Rolling element bearing having starved lubrication conditions
US7275319B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 24, 2005 |
| Grant date | Oct 2, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 24, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49707
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A rolling element bearing comprises an inner ring and an outer ring which are each provided with a raceway, and a series of rolling elements which are in contact with the raceways of each ring. A lubricant film is provided in the contacts between the rolling elements and the raceways, which film forms a lubricant meniscus at the inlet side of each contact. In the bearing starved lubrication conditions prevail. The surface of each rolling element has minute recesses filled with a lubricant quantity, said recesses being flattened in the contact area defined by the contact between the rolling elements and the rings and thereby releasing lubricant at the inlet side of each contact resulting in a displacement of the meniscus further away from said contact. This meniscus displacement results in an increased lubricant film thickness in each contact area, thus improving the lubricating conditions in the bearing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.