Self-lubricating bearings
AssigneeMinebea Co., Ltd.
InventorPaul Raymond Smith
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Abstract
A self-lubricating bearing for use in low pressure, high frequency, small amplitude applications and methods of operating and constructing the same, the bearing having a self-lubricating liner and a counterface surface in close sliding contact therewith, the counterface surface having a surface finish of less than 20 nm and a hardness of less than in the region of 1000 VPN.
Claims20
A self-lubricating bearing for use in low pressure, high frequency, small amplitude applications, the bearing having a self-lubricating liner and a counterface surface in close sliding contact therewith, the counterface surface having a surface finish of less than 20 nm and a hardness of less than in the region of 1000 VPN.
A method of constructing a self-lubricating bearing comprising the steps of:
- providing a self-lubricating liner with a curved surface;
- providing a counterface having a curved surface, wherein the curved surface of the counterface has a surface finish of less than 20 nm and a hardness of less than 1000 VPN;
- and
- placing the curved surfaces of the liner and the counterface surface in sliding contact with one another.
A method of operating a self-lubricating bearing having a self-lubricating liner and a counterface surface in close sliding contact therewith, the counterface surface having a surface finish of less than 20 nm and a hardness of less than 1000 VPN, wherein the operating conditions are at stresses of less than 35 MPa, at a frequency of at least 0.1 Hz and with amplitudes comprising small angular motions of less than ±12° rotation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.