Self-lubricated track-roller bearing and method of constructing the same

Th method for bonding a self-lubricated liner to the outside surface of the inner race ring for a bearing having an outer race ring assembled with said inner race ring, wherein said liner serves to provide lubrication for said bearing when in operation with relative movement between said two race rings, with self-lubricated liner material and with adhesive material available for accomplishing said bonding;

• wherein the improvement comprises the steps of
• (a) positioning said liner material on said outside surface of said inner race ring with adhesive material for bonding said liner material to said outside surface;
• (b) providing a disposable assembly fixture comprising tubing of heat-shrinkable material of an original internal dimension greater than the circumferential dimension for said liner on said outside surface,
• (c) placing said tubing to be around said liner material and said inner race ring in a position substantially concentrically with respect to said liner material,
• (d) heating said tubing of said assembly fixture to shrink the same in a radial direction substantially equally circumferentially of said liner a dimension such that pressure is applied on said liner material to provide adherence thereof with said adhesive material to said outside surface,
• (e) further heating in a heated environment said assembly fixture tubing, said liner material, said adhesive and said inner race ring to maximize the shrinkage of said tubing on said liner material and complete the bonding of said liner material to said outer surface to provide an inner-race-ring-assembly, and
• (f) removing said inner-race-ring-assembly from said heated environment, removing said assembly fixture tubing from outside said liner material on said race ring, and disposing of the same, and preparing said inner race ring for assembly with said outer race ring to form a bearing.

In the manufacture of a self-lubricated bearing having an inner member with an outside surface thereon and an outer member with a raceway on the inside surface thereof, the method for manufacturing said inner member with a self-lubricated fabric liner on said outside surface for engagement by said raceway of said outer member when said bearing is operating in an installation thereof, wherein the improvement in said method comprises the steps of

• (a) applying a self-lubricated liner having adhesive therewith to said outside surface of said inner member,
• (b) placing a disposable assembly fixture comprising a length of heat shrinkable material around said liner on said inner member so that such heat shrinkable material covers said liner for the extent thereof as said liner is applied to said outside surface of said inner member,
• (c) applying heat to said heat shrinkable material to shrink the same until said shrinking is maximized on said liner and said liner having adhesive therewith is secured to said outside surface of said inner member to provide an inner member assembly,
• (d) and upon the completion of said securing of said liner to said outside surface of said inner member, removing said fixture of heat shrinkable material from said liner, and preparing said inner member assembly for assembly with said outer member to form a self-lubricated bearing.