A spherical bearing assembly includes a shaft extending through an opening of an inner ring, the inner ring having a spherically curved outer surface, a clamping sleeve on the shaft, the clamping sleeve extending through the opening of the inner ring, and an outer ring having an inner surface complementary to the outer surface of the inner ring. The inner ring is mounted in the outer ring with the outer surface of the inner ring slidably supported by the inner surface of the outer ring.

Bearing assemblies are described herein. For example, a bearing assembly comprising an outer bearing ring, an inner bearing ring, and a ball bearing, wherein the outer bearing ring and inner bearing ring encapsulate the ball bearing. The ball bearing can be fabricated from a polyimide or Superimide SC-610. The outer ring bearing may include a shelf arranged about the perimeter of the inner surface of the outer bearing ring. The bearing assembly can be positioned within a rod end housing, wherein the outer bearing ring is secured in the rod end housing by a swaging operation and the inner bearing ring can be secured in the rod end housing by a swaging operation. The swaging operation can secure the inner bearing ring to the outer bearing ring. The outer bearing ring and inner ring bearing can be integral to the rod end housing.

A spherical ball joint having an inner ring and an outer ring that cooperate by way of respective truncated spherical contact surfaces, the inner ring having a central bore with a cylindrical bore portion. The spherical ball joint includes a cylindrical sleeve mounted securely in the cylindrical bore portion, the sleeve configured to be mounted around a shaft, the sleeve being made of a wear-resistant material different from that of the inner ring.

An illustrative embodiment of a shaft seal assembly generally includes a fixed stator, a floating stator, and a sealing member. In the illustrative embodiment the fixed stator may be formed with one or more fluid conduits that are in fluid communication with one or fluid conduits formed in the floating stator. The fluid conduits in the floating stator may be in fluid communication with one or more fluid conduits formed in a sealing member. A rotational interface may exist between the sealing member and a shaft, and the various fluid conduits may be configured to create a fluid barrier at that interface. Other embodiments of a shaft seal assembly may create a fluid barrier at a rotational interface between a rotor and a floating stator.

A self-aligning rotating joint, for mounting in a first component and connecting to a second component, the rotating joint comprising: a housing having: an external mounting surface; an internal chamber with an internal surface forming a spherical segment symmetric about a center point; a base end with an assembly opening; and an aperture in a cap end opposite the base end; a stud having: a longitudinal axis passing through the center point; a proximal stud end housed within the internal chamber; and a distal connecting end extending through the aperture, the proximal end having a cylindrical surface and a head laterally extending from the cylindrical surface; and a longitudinally split bearing having: an external bearing surface matching the internal surface of the housing; an internal bearing surface matching the cylindrical surface of the stud; and a longitudinal channel extending radially from the internal bearing surface to the external bearing surface.

A bearing and seal arrangement for joints in heavy duty vehicles includes two spherical bearing each having an outer ring surrounding an inner member with lubricious liner disposed therebetween. One of the spherical bearings has a seal receiving area having an axially extending width that is greater than that of the other spherical bearing. The spherical bearings are aligned coaxially with one another. One seal receiving areas has a flexible double lipped annular seal and a scraper seal positioned therein. The scraper seal is positioned axially outward from the flexible double lipped annular seal. The other seal receiving area has a boot seal positioned therein.

A bearing assembly includes a housing, a spherical bearing located within the housing, and two outer races positioned between the spherical bearing and the housing. The outer races are configured in sliding engagement with the spherical bearing to allow the spherical bearing to rotate relative to the housing. The assembly also includes a tightening element configured to engage a first of the two outer races and tighten the outer races against the spherical bearing. The assembly is configured to provide a primary load path from the tightening element to the housing, wherein the primary load path leads from the tightening element to the housing via the outer races whilst bypassing the spherical bearing.

An outer ring for a bearing includes an outer sleeve that defines a first exterior surface and a first interior area. The first interior area is defined by a first inner surface. The first inner surface has a first fastener mechanism formed therein. The outer ring includes an inner sleeve that defines a second exterior surface and a second interior area. The second interior area is defined by a second inner surface. The second exterior surface has a second fastener mechanism formed therein. The inner sleeve is removably disposed in the first interior area by selective engagement of the first fastener mechanism with the second fastener mechanism. The outer sleeve surrounds the inner sleeve and extends axially from a first end to a second end thereof. The inner sleeve extends from the first end to the second end of the outer sleeve.

A spherical bearing which extends from and connects to a deformable component includes an outer member and an inner member. The inner member is pivotable relative to the outer member about an axis. The inner member has an opening formed therein that defines a plurality of coplanar contact surfaces shaped to accommodate and contact the component. The plurality of contact surfaces are movable to accommodate deformation of the component positioned within the opening.

A bearing and seal arrangement for joints in heavy duty vehicles includes two spherical bearing each having an outer ring surrounding an inner member with lubricious liner disposed therebetween. One of the spherical bearings has a seal receiving area having an axially extending width that is greater than that of the other spherical bearing. The spherical bearings are aligned coaxially with one another. One seal receiving areas has a flexible double lipped annular seal and a scraper seal positioned therein. The scraper seal is positioned radially outward from the flexible double lipped annular seal. The other seal receiving area has a boot seal positioned therein.