U.S. patent application number 14/580128 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-23 for split cylindrical roller bearing.
This patent application is currently assigned to SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH &. The applicant listed for this patent is Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG. Invention is credited to Rocco Docimo.
Application Number | 20160178000 14/580128 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56128914 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160178000 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Docimo; Rocco |
June 23, 2016 |
SPLIT CYLINDRICAL ROLLER BEARING
Abstract
A split cylindrical bearing assembly having a first split outer
ring with an inner radial self-aligning feature aligning axially
with a second split outer ring having an outer radial self-aligning
feature, the second split outer ring having two sections that are
fixedly assembled and circumferentially aligned. A split inner ring
having two sections fixedly assembled and circumferentially aligned
is assembled within and axially aligned with the second split outer
ring, and a split cage retaining rolling elements disposed between
the second split outer ring and the split inner ring. Also the
split cylindrical bearing assembly assembled onto a shaft and into
a housing assembly.
Inventors: |
Docimo; Rocco; (Stamford,
CT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG |
Herzogenaurach |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
; SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
&
Herzogenaurach
DE
|
Family ID: |
56128914 |
Appl. No.: |
14/580128 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
384/558 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16C 33/516 20130101;
F16C 35/067 20130101; F16C 19/26 20130101; F16C 35/06 20130101;
F16C 23/084 20130101; F16C 33/60 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F16C 23/08 20060101
F16C023/08; F16C 19/26 20060101 F16C019/26; F16C 33/60 20060101
F16C033/60 |
Claims
1. A bearing comprising: a first split outer ring including: a
first section having a first self aligning surface on an inner
radial surface and a first mounting surface on an outer radial
surface; a second section having a second self aligning surface on
an inner radial surface and a second mounting surface on an outer
radial surface; and, the first section and the second section at
least partially circumferentially aligned such that the first
self-aligning surface is at least partially circumferentially
aligned with the second self-aligning surface and the first
mounting surface is at least partially aligned with the second
mounting surface; a second split outer ring assembled within the
first split outer ring including: a first section having a first
bearing raceway on an inner radial surface, a first self-aligning
surface on an outer radial surface and at least two retention
shoulders at opposite axial ends; a second section having a second
bearing raceway on an inner radial surface, a second self-aligning
surface on an outer radial surface and at least two retention
shoulders at opposite axial ends; a plurality of fasteners joining
the first section and the second section such that a first
continuous bearing raceway, a first continuous self-aligning
surface and at least two continuous retention shoulders are formed;
and, the first continuous self-aligning surface at least partially
aligned with the first split outer ring first and second
self-aligning surfaces; a split inner ring axially aligned with the
second split outer ring and assembled within the second split outer
including: a first section having a first bearing raceway on an
outer radial surface and a first shaft mounting surface on an inner
radial surface; a second section having a second bearing raceway on
an outer radial surface and a second shaft mounting surface on an
inner radial surface; and a plurality of fasteners joining the
first and second sections such that a second continuous bearing
raceway is formed from the first and second section bearing
raceways; and, a plurality of rolling elements retained by at least
two circumferentially aligned semi-circular cage halves and
disposed between the second split outer ring and the split inner
ring.
2. The bearing of claim 1, wherein the first and the second
sections of the first split outer ring are axially retained on the
second split outer ring by the at least two continuous retention
shoulders.
3. The bearing of claim 1, wherein the first continuous
self-aligning surface has a convex contour that at least partially
aligns with a concave contour on the second continuous
self-aligning surface.
4. The bearing of claim 1, wherein the first section of the first
split outer ring and the second section of the first split outer
ring are not completely circumferential aligned.
5. A device comprising: a housing including an inner radial
circumferential surface; a first split outer ring assembled within
the housing and including: a first section having a first self
aligning surface on an inner radial surface and a first mounting
surface on an outer radial surface; a second section having a
second self aligning surface on an inner radial surface and a
second mounting surface on an outer radial surface; and, the first
section and the second section at least partially circumferentially
aligned such that the first self-aligning surface is at least
partially circumferentially aligned with the second self-aligning
surface and the first mounting surface is at least partially
aligned with the second mounting surface; a second split outer ring
assembled within the first split outer ring including: a first
section having a first bearing raceway on an inner radial surface,
a first self-aligning surface on an outer radial surface and at
least two retention shoulders at opposite axial ends; a second
section having a second bearing raceway on an inner radial surface,
a second self-aligning surface on an outer radial surface and at
least two retention shoulders at opposite axial ends; a plurality
of fasteners joining the first section and the second section such
that a first continuous bearing raceway, a first continuous
self-aligning surface and at least two continuous retention
shoulders are formed; and, the first continuous self-aligning
surface at least partially aligned with the first split outer ring
first and second self-aligning surfaces; a split inner ring axially
aligned with the second split outer ring and assembled within the
second split outer including: a first section having a first
bearing raceway on an outer radial surface and a first shaft
mounting surface on an inner radial surface; a second section
having a second bearing raceway on an outer radial surface and a
second shaft mounting surface on an inner radial surface; and a
plurality of fasteners joining the first and second sections such
that a second continuous bearing raceway is formed from the first
and second section bearing raceways; a plurality of rolling
elements retained by at least two circumferentially aligned
semi-circular cage halves and disposed between the second split
outer ring and the split inner ring; and a shaft assembled within
first continuous shaft mounting surface of the the split inner
ring.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein the first split inner ring has a
slip fit to the inner radial circumferential surface of the
housing.
