Barry Wright Corporation

Daniel S Ventura

Robert R Peterson

Richard S Gureghian

A laminated device such as a bearing or coupling comprising an inner and an outer housing with a laminate therebetween of alternating resilient and non-extensible layers wherein at least one of its resilient layers is made of a material characterized by having a damping coefficient different from that associated with the material of at least one other resilient layer and preselected so as to improve the uniformity of the strain distribution within the laminate and, thereby, the low temperature operating characteristics of the device. In another embodiment of the invention, at least one of the resilient layers is comprised of discrete portions or segments, