of the hollow cylindrical body axially offset from the first circumference on a second pitch diameter equal to the first pitch diameter,
- wherein the first pockets are angularly offset from the second pockets.
A rolling-element bearing for an electromagnetic solenoid comprising:
- a hollow cylindrical cage having a wall thickness and including a plurality of spherical first pockets formed around a first circumference of the cage on a first pitch diameter;
- and
- a plurality of spherical second pockets formed around a second circumference of the cage axially offset from the first circumference on a second pitch diameter, the first pockets angularly offset from the second pockets;
- and
- a plurality of spherical rolling elements, one of the plurality captured for free rotation in one of the plurality of spherical first pockets and one of the plurality captured for free rotation in one of the plurality of spherical second pockets.
An electromagnetic solenoid comprising:
- a flux sleeve disposed within a housing;
- a pole piece disposed within the housing axially aligned and spaced apart from the flux sleeve, the pole piece including a recess in an end adjacent to the flux sleeve and an axial bore through a length of the pole piece;
- an armature disposed within the flux sleeve supported for axial displacement;
- a centrally located pin fixed to an end portion of the armature proximate to the pole piece for axial displacement with the armature;
- and
- a first rolling-element bearing disposed for free movement within the axial bore including:
- a hollow cylindrical cage including a plurality of spherical first pockets formed around a first circumference of the cage on a first pitch diameter;
- a plurality of spherical second pockets formed around a second circumference of the cage axially offset from the first circumference on a second pitch diameter equal to the first pitch diameter, the first pockets angularly offset from the second pockets;
- and
- a plurality of spherical rolling element, one captured for free rotation in each of the plurality of spherical first pockets and in each of the plurality of spherical second pockets,
- wherein the pin is accepted within the hollow cylindrical cage and supported on one or more of the spherical rolling elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.