7. The device of claim 5, wherein the shaft has a tight fit to the
inner radial circumferential surface of the split inner ring.
8. The device of claim 5, wherein the first and the second sections
of the first split outer ring are axially retained on the second
split outer ring by the at least two continuous retention
shoulders.
9. The device of claim 5, wherein the first continuous
self-aligning surface has a convex contour that at least partially
aligns with a concave contour on the second continuous
self-aligning surface.
10. The device of claim 5, wherein the first section of the first
split outer ring and the second section of the first split outer
ring are not completely circumferential aligned.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] Example aspects described herein relate to bearing
assemblies, particularly split ring bearing assemblies.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Bearing assemblies are typically circular in shape, and
generally comprise rolling elements disposed between raceways in
bearing rings. Rolling elements take many forms, including
spherical balls, rollers or various other configurations, such as
cone-shaped tapered rollers or barrel-shaped spherical rollers.
[0003] Bearing assemblies, for example for machinery, such as
electric motors, gearboxes, high speed spindles, and turbines, are
known to include a housing made of a first material and an outer
race radially enclosed by the housing and made of a second
material. The first material and the second material may also be
the same material, for example steel or the two materials may be
substantially similar materials such as bearing steel (bearing) and
another ferrous metal (housing). In a typical shaft installation,
there may be a fixed or press fit bearing to locate the assembly
and a floating or loose fit bearing to allow for thermal expansion
or contraction. In some other assemblies both bearings may be
floating or loose fit, to allow for some axial displacement.
[0004] In machine shaft assemblies maintenance and replacement of
bearings may be required. A bearing that can easily be assembled
and disassembled onto shaft is desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a
bearing assembly, including: a first split outer ring including a
first section having a first self aligning surface on an inner
radial surface and a first mounting surface on an outer radial
surface; a second section having a second self aligning surface on
an inner radial surface and a second mounting surface on an outer
radial surface; and, the first section and the second section at
least partially circumferentially aligned such that the first
self-aligning surface is at least partially circumferentially
aligned with the second self-aligning surface and the first
mounting surface is at least partially aligned with the second
mounting surface; a second split outer ring assembled within the
first split outer ring including: a first section having a first
bearing raceway on an inner radial surface, a first self-aligning
surface on an outer radial surface and at least two retention
shoulders at opposite axial ends; a second section having a second
bearing raceway on an inner radial surface, a second self-aligning
surface on an outer radial surface and at least two retention
shoulders at opposite axial ends; a plurality of fasteners joining
the first section and the second section such that a first
continuous bearing raceway, a first continuous self-aligning
surface and at least two continuous retention shoulders are formed;
and, the first continuous self-aligning surface at least partially
aligned with the first split outer ring first and second
self-aligning surfaces; a split inner ring axially aligned with the
second split outer ring and assembled within the second split outer
including: a first section having a first bearing raceway on an
outer radial surface and a first shaft mounting surface on an inner
radial surface; a second section having a second bearing raceway on
an outer radial surface and a second shaft mounting surface on an
inner radial surface; and a plurality of fasteners joining the
first and second sections such that a second continuous bearing
raceway is formed from the first and second section bearing
raceways; and, a plurality of rolling elements retained by a cage
and disposed between the second split outer ring and the split
inner ring.
[0006] According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a
bearing and housing assembly, including a housing with the above
described bearing assembled within it, and a shaft clamped or
pressed into the inner ring of the bearing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0007] The above mentioned and other features and advantages of the
embodiments described herein, and the manner of attaining them,
will become apparent and be better understood by reference to the
following description of at least one example embodiment in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings. A brief description of
those drawings now follows.
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cylindrical coordinate
system demonstrating spatial terminology used in the present
application;
[0009] FIG. 2 is perspective view of a split ring bearing according
to one example embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a front view of the bearing of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a side view of the bearing of FIG. 1 in an example
housing and shaft assembly;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a view of the bearing, housing and shaft assembly
of FIG. 4;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of half of the bearing of FIG.
