Bearing Ring Installation Tool With Sliders for Segmented Cages

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Solution Overview

Problem

The installation of large tapered roller bearings in turbines is hindered by the need for expensive one-part cages to prevent rolling elements from falling during inverted installation, which also leads to increased wear due to sliding contact.

Innovation Solution

An installation tool with slider elements that can be displaced axially and radially to secure rolling elements between the bearing ring and cage segments, allowing for separate installation of bearing rings without a one-part cage, using segmented cage elements and a centering element for precise positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If one-part bearing cages are used to secure rolling elements during inverted installation, then the self-retaining function is ensured, but manufacturing costs increase and wear increases due to sliding contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveself-retaining functionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing cage is divided into multiple individual cage segments instead of using a solid one-part cage. Each cage segment can be manufactured separately and assembled around the rolling elements, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining the self-retaining function during installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Slider elements are introduced as intermediary components that mediate between the cage segments and rolling elements. These slider elements reduce direct sliding contact between the cage and rolling elements, thereby reducing wear while maintaining the self-retaining function during inverted installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If one-part bearing cages are used to prevent rolling elements from falling out, then the installation is enabled, but sliding contact increases wear of the bearing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of rolling elements falling outVSAvoidwear

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Slider elements serve as intermediary components between the cage segments and rolling elements. These sliders reduce direct sliding contact and friction, thereby minimizing wear on the bearing components while still preventing rolling elements from falling out during installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cage segments and slider elements are designed to move dynamically during installation rather than relying on fixed sliding contact. This dynamic arrangement reduces friction and wear while maintaining the function of securing rolling elements during the installation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11098763B2Installation tool

Publication Date: 2021.08.24 AB SKF SKF PATENT DEPARTMENT

AI summary

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.