1-way bearing
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
InventorJohn M. Vranish
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A one-way bearing is provided having sprags and rolling bearings both disposed between an inner and an outer race. The sprags may comprise three-dimensional sprags for preventing rotation in a non-preferential direction. The rolling bearings may comprise thrust rollers for transmitting axial, tilt, and radial loads between the inner and outer races.
Claims17
A bearing adapted for permitting one-way rotation, the bearing comprising:
- an inner race;
- an outer race concentrically disposed around the inner race, the outer race being spaced from the inner race;
- a plurality of rollers disposed between the inner and outer races for transmitting radial, tilt, and axial loads therebetween;
- at least one sprag disposed between the inner and outer races, the sprag having a first orientation being effective to allow free rotation of the outer race relative to the inner race in a first direction and a second orientation being effective to prevent rotation of the outer race relative to the inner race in a second direction opposite the first direction;
- and
- first and second concentric grooves formed in the outer race and first and second concentric grooves formed in the inner race, said plurality of rollers being positioned for engaging the first grooves and the spray being positioned for engaging the second grooves.
A method of allowing rotation in a first direction and preventing rotation in a second direction opposite the first direction, the method comprising:
- providing a inner race;
- positioning an outer race concentrically around the inner race;
- providing plurality of rollers between the inner and outer races for transmitting radial, tilt, and axial loads therebetween;
- providing at least one spray between the inner and outer races, the sprags having a first orientation permitting rotation of the outer race relative to the inner race in the first direction and a second orientation preventing rotation of the outer race relative to the inner race in the second direction, and
- providing first and second concentric grooves formed in the outer race and first and second concentric grooves formed in the inner race, said plurality of rollers being positioned for engaging the first grooves and the sprag being positioned for engaging the second grooves.
A bearing adapted for permitting one-way rotation, the bearing comprising:
- an inner race;
- an outer race concentrically disposed around the inner race, the outer race spaced from the inner race;
- a first groove and a second groove formed in both the inner and outer races, the second grooves concentrically oriented relative to the first grooves;
- a plurality of thrust rollers disposed between the first grooves of the inner and outer race;
- a plurality of sprags disposed between the second grooves of the inner and outer races, the sprags having a first orientation being effective to allow free rotation of the outer race relative to the inner race in a first direction, and a second orientation being effective to prevent rotation of the outer race relative to the inner race in a second direction opposite the first direction by engagement between the second groove of the outer race and the second groove of the inner race;
- and
- a carrier positioned between the inner and outer races, the carrier effective to maintain the rollers and sprags operationally separate, the carrier including spring members applying a spring force to the sprags effective to position the sprags in the first orientation when the outer race is rotated in the first direction relative to the inner race, the spring force being selected to allow the sprags to move to the second orientation to prevent rotation between the inner and outer races.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.