Apparatus for brazing radial bearings and related methods
View Patent ↗Apparatuses and methods are provided for manufacturing bearing assemblies. In accordance with one embodiment, a fixture is provided for use in brazing bearing elements to a bearing ring. The fixture comprises a substantially annular body and at least one or more force-applying mechanism associated with the annular body. The force applying mechanisms include a push rod disposed within a channel that is formed in the annular body, the push rod being displaceable within the channel. A biasing member is configured to bias the push rod in a radial direction relative to the annular body. In one embodiment, a plurality of force-applying mechanisms are circumferentially spaced about the substantially annular body. In one embodiment, the push rods extend radially inwardly from a peripheral surface of the body, while in another embodiment the push rods extend radially outwardly from peripheral surface of the body.
1. A method of brazing a plurality of bearing elements to a bearing ring, the method comprising:
providing a bearing assembly, the bearing assembly including a bearing ring and a plurality of bearing elements each being positioned within an associated pocket of a plurality of pockets formed in the bearing ring;
positioning the bearing assembly adjacent a fixture, the fixture comprising a substantially annular ring and a plurality of circumferentially spaced force-applying mechanisms;
applying a force to each of the plurality of bearing elements with an associated force-applying mechanism of the plurality of force-applying mechanisms;
brazing the plurality of bearing elements to the bearing ring while maintaining the applied force to each of the bearing elements by the associated force-applying mechanisms.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein applying a force to each of the plurality of bearing elements includes applying a force to each bearing element with a push rod of an associated force-applying mechanism.
3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein applying a force to each of the plurality of bearing elements with a push rod of an associated force-applying mechanism includes selectively positioning each push rod from a retracted state to a deployed state.
4. The method according to claim 3 , further comprising removing the bearing assembly from the fixture subsequent the brazing, wherein removing the bearing assembly includes selectively positioning at least some of the push rods of the force applying mechanisms from a deployed state to a retracted state.
5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein selectively positioning at least some of the push rods of the force applying mechanisms from a deployed state to a retracted state further includes maintaining the at least some push rods in the retracted state against a biasing force without operator assistance.
6. The method according to claim 4 , wherein selectively positioning at least some of the push rods of the force applying mechanisms from a deployed state to a retracted state further includes displacing each of the at least some of the push rods in a first direction along a defined axis extending through the push rod.
7. The method according to claim 6 , further comprising rotating each the at least some of the push rods about their respective defined axes subsequent displacing the at least some of the push rods in the first direction.
8. The method according to claim 7 , further comprising providing a handle with each push rod, wherein positioning each push rod from a retracted state to a deployed state includes applying a force to the handle.
9. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising positioning each handle adjacent an axial face of the substantially annular ring.
10. The method according to claim 2 , wherein applying a force to each of the plurality of bearing elements with a push rod of an associated force-applying mechanism further includes positioning a biasing a member between each push rod and an adjacent portion of the annular bearing ring.
11. The method according to claim 2 , wherein applying a force to each of the plurality of bearing elements with a push rod of an associated force-applying mechanism includes contacting each of the plurality elements with arcuate surface of an associated push rod.
12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein providing a bearing assembly includes providing the plurality of pockets in an inner radial surface of the bearing ring.
13. The method according to claim 12 , wherein applying a force to the plurality of bearing elements includes applying the force in a direction radially outward from an outer peripheral surface of the substantially annular ring.
14. The method according to claim 1 , wherein providing a bearing assembly includes providing the plurality of pockets in an outer peripheral surface of the bearing ring.
15. The method according to claim 14 , wherein applying a force to the plurality of bearing elements includes applying the force in a direction radially inward from an inner radial surface of the substantially annular ring.
16. The method according to claim 1 , wherein providing a bearing assembly further includes providing each the plurality of bearing elements with a polycrystalline diamond table bonded to a substrate.
17. The method according to claim 16 , further comprising providing at least one of the plurality of bearing elements with a diamond table having at least a portion of a catalyst material removed from the diamond table.
18. The method according to claim 1 , wherein brazing the plurality of bearing elements to the bearing ring includes subjecting the bearing assembly to induction heating.