Thrust bearing assembly for roof turbine

A wind-actuated turbine ventilator comprising, in combination:

• a base adapted for surface mounting about an aperture through which a ventilating airflow is to be induced;
• a wind-responsive turbine head coupled to said base for rotation about an axis;
• thrust bearing means supporting said turbine head for rotation relative to said base, said thrust bearing support means including
• an elongated axial shaft coaxially disposed within said turbine head in alignment with the rotational axis;
• said axial shaft being secured to the base and having an end portion for rotatably supporting the turbine head;
• shaft receiving means mounted on the turbine head and receiving the supporting end of the axial shaft;
• centering means secured to the turbine head and movably coupled to said shaft for maintaining alignment of the turbine head relative to said shaft and limiting lateral movement of the turbine head relative to the base;
• said centering means including
• a collar having a bearing pocket and having a base panel intersected by a bore in communication with said bearing pocket;
• and,
• an annular bushing having a cylindrical body portion received within said collar bore and having a first annular shoulder portion received within said bearing pocket, and having a second annular shoulder portion disposed outside of said bearing pocket, said bushing being intersected by an axial bore for receiving said shaft, and being intersected by a transverse slot for permitting circumferential deflection of said body portion.