Multirow thrust bearing with sigma cage

Abstract

A thrust bearing assembly includes a cage having an annular portion. A first flange extends axially from an inner peripheral edge of the annular portion, and a second flange extends axially from an outer peripheral edge of the annular portion. A first plurality of roller pockets are defined by the annular portion, and the first roller pockets of the first plurality of roller pockets are uniformly spaced around the annular portion. A second plurality of roller pockets are defined by the annular portion, and the second roller pockets of the second plurality of roller pockets are uniformly spaced around the annular portion, such that each second roller pocket is disposed between adjacent first roller pockets.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention generally relates to roller thrust bearings. More specifically, this invention relates to roller thrust bearings comprising multiple rows of rollers. Background Technology

[0002] Thrust bearings are designed to support primary axial loads. In one prior art configuration, the thrust bearing has a cage made of a single piece of metal. The cage is shaped to hold and guide multiple cylindrical roller elements along with specially constructed openings. In cross-section, the shape of this cage resembles the Greek letter Sigma (∑).

[0003] Various thrust bearings of the prior art are shown and described in U.S. Patent No. 8,182,157 B2, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One aspect of the invention provides a thrust bearing assembly including a cage having an annular portion. A first flange extends axially from an inner peripheral edge of the annular portion, and a second flange extends axially from an outer peripheral edge of the annular portion. A first plurality of roller pockets are defined by the annular portion, and first roller pockets of the first plurality of roller pockets are uniformly spaced around the annular portion. A second plurality of roller pockets are defined by the annular portion, and second roller pockets of the second plurality of roller pockets are uniformly spaced around the annular portion such that each second roller pocket is disposed between adjacent first roller pockets.

[0005] According to this aspect, each first roller pocket includes two radially aligned roller elements disposed therein, and each second roller pocket includes one roller element disposed therein. The annular portion of the cage defines an innermost valley, a first annular peak, an intermediate valley, a second annular peak, and an outermost valley, all of which are concentric with each other.

[0006] In some exemplary embodiments, each of the first plurality of roller pockets is defined within all the innermost valleys, the first annular peak, the intermediate valley, the second annular peak, and the outermost valley. In some exemplary embodiments, each of the second plurality of roller pockets is defined only within the intermediate valley, the second annular peak, and the outermost valley.

[0007] In some exemplary embodiments, the first of two radially aligned roller elements in each of the first plurality of roller pockets extends adjacent to a first annular peak, and the second of two radially aligned roller elements in each of the first plurality of roller pockets extends adjacent to a second annular peak. The respective ends of the first and second of the two radially aligned roller elements may be adjacent to one of the valleys.

[0008] In some exemplary embodiments, the respective ends of the roller elements disposed in the respective second roller pockets are adjacent to one of the valleys. The annular portion of the cage may also define a hub portion radially located inside and concentric with the innermost hub.

[0009] In some exemplary embodiments, a first plurality of roller pockets includes at least ten roller pockets, and a second plurality of roller pockets includes at least ten roller pockets. For example, a thrust bearing assembly may have at least thirty roller elements. The cage may be made of a single piece of metal.

[0010] According to another aspect, the present invention provides a thrust bearing assembly comprising a cage including an annular portion defining an innermost valley, a first annular peak, an intermediate valley, a second annular peak, and an outermost valley, all concentric with each other. A first plurality of roller pockets are defined by the annular portion, and the roller pockets in the first plurality of roller pockets are uniformly spaced around the annular portion. Each of the first plurality of roller pockets is defined within all the innermost valley, the first annular peak, the intermediate valley, the second annular peak, and the outermost valley. Two radially aligned roller elements are disposed in each roller pocket such that the first of the two radially aligned roller elements in each roller pocket extends adjacent to the first annular peak, the second of the two radially aligned roller elements in each roller pocket extends adjacent to the second annular peak, and the respective ends of each of the first and second radially aligned roller elements are adjacent to a valley.

[0011] 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 specification, serve to explain the principles of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0012] The complete and practicable disclosure of the invention, including its best mode, to those skilled in the art, is set forth in the description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0013] Figure 1 This is a top perspective view of a multi-row thrust bearing assembly with multiple "sigma" cages according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A partial perspective view of the thrust bearing assembly shown.

[0015] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional side view of the thrust bearing assembly shown; and

[0016] Figure 4 It is along Figure 1 The sectional view taken from line 4-4.

