Countersunk threaded bearing and method of installation
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsForrest E. Richardson, Lance A. Cutler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bearing assembly includes an outer race, an inner race, a bearing interface, and a nut. The outer race has a head end and a base end. The head end includes a flange having a countersink lip formed on an underside of the flange. The outer race includes an externally threaded portion terminating at the base end. The inner race is circumscribed by the outer race. The bearing interface is located between and rotatably couples the inner race to the outer race. The nut is configured to be threadably engaged to the externally threaded portion.
Claims20
A bearing assembly, comprising:
- an outer race and having a head end and a base end, the head end including a flange having a countersink lip formed on an underside of the flange, the outer race including an externally threaded portion terminating at the base end;
- an inner race circumscribed by the outer race;
- a bearing interface located between and rotatably coupling the inner race to the outer race;
- and
- a nut configured to be threadably engaged to the externally threaded portion.
A bearing installation, comprising:
- a structural component having a structural hole including a countersink profile formed on an edge of the structural hole on a front side of the structural component;
- a bearing assembly installed in the structural hole and including:
- an outer race and having a head end and a base end, the head end including a flange having a countersink lip formed on an underside of the flange, the outer race including an externally threaded portion terminating at the base end;
- an inner race circumscribed by the outer race;
- a bearing interface located between and rotatably coupling the inner race to the outer race;
- and
- a nut configured to be threadably engaged to the externally threaded portion.
A method of installing a bearing assembly in a structural component, comprising:
- inserting a bearing assembly into a structural hole such that a countersink lip of an outer race is seated on a countersink profile of the structural hole and such that a base end of the outer race protrudes beyond a back side of the structural hole, the bearing assembly having a bearing interface coupling an inner race to the outer race;
- and
- threadably engaging a nut onto an externally threaded portion protruding beyond a back side of the structural component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.