A sliding member for a journal bearing is provided. A sliding layer includes fibrous particles dispersed in a synthetic resin, and has a sliding surface side region and an interface side region. The particles have an average particle size D.sub.sur, axi and D.sub.sur, cir respectively in an axial and circumferential cross-section in the sliding surface side region, and D.sub.int, axi and D.sub.int, cir respectively in axial and circumferential cross-sections in the interface side region. D.sub.sur, axi and D.sub.int, cir are 5-30 μm, and D.sub.sur, cir and D.sub.int, axi are 5 to 20% of respectively D.sub.sur, axi and D.sub.int, cir. A dispersion index of the particles having the major axis length of 20 μm or longer is 5 or more, both in the sliding surface side region in view of the axial cross-section and in the interface side region in view of the circumferential cross-section.

A bearing including a body having a first axial end and a second axial end; and at least one flange projecting radially from the second axial end of the body, where the at least one flange includes a first region, second region, and a stepped transition region between the first and second regions, where the second region is elevated axially above the first region so as to protrude axially outwardly, where 1) the second region extends partially circumferentially around the flange to form at least one segment, and/or 2) the first region extends from the body to the stepped transition region.

An oil distribution system including a shaft assembly, bearing assembly and mounting assembly is disclosed. The shaft assembly includes a shaft with an inner shaft. A pocket is defined between the shaft and the inner shaft. A ringed lattice containing oil is secured within the pocket, melting of the ringed lattice releases the oil. The shaft includes shaft slots to usher oil from the pocket towards the bearing assembly. The bearing assembly includes an inner and outer race. The inner and outer race each include axial slots and radial slots. The axial slots of the inner race align with the shaft slots to allow oil to flood the inner race. The mounting assembly includes a bearing support having bearing support slots to receive a stringed lattice. Oil from the bearing support flows into the outer race when the axial slots of the outer race align with the bearing support slots.

To provide a sliding bearing for an electric water pump, the sliding bearing being superior in low friction performance in water or an antifreeze solution. A sliding bearing 3 is for an electric water pump that comprises a rotor 1 having the sliding bearing 3 that is formed in a substantially hollow cylindrical shape and rotatably supports a shaft, and a stator that is disposed on a circle coaxial with the shaft and rotationally drives the rotor 1. The sliding bearing 3 is formed of a resin composition that contains synthetic resin as a main component. The resin composition contains 5-30 vol % of carbon fiber that has a density of 2.00-2.25 g/cm.sup.3 and an average fiber length of 30-300 μm, to a whole volume of the resin composition.

An oil distribution system including a shaft assembly, bearing assembly and mounting assembly is disclosed. The shaft assembly includes a shaft with an inner shaft. A pocket is defined between the shaft and the inner shaft. A ringed lattice containing oil is secured within the pocket, melting of the ringed lattice releases the oil. The shaft includes shaft slots to usher oil from the pocket towards the bearing assembly. The bearing assembly includes an inner and outer race. The inner and outer race each include axial slots and radial slots. The axial slots of the inner race align with the shaft slots to allow oil to flood the inner race. The mounting assembly includes a bearing support having bearing support slots to receive a stringed lattice. Oil from the bearing support flows into the outer race when the axial slots of the outer race align with the bearing support slots.

A bearing assembly is disclosed that includes a first component with a first bearing surface, and a second component with a second bearing surface. A fluid is disposed between the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface supporting the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface in a non-contact rotational relationship. The first bearing surface, or the second bearing surface, or both the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface include a surface layer with solid lubricant 2D nanoparticles in a matrix.

A spherical bearing includes an inner member that has an exterior surface extending a first width between axial ends thereof and having a first central plane located equidistant between the axial ends. The spherical bearing includes an outer member with a inner surface having a maximum inside diameter at an apex plane and extending a second width between opposing ends thereof and having second central plane located equidistant between the ends thereof. The inner member is disposed in an interior area of the outer member. The first central plane is coplanar with the apex plane and is axially offset from the second central plane. One of the opposing axial ends of the inner member is located entirely in the interior area and axially inward from ends of the outer member when the inner member is angularly misaligned relative to the outer member at non-zero angles up to 7 degrees.

A wear-resistant coating film is disclosed that can maintain high wear resistance for a long period of time even when it is subjected to repetitive wear, and a method for producing the film, as well as a wear-resistant component. The wear-resistant coating film 10 includes a plated layer 11, lump parts 2, and a coat layer 13. The plated layer and the coat layer are laminated, and each of the lump parts is formed of a single particle 12 and/or an assembly of particles 12. The lump parts 2 are held by the plated layer 11 and are disposed to protrude from the plated layer 11. The coat layer 13 is formed to coat the surface of the plated layer 11, the lump parts 2 have flat portions 18, and the flat portions 18 are placed on the same plane as the surface of the coat layer 13.

A contact layer is formed by a deposition method on an inner surface of a first metal element by a centrifuging process, and preferably includes an inner layer of copper alloy and an outer layer of tin alloy. Such a contact layer is used in an articulation joint including a first metal element having a surface provided with the contact layer, and a second metal element with a second surface. The first and second elements are relatively movable such that first and second surfaces slide against each other.

A radial bearing assembly is provided. The radial bearing assembly includes polycrystalline diamond elements, each having an engagement surface in sliding engagement with an opposing engagement surface. The opposing engagement surface includes a diamond reactive material. The radial bearing assembly may be deployed in a variety of components and applications, including in rotor and stator assemblies. Also provided are methods of use of the radial bearing assembly, as well as methods of designing the radial bearing assembly.