The present invention relates generally to roller thrust bearings. More particularly, the present invention relates to a vibration isolator for use in connection with a roller thrust bearing.
The use of vibration isolators with roller thrust bearings is known. For example, vibration isolators are often used with roller thrust bearings that are disposed between an internal component, such as a rotating shaft, which passes through the roller thrust bearing, and the support structure of the internal component, such as a housing. Typical vibration isolators are constructed of a material that is suitable for dampening the vibrations that can be caused by, or passed through, the roller thrust bearing to the support structure. For known vibration isolators, further reductions in the vibrations transferred to the support structure require that the width of the vibration isolator in the axial direction be increased. However, the amount of axial and radial space for the roller thrust bearings and associated vibration isolators is often very limited. As such, it is desirable that the roller thrust bearings and their associated vibration isolators are as compact as possible in the axial direction.
The present invention recognizes and addresses considerations of prior art constructions and methods.
One embodiment of the present invention provides a vibration isolator for use between a support structure and a roller thrust bearing including a first race, a second race, a bearing cage and at least one roller element. The vibration isolator includes a radially extending portion with a mating surface, a bearing surface, an inner peripheral edge and an outer peripheral edge, the radially extending portion being substantially disk-shaped. An annular flange extends axially from one of the inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge of the radially extending portion, and at least one groove is defined by the mating surface of the radially extending portion. The bearing surface is configured to abut one of the first race and the second race and the mating surface is configured to abut the support structure such that a void is defined between the at least one groove and the support structure.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides a roller thrust bearing assembly for use with a support structure including a roller thrust bearing with a first race, a second race and a plurality of roller elements disposed therebetween. The vibration isolator includes a radially extending portion with a mating surface, a bearing surface, an inner peripheral edge and an outer peripheral edge, the radially extending portion being substantially disk-shaped. An annular flange extends axially from one of the inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge of the radially extending portion. At least one groove is defined by the mating surface of the radially extending portion. The bearing surface is configured to abut one of the first race and the second race of the roller thrust bearing and the mating surface is configured to abut the support structure such that a void is defined between the at least one groove and the support structure.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides a vibration isolator for use between a support structure and a roller thrust bearing including a first race, a second race, a bearing cage and at least one roller element, including a radially extending portion with a mating surface, a bearing surface, an inner peripheral edge and an outer peripheral edge, the radially extending portion being substantially disk-shaped, and at least one groove defined by the mating surface of the radially extending portion. The bearing surface is configured to abut one of the first race and the second race and the mating surface is configured to abut the support structure such that a void is defined between the at least one groove and the support structure.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended drawings, in which;
Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent same or analogous features or elements of the invention according to the disclosure.
Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation, not limitation, of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Referring now to the figures, as shown in
As shown, mating surface 110 includes a plurality of grooves 112, each groove being a swept arc extending radially outwardly from inner peripheral edge 106 to outer peripheral edge 108 of radially extending portion 102. Each pair of adjacent grooves 112 defines a ridge 114 therebetween. In the embodiment shown, each ridge 114 has a substantially angular cross-section forming an elongated peak. Mating surface 110 is configured to be disposed adjacent a corresponding surface within a stationary housing 190 (
Referring now to
In the embodiment shown, vibration isolator 100 is secured to outer race 142 such that bearing surface 111 is adjacent an outer surface of the outer race's radially extending portion 144 and inner surface 118 of annular flange 104 is adjacent an outer surface of the outer race's annular flange 146. Note, mating surface 110 of vibration isolator 100 is preferably a solid, planar surface in order to maximize support of the raceway formed by the inner surface of radially extending portion 144 of outer race 142. As best seen in
Additionally, the distance between corresponding ridges 114 is greater at outer peripheral edge 108 than at inner peripheral edge 106. Note, in alternate embodiments of the vibration isolator, the grooves are of uniform width as they extend radially outwardly and the ridges have a greater width at the outer peripheral edge of the mating surface compared to their width at the inner peripheral edge. As well, alternate embodiments of the vibration isolator include grooves that are either swept in the counter-clockwise direction as they extend radially outwardly or they are not swept as they extend radially outwardly.
Referring now to
As such, grooves 112 provide increased vibration reduction as compared to a vibration isolator of the same axial width without having to increase the axial width that does not include such grooves of vibration isolator 100. Similarly, for a desired level of vibration reduction, grooves 112 allow the axial width of vibration isolator 100 to be reduced as compared to a vibration isolator that does not include grooves without adversely affecting the level of vibration reduction. Note, although vibration isolator is shown adjacent radially extending surface 192 of stationary housing 190, vibration isolator 100 can alternatively be disposed adjacent radially extending surface 182 of rotatable shaft 180. As well, a vibration isolator 100 can be positioned on each side of the roller thrust bearing such that a vibration isolator is adjacent both rotatable shaft 180 and stationary housing 190.
Referring now to
Referring now to
While one or more preferred embodiments of the invention are described above, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof. For example, the cross-sectional shapes of the grooves may be of any shape found to be suitable for the intended purpose. Additionally, the vibration isolator may be constructed of any material found to be suitable for the intended purpose. It is intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations as come within the scope and spirit of the appended claims and their equivalents.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/408,224, filed Oct. 29, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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61408224 | Oct 2010 | US |