US 9,518,606 B2 · Bearing apparatus with surface migration channels

Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to bearings, their manufacture and implementation. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, an apparatus includes a bearing cage with a plurality of ball pockets at respective locations along a length of the bearing cage. Each ball pocket holds a ball. A plurality of lubricant reservoirs are respectively located between adjacent ones of the ball pockets along the length of the bearing cage. A plurality of lubricant migration channels are recessed in the bearing cage, extend between and connect one of the lubricant reservoirs and one of the ball pockets, and flow lubricant between the one of the lubricant reservoirs and the one of the ball pockets.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus comprising:

a bearing cage having a length;
a plurality of ball pockets at respective locations along the length of the bearing cage, each ball pocket being configured and arranged to hold a ball;
a plurality of lubricant reservoirs between adjacent ones of the ball pockets along the length of the bearing cage;
and
a plurality of lubricant migration channels recessed in the bearing cage, each lubricant migration channel extending between and connecting one of the lubricant reservoirs and one of the ball pockets and being configured and arranged to flow lubricant between the one of the lubricant reservoirs and the one of the ball pockets.

2 more elements

An apparatus comprising:

a plurality of first portions of a bearing cage, each first portion being spaced apart from other ones of the first portions and being configured and arranged to hold a rolling component;
a plurality of second portions of the bearing cage, each second portion being located between adjacent ones of the first portions and configured and arranged to hold lubricant;
and
a plurality of third portions of the bearing cage, each third portion extending between and connecting one of the second portions with one of the first portions, and each third portion including lubricant migration channels recessed in the third portion and configured and arranged to flow lubricant between the one of the second portions and a rolling component held by one of the first portions.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

14/641,876Filed 9 Mar 2015

Published

US 2016/0265593 A115 Sep 2016

Granted

13 Dec 2016

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

F16C 33/6681
With liquid lubricant: details of distribution or circulation inside the bearing, e.g. grooves on the cage or passages in the rolling elements
F16C 19/26
For radial load mainly: with a single row of rollers
F16C 33/414
Massive or moulded comb cages, e.g. snap ball cages: formed as one-piece cages, i.e. monoblock comb cages
F16C 33/6629
With grease as lubricant: details of distribution or circulation inside the bearing, e.g. grooves on the cage or passages in the rolling elements

Bearing apparatus with surface migration channels

Life of this patent

Bearing apparatus with surface migration channels

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20