Hybrid spherical and thrust bearing

1. A rotorcraft, comprising:

a body;

a power train coupled to the body and comprising a power source and a drive shaft coupled to the power source;

a hub coupled to the drive shaft;

a rotor blade coupled to the hub;

a swashplate positioned about the drive shaft;

a pitch link coupled between the swashplate and the hub corresponding to the rotor blade;

a bearing coupled between either the pitch link and the swashplate or the pitch link and the hub, the bearing comprising:

an outer housing having a first opening therethrough;

an elastomeric bearing adjacent the housing inside the first opening and having a second opening therethrough;

an inner housing adjacent the elastomeric bearing inside the second opening and having a third opening therethrough, the inner housing comprising a first inner surface and a second inner surface defining the third opening, the second inner surface oriented at a reflex angle relative to the first inner surface such that an interior diameter of the third opening is smaller than an exterior diameter of the third opening;

a first member adjacent the first inner surface inside the third opening having a fourth opening therethrough;

a first bearing surface in contact with the first inner surface and the first member and separating the first inner surface from the first member;

a second member adjacent the second inner surface inside the third opening having a fifth opening therethrough coaxial with the fourth opening; and

a second bearing surface in contact with the second inner surface and the second member and separating the second inner surface from the second member.

2. The rotorcraft of claim 1 , further comprising a second bearing coupled to the pitch link opposite the first bearing, the second bearing comprising:

an outer housing having a first opening therethrough;

an elastomeric bearing adjacent the housing inside the first opening and having a second opening therethrough;

an inner housing adjacent the elastomeric bearing inside the second opening and having a third opening therethrough, the inner housing comprising a first inner surface and a second inner surface defining the third opening, the second inner surface oriented at a reflex angle relative to the first inner surface such that an interior diameter of the third opening is smaller than an exterior diameter of the third opening;

a first member adjacent the first inner surface inside the third opening having a fourth opening therethrough;

a first bearing surface in contact with the first inner surface and the first member and separating the first inner surface from the first member;

a second member adjacent the second inner surface inside the third opening having a fifth opening therethrough coaxial with the fourth opening; and

a second bearing surface in contact with the second inner surface and the second member and separating the second inner surface from the second member.

3. The rotorcraft of claim 1 , wherein the bearing threads into the pitch link.

4. The rotorcraft of claim 1 , wherein the first bearing surface is comprised of polytetrafluoroethylene.

5. The rotorcraft of claim 1 , further comprising a seal adjacent the inner housing and the first member and covering the first bearing surface.

6. The rotorcraft of claim 1 , wherein the first member comprises an outer conical surface oriented at an angle corresponding to the orientation of the first inner surface.

7. The rotorcraft of claim 1 , wherein a plane that bisects the inner housing also bisects reflex angle.

8. The rotorcraft of claim 1 , wherein the fourth opening has a substantially constant diameter.

9. The rotorcraft of claim 1 , wherein the first opening, the second opening, the third opening, the fourth opening, and the fifth opening are coaxial.

10. The rotorcraft of claim 1 , wherein the first inner surface and the second inner surface intersect along a closed curve.

11. The rotorcraft of claim 10 , wherein the closed curve lies on a plane that bisects the outer housing.

12. The rotorcraft of claim 10 , wherein the first member is free to rotate relative to the inner housing.

13. A method for manufacturing a bearing, comprising:

providing an outer housing having a first opening therethrough;

inserting an elastomeric bearing adjacent the housing inside the first opening, the elastomeric bearing having a second opening therethrough;

inserting an inner housing adjacent the elastomeric bearing inside the second opening, the inner housing having a third opening therethrough, the inner housing comprising a first inner surface and a second inner surface defining the third opening, the second inner surface oriented at a reflex angle relative to the first inner surface such that an interior diameter of the third opening is smaller than an exterior diameter of the third opening;

inserting a first member adjacent the first inner surface inside the third opening, the first member having a fourth opening therethrough, wherein a first bearing surface is in contact with the first inner surface and the first member and separates the first inner surface from the first member; and

inserting a second member adjacent the second inner surface inside the third opening, the second member having a fifth opening therethrough coaxial with the fourth opening, wherein a second bearing surface is in contact with the second inner surface and the second member and separates the second inner surface from the second member.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the first bearing surface is a fluorocarbon bearing.

15. The method of claim 13 , further comprising inserting a seal adjacent the inner housing and the first member and covering the first bearing surface.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the second member is inserted such that the first member and the second member are in contact.

17. A bearing, comprising:

an outer housing having a first opening therethrough;

an elastomeric bearing adjacent the housing inside the first opening and having a second opening therethrough;

an inner housing adjacent the elastomeric bearing inside the second opening and having a third opening therethrough, the inner housing comprising a first inner surface and a second inner surface defining the third opening, the second inner surface oriented at a reflex angle relative to the first inner surface such that an interior diameter of the third opening is smaller than an exterior diameter of the third opening;

a first member adjacent the first inner surface inside the third opening having a fourth opening therethrough;

a first bearing surface in contact with the first inner surface and the first member and separating the first inner surface from the first member;

a second member adjacent the second inner surface inside the third opening having a fifth opening therethrough coaxial with the fourth opening; and

a second bearing surface in contact with the second inner surface and the second member and separating the second inner surface from the second member.

18. The bearing of claim 17 , wherein the first bearing surface is comprised of polytetrafluoroethylene.

19. The bearing of claim 17 , further comprising a seal adjacent the inner housing and the first member and covering the first bearing surface.

20. The bearing of claim 16 , wherein the first member comprises an outer conical surface oriented at an angle corresponding to the orientation of the first inner surface.

21. The bearing of claim 16 , wherein the first member is free to rotate relative to the inner housing.