IP Library Granted Patent US 12,018,724
Granted Patent B2
US 12,018,724 · App. 17/678,708 · Granted Jun 25, 2024

Bearing-raceway systems and methods

Inventors: Charles Jared Ott (Keller, TX); Eric Stephen Olson (Fort Worth, TX)
Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
F16C35/073F16C33/12F16C33/586F16C35/063F16C43/04F16C2226/60F16C2326/43
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,018,724
App. No.
17/678,708
Granted
Jun 25, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A bearing raceway for a shaft includes a tubular sleeve comprising a raceway section and a clamp section, the raceway section having a hardened outer surface and a first, axially linear, inner surface, and the clamp section having first threads and a second, axially non-linear, inner surface, where the first threads are configured to mate with second threads on a nut to clamp the tubular sleeve to the shaft.

Claims (23)

1. A bearing raceway for a shaft, the bearing raceway comprising:

a tubular sleeve comprising a raceway section and a clamp section;

the raceway section having a hardened outer surface and a first, axially linear, inner surface, wherein the first, axially linear, inner surface runs an entire length of the raceway section; and

the clamp section having first threads and a second, axially non-linear, inner surface, wherein the second inner surface comprises a first engagement profile, wherein the first engagement profile comprises at least one of a semi-circular groove, a recess and a dimple and is configured to mate with a second engagement profile on the shaft to resist axial movement of the bearing raceway;

wherein the first threads are internal threads and are configured to mate with second threads on a nut to clamp the tubular sleeve to the shaft.

2. The bearing raceway of claim 1 , wherein the clamp section comprises a detent on the second inner surface.

3. The bearing raceway of claim 1 , wherein the clamp section comprises tabs separated by slots.

4. The bearing raceway of claim 3 , wherein the tabs comprise detents on the second inner surface.

5. The bearing raceway of claim 1 , wherein the first engagement profile is positioned between the raceway section and the first threads.

6. The bearing raceway of claim 5 , wherein the first engagement profile comprises a face oriented away from the raceway section toward the first threads.

7. The bearing raceway of claim 5 , wherein a diameter of the clamp section is greater than a diameter of the raceway section.

8. A rotor aircraft mast bearing assembly, comprising:

a bearing raceway secured to a mast of a rotor aircraft, the mast comprising a central axis and a raised portion having a first mast surface that is parallel to the central axis, the bearing raceway comprising a tubular sleeve having a raceway section and a clamp section;

the raceway section having a hardened outer surface and a first, axially linear, inner surface positioned on the first mast surface, wherein the first, axially linear, inner surface runs an entire length of the raceway section;

the clamp section having first threads and a second, axially non-linear, inner surface, wherein the second inner surface comprises a first engagement profile, wherein the first engagement profile comprises at least one of a semi-circular groove, a recess and a dimple and is configured to mate with the raised portion to resist axial movement of the shaft bearing raceway; and

a nut having second threads threaded with the first threads imparting a clamping force to the mast;

wherein the first threads are internal threads.

9. The rotor aircraft mast bearing assembly of claim 8 , wherein the clamp

section comprises a first detent mated with a second detent on the mast.

10. The rotor aircraft mast bearing assembly of claim 8 , wherein the clamp section comprises tabs separated by slots; and

the first thread are on the tabs.

11. The rotor aircraft mast bearing assembly of claim 10 , wherein the tabs comprise first detents mated with a second detent on the mast.

12. The rotor aircraft mast bearing assembly of claim 8 , wherein the first engagement profile is a face oriented away from the raceway section and toward the first threads.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 17, 2022
From: BELL TEXTRON INC.
To: BELL TEXTRON RHODE ISLAND INC.
Reel/Frame 059933/0784 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 17, 2022
From: BELL TEXTRON RHODE ISLAND INC.
To: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
Reel/Frame 059933/0926 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 1, 2022
From: OTT, CHARLES JARED; OLSON, ERIC STEPHEN
To: BELL TEXTRON INC.
Reel/Frame 059130/0642 →
Continuity (1)
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