A sliding member has pore-dense portions in which pores are densely packed on a sliding surface of a main body made of a ceramic.

A sliding member has pore-dense portions in which pores are densely packed on a sliding surface of a main body made of a ceramic.

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.

A rotor bearing system includes an inner bearing component and an outer bearing component. One of the bearing components includes at least three protrusions sized to form a close running proximity to the remaining component. A bearing gap between the inner bearing component and the outer bearing component is sized to exclude the entry of red blood cells between the bearing components during operation of the rotor bearing system and causing the bearing to operate in an elasto-hydrodynamic regime of mixed- or boundary-lubrication.

Disclosed herein a bearing that comprises a base, made of a metallic base material. The base comprises a cylindrical outer surface, a cylindrical inner surface that is opposite the cylindrical outer surface, and a central channel defined by the cylindrical inner surface and extending through the base. The bearing also comprises a selective transfer material embedded in the base. The selective transfer material is different than the metallic base material and is configured to release from the base in response to frictionally-induced pressure acting on the base.

Disclosed herein a bearing that comprises a base, made of a metallic base material. The base comprises a cylindrical outer surface, a cylindrical inner surface that is opposite the cylindrical outer surface, and a central channel defined by the cylindrical inner surface and extending through the base. The bearing also comprises a selective transfer material embedded in the base. The selective transfer material is different than the metallic base material and is configured to release from the base in response to frictionally-induced pressure acting on the base.

A bush assembly configured to be disposed between a first component and a second component movably coupled to the first component, the bush assembly comprising a first bush portion comprising a self-lubricating material; and a second bush portion, the second bush portion having greater electrical conductivity than the first bush portion, wherein the second bush portion provides a conductive path between the first component and the second component.

A bush assembly configured to be disposed between a first component and a second component movably coupled to the first component, the bush assembly comprising a first bush portion comprising a self-lubricating material; and a second bush portion, the second bush portion having greater electrical conductivity than the first bush portion, wherein the second bush portion provides a conductive path between the first component and the second component.

A composite ring includes a first region including a first polymeric material; a second region including a second polymeric material; and an interfacial region defining a compositional gradient between the first region and the second region; wherein a wear resistance of the first region is different from a wear resistance of the second region. A composite bearing includes a first layer including a first polymeric material and a first filler; a second layer disposed on the first layer, the second layer including a second polymeric material and a second filler; and an interfacial region defining a compositional gradient between the first layer and the second layer, wherein a wear resistance of the first layer is greater than a wear resistance of the second layer, and wherein a mechanical strength of the second layer is greater than a mechanical strength of the first layer.