One aspect of the disclosure relates to a sliding member. The sliding member includes: a first sliding portion having a first lubricant placed between first parts of a first friction sliding mechanism; a second sliding portion having a second lubricant placed between second parts of a second friction sliding mechanism; and a third sliding portion having a third lubricant placed between third parts of a third friction sliding mechanism. The first sliding portion is in contact with the third lubricant, and the second sliding portion is not in contact with the third lubricant. The second lubricant contains an additive containing conductive carbon, and the third lubricant contains no conductive carbon. The second lubricant contains a relatively larger amount of the conductive carbon than the first lubricant.

A rolling bearing, in particular a ball bearing, in particular for use in a surgical instrument, which is designed for forwarding or transmitting electrical signals and has for this purpose at least one signal line or signal path integrated in the rolling bearing. A sleeve, in particular for use in a surgical instrument, is designed for forwarding or transmitting electrical signals and has for this purpose at least one signal line or signal path integrated in the sleeve. A surgical instrument, in particular a hand-held milling cutter, includes at least one ball bearing and at least one sleeve, each having a respective method of production.

A bearing including a sidewall including an electrically conductive substrate, and an electrically non-conductive or low-conductive sliding layer coupled to the substrate, where the sidewall includes at least one circumferential rib feature protruding radially inward or radially outward from a bore defining a central axis, where the at least one circumferential rib feature has an aspect ratio between a circumferential length and an axial width of at least 2:1, where the circumferential rib feature is adapted to contact an opposing component such that at a point of contact the bearing has a void area free of sliding layer so as to provide electrical conductivity between the bearing and the opposing component.

The invention relates to a copper alloy having the following composition (in % by weight): from 10.6 to 18% of Al, from 10.5 to 14.5% of Ni, optionally up to 2% of Fe, optionally up to 1% of Co, optionally up to 0.5% of Ti, optionally up to 0.5% of Mn, optionally up to 0.15% of B, optionally up to 0.1% of Ca, optionally up to 0.1% of C,

a balance copper and unavoidable impurities. Nickel aluminides of the NiAl type are embedded as precipitates in the microstructure of the alloy. The invention further relates to a number of uses of this copper alloy.

A method of providing electrical insulation for at least one portion of a bearing element is disclosed herein. The method includes electrostatically spraying a polymer coating to the at least one portion of the bearing element, and the polymer coating comprises a thermoset epoxy coating or a self-adhering nylon powder coating. The bearing element can be grounded during the electrostatic spraying. The method includes heating the polymer coating in an oven at a temperature less than or equal to 220° C. for a predetermined time, such that after removal from the oven, the polymer coating has a porosity of less than 10%. The coated bearing element has a resistance of at least 50 MΩ resistance under dry conditions and 10 MΩ resistance under wet conditions.

A ball and socket joint, including a pin located on either the socket or the ball and a groove located on the other of the socket or ball, the pin configured to engage the groove and translate along the length of the groove when the ball is located in the socket. An attachment surface for attaching a device to the ball and socket joint is also provided, and the pin and groove are arranged to prevent rotation of the ball about an axis that is parallel to the plane of the groove and extends through the attachment surface when the ball is located in the socket. A ball and socket joint includes a locking nut, the locking nut including a partly circular internal cross section and a second flat surface.

Provided is a developer carrying member that can stably form a high-quality electrophotographic image. The developer carrying member includes an electroconductive support and a surface layer in the stated order, wherein the surface layer contains a binder resin and electroconductive particles, and a content of the electroconductive particles in a region from a surface of the surface layer opposite to an outer surface thereof on a side facing the electroconductive support to a depth of 150 nm is 1% or more and 25% or less, and wherein the surface layer has a volume resistivity of 1.0×10.sup.−2 Ω.Math.cm or more and 1.0×10.sup.2Ω.Math.cm or less.

A sealing apparatus is provided that is capable of inhibiting a degradation in electrical conductivity performance. The sealing apparatus includes an outer seal part and an inner seal part, and conductive grease housed in a space. An outer elastic body part of the outer seal part is formed from an elastic body having electrical conductivity and includes a dust lip, a conduction lip, and a gasket part. At an annular fitting surface, the inner seal part is attached to the outer seal part. An inner elastic body part of the inner seal part is formed from an elastic body having electrical conductivity and includes a grease lip. The outer seal part has a spring that is put on an outer periphery side of the conduction lip to press the conduction lip against an inner peripheral member.

A bearing including a generally cylindrical sidewall including an electrically conductive substrate, and an electrically non-conductive or low-conductive sliding layer coupled to the substrate, where the generally cylindrical sidewall includes a plurality of protrusions protruding radially inward or radially outward from a bore defining a central axis, where at least one protrusion is adapted to contact an opposing component such that at a point of contact the bearing has a void area free of sliding layer so as to provide electrical conductivity between the bearing and the opposing component, and wherein at least one protrusion has a spring rate of not greater than 30 kN/mm, such as not greater than 25 kN/mm, such as not greater than 15 kN/mm, or such as not greater than 10 kN/mm.

A combined insulator and conductor assembly for a bearing disposable between a shaft and a housing includes an annular insulator disposeable about the bearing outer ring and having inner and outer circumferential surfaces and formed of an electrically insulative material or having one or more insulative layers to prevent electric current flow between the outer ring and the housing. A conductive carrier includes a cylindrical portion having an inner surface disposed about the insulator outer surface and an outer surface disposeable against the housing inner surface and a disk portion extending radially inwardly from the cylindrical portion having an inner radial end spaced outwardly from the shaft. An annular conductive brush subassembly is coupled with the carrier disk portion and includes a plurality of electrically conductive fibers contactable with the shaft outer surface to provide a conductive path between the shaft and the carrier, and thereafter to the housing.