Large roller bearing

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11808301-B2
Application number	US-202017070434-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 14, 2020
Priority date	Apr 17, 2018
Publication date	Nov 7, 2023
Grant date	Nov 7, 2023

Abstract

The invention relates to a large rolling bearing, more particularly an open-center large rolling bearing, comprising two concentric running rings, between which a plurality of rolling elements is provided in a bearing gap, which rolling elements roll on at least two raceways. More particularly, the bearing gap between the running rings and/or between at least one running ring and the rolling elements is at least partially filled with a solid lubricant, which comprises a polymer matrix and a lubricant embedded therein.

First claim

We claim:

1. A large roller bearing comprising:
two concentric races comprising an outer race and an inner race, wherein the inner race comprises a groove opening towards the outer race, wherein the outer race comprises a projection towards the groove; and
rollers comprising a first axial bearing row, a second axial bearing row, and a radial bearing row forming an open center large roller bearing, wherein the first axial bearing row and the second axial bearing row are arranged on opposite sides of the projection, wherein the first axial bearing row and the second axial bearing row are in a bearing gap between the two concentric races, wherein the bearing gap is positioned around the projection, wherein the radial bearing row is in the bearing gap between the first axial bearing row and the second axial bearing row to support the projection against the groove, wherein at least one of the first axial bearing row, the second axial bearing row, and the radial bearing row comprises cylindrical rollers,
wherein the two concentric races are supportable relative to each other in an axial direction via the first axial bearing row and the second axial bearing row, wherein the two concentric races are supportable relative to each other in a radial direction via the radial bearing row,
wherein the first axial bearing row is rollable on first raceways, wherein the second axial bearing row is rollable on second raceways, wherein the radial bearing row is rollable on third raceways,
wherein the bearing gap changes direction between the radial bearing row and the first axial bearing row such that the bearing gap has a corner between the radial bearing row and the first axial bearing row,
wherein the bearing gap changes direction between the radial bearing row and the second axial bearing row such that the bearing gap has a corner between the radial bearing row and the second axial bearing row,
wherein the bearing gap comprises two or more corners comprising the corner between the radial bearing row and the first axial bearing row and the corner between the radial bearing row and the second axial bearing row,
wherein the bearing gap is completely filled with a solid lubricant such that bearing gap sections between adjacent rollers of the first axial bearing row are completely filled with the solid lubricant, such that bearing gap sections between adjacent rollers of the second axial bearing row are completely filled with the solid lubricant, such that bearing gap sections between adjacent rollers of the radial bearing row are completely filled with the solid lubricant, such that the bearing gap between the radial bearing row and the first axial bearing row, including the corner between the radial bearing row and the first axial bearing row, is completely filled with the solid lubricant, and such that the bearing gap between the radial bearing row and the second axial bearing row, including the corner between the radial bearing row and the second axial bearing row, is completely filled with the solid lubricant,
wherein the bearing gap is formed free of seals other than the solid lubricant, wherein the solid lubricant forms spacers between adjacent rollers of the first axial bearing row, the second axial bearing row, and the radial bearing row to maintain rollers spaced apart from each other,
wherein the solid lubricant forms a cage-like spacer structure in the bearing gap that runs around together with the rollers relative to the two concentric races, wherein the cage-like spacer structure comprises connection elements and the spacers, wherein the connection elements are formed by the solid lubricant that connect the spacers to one another, wherein the cage-like spacer structure is exclusively formed by the solid lubricant,
wherein the solid lubricant in the bearing gap sections is integrally formed with the solid lubricant that forms the spacers and the connection elements,
wherein the bearing gap changes direction between the radial bearing row and the first axial bearing row and changes direction between the radial bearing row and the second axial bearing row such that the bearing gap has a U-shape,
wherein the bearing gap between the radial bearing row and the first axial bearing row is completely filled with the solid lubricant such that the radial bearing row is sealed against the first axial bearing row on a first side of the radial bearing row by the solid lubricant,
wherein the bearing gap between the radial bearing row and the second axial bearing row is completely filled with the solid lubricant such that the radial bearing row is sealed against the second axial bearing row on a second side of the radial bearing row by the solid lubricant,
wherein at least one raceway of the first raceways has an elongate groove-like lubricant pocket in a center section that is completely filled with the solid lubricant and is flanked on both sides by raceway sections that support the first axial bearing row, wherein the solid lubricant is at the right and left towards margins of the at least one raceway of the first raceways,
wherein at least one raceway of the second raceways has an elongate groove-like lubricant pocket in a center section that is completely filled with the solid lubricant and is flanked on both sides by raceway sections that support the second axial bearing row, wherein the solid lubricant is at the right and left towards margins of the at least one raceway of the second raceways,
wherein at least one raceway of the third raceways has an elongate groove-like lubricant pocket in a center section that is completely filled with the solid lubricant and is flanked on both sides by raceway sections that support the radial bearing row, wherein the solid lubricant is at the right and left towards margins of the at least one raceway of the third raceways,
wherein each raceway of the first raceways, the second raceways, and the third raceways comprises the solid lubricant,
wherein the large roller bearing is formed free of seals separate from the solid lubricant, and
wherein the solid lubricant comprises a polymer matrix and a lubricant embedded therein, wherein the polymer matrix forms a dimensionally stable, deformable, and compressible structure that is self-adapting to deformations of the two concentric races and to forces of the two concentric races relative to each other in response to the deformations.

2. The large roller bearing of claim 1 , wherein the elongate groove-like lubricant pocket of the first raceways, viewed in cross-section, forms an approximately crescent-shaped convexity between the raceway sections of the first raceways.

3. The large roller bearing of claim 2 , wherein the elongate groove-like lubricant pocket of the second raceways, viewed in cross-section, forms an approximately crescent-shaped convexity between the raceway sections of the second raceways, and wherein the elongate groove-like lubricant pocket of the third raceways, viewed in cross-section, forms an approximately crescent-shaped convexity between the raceway sections of the third raceways.

4. The large roller bearing of claim 1 , wherein the solid lubricant lubricates the two concentric races.

5. The large roller bearing of claim 1 , wherein the solid lubricant seals the bearing gap toward the rollers toward an outside.

6. The large roller bearing of claim 1 , wherein the polymer matrix of the solid lubricant comprises a high molecular or an ultrahigh molecular polyethylene.

7. The large roller bearing of claim 1 , wherein the polymer matrix of the solid lubricant forms a porous matrix comprising a plurality of small-volume cutouts.

8. The large roller bearing of claim 1 , wherein the lubricant embedded in the polymer matrix is a synthetic oil that has a viscosity in the

Assignees

• Liebherr Components Biberach Gmbh

Inventors

• Altmayer Thomas
• Born Oliver
• Palmer Andreas

Classifications

• F16C33/6696 Primary

  with solids as lubricant, e.g. dry coatings, powder · CPC title

• F16C19/381

  with at least one row for radial load in combination with at least one row for axial load · CPC title

• F16C33/58

  Raceways; Race rings · CPC title

• F16C33/6611

  in a porous or resinous body, e.g. a cage impregnated with the grease · CPC title

• F16C33/6614

  in recesses or cavities provided in retainers, races or rolling elements · CPC title