Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation

Andrew David Redman

Kenneth L Lauck

The present invention relates to a spacer arrangement used in a duplex bearing system. The spacer arrangement has a lubricant chamber, a first spacer element within the lubricant chamber having a centrifugal ramp, and a second spacer element within the lubricant chamber having a baffle. The baffle divides the lubricant chamber into first and second chambers with each chamber communicating with one of the bearings in the duplex bearing system. The centrifugal ramp counteracts the effects of gravity and uses centrifugal forces to insure a supply of lubricant to one of the bearings, typically an upper bearing, in the duplex bearing system. The spacer arrangement has particular utility in a swashplate assembly used in helicopters, which swashplate assembly includes a stationary swashplate and a rotating swashplate with the duplex bearing arrangement being located between the two swashplates.

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Stevenson, CT, United States of America

Andrew David Redman