The Timken Company

Christopher S Marks

Gerald P Fox

Thomas J Rybkoski

Brian Werner

David L Milam

Glenn R Fahrni, Jr

Hans Landin

Michael D Simmons

Michael F Marcelli

Kofi P Obeng

Scott D Russell

Byron Roubanes

Gary A Stoffer

Jeffrey Scott L Calvin

A bearing cage assembly () comprises a plurality of discrete bridge elements () disposed between adjacent rolling elements () and coupled between first and second axially spaced cage support wire rings () which are appropriately tensioned. Spacers () are disposed between adjacent bridge elements and engage the bridge elements in a piloted engagement. The bridge elements maintain a separation between rolling elements, retain the rolling elements within the bearing assembly, and function as a lubrication reservoir for grease lubricated bearings. Profiled surfaces on the bridge elements position the bearing cage assembly on at least one axial end of the rolling elements.

Segmented bearing retainer

A vehicle differential includes a housing having bearing seats and a carrier provided with stub shafts which project into the bearing seats. The carrier is supported in the housing on two single row tapered roller bearings which allow the carrier to rotate, but confine it radially and axially. The housing also contains a beveled pinion which meshes with a beveled ring gear that is attached to the carrier. The two bearings are mounted in opposition and each includes a cup that is located in the bearing seat for that bearing, a cone that fits around the stub axle that projects into that bearing seat, and tapered rollers located between the cup and cone. Each bearing seat contains an internal thread and the bearing cup which fits into the seat has an external thread that engages the internal thread. Each cup also carries a locking ring which is engaged by an adjustment tool to turn the cup, but is later deformed into the housing to secure the cup against rotation. By rotating the cups in their bearing seats, one can adjust the setting of the bearings and the mesh setting of the pinion and ring gear.

Bearing arrangement for a vehicle differential

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Massillon, OH, United States of America

Christopher S Marks