In an embodiment, a bearing assembly may include a support ring to which one or more superhard bearing elements may be mounted. The support ring may include one or more relief features configured to reduce residual stresses in the superhard bearing elements that are induced by brazing the superhard bearing elements to the support ring, operational loads, other processes, or combinations of the foregoing. Reducing the residual stresses in the superhard bearing elements may help prevent damage to the superhard bearing elements. The bearing assembly may be used in subterranean drilling systems and/or other types of systems.

There is provided a method capable of producing a wheel-supporting rolling bearing unit at low cost. In an event of producing a wheel-supporting rolling bearing unit, a cylindrical portion formed in an axial end portion of a hub ring is inserted through an inner ring, swing caulking is performed by pressing a die against a tip end portion of the cylindrical portion protruding to an axial end portion side more than the inner ring and an axial end surface of the inner ring is held by a caulked portion formed by caulking and expanding the tip end portion of the cylindrical portion radially outward. In such a way, the inner ring and the hub ring are fixed integrally witch each other. At this time, a swing angle of the swing caulking is set at 15 degrees or more to 30 degrees or less.

A self-lubricated bearing contains a first member, a second member configured to slide against the first member, and a lubricating liner disposed in a sliding contact area between the first member and the second member. The lubricating liner contains at least one structural polymer and at least one lubricant with viscosity less than 5100 centistokes. A method is also provided for making the bearings, which includes adding the at least one lubricant with viscosity less than about 5100 centistokes to one or more components of the lubricating liner during the process of making the liner or bearing. The self-lubricated bearing compositions of the invention have surprisingly long service lives versus prior art self-lubricated bearings.

A bearing comprises a resin matrix filled with fluoropolymer, graphite, and other discrete particles of an additive material that is attached to a backing material. A method for manufacturing a bearing comprises depositing to a backing material a fluid polymer bearing material comprised of a resin matrix filled with fluoropolymer, various fillers, and discrete particles of an additive to form a continuous consolidated bearing material, and curing the lining material to bond the lining material onto the backing material.

A bearing assembly includes a support ring, a plurality of bearing-element carrier members coupled to the support ring, and a plurality of superhard bearing elements having a lateral periphery extending between a base and a superhard bearing surface. At least one superhard bearing element of the plurality of superhard bearing elements is attached to each of the plurality of bearing-element carrier members. A bearing apparatus includes a rotor, a stator, and a bearing assembly. A method for assembling a bearing assembly includes attaching at least one superhard bearing element to each of a plurality of bearing-element carrier members and coupling the plurality of bearing-element carrier members to a support ring.

A method for producing a friction bearing or a part, particularly half thereof, is provided. While machining the entire width of an inner surface, both the radial extension and also the advance in the axial direction of at least one tool are changed during machining. A device for machining friction bearings or parts, particularly halves thereof, is also provided. The device has a spindle and at least one cutting tool, the radial extension and advance of which can be changed during machining. In a friction bearing or part, particularly a half thereof, slots or grooves are formed running in the peripheral direction. The depth and width of the grooves are designed to be larger in at least one axial edge area.

A method is provided involving an additive manufacturing system. This method includes a step of forming a first fluid conduit using the additive manufacturing system. The method also includes a step of providing a fluid coupling. The fluid coupling includes the first fluid conduit and a second fluid conduit. The first fluid conduit is connected to and fluidly coupled with the second fluid conduit. The first fluid conduit has a first configuration. The second fluid conduit has a second configuration that is different than the first configuration.

A lock nut system includes a nut, a keeper engagement with the nut to inhibit movement of the keeper relative to the nut, and a keeper retaining member. The keeper has a radially inner side configured to engage a shaft to inhibit rotational movement of the nut relative to the shaft when the keeper engages the nut and a radially inner side engages the shaft. The keeper retaining member is secured to the keeper and is engageable with the nut to hold a keeper axially such that keeper is engaged with the nut. A cover member is located on an opposite side of the keeper retaining member relative to the nut and engaged to the keeper retaining member to inhibit a separation of the cover member from the keeper retaining member in such that that the separation of the cover member from the keeper retaining member provides a visual indication to a user.

A method is provided involving an additive manufacturing system. This method includes a step of forming a first fluid conduit using the additive manufacturing system. The method also includes a step of providing a fluid coupling. The fluid coupling includes the first fluid conduit and a second fluid conduit. The first fluid conduit is connected to and fluidly coupled with the second fluid conduit. The first fluid conduit has a first configuration. The second fluid conduit has a second configuration that is different than the first configuration.

An implant includes a fixed bearing, a floating bearing, and a coupling member. The fixed bearing defines a generally first spherical articulating surface and a stop. The floating bearing includes a second spherical articulating surface and a planar articulating bearing surface. The coupling member defines a bearing surface that translates relative to the planar articulating bearing surface.