[0017] Reference numerals are used repeatedly in this specification and drawings to indicate the same or similar features or elements of the invention according to this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Reference will now be made in detail to the 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 rather than limitation. In fact, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that modifications and variations may be made to the invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof. For example, features shown or described as part of one embodiment may be used in another embodiment to produce yet another embodiment. Therefore, the invention is intended to cover these modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0019] Now for reference Figure 1-3 This illustration shows a roller thrust bearing assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The bearing assembly 100 includes a roller cage 110 formed of a suitable material (typically metal). The cage 110 holds the rollers relative to a central axis A (…). Figure 3 A plurality of roller elements extending radially. In this case, the first plurality of roller elements 120 and the second plurality of roller elements 160 are rotatably received in a construction opening defined in the cage 110. As shown, the first plurality of roller elements 120 are located radially inside the second plurality of roller elements 160.

[0020] The roller cage 110 includes an annular portion 112 radially located between a first annular flange 130 and a second annular flange 134. The first annular flange 130 extends axially from the inner peripheral edge of the annular portion 112, and the second annular flange 134 extends axially from the outer peripheral edge of the annular portion 112. As shown, the annular portion 112 of the roller cage 110 is generally disc-shaped, with its inner and outer peripheral edges generally concentric around a longitudinal central axis A. In this case, the first annular flange 130 and the second annular flange 134 have approximately the same height but extend in opposite axial directions.

[0021] The annular portion 112 of the roller cage 110 defines a first plurality of roller pockets 114 and a second plurality of roller pockets 116. As those skilled in the art will understand, the edges of the roller pockets are configured to retain the roller elements rotating therein. In this embodiment, each individual roller pocket of the first plurality of roller pockets 114 is configured to receive two roller elements therein, the innermost roller element being from the first plurality of roller elements 120 and the outermost roller element being from the second plurality of roller elements 160. As shown, the roller elements 120 and 160 in each of the first plurality of roller pockets 114 are aligned with each other in the radial direction such that they share a common rolling axis. The roller pockets 114 of the first plurality of roller pockets are angularly spaced around the annular portion 112 of the roller cage 110 at equal increments.

[0022] In this configuration, each of the second plurality of roller pockets 116 receives a single roller element 160 from the second plurality of roller elements. The second plurality of roller pockets 116 are configured such that the roller elements 160 are equidistant from the longitudinal central axis A of the thrust bearing assembly 100. The roller pockets 116 in the second plurality of roller pockets are spaced apart by equal angular increments around the annular portion 112 of the roller cage 110, but are positioned between adjacent roller pockets 114 in the first plurality of roller pockets. Therefore, the angular ranges of the first plurality of roller pockets 114 and the second plurality of roller pockets 116 around the roller cage 110 alternate.

[0023] In the illustrated embodiment, ten first roller pockets 114 and ten second roller pockets 116 are provided. This accommodates a total of thirty roller elements. Those skilled in the art will understand that, as needed or desired, the embodiment may have fewer or more pockets and rolling elements.

[0024] Now for reference Figure 4 Certain additional information regarding the structure of the roller cage 110 can be readily explained. In this embodiment, the roller cage 110 defines a hub portion 170 in a radial region located between the innermost end of the roller element 120 and the first annular flange 130. A third annular flange 172 defines the outermost extent of the hub 170 in the radial direction. The radial region between the second annular flange 134 and the third annular flange 172 defines first and second annular peaks 174 and 176 separated by an intermediate (radial) annular valley 178. The innermost annular valley 180 extends between the third annular flange 172 and the first annular peak 174. The outermost annular valley 182 extends between the second annular peak 176 and the second annular flange 134. (As those skilled in the art will understand, whether a feature is referred to as a "peak" or a "valley" depends on which side of the cage 110 is considered the "top," for this purpose, Figure 1 The visible surface is considered the top.

[0025] Now refer to Figure 1-3 The first plurality of roller pockets 114 are defined in peaks 174 and 176 and valleys 178, 180 and 182. In contrast, the second plurality of roller pockets 116 are defined only in half of peak 176, valley 182 and valley 178. In each case, the associated roller element will extend (in the radial direction) completely through one of the peaks, such that the middle portion of the roller element will be adjacent to the corresponding peak on both sides, and the corresponding end of each roller element will be adjacent to one of the valleys.