1, according to one example embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing
numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or
functionally similar, structural elements of the disclosure. It is
to be understood that the disclosure as claimed is not limited to
the disclosed aspects.
[0015] Furthermore, it is understood that this disclosure is not
limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications
described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood
that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of
the present disclosure.
[0016] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of
ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It
should be understood that any methods, devices or materials similar
or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice
or testing of the disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of cylindrical coordinate
system 10 demonstrating spatial terminology used in the present
application. The present application is at least partially
described within the context of a cylindrical coordinate system.
System 10 includes longitudinal axis 11, used as the reference for
the directional and spatial terms that follow. Axial direction AD
is parallel to axis 11. Radial direction RD is orthogonal to axis
11. Circumferential direction CD is defined by an endpoint of
radius R (orthogonal to axis 11) rotated about axis 11.
[0018] To clarify the spatial terminology, objects 12, 13, and 14
are used. An axial surface, such as surface 15 of object 12, is
formed by a plane co-planar with axis 11. Axis 11 passes through
planar surface 15; however any planar surface co-planar with axis
11 is an axial surface. A radial surface, such as surface 16 of
object 13, is formed by a plane orthogonal to axis 11 and co-planar
with a radius, for example, radius 17. Radius 17 passes through
planar surface 16; however any planar surface co-planar with radius
17 is a radial surface. Surface 18 of object 14 forms a
circumferential, or cylindrical, surface. For example,
circumference 19 passes through surface 18. As a further example,
axial movement is parallel to axis 11, radial movement is
orthogonal to axis 11, and circumferential movement is parallel to
circumference 19. Rotational movement is with respect to axis 11.
The adverbs "axially," "radially," and "circumferentially" refer to
orientations parallel to axis 11, radius 17, and circumference 19,
respectively. For example, an axially disposed surface or edge
extends in direction AD, a radially disposed surface or edge
extends in direction R, and a circumferentially disposed surface or
edge extends in direction CD.
[0019] FIG. 2 is perspective view of split ring bearing 1 according
to one example embodiment. FIG. 3 is a front view of bearing 1 of
FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a side view of bearing 1 of FIG. 1 in an example
housing 50 and shaft 51 assembly 100. FIG. 5 is a view of half of
assembly 100 of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of half of
split ring bearing 1 of FIG. 1, according to one example
embodiment. The following description should be viewed with respect
to FIGS. 2-6. Bearing 1 includes central axis AR, first split outer
ring 5 assembled around and axially aligned with second split outer
ring 10, split inner ring 20 assembled within and axially aligned
with second split outer ring 10, and roller elements 30 disposed
within split cage halves 31 and 32 and between second split outer
ring 10 and split inner ring 15. First split inner ring 5 includes:
first section 6 having first self aligning surface 35 on an inner
radial surface and first mounting surface 36 on an outer radial
surface; and second section 7 having second self aligning surface
37 on an inner radial surface of the same geometry as first self
aligning surface 35, and second mounting surface 38 on an outer
radial surface of the same geometry as first mounting surface 36.
First section 6 and second section 7 of first split inner ring 5
are at least partially circumferentially aligned such that first
self-aligning surface 35 is at least partially circumferentially
aligned with second self-aligning surface 37 and first mounting
surface 36 is at least partially aligned with second mounting
surface 38. In other words, first section 6 and second section 7
are not fixedly assembled, therefore, some relative misalignment
between the two is contemplated in the present disclosure.
[0020] Second split outer ring 10 is assembled radially within and
axially aligned with first split outer ring 5 and includes: first
section 11 having first bearing raceway 60 on an inner radial
surface, first self-aligning surface 61 on an outer radial surface
and at least two retention shoulders 65, 66 at opposite axial ends
of first section 11; second section 12 having second bearing
raceway 62 on an inner radial surface, second self-aligning surface
63 on an outer radial surface and at least two retention shoulders
67, 68 at opposite axial ends of second section 12; each of
retention shoulders 65, 66, 67, and 68 has a mounting structure,
for example through holes 70 through 77 located at the parting or
mating surfaces, for example surface 80 of section 11 and surface
81 of section 12, that circumferentially align and can be fixedly
assembled, for example, using a bolt 90 and nut 91 fixation. It
will be understood by one skilled in the art that any fastener may
be used to fixedly assembly and align first section 11 and second
section 12 such that first continuous bearing raceway 100, first
continuous self-aligning surface 101 and at least two continuous
retention shoulders 102, 103 are formed. First self aligning
surface 35 and and second self aligning surface 37 have a convex
cross sectional shape matching and aligning with a concave cross
section shape of first continuous self-aligning surface 101 of
second split outer ring 10. First continuous self-aligning surface
101 is at least partially axially and radially aligned with first
self aligning surface 35 and second self aligning surface 37 of
first split outer ring 5 such that misalignment in assembly or
operating of bearing 1 in assembly 100 may be compensated for by
surfaces 35 and 37 moving relative to first continuous self
aligning surface 101. Unlike first split outer ring 5, second split
outer ring 10 is fixedly assembled and all surfaces are aligned
with relative motion or misalignment provided. Retention shoulders,
for example 65 and 66 of first section 11 of second outer ring 10,
are raised above self-aligning surfaces, for example surface 61 of
first section 11, such that first outer ring sections, for example
first section 6 are axially retained on second split outer ring 10.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-6, particularly FIGS. 5 and 6,
axial walls are formed, for example, wall 150 on retention shoulder
66 and wall 151 on retention shoulder 65, preventing relative
movement of first split outer ring section 6 axially past that
feature.
