Solid-lubricated bearing assembly

A solid-lubricated bearing assembly comprising:

• a. rotatable bearing elements having an arcuate outer surface of constant radius of curvature and constant diameter to facilitate rotation of said elements;
• b. an outer member having a generally radially inwardly facing annular race adapted to receive said bearing elements for rotating motion thereof respecting said outer member;
• c. an inner member having a generally radially outwardly facing annular race adapted to receive said bearing elements for rotating motion thereof respecting said inner member, said bearing elements being retained between said races of said inner and outer members;
• and
• d. spacer means circumferentially positioned between said bearing elements for maintaining said bearing elements in spaced relation to one another while permitting rotation of said elements in said races, said spacer means in running contact with at least one of said first and second members during bearing assembly operation, comprising
• i. a concave surface formed therein facing each of said bearing elements, said concave surface having a radius of curvature larger than the radius of curvature of the portion of said bearing element which said concave surface faces;
• ii. circumferential clearance between the concave surface of each of said spacer means and the arcuate surface of each of said bearing elements which said concave surface faces, the sum of each of said clearances being greater than said diameter of said bearing elements;
• iii. solid lubricant material for depositing a solid lubricant film on at least one of said bearing elements as said element rotates respecting said races.
• iv. means for depositing said solid lubricant film at said position of running contact between said spacer means and said at least one of said members as said elements rotate respecting said races.

A solid-lubricated bearing assembly comprising:

• a. an outer bearing member having a generally radially inwardly facing race surface formed therein adapted to receive rotatable bearing elements for rotating motion of said rotatable bearing elements respecting said outer bearing member;
• b. an inner bearing member having a generally radially outwardly facing race surface formed therein adapted to receive said rotatable bearing elements for rotating motion of said rotatable bearing elements respecting said inner bearing member;
• c. a plurality of said rotatable bearing elements retained between said race surfaces of said inner and outer bearing members and being formed of ceramic material;
• d. solid lubricant material internally self-biased against and contacting at least one of said rotatable bearing elements for depositing a film of said solid lubricant material on said rotatable element by contact therewith as said rotatable elements rotate against said race surfaces.