A bearing cage segment of a sheet metal cage includes first and second sheet metal ring sections and bridges therebetween defining a plurality of pockets for receiving rolling elements. A first circumferential joint edge of the segment is configured to connect to a second circumferential joint edge of the segment or to a second joint edge of another segment, and the first joint edge includes at least one alignment element, such as a projection or contour, that is configured to align the first joint edge radially, axially and/or circumferentially against the second joint edge which may include a complementary alignment element such as a recess or complementary contour.

An installation tool for a bearing ring including rolling elements includes a ring that is configured to be disposed on a lateral surface of the bearing ring and slider elements extending through receptacles in the ring. The slider elements are uniformly distributed circumferentially around the ring and are displaceable relative to the ring from an initial position into an end position and are configured to be disposed in the end position between two rolling elements and against a contact surface of a wall of a cage segment, which wall is disposed between two rolling elements, in order to limit axial and radial movement of the rolling elements relative to the bearing ring.

A cage segment is for a rolling-element bearing cage, particularly for large rolling-element bearings. The cage segment includes a first side element and a second side element that are connected by a first bridge and a second bridge. At least one pocket is formed between the first and second bridges which is suitable for receiving at least one rolling element. The cage segment is manufactured from sheet metal.

A cage segment defines a single pocket of a multipart rolling-element bearing cage and includes first and second circumferentially spaced side walls connected by first and second end walls. The first and second side walls and the first and second end walls are formed by at least one sheet metal segment connected at at least one joint.

An installation tool for a bearing ring including rolling elements includes a ring that is configured to be disposed on a lateral surface of the bearing ring and slider elements extending through receptacles in the ring. The slider elements are uniformly distributed circumferentially around the ring and are displaceable relative to the ring from an initial position into an end position and are configured to be disposed in the end position between two rolling elements and against a contact surface of a wall of a cage segment, which wall is disposed between two rolling elements, in order to limit axial and radial movement of the rolling elements relative to the bearing ring.

A rolling-element bearing cage or a rolling-element bearing cage segment includes a first side ring or a first side ring segment formed from aluminum alloy AA2618, a second side ring or a second side ring segment formed from aluminum alloy AA2618, and at least one bridge formed from aluminum alloy AA2618, the at least one bridge connecting the first side ring to the second side ring or connecting the first side ring segment to the second side ring segment.

A rolling-element bearing cage or a rolling-element bearing cage segment includes a first side ring or a first side ring segment formed from aluminum alloy AA2618, a second side ring or a second side ring segment formed from aluminum alloy AA2618, and at least one bridge formed from aluminum alloy AA2618, the at least one bridge connecting the first side ring to the second side ring or connecting the first side ring segment to the second side ring segment.

A cage segment defines a single pocket of a multipart rolling-element bearing cage and includes first and second circumferentially spaced side walls connected by first and second end walls. The first and second side walls and the first and second end walls are formed by at least one sheet metal segment connected at at least one joint.

An improved roller bearing assembly is disclosed. The improved roller bearing assembly incorporates roller elements having an axially connected cage or spacer connection point which allows the use of a flexible corded or connected spacer assembly. This allows the use of less cage or spacer assembly material than traditional bearing cage designs. It also allows for easier assembly and disassembly of the roller bearing assembly and reduces parasitic drag or friction by reducing the size and cross-section of the cage or spacer assembly. Alternate embodiments incorporating magnets for electromagnetic interaction, vanes for fluid interaction, and offset configuration for the cage elements are also disclosed.

A bearing cage segment of a sheet metal cage includes first and second sheet metal ring sections and bridges therebetween defining a plurality of pockets for receiving rolling elements. A first circumferential joint edge of the segment is configured to connect to a second circumferential joint edge of the segment or to a second joint edge of another segment, and the first joint edge includes at least one alignment element, such as a projection or contour, that is configured to align the first joint edge radially, axially and/or circumferentially against the second joint edge which may include a complementary alignment element such as a recess or complementary contour.