Locking device for a bearing assembly
AssigneeThe Torrington Company
InventorJohn A. Larson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An annular collar includes a first clamping surface to be positioned radially outwardly of a surface of a bearing inner ring. The annular collar is made of a thermoelastic material such that an increase in temperature decreases the circumference of the annular collar and causes the first clamping surface to clamp against the surface of the bearing inner ring. The thermoelastic material may be a shape memory alloy or a polymer.
Claims20
A bearing inner ring in combination with an annular collar for reversibly locking the bearing inner ring against a shaft, the combination comprising:
- the bearing inner ring;
- the annular collar having a circumference and a first clamping surface to be positioned radially outwardly of a surface of the bearing inner ring;
- the annular collar being made of a thermoelastic material such that an increase in temperature decreases the circumference of the annular collar and causes the first clamping surface to clamp against the surface of the bearing inner ring.
A bearing inner ring in combination with an annular collar for reversibly locking the bearing inner ring against a shaft, the combination comprising:
- the bearing inner ring;
- the annular collar having a circumference and a first clamping surface to be positioned radially outwardly of a surface of the bearing inner ring;
- the annular collar being made of a thermoelastic shape memory material that changes dimension and strength based on a temperature dependent change in crystal structure such that a change in temperature reversibly causes the first clamping surface to clamp against the bearing inner ring.
A bearing in combination with an annular collar for reversibly locking the bearing on a shaft, the combination comprising:
- a bearing inner ring extension extending axially outward from a bearing inner ring raceway, the extension having a radially outward surface;
- and
- the annular collar having a circumference and a first clamping surface positioned radially outwardly of the surface of the bearing inner ring extension;
- the annular collar being made of a thermoelastic material such that an increase in temperature decreases the circumference and causes the first clamping surface to clamp against the surface of the bearing inner ring extension.
A method of reversibly locking a bearing inner ring to a shaft, the method comprising the steps of
- providing the shaft;
- providing an annular collar having a circumference and a first clamping surface, the annular collar being made of a thermoelastic material;
- positioning the annular collar such that the first clamping surface is radially outward of a surface of the bearing inner ring;
- and
- increasing the temperature of the annular collar such that the first clamping surface is forced against the bearing inner ring and such that the bearing inner ring is locked against the shaft.
A method of reversibly locking a bearing inner ring to a shaft, the method comprising the steps of
- providing the shaft;
- providing an annular collar having a circumference and a first clamping surface, the annular collar being made of a shape memory material that changes dimension and strength based on a temperature dependent change in crystal structure;
- positioning the annular collar such that the first clamping surface is radially outward of the bearing inner ring;
- and
- changing the temperature of the annular collar such that the first clamping surface is forced against the bearing inner ring and such that the bearing inner ring is locked against the shaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.