SEALED NEEDLE ROLLER BEARINGS

ROULEMENTS A AIGUILLES ETANCHES

English Abstract

72263-2

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The invention relates to a sealed bearing comprising a
cylindrical core, a plurality of needle rollers rotatably
positioned upon said core, a pair of retaining races for said
needle rollers, end plates to contain said core, needle rollers,
and races, and a rotatable cover cooperating with said end
plates for sealing said bearing. The sealed needle bearings are
of the same dimension as the control rods they are mechanically
affixed to provide frictionless movements of vanes attached
thereto in dampers and other apparatus or equipment.

Claims

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THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A sealed bearing comprising a cylindrical core, a
plurality of cylindrical rollers rotatably positioned on the
outer peripheral surface of said core, at least one pair of
races to retain said plurality of cylindrical rollers on said
core end plates containing said core, plurality of cylindrical
rollers, races within said sealed bearing and rotatable covers
cooperating with said end plates to seal said bearing.

2. A sealed bearing as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
core comprises a solid cylindrical body.

3. A sealed bearing as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
core comprises a hollow cylindrical body.
4. A sealed bearing as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of
said cylindrical rollers are needle shaped.

5. A sealed bearing as claimed in claim 1 further compris-
ing at least an extension from either end plate.
6. A sealed bearing as claimed in claim 1 further compris-
ing an extension from each end plate.

7. A sealed bearing as claimed in claim 1 further compris-
ing a control rod mechanically affixed to said bearing.

8. A sealed bearing as claimed in claim 7 wherein the
phrase "mechanically affixed" comprises any mechanical fastening
means.

72263-2

9. A sealed bearing as claimed in claim 7 wherein the
phrase "mechanically affixed" comprises any force-fit fastening
means.
10. A damper mounting comprising a base, a plurality of
vertical columns having a plurality of journals positioned
therein, a plurality of controlling rods horizontally positioned
into and through the journals positioned within said vertical
columns, each of said controlling rods having vanes affixed
thereto and sealed needle roller bearing affixed at the terminals
and intermediate positions of said control rods for providing
frictionless rotational movement of said control rods and vanes,
said sealed needle roller bearings comprising a cylindrical core,
a plurality of needle rollers rotatably mounted upon said core,
a pair of retaining races for said needle rollers, end plates
for containing said core, needle rollers, and races, and a
rotatable cover cooperating with said end plates to seal said
bearing.

Description

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72263-2


IMPROVEMENTS IN SEALED NEED~E ROLLER BEARINGS
Background of the Invention
The invention of -the applicant generally relates to
improvements in rotating and rotatable structures such as dampers
for furnace drafts as may be found in Class 110 Subclass 103,
heat exchangers as may be found in Class 164 Subclass 69, stoves
or furnace flues such as may be found in Class 126 Subclasses 285
et sequitur, and more particularly the sealed bearings employed
in such and similar apparatus and equipment.
Description of the Prior Art
Conventional sealed needle roller bearings encircle the
control rods they are providing frictionless rotatable movement
for and when used in dirty or dusty environments usually result
in unreliable and unacceptable marginal operation because
friction producing substances get between the bearings and the
control rods.
Summary of the Invention
Applicant's invention is a sealed needle roller bearing
tha-t is distinct from the prior art and is integral with the
control rods for which it is providing anti-friction functions.
Therefore a shaft having applicant's inventive bearings
incorporated therein whether intermediate or terminal the
friction between the bearings and the journal will always be at
a minimum no matter how noxious the environment.
It is an object of applicant's invention to provide
economical and safe means for improving sealed needle roller
bearings.


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It is also an object of applicantls invention to
provide means for conserving energ~ by reducing the friction
incurred when rotating or moving control xods.
Brief Descriptlon of the Drawings
Figure la is a cross-sectional view of a conventional
prior art sealed needle roller bearing.
Fi~ure lb is an isometric view of the prior art
bearing.
Figure 2 is an isometric view of applicant's invention.
Figure 3 is an isometric view of a damper mounting
employiny applicant's invention.
Detailed Description
Conventional sealed needle roller bearings, such as
shown in Figures la and lb are well known. The needle shaped
rollers 12 are held in rotatable position by retaining races, 1
and 16, and are po~itioned around the control rods (not shown~.
Rotational movement of the control rods within the encircling
sealed bearing usually within an intermediate or terminal
journals is required to adjust the vanes affixed to the control
rods. As stated previously when dust or dirt from the noxious
environment get between the control rods and the bearings, the
anti-frictional characteristics of the device diminishes and the
adjustment becomes increasingly more arduous.
Applicant's sealed needle roller bearings distinguishes
from the prior art primarily in the fact that the sealed bearing
becomes an integral part of the control mechanism since the
bearing is either force fitted to the control rod or


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mechanically affixed or attached -to it. Fiyure 2 shows a partial
section drawiny of applicant's invention showing a control rod 24
mechanically affixed to applicant's sealed needle roller bearing
housing 32 either by Eorce fitting or male and female mechanical
attachments. Said sealed needle roller bearing comprises a
cylindrical body 34, a plurality of cylindrical needle shaped
rollers 18 posi~ioned upon the peripheral surfaces of said
cylindrical body 34, at least a pair of rotatable races 20 to
retain said rollers 18 and end plates 30 to seal said bearing in
cooperation with rotatable housing 32. An extension 22 may
extend from either end plate or in fact a pair of extensionsmay
exterd from both end plates.
Frictionless operation of applicant's inven-tive sealed
needle roller bearing in any apparatus requiring rotational
movement such as may be found in the damper mounting shown in
E`igure 3. Control rods 24, to which vanes 28 are affixed, are
mechanically affixed to sealed bearings 32 for essentially
frictionless rotational movement of the vanes. It is noted that
the control rods 24 can be fabricated as one continuous rod from
several shorter rods with the applicant's sealed bearings
incorporated between each shorter rod as well as the terminals
of the longer rod, or in the alternative as a series of shorter
rods. Rotation or adjustment of the rods 24 result in the
movement of the vanes 28 for a much longer time between
maintenance than any other bearing presently employed no matter
what the environment or structure.


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Applicant's invention also contemplates sealed bearings
incorporated and an integral part of the control rod 24 at its
terminals and mid-sections.
It is expected that even though only one embodiment of
the invention has been described, applicant's invention shall
not be so limited and that the scope and breadth o the invention
will only be limited by the scope and breadth of the annexed
claims.

Representative Drawing