Unitary full complement bearing components containing rolling elements in a self-supporting lubricating matrix

A component of a full complement bearing assembly comprising:

• a. a plurality of rolling elements;
• b. a self-supporting, lubricating matrix composed of a solid, tough, elastic gel comprising a lubricating oil and a high molecular weight polymer, and being capable of exuding lubricating oil in response to sliding friction;
• c. means defining a plurality of pockets in said matrix of a configuration closely conforming to the rolling elements and each pocket having at least one opening to expose at least one operative surface of each rolling elements permitting rolling contact with another bearing element;
• d. said matrix acting to positively space said rolling elements in said assembly and hold them in place to permit or facilitate assembly of said rolling elements to said bearing as a unit and to maintain said rolling elements in properly spaced relation during operation of said bearing;
• e. said rolling elements being in the form of a circular bracelet having an axial bore severed radially to form a split ring capable of being temporarily deformed to permit its installation over the retaining flanges of the inner ring of a bearing assembly;
• and
• f. said self-supporting lubricating matrix being derived by thermally curing a composition comprising from about 10 up to about 95% by weight of a hydrocarbon based oil of lubricating viscosity and from about 5 up to about 90% by weight of polyethylene having an average molecular weight in the range from about 1.5 million up to about 5 million, and wherein the cured composition is in the form of a solid, tough, elastic gel.

A component of a full complement bearing assembly comprising:

• a. a plurality of rolling elements;
• b. a self-supporting, lubricating matrix composed of a solid, tough, elastic gel comprising a lubricating oil and a high molecular weight polymer, and being capable of exuding lubricating oil in response to sliding friction;
• c. means defining a plurality of pockets in said matrix of a configuration closely conforming to the rolling elements and each pocket having at least one opening to expose at least one operative surface of each rolling element permitting rolling contact with another bearing element;
• d. said matrix acting to positively space said rolling elements in said assembly and hold them in place to permit or facilitate assembly of said rolling elements to said bearing as a unit and to maintain said rolling elements in properly spaced relation during operation of said bearing;
• e. said rolling elements being in the form of a circular bracelet having an axial bore;
• and
• f. said self-supporting lubricating matrix being derived by thermally curing a composition comprising from about 50 up to about 90% by weight of a hydrocarbon based oil of lubricating viscosity and from about 50 to about 10% by weight of polymethylpentene having an average molecular weight in the range from about 3 to about 5 million and wherein the cured composition is in the form of a solid, tough, elastic gel.

A component of a full complement bearing assembly comprising:

• a. a plurality of rollers;
• b. a self-supporting, lubricating matrix composed of a solid, tough, elastic gel comprising a lubricating oil and a high molecular weight polymer, and being capable of exuding lubricating oil in response to sliding friction;
• c. means defining a plurality of pockets in said matrix of a configuration closely conforming to the rollers and each pocket having at least one opening to expose at least one operative surface of each roller permitting rolling contact with another bearing element;
• d. said matrix acting to positively space said rollers in said assembly and hold them in place to permit or facilitate assembly of said rollers to said bearing as a unit and to maintain said rollers in properly spaced relation during operation of said bearing;
• and
• e. said matrix overlying and enclosing a portion of the outer axial end faces of said rollers from approximately the pitch circle thereof radially outwardly.

A component of a full complement bearing assembly comprising:

• a. a plurality of rollings elements;
• b. a self-supporting, lubricating matrix composed of a solid, tough, elastic gel comprising a lubricating oil and a high molecular weight polymer, and being capable of exuding lubricating oil in response to sliding friction;
• c. means defining a plurality of pockets in said matrix of a configuration closely conforming to the rolling elements and each pocket having at least one opening to expose at least one operative surface of each rolling element permitting rolling contact with another bearing element;
• d. said matrix acting to positively space said rolling elements in said assembly and hold them in place to permit or facilitate assembly of said rolling elements to said bearing as a unit and to maintain said rolling elements in properly spaced relation during operation of said bearing;
• e. said rolling elements being in the form of a circular bracelet having an axial bore;
• and
• f. said self-supporting lubricating matrix being derived by thermally curing a composition comprising from about 10 up to about 95% by weight of a hydrocarbon based oil of lubricating viscosity and from about 5 up to about 90% by weight of polyethylene having an average molecular weight in the range from about 1.5 million up to about 5 million, and wherein the cured composition is in the form of a solid, tough, elastic gel.