A flexure bearing includes an inner race, an outer race, and a plurality of substantially planar radially extending blades coupled between the inner and outer race. The blades have a thickness that is thinner than a thickness of the inner and outer races. The inner race, outer race, and blades have substantially the same height. At least one heating element is coupled to the inner race and/or the outer race. The heating element is configured to apply heat to the race that it is coupled to in order to tune the flexure bearing.

Embodiments of the invention relate to bearing apparatuses in which one bearing surface of the bearing apparatus includes diamond, while another bearing surface includes a non-diamond superhard material (e.g., silicon carbide). For example, a bearing apparatus may include a bearing stator assembly and a bearing rotor assembly. The bearing stator assembly and bearing rotor assembly each include a support ring and one or more superhard bearing elements generally opposed to one another. The bearing surface(s) of the rotor or stator may include diamond, while the bearing surface(s) of the other of the rotor or stator do not include diamond. Another bearing apparatus may include both thrust- and radial bearing components. The generally opposed thrust-bearing elements may include diamond, while the generally opposed radial bearing elements may not include diamond, but include a non-diamond superhard material, such as silicon carbide.

Embodiments of the invention relate to bearing apparatuses in which one bearing surface of the bearing apparatus includes diamond, while another bearing surface includes a non-diamond superhard material (e.g., silicon carbide). For example, a bearing apparatus may include a bearing stator assembly and a bearing rotor assembly. The bearing stator assembly and bearing rotor assembly each include a support ring and one or more superhard bearing elements generally opposed to one another. The bearing surface(s) of the rotor or stator may include diamond, while the bearing surface(s) of the other of the rotor or stator do not include diamond. Another bearing apparatus may include both thrust- and radial bearing components. The generally opposed thrust-bearing elements may include diamond, while the generally opposed radial bearing elements may not include diamond, but include a non-diamond superhard material, such as silicon carbide.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to bearing assemblies configured to effectively provide heat distribution from and/or heat dissipation for bearing element, bearing apparatuses including such bearing assemblies, and methods of operating such bearing assemblies and apparatuses. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly includes a plurality of superhard bearing elements distributed about an axis. Each superhard bearing element of the plurality of superhard bearing elements has a superhard material including a superhard surface. Additionally, a support ring structure that includes a support ring that supports the plurality of superhard bearing elements and a thermally-conductive structure in thermal communication with the superhard table of each of the plurality of superhard bearing elements. The thermally-conductive structure has a higher thermal conductivity than the support ring of the support ring structure.

The invention relates to a mechanical bearing containing a first component and a further component, wherein the mechanical bearing is designed such that the first component and the further component are able to execute a bearing movement relative to each other, wherein the first component or the further component contains a cermet or both contain a cermet. The invention further relates to an implantable medical device containing the mechanical bearing, in particular to a blood pump, and also to a use of a cermet for producing a mechanical bearing, and to a use of the mechanical bearing for supporting a component of an implantable medical device.

An object is to provide a self-heat-generating fixing roller that has a simple structure and good durability and that can be easily produced. A self-heat-generating fixing roller according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a columnar core bar, a heat-insulating layer stacked on an outer circumferential side of the core bar, a heat-generating layer stacked on an outer circumferential side of the heat-insulating layer and heated by supplying electricity, and a mold-releasing layer stacked on an outer circumferential side of the heat-generating layer. The heat-insulating layer preferably contains a matrix containing a synthetic resin or rubber as a main component, and a plurality of pores contained in the matrix. The heat-generating layer preferably contains a matrix containing a synthetic resin or rubber as a main component, and a plurality of electrically conductive fillers contained in the matrix.

The present invention provides an electrically conductive polyethylene resin composition having a stable volume resistance value and in addition, a low-friction property and a wear-resistant property and a resin molding, a sliding bearing, and a sliding sheet made of the electrically conductive polyethylene resin composition. The electrically conductive polyethylene resin composition contains 100 parts by weight of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene resin which cannot be injection-molded and has a weight average molecular weight of one million to four millions, 2 to 15 parts by weight of Ketjenblack, and 0.5 to 5 parts by weight of at least one powder, having an average particle size of 1 to 30 m, which is selected from among polytetrafluoroethylene resin powder, graphite powder, and silicone resin powder.

A bearing assembly includes a bearing having a first bearing ring, a second bearing ring rotatably disposed relative to the first bearing ring, and a plurality of rolling elements in a bearing interior defined by the first bearing ring and the second bearing ring. Also, at least one layer of non-metallic material on the first bearing ring configured to conduct heat away from the first bearing ring and to electrically insulate the first bearing ring and to fill at least one cavity between the first bearing ring and a component to which the first bearing ring is mounted. The at least one layer may be a first layer of a heat-conducting material and a second layer of a different, electrically insulating material.