US 9,039,289 B2 · Segmented bearing retainer

Abstract

A bearing cage assembly (100) comprises a plurality of discrete bridge elements (206) disposed between adjacent rolling elements (112) and coupled between first and second axially spaced cage support wire rings (102, 104) which are appropriately tensioned. Spacers (110) are disposed between adjacent bridge elements and engage the bridge elements in a piloted engagement. The bridge elements maintain a separation between rolling elements, retain the rolling elements within the bearing assembly, and function as a lubrication reservoir for grease lubricated bearings. Profiled surfaces on the bridge elements position the bearing cage assembly on at least one axial end of the rolling elements.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A bearing cage structure for use with a bearing assembly having a plurality of rolling elements disposed about a circumference of a race member comprising:

a first wire support ring disposed adjacent an axially first end of the rolling elements and the bearing assembly, and a second wire support ring disposed adjacent an axially second end of the rolling elements and the bearing assembly;
a plurality of discrete bridge elements coupled between the first and second wire support rings to maintain a spacing between adjacent rolling elements and to retain said rolling elements relative to said race member;
and,
a plurality of generally tubular spacers disposed on at least one of said first and second wire support rings annularly between adjacent bridge elements, said bridge elements and said spacers configured for piloted engagement of said bridge elements with said spacers to maintain a desired spacing between adjacent bridge elements.

1 more element

A method for assembling a bearing cage structure of a bearing assembly, comprising:

selecting first and second wire support rings whose circumferential lengths are selected to accommodate dimensions of the bearing assembly;
coupling said first and second rings together in an axially spaced arrangement by fitting a plurality of discrete bridge elements onto said rings, said bridge elements each being fitted onto said rings, when said rings are open, via eyelets at opposite axial ends of each bridge element so to couple the rings together by said plurality of bridge elements which are spaced substantially uniformly about a circumference of said rings;
disposing generally tubular spacers on said first and second support rings between adjacent bridge elements using a piloted engagement which positions said spacers relative to said bridge elements;
securing opposite ends of said first ring together to form a first closed wire support ring;
securing opposite ends of said second ring together to form a second closed wire support ring;
and
fitting a plurality of rolling elements into said assembly, said spacing between adjacent rolling elements determined by the spacing between the adjacent bridge elements which couple the first and second wire support rings together.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Segmented bearing retainer

Life of this patent

Segmented bearing retainer

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23