A thrust bearing is described comprising first and second bearing assemblies (15, 17) rotatable relative to each and a plurality of axially arranged bearing stages (14a, 14b) formed between the first and second bearing assemblies (15, 17). Each bearing stage comprises a first load shoulder (16) provided on the first bearing assembly (15), a second load shoulder (18) provided on the second bearing assembly (17), a bearing structure (30) defined between the first and second load shoulders; and an extrudable component (32) forming part of the bearing structure. Wherein axial load applied between the first and second bearing assemblies (15, 17) in a first relative axial direction is transmitted between respective pairs of first and second load shoulders via the extrudable components (32) of respective bearing structures (30). The extrudable components (30) provide for load balancing between each bearing stage (14a, 14b).

A greaseless pivot center swivel and bearing device includes an outer housing having a sidewall with top and bottom portions, a top plate coupled with the top portion that includes an opening therein, and a bottom plate coupled with the bottom portion that includes an opening therein. The sidewall cooperates with the top and bottom plates to define an interior volume. A single, unitary bushing member formed of a low-friction material is positioned within the interior volume and includes a surface cylindrically curved about an axis extending between the top and bottom plates of the housing. The cylindrically curved surface cooperates with the openings in the top and bottom plates to define a cylindrical passage through the interior volume sized and shaped for receiving a cylindrical tube that rotates therein, e.g., a tube configured to connect with a water supply column of a mechanized irrigation system.

A bearing laminate can include a metal support layer, a foam layer overlying the metal support layer, the foam layer including a polymeric foam; and a sliding layer overlying the polymeric foam layer, the sliding layer comprising a polymer matrix. Bearing articles made from the bearing laminate can have exceptional damping properties, such as a high damping ratio combined with a low dynamic stiffness.

A greaseless pivot center swivel and bearing device includes an outer housing having a sidewall with top and bottom portions, a top plate coupled with the top portion that includes an opening therein, and a bottom plate coupled with the bottom portion that includes an opening therein. The sidewall cooperates with the top and bottom plates to define an interior volume. A single, unitary bushing member formed of a low-friction material is positioned within the interior volume and includes a surface cylindrically curved about an axis extending between the top and bottom plates of the housing. The cylindrically curved surface cooperates with the openings in the top and bottom plates to define a cylindrical passage through the interior volume sized and shaped for receiving a cylindrical tube that rotates therein, e.g., a tube configured to connect with a water supply column of a mechanized irrigation system.

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.

The present invention achieves a high mechanical load capacity of a rod end by means of a component loop that passes around a bearing, where the component may be made of continuous-fiber reinforced composite material with thermoplastic matrix and where the continuous-fiber reinforced composite material with thermoplastic matrix may extend into a threaded stem of the rod end, and the component made of continuous-fiber reinforced composite material with thermoplastic matrix may be enclosed by short-fiber reinforced, long-fiber reinforced, or unreinforced thermoplastic. The threaded stem can be implemented with an external or an internal thread.

A telescopic strut, in particular for a device for lifting loads, in particular for a hanger for vehicles or vehicle parts, wherein the telescopic strut consists of an outer tube and an inner tube guided therein, wherein the inner tube is movable longitudinal direction in the outer tube, where a number of sliding shoes are attached to the outer tube to guide the inner tube, where the sliding shoes have each been introduced from the outside into an opening in the wall of the outer tube and protrude inwardly to guide the inner tube such that the telescopic strut, which is structurally simple and therefore inexpensive to produce, has good sliding properties, has little guide play and is easy to maintain.

The present invention provides a resin composition for sliding member and a sliding member having excellent moldability and sliding properties that contains plant-derived polyethylene resin as a main component. In the resin composition for sliding member, as additives, petroleum-derived polyethylene resin of 0.1 to 20% by mass, modified polyolefin resin of 0.1 to 10% by mass, lubricating oil of 0.5 to 5% by mass, and plant-derived filler of 0.1 to 50% by mass are blended in addition to plant-derived polyethylene resin as a main component. A sliding member is produced by molding this resin composition for sliding member.

The present invention provides a polyamide resin composition (nylon composition) and a sliding member using this, which have excellent moldability and sliding properties. The polyamide resin composition contains, as additives, polyethylene resin of 5 to 20% by mass, polytetrafluoroethylene resin of 5 to 30% by mass, modified polyolefin resin of 0.5 to 5% by mass, and phosphate of 1 to 5% by mass, in addition to polyamide resin that is a main component. The sliding member is produced by molding this polyamide resin composition.

A solar energy collection system can include support devices made with bearings. Such bearings can include an inner partially toroidal surface for sliding contact and support of an outer surface of a torque tube. The toroidal surface can be made with a single radius of curvature or multiple radiuses of curvature and cylindrical portions. The bearings can include connectors for connecting the bearing members to a support housing. The connectors can be tool-less connectors.