Bearing mechanical joining methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12092108-B2
Application number	US-202217751086-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 23, 2022
Priority date	May 23, 2022
Publication date	Sep 17, 2024
Grant date	Sep 17, 2024

Abstract

A bearing assembly includes a first gear shaft aligned with a first axis and a second gear shaft aligned with a second axis. The second axis is oriented parallel to the first axis. A first bearing is supported on the first gear shaft and a second bearing is supported on the second gear shaft. A coupling mechanism extends between and radially clamps the first bearing to the second bearing. The coupling mechanism is operable to restrict relative radial movement between the first bearing and the second bearing.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A bearing assembly comprising:
a first gear shaft aligned with a first axis;
a second gear shaft aligned with a second axis, the second axis being oriented parallel to the first axis;
a first bearing supported on the first gear shaft;
a second bearing supported on the second gear shaft; and
a coupling mechanism extending between and radially clamping the first bearing to the second bearing, wherein the coupling mechanism is operable to restrict relative axial movement and relative radial movement between the first bearing and the second bearing, the coupling mechanism including:
a first portion mounted to the second bearing and protruding radially outwardly from the second bearing towards the first bearing, the first portion including a key body and a radial flange arranged near an end of the body;
a second portion located at the first bearing, the second portion being configured to receive the first portion, the second portion including a keyhole having a non-uniform configuration extending between a first end and a second end thereof, the radial flange being receivable within the first end of the keyhole but not the second end of the keyhole.

2. The bearing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first bearing includes a first flat bearing surface and the second bearing includes a second flat bearing surface, the coupling mechanism being operable to restrict radial movement between the first flat bearing surface and the second flat bearing surface.

3. The bearing assembly of claim 2 , wherein the coupling mechanism extends between the first flat bearing surface and the second flat bearing surface.

4. The bearing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the coupling mechanism is spring-loaded.

5. The bearing assembly of claim 4 , further comprising:
a biasing member having a biasing force acting on the key; and
a retaining clip movable relative to the key the retaining clip being operable to oppose the biasing force of the biasing member.

6. The bearing assembly of claim 5 , wherein the retaining clip is in the engaged position when the key is inserted into a first end of the keyhole.

7. The bearing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first bearing and the second bearing are stationary bearings.

8. The bearing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first bearing and the second bearing are pressure loaded bearings.

9. A gear pump comprising:
a housing having an inlet and an outlet;
a first gear mounted within the housing to a first gear shaft;
a second gear mounted within the housing to a second gear shaft;
a first bearing supported on the first gear shaft;
a second bearing supported on the second gear shaft; and
a coupling mechanism extending between and radially clamping the first bearing to the second bearing, the coupling mechanism being operable to restrict relative axial movement and relative radial movement between the first bearing and the second bearing, the coupling mechanism including:
a first portion mounted to the second bearing and protruding radially outwardly from the second bearing towards the secondfirst bearing, the first portion including a key body and a radial flange arranged near an end of the body;
a second portion located at the first bearing, the second portion being configured to receive the first portion, the second portion including a keyhole having a non-uniform configuration extending between a first end and a second end thereof, the radial flange being receivable within the first end of the keyhole but not the second end of the keyhole.

10. The gear pump of claim 9 , wherein the first bearing and the second bearing are stationary bearings.

11. The gear pump of claim 9 , wherein the first bearing and the second bearing are pressure loaded bearings.

12. The gear pump of claim 9 , wherein the first bearing includes a first flat bearing surface and the second bearing includes a second flat bearing surface, the coupling mechanism being operable to restrict relative radial movement between the first flat bearing surface and the second flat bearing surface.

Assignees

• Hamilton Sundstrand Corp

Inventors

• Leduc Zachary Allen Ray
• Goy Edward W

Classifications

• F04C2240/805

  Fastening means, e.g. bolts · CPC title

• F04C2240/80

  Other components · CPC title

• F04C2240/56

  Bearing bushings or details thereof · CPC title

• F04C2240/54

  Hydrostatic or hydrodynamic bearing assemblies specially adapted for rotary positive displacement pumps or compressors · CPC title

• F04C2240/50

  Bearings · CPC title