[0021] Split inner ring 15 is axially aligned and assembled
radially within second split outer ring 10. Split inner ring 15
includes: first section 14 having first bearing raceway 120 on an
outer radial surface and first shaft mounting surface 130 on an
inner radial surface; and second section 13 having second bearing
raceway 121 on an outer radial surface and second shaft mounting
surface 131 on an inner radial surface. First and second sections
13, 14 has a mounting structure, for example through holes 170
through 177 located at the parting or mating surfaces, for example
surface 180 of section 14 and surface 181 of section 13, that
circumferentially align and can be fixedly assembled, for example,
using a bolt 190 and nut 191 fixation. It will be understood by one
skilled in the art that any fastener may be used to fixedly
assemble and align first section 14 and second section 13 such that
second continuous bearing raceway 200 and first continuous shaft
mounting surface 210 are formed.
[0022] Semi-circular cage halves 31 and 32 retain and guide rolling
elements 30 within pockets, as is known in the art. Cage half 31 is
disposed between second split outer ring first section 11 and split
inner ring first section 14. Similarly cage half 32 is disposed
between second split outer ring second section 12 and split inner
ring second section 13. When second split outer ring 10 and split
inner ring 15 are fixedly assembled using fasteners or clamps, as
is known in the art, cage halves 31 and 32 are also
circumferentially and axially aligned and run along first
continuous bearing raceway 100 of second split outer ring 10 and
second continuous bearing raceway 200 of split inner ring 15.
[0023] Bearing 1 is assembled into housing and shaft assembly 100
by joining together bearing subassemblies 2 and 3 on outer radial
surface 52 of shaft 51 and assembled within inner radial surface 53
of housing 50. Bearing subassembly 2 and 3 are mirror images,
therefore only bearing subassembly 2 will be described. Bearing
subassembly 2 is formed from first outer ring first section 6,
second outer ring first section 11, first cage half 31 with rolling
elements 30 retained therein and disposed between second outer ring
first section 11 and split inner ring first section 14. Bearing sub
assemblies 2 and 3 are axially aligned on surface 52 of shaft 51
and circumferentially aligned with respect to each other. In this
example embodiment subassemblies 2 and 3 are then fixedly
connected, for example using fasteners (for example bolt 90 and nut
91) or clamps, and form a tight assembly or an interference fit
between first continuous shaft mounting surface 210 and surface 52
of shaft 51. Depending on the arrangement of housing 50, bearing 1
and shaft 51 may be assembled within housing 50 with a slip fit
between first split outer ring first section mounting surface 36,
first outer ring second section mounting surface 38 and inner
radial circumferential surface 53 of housing 50. Alternatively,
housing 50 may be formed in halves and assembled or clamped around
bearing 1.
[0024] Similarly, to disassemble bearing 1 from housing and shaft
assembly 100, bearing 1 and shaft are removed from housing 50, and
fasteners 90,91 are removed, allowing bearing subassemblies 2 and 3
to be removed from shaft 51.
[0025] In the foregoing description, example embodiments are
described. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be
regarded in an illustrative rather than in a restrictive sense. It
will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes
may be made thereto, without departing from the broader spirit and
scope of the present invention.
[0026] In addition, it should be understood that the figures
illustrated in the attachments, which highlight the functionality
and advantages of the example embodiments, are presented for
example purposes only. The architecture or construction of example
embodiments described herein is sufficiently flexible and
configurable, such that it may be utilized (and navigated) in ways
other than that shown in the accompanying figures.
[0027] Although example embodiments have been described herein,
many additional modifications and variations would be apparent to
those skilled in the art. It is therefore to be understood that
this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically
described. Thus, the present example embodiments should be
considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.
* * * * *