Swaging features that lock retaining elements for bearings
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsAdrian Silviu Abrudan, Christopher E Plass, Morri Montazeri, Stephen Alden Skinner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus and methods are provided for locking retaining elements in place. One embodiment is a bearing having an outer race. The race has a first end and a second end. The race includes a flange on the first end that is able to mate with a housing, and the race also includes an annular threaded portion on the second end. The threaded portion receives an annular threaded retaining element that mates with the housing. The race additionally includes an annular protrusion on the second end, concentric with the threaded portion, that is able to be swaged, thereby increasing a diameter of the protrusion to overlap the threaded portion.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- a bearing comprising:
- an outer race having a first end and a second end, and wherein the race comprises:
- a flange on the first end that is adapted to mate with a housing for the bearing;
- an annular threaded portion on the second end, wherein the annular threaded portion is adapted to receive an annular threaded retaining element that mates with the housing;
- and
- an annular protrusion on the second end, concentric with the threaded portion, that is adapted to be swaged, to thereby increase a diameter of the protrusion to overlap the threaded portion.
An apparatus comprising:
- a bearing comprising:
- an annular threaded retaining element mated with a housing for the bearing;
- and
- an outer race having a first end and a second end, wherein the race comprises:
- a flange on the first end that is mated with the housing for the bearing;
- an annular threaded portion on the second end that has received the retaining element;
- and
- an annular protrusion on the second end, concentric with the threaded portion, that is swaged, wherein a diameter of the protrusion overlaps the threaded portion.
A method comprising:
- inserting a bearing, comprising an outer race, into a housing;
- threading a retaining element onto the race of the bearing, wherein the retaining element is adapted to mate with the housing;
- and
- swaging an annular protrusion of the race onto the retaining element to fixedly attach the retaining element to the bearing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.