Cage for roller bearings
AssigneeThe Torrington Company
InventorDavid R. Moulton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bearing cage for a roller bearing. The bearing cage comprising first and second annular end rims axially spaced along a common axis and cross bars connecting the end rims such that pockets are formed between the end rims and the cross bars for retaining the rollers. Axially outward surfaces of the end rims define the axial length of the bearing cage and include at least one recess for facilitating passage of lubricant to the rollers.
Claims19
A one-piece polymer bearing cage for a roller bearing, the bearing cage comprising:
- first and second annular end rims axially spaced along a common axis, the end rims having axially outward surfaces defining the axial length of the bearing cage and being made of a polymer;
- and
- cross bars connecting the end rims such that pockets are formed between the end rims and the cross bars for retaining the rollers, the cross bars being made of the same polymer as the end rims;
- wherein the axial length of each of the end rims varies along its circumference such that a piloting end surface of the bearing cage is provided at a longer end rim portion and such that a recessed end surface of the bearing cage is provided at a shorter end rim portion circumferentially spaced from the longer end rim portion for facilitating passage of lubricant to the rollers.
A one-piece polymer bearing cage for a roller bearing, the bearing cage comprising:
- first and second annular end rims axially spaced along a common axis, the end rims having axially outward surfaces defining the axial length of the bearing cage and being made of a polymer;
- and
- cross bars connecting the end rims such that pockets are formed between the end rims and the cross bars for retaining the rollers, the cross bars being made of the same polymer as the end rims;
- said end rims being configured with at least one recess in said axially outward surfaces for facilitating passage of lubricant to the rollers, wherein said axially outward surface of each of the end rims includes four arcuate undulations equally spaced along the circumference thereof, the undulations comprising said at least one recess for facilitating passage of lubricant.
A one-piece polymer bearing cage for a roller bearing, the bearing cage comprising:
- first and second annular end rims axially spaced along a common axis, the end rims having axially outward surfaces defining the axial length of the bearing cage;
- and
- cross bars connecting the end rims such that pockets are formed between the end rims and the cross bars for retaining the rollers;
- said end rims being configured with at least one recess in said axially outward surfaces for facilitating passage of lubricant to the rollers, wherein the end rims have a maximum thickness in the radial direction of at least eighty (80) percent of the diameter of the rollers.
A one-piece polymer bearing cage for a roller bearing, the bearing cage comprising:
- first and second annular end rims axially spaced along a common axis, the end rims having axially outward surfaces defining the axial length of the bearing cage, the end rims being made of a polymer;
- and
- cross bars connecting the end rims such that pockets are formed between the end rims and the cross bars for retaining the rollers, the cross bars being made of the same polymer as the end rims;
- said end rims being configured with at least one recess in said axially outward surfaces for facilitating passage of lubricant to the rollers, wherein the end rims and the cross bars have radiused corners and blended edges for reducing stress within the bearing cage.
A one-piece polymer bearing cage for a bearing having rollers, the bearing cage comprising:
- first and second annular end rims axially spaced along a common axis, the end rims having axially outward surfaces defining the axial length of the bearing cage, the end rims being made of a polymer and having a maximum thickness in the radial direction of at least eight (80) percent of the diameter of the rollers;
- and
- cross bars connecting the end rims such that pockets are formed between the end rims and the cross bars for retaining the rollers, the cross bars made of the same polymer as the end rims;
- the crossbars having retention pads extending radially outward with respect to other portions of the crossbars and with respect to the end rims, the retention pads having retaining surfaces for engaging the rollers to limit outward movement of the rollers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.