Grease and cup retained unitized thrust bearing and method of making same

A grease retained thrust bearing for use in an automotive automatic transmission comprising:

• a first generally flat annular race having inner and outer diameters;
• a first axially projecting flange disposed on the outer diameter of said first annular race;
• a generally flat annular roller separator having inner and outer diameters;
• a plurality of rolling elements disposed in said annular roller separator;
• a generally flat second annular race having inner and outer diameters;
• a second axially projecting flange disposed on the inner diameter of said second annular race;
• and
• a coat of fibrous, tacky, adhesive-like grease;
• said coat of grease being compatible with the working fluid of an automotive automatic transmission, said grease adhesively securing together said first and second annular races with said annular roller separator and said rolling elements therebetween, thereby providing a stable assembly for shipping and handling of the bearing.

A cup and grease retained unitized thrust bearing for use in an automotive automatic transmission comprising:

• a first generally flat annular race having inner and outer diameters;
• a generally flat annular unitized type roller separator having inner and outer diameters;
• a plurality of roller receiving openings disposed in said annular roller separator;
• a plurality of rolling elements disposed in said roller receiving openings;
• an annular deformable cup rotatably securing said first annular race and said annular roller separator, with said rolling elements retained therebetween;
• a second generally flat annular race having inner and outer diameters;
• a coat of fibrous, tacky, adhesive-like grease, said grease being compatible with the working fluid of an automotive automatic transmission, said grease being disposed between said second annular race and said annular roller separator for adhesively securing said second annular race to said annular roller separator and said rolling elements, thereby forming a stable assembly for shipping and handling of the bearing.

A cup and grease retained unitized thrust bearing for use in an automotive automatic transmission comprising:

• a first generally flat annular race having inner and outer diameters;
• a first axially projecting flange disposed on the outer diameter of said first annular race;
• a generally flat annular roller separator having inner and outer diameters;
• a radially projecting flange disposed on the outer diameter of said annular roller separator;
• a plurality of roller receiving openings disposed in said annular roller separator;
• a plurality of rolling elements larger than said roller receiving openings;
• an annular deformable cup, C-shaped in cross section, said cup being deformed about said first axially projecting flange and engaging said radially projecting flange, said annular roller separator thereby being rotatably mounted on said first annular race with said rolling elements retained therebetween;
• a second generally flat annular race having inner and outer diameters;
• a second axially projecting flange disposed on the inner diameter of said second annular race;
• and
• a coat of fibrous, tacky, adhesive-like grease, said grease being compatible with the working fluid of an automotive transmission, said grease being disposed between said second annular race and said annular roller separator for adhesively securing said second annular race to said annular roller separator and said rolling elements, thereby forming a stable assembly for shipping and handling of the bearing.