Segmented outer ring for a bearing for mitigating torque degradation

A bearing assembly comprising:

• an outer ring comprising:
• an outer sleeve defining a first exterior surface and a first interior area, the first interior area being defined by a first inner surface extending along the outer sleeve, the first inner surface having a first fastener mechanism formed therein;
• an inner sleeve defining a second exterior surface and a second interior area, the second interior area being defined by a second inner surface extending along the inner sleeve, the second exterior surface having a second fastener mechanism formed therein;
• the inner sleeve being removably disposed in the first interior area by selective engagement of the first fastener mechanism with the second fastener mechanism and so that the outer sleeve surrounds the inner sleeve;
• and
• the outer sleeve extending axially from a first end to a second end thereof and the inner sleeve extending axially from the first end to the second end of the outer sleeve;
• and
• an inner member having a third exterior surface, the inner member being at least partially disposed in the first interior area for relative rotation therebetween, the relative rotation being caused by an operating torque that is maintained within a predetermined range throughout and after the selective engagement of the first fastener mechanism with the second fastener mechanism.

A bearing and housing assembly, the assembly comprising:

• a housing having a bore extending therethrough, the bore being defined by a fourth inner surface of the housing;
• a bearing disposed at least partially in the bore, the bearing comprising:
• an outer ring comprising:
• an outer sleeve defining a first exterior surface and a first interior area, the first interior area being defined by a first inner surface extending along the outer sleeve, the first inner surface having a first fastener mechanism formed therein;
• an inner sleeve defining a second exterior surface and a second interior area, the second interior area being defined by a second inner surface extending along the inner sleeve, the second exterior surface having a second fastener mechanism formed therein;
• the inner sleeve being removably disposed in the first interior area by selective engagement of the first fastener mechanism with the second fastener mechanism and so that the outer sleeve surrounds the inner sleeve;
• and
• the outer sleeve extending axially from a first end to a second end thereof and the inner sleeve extending axially from the first end to the second end of the outer sleeve;
• and
• an inner member having a third exterior surface, the inner member being disposed in the first interior area of the outer ring for relative rotation therebetween, the relative rotation being caused by an operating torque that is maintained within a predetermined range after the selective engagement of the first fastener mechanism with the second fastener mechanism.

A method for assembling a bearing in a housing, the method comprising:

• providing a housing having a bore extending therethrough, the bore being defined by a fourth inner surface of the housing;
• providing a bearing comprising:
• an outer ring comprising;
• an outer sleeve defining a first exterior surface and a first interior area, the first interior area being defined by a first inner surface extending along the outer sleeve, the first inner surface having a first fastener mechanism formed therein;
• an inner sleeve defining a second exterior surface and a second interior area, the second interior area being defined by a second inner surface extending along the inner sleeve, the second exterior surface having a second fastener mechanism formed therein;
• the inner sleeve being removably disposed in the first interior area by selective engagement of the first fastener mechanism with the second fastener mechanism and so that the outer sleeve surrounds the inner sleeve;
• and
• the outer sleeve extending axially from a first end to a second end thereof and the inner sleeve extending axially from the first end to the second end of the outer sleeve;
• and
• an inner member having a third exterior surface, the inner member being moveably disposed in the second interior area for relative motion between the inner member and the outer ring, the relative motion being caused by an operating torque;
• press fitting the outer sleeve in the bore of the housing;
• and
• removably disposing the inner sleeve in the first interior area by selectively engaging the second fastener mechanism with the first fastener mechanism such that the operating torque is maintained within a predetermined range throughout and after the selective engagement of the first fastener mechanism with the second fastener mechanism.

A bearing and housing assembly, the assembly comprising:

• a housing having a bore extending therethrough, the bore being defined by a housing inner surface, the housing inner surface having a first fastener mechanism formed therein;
• a bearing disposed at least partially in the bore, the bearing comprising:
• an outer ring defining a first exterior surface and a first interior area, the first interior area being defined by a first inner surface extending along the outer sleeve, the first exterior surface having a second fastener mechanism formed therein;
• and the outer ring being removably disposed in the housing by selective engagement of the first fastener mechanism with the second fastener mechanism;
• and
• an inner member having a second exterior surface, the inner member being disposed in the first interior area of the outer ring for relative rotation therebetween, the relative rotation being caused by an operating torque that is maintained within a predetermined range after the selective engagement of the first fastener mechanism with the second fastener mechanism.