Journal bearing retainer system with eccentric lock

Abstract

A bearing retainer system includes a hollow cylindrical bearing casing having a casing bore with a first axis for holding a bearing sleeve; an annular outer element rotationally secured to the casing, disposed within the casing bore, and having a circumferential first periphery circumscribed about a second axis which substantially coincides with the first axis; a bearing sleeve mounted in the casing bore and having a cylindrical sleeve periphery circumscribed about a third axis which substantially coincides with the first axis; and an eccentric cylindrical locking apparatus for locking the bearing sleeve to the outer element. The locking apparatus includes cylindrical male and female eccentric annular elements that are eccentric annular in shape and axially disposed at opposite ends of an annular outer element. The male element has an eccentric cylindrical male outer surface which mates with an eccentric cylindrical female inner surface. The male and female outer and inner surfaces are eccentric with respect to the first axis and they are circumscribed about a second axis which is offset from the first axis. The bearing assembly is designed to hold a shaft having an axis of rotation substantially coinciding with the first axis.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.