F16C23/02

Journal bearing with offset bores for centering a misaligned pin
11566651 · 2023-01-31 · ·

A journal bearing for centering a misaligned pin is disclosed. The journal bearing includes an outer bushing defining an outer bore. The outer bore is offset with respect to an axis of rotation of the journal bearing by a misalignment distance. The misalignment distance represents a distance between the axis of rotation of the journal bearing and a center axis of the misaligned pin. The journal bearing further includes an inner bushing defining an inner bore. The inner bore is offset with respect to the axis of rotation of the journal bearing by the misalignment distance. The inner bushing is seated within the outer bore of the outer bushing. The inner bushing and the outer bushing are both configured to rotate relative to one another to center an inner periphery of the inner bushing around the misaligned pin.

Circumferential Seal Assembly with Multi-Axis Stepped Grooves
20230220872 · 2023-07-13 ·

A circumferential seal assembly suitable for forming a thin film between a rotatable runner and a sealing ring is presented. The assembly includes an annular seal housing, a rotatable runner, an annular seal ring, and a plurality of groove structures. Each groove structure includes a groove and an optional feed groove. The groove includes at least two adjoining steps defined by base walls arranged to decrease depthwise. Two adjoining base walls are disposed about a base shoulder. Each base shoulder locally redirects a longitudinal flow to form an outward radial flow in the direction of the annular seal ring. The base walls are bounded by and intersect a pair of side walls. A side wall includes side shoulders which narrows the groove widthwise and locally redirects the longitudinal flow to form a lateral flow in the direction of the other side wall. Outward and lateral flows separately or in combination enhance stiffness of a thin-film layer between the annular seal ring and the rotatable runner.

Tooling and methods for clocking dual eccentric bushings of a clevis
11608855 · 2023-03-21 · ·

Tooling for clocking dual eccentric bushings of a clevis so that the clevis and a lug can be pinned together, comprises a pin and a sleeve. The pin comprises a pin cylindrical portion, a plate-engagement portion, and a stop surface. The sleeve comprises a sleeve cylindrical outer surface and a sleeve interior channel that has an interior-channel central axis, which is parallel to and offset from a sleeve-cylindrical-outer-surface central axis. The pin cylindrical portion is configured to be received by the sleeve interior channel with a slip fit. The tooling further comprises a squaring plate that comprises a squaring-plate abutment surface, configured to contact the stop surface, and a squaring-plate opening configured to receive the plate-engagement portion of the pin with a slip fit.

TOOLING AND METHODS FOR CLOCKING DUAL ECCENTRIC BUSHINGS OF A CLEVIS
20220333643 · 2022-10-20 ·

Tooling for clocking dual eccentric bushings of a clevis so that the clevis and a lug can be pinned together, comprises a pin and a sleeve. The pin comprises a pin cylindrical portion, a plate-engagement portion, and a stop surface. The sleeve comprises a sleeve cylindrical outer surface and a sleeve interior channel that has an interior-channel central axis, which is parallel to and offset from a sleeve-cylindrical-outer-surface central axis. The pin cylindrical portion is configured to be received by the sleeve interior channel with a slip fit. The tooling further comprises a squaring plate that comprises a squaring-plate abutment surface, configured to contact the stop surface, and a squaring-plate opening configured to receive the plate-engagement portion of the pin with a slip fit.

Sliding bearing having sliding segments
11655852 · 2023-05-23 · ·

The invention relates to a sliding bearing having a first bearing component and a second bearing component, which are arranged such that they can rotate relative to each other in a rotation direction (RR) about a rotation axis (RA), wherein at least two sliding segments (1) are arranged between the first bearing component and the second bearing component, wherein the at least two sliding segments (1) each have a support structure (2) for fixing the sliding segment (1) to the first or second bearing component, and a sliding surface (3) for bringing the sliding segment (1) into sliding contact with the second or first bearing component, wherein the sliding surface (3) has, in the rotation direction (RR), a front leading edge (4) and a rear trailing edge (5), wherein the sliding surface (3) has an oil distribution groove (6), which is arranged directly adjacent to the front leading edge (4), and wherein the sliding segment (1) has a passage opening (7) for supplying the oil distribution groove (6) with oil, which preferably extends from a radial outer surface (21) of the support structure (2) to the oil distribution groove (6) or to the sliding surface (3).

