Provided is a sliding member for a journal bearing. The sliding member includes a back-metal layer and a sliding layer, and has a partially cylindrical shape. The sliding layer includes a synthetic resin and has a sliding surface. The sliding layer has a linear expansion coefficient KS in a direction parallel to a circumferential direction of the sliding member, a linear expansion coefficient KJ in a direction parallel to a center axis direction of the sliding member, and a linear expansion coefficient KT in a direction perpendicular to the sliding surface, and the linear expansion coefficients KS, KJ, and KT satisfy the following relations (1) and (2): Relation (1): 1.1≤KS/KJ≤2; and Relation (2): 1.3≤KT/{(KS+KJ)/2}≤2.5.

Provided is a sliding member for a thrust bearing. The sliding member includes a back-metal layer and a sliding layer, and has a partially annular shape. The sliding layer includes a synthetic resin and has a sliding surface. In a center line region of the sliding layer, the sliding layer has a linear expansion coefficient KS in a direction parallel to a circumferential direction of the sliding member, a linear expansion coefficient KJ in a direction parallel to a radial direction of the sliding member, and a linear expansion coefficient KT in a direction perpendicular to the sliding surface, and the linear expansion coefficients KS, KJ, and KT satisfy the following relations (1) and (2): Relation (1): 1.1≤KS/KJ≤2; and Relation (2): 1.3≤KT/{(KS+KJ)/2}≤2.5.

A blood flow assist system can include an impeller assembly including an impeller shaft and an impeller on the impeller shaft, a primary flow pathway disposed along an exterior surface of the impeller. The system can include a rotor assembly at a proximal portion of the impeller shaft. A secondary flow pathway can be disposed along a lumen of the impeller shaft. During operation of the blood flow assist system, blood can be pumped proximally along the primary flow pathway and the secondary flow pathway. The system can include a sleeve bearing distal the impeller. The system can include a drive unit having a distal end disposed distal a proximal end of the second impeller. The drive unit comprising a drive magnet and a drive bearing between the drive magnet and the impeller assembly.

A blood flow assist system can include an impeller assembly including an impeller shaft and an impeller on the impeller shaft, a primary flow pathway disposed along an exterior surface of the impeller. The system can include a rotor assembly at a proximal portion of the impeller shaft. A secondary flow pathway can be disposed along a lumen of the impeller shaft. During operation of the blood flow assist system, blood can be pumped proximally along the primary flow pathway and the secondary flow pathway. The system can include a sleeve bearing distal the impeller. The system can include a drive unit having a distal end disposed distal a proximal end of the second impeller. The drive unit comprising a drive magnet and a drive bearing between the drive magnet and the impeller assembly.

A blood flow assist system can include an impeller assembly including an impeller shaft and an impeller on the impeller shaft, a primary flow pathway disposed along an exterior surface of the impeller. The system can include a rotor assembly at a proximal portion of the impeller shaft. A secondary flow pathway can be disposed along a lumen of the impeller shaft. During operation of the blood flow assist system, blood can be pumped proximally along the primary flow pathway and the secondary flow pathway. The system can include a sleeve bearing distal the impeller. The system can include a drive unit having a distal end disposed distal a proximal end of the second impeller. The drive unit comprising a drive magnet and a drive bearing between the drive magnet and the impeller assembly.

A blood flow assist system can include an impeller assembly including an impeller shaft and an impeller on the impeller shaft, a primary flow pathway disposed along an exterior surface of the impeller. The system can include a rotor assembly at a proximal portion of the impeller shaft. A secondary flow pathway can be disposed along a lumen of the impeller shaft. During operation of the blood flow assist system, blood can be pumped proximally along the primary flow pathway and the secondary flow pathway. The system can include a sleeve bearing distal the impeller. The system can include a drive unit having a distal end disposed distal a proximal end of the second impeller. The drive unit comprising a drive magnet and a drive bearing between the drive magnet and the impeller assembly.

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.

Disclosed is a thin-wall bonded self-lubricating plate, the composite material structure thereof being composed of a surface self-lubricating layer, an intermediate bonding layer, and a metal backing layer. The surface self-lubricating layer includes polytetrafluoroethylene, ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, etc. The surface self-lubricating layer thereof is thicker than an ordinary sintered self-lubricating material, thereby reducing vibration and prolonging the service life. Components, such as bushings, gaskets, sliding plates, composite bearings and other special-shaped members, made of the thin-wall bonded self-lubricating plate, have broad application prospects in low-speed rotation and relative sliding parts of vehicles, general machinery, office furniture, etc.

A joint assembly between a first component and a second component comprises a ball portion configured to be connected to the first component. A socket is configured to be connected to the second component or ground and comprises a socket base, a socket cover, and a spherical joint cavity within the assembled socket base and socket cover to receive the ball portion to form a spherical joint. At least one biasing member is in the joint assembly. A clamp clamps the socket base to the socket cover such that the at least one biasing member biases the socket base and the socket cover toward one another.

A head shaft assembly has a center tube, an end tube, a collector sprocket and a collar. The center tube has drive and driven ends. The center tube has a center tube diameter. The end tube has a key extending longitudinally along an outer surface and inner and outer ends. The key defines a key length and the end tube has an end tube diameter. The collector sprocket is mountable to the end tube and rotationally secured to the end tube by the key. The collar is hollow between a first end and a second end. The center tube diameter is substantially the same as the end tube diameter and the drive end is proximate to the inner end. The drive end and the inner end are positioned within the collar between the first end and the second end. The collar fixes the center tube to the end tube.