[0026] The combination of multiple spaced-apart peaks and adjacent valleys forms a multi-sigma variety (in this case, a double-sigma variety). This configuration provides an ideal roller diameter to roller length ratio compared to conventional sigma cage designs. While two such concentric peaks and three valleys are shown above, those skilled in the art will understand that this pattern can continue to provide three concentric annular peaks, four concentric annular peaks, etc., as needed or desired. In such embodiments, the number of associated roller elements typically increases exponentially with the addition of additional peak-valley combinations.

[0027] Therefore, it can be seen that the present invention provides a novel thrust bearing structure. Although one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from its scope and spirit.

[0028] This application is based on and claims the benefit of provisional application No. 63 / 310,790, filed on February 16, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

Claims

1. A thrust bearing assembly, comprising: The cage includes an annular portion, a first flange extending axially from the inner peripheral edge of the annular portion, and a second flange extending axially from the outer peripheral edge of the annular portion. The first plurality of roller pockets are defined by the annular portion, and the first roller pockets in the first plurality of roller pockets are evenly spaced around the annular portion; The second plurality of roller pockets are defined by the annular portion, and the second roller pockets in the second plurality of roller pockets are evenly spaced around the annular portion such that each second roller pocket is disposed between adjacent first roller pockets. Each first roller pocket includes two radially aligned roller elements disposed therein, and each second roller pocket includes one roller element disposed therein; and The annular portion of the cage defines an innermost valley, a first annular peak, a middle valley, a second annular peak, and an outermost valley, all of which are concentric with each other. Each of the first plurality of roller pockets is defined within all the innermost valleys, the first annular peak, the intermediate valley, the second annular peak, and the outermost valley; Each of the second plurality of roller pockets is limited only to the intermediate valley, the second annular peak, and the outermost valley; in: The first of two radially aligned roller elements in each of the first plurality of roller pockets extends adjacent to the first annular peak. The second adjacent annular peak extends from the second of the two radially aligned roller elements in each of the first plurality of roller pockets; and The respective ends of each of the first and second radially aligned roller elements are adjacent to one of the valleys; The corresponding end of the roller element disposed in the corresponding second roller pocket is adjacent to one of the valley portions.

2. The thrust bearing assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The annular portion of the cage further defines a hub portion located radially inside and concentric with the innermost valley.

3. The thrust bearing assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The first plurality of roller pockets includes at least ten roller pockets, and the second plurality of roller pockets includes at least ten roller pockets.

4. The thrust bearing assembly according to claim 1, comprising at least thirty of the roller elements.

5. The thrust bearing assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The cage is made of a single piece of metal.

6. A thrust bearing assembly, comprising: The cage includes an annular portion that defines an innermost valley, a first annular peak, an intermediate valley, a second annular peak, and an outermost valley, all of which are concentric with each other; A first plurality of roller pockets, defined by the annular portion, wherein the roller pockets in the first plurality of roller pockets are evenly spaced around the annular portion; Each of the first plurality of roller pockets is defined within all of the innermost valley, the first annular peak, the intermediate valley, the second annular peak, and the outermost valley; Two radially aligned roller elements are arranged in each roller pocket; in: The first of the two radially aligned roller elements in each roller pocket extends adjacent to the first annular peak; In each of the roller pockets, the second adjacent to the second annular peak extends from the two radially aligned roller elements; and The respective ends of each of the first and second of the two radially aligned roller elements are adjacent to one of the valleys; The second plurality of roller pockets defined by the annular portion, each having a single roller element disposed therein, the second roller pockets in the second plurality of roller pockets being evenly spaced around the annular portion such that each second roller pocket is disposed between adjacent first roller pockets; Each of the second plurality of roller pockets is limited only to the intermediate valley, the second annular peak, and the outermost valley; The corresponding end of the roller element disposed in the corresponding second roller pocket is adjacent to one of the valley portions.

7. The thrust bearing assembly according to claim 6, wherein, The first plurality of roller pockets includes at least ten roller pockets, and the second plurality of roller pockets includes at least ten roller pockets.

8. The thrust bearing assembly according to claim 6, wherein, The annular portion of the cage further defines a hub portion located radially inside and concentric with the innermost valley.

9. The thrust bearing assembly of claim 6, comprising at least thirty of the roller elements.

10. The thrust bearing assembly according to claim 6, wherein, The cage is made of a single piece of metal.

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