Sliding bearing having sliding segments
11655852 · 2023-05-23 · ·

The invention relates to a sliding bearing having a first bearing component and a second bearing component, which are arranged such that they can rotate relative to each other in a rotation direction (RR) about a rotation axis (RA), wherein at least two sliding segments (1) are arranged between the first bearing component and the second bearing component, wherein the at least two sliding segments (1) each have a support structure (2) for fixing the sliding segment (1) to the first or second bearing component, and a sliding surface (3) for bringing the sliding segment (1) into sliding contact with the second or first bearing component, wherein the sliding surface (3) has, in the rotation direction (RR), a front leading edge (4) and a rear trailing edge (5), wherein the sliding surface (3) has an oil distribution groove (6), which is arranged directly adjacent to the front leading edge (4), and wherein the sliding segment (1) has a passage opening (7) for supplying the oil distribution groove (6) with oil, which preferably extends from a radial outer surface (21) of the support structure (2) to the oil distribution groove (6) or to the sliding surface (3).

Wind turbine generator with localized air gap control and a wind turbine having such a generator
09850882 · 2017-12-26 · ·

A wind turbine component includes an inner member and an outer member disposed relative to the inner member, wherein the inner and outer members move relative to each other. A plain bearing is coupled to one of the inner or outer member and configured to provide a fluid film for maintaining separation of and facilitating relative movement between the inner and outer members. A position adjustment mechanism is coupled to the one of the inner or outer member for selectively moving the plain bearing. A position controller may be operatively coupled to the position adjustment mechanism for controlling the position of the plain bearing. The wind turbine component may be a wind turbine generator with the inner member and outer member corresponding to one of the stator and rotor assemblies. Methods for controlling the generator are also disclosed.

Circumferential seal assembly with multi-axis stepped grooves
11686346 · 2023-06-27 · ·

A circumferential seal assembly suitable for forming a thin film between a rotatable runner and a sealing ring is presented. The assembly includes an annular seal housing, a rotatable runner, an annular seal ring, and a plurality of groove structures. Each groove structure includes a groove and an optional feed groove. The groove includes at least two adjoining steps defined by base walls arranged to decrease depthwise. Two adjoining base walls are disposed about a base shoulder. Each base shoulder locally redirects a longitudinal flow to form an outward radial flow in the direction of the annular seal ring. The base walls are bounded by and intersect a pair of side walls. A side wall includes side shoulders which narrows the groove widthwise and locally redirects the longitudinal flow to form a lateral flow in the direction of the other side wall. Outward and lateral flows separately or in combination enhance stiffness of a thin-film layer between the annular seal ring and the rotatable runner.

Circumferential Seal Assembly with Multi-Axis Stepped Grooves
20220356905 · 2022-11-10 ·

A circumferential seal assembly suitable for forming a thin film between a rotatable runner and a sealing ring is presented. The assembly includes an annular seal housing, a rotatable runner, an annular seal ring, and a plurality of groove structures. Each groove structure includes a groove and an optional feed groove. The groove includes at least two adjoining steps defined by base walls arranged to decrease depthwise. Two adjoining base walls are disposed about a base shoulder. Each base shoulder locally redirects a longitudinal flow to form an outward radial flow in the direction of the annular seal ring. The base walls are bounded by and intersect a pair of side walls. A side wall includes side shoulders which narrows the groove widthwise and locally redirects the longitudinal flow to form a lateral flow in the direction of the other side wall. Outward and lateral flows separately or in combination enhance stiffness of a thin-film layer between the annular seal ring and the rotatable runner.

RADIALLY PRELOADED RACK BEARING

A rack and pinion steering system includes a housing, a rack, a pinion gear, and a radially preloaded rack bearing. The rack is supported by the housing, and the pinion gear is meshed to the rack. The radially preloaded rack bearing is supported and preloaded to the housing and is preloaded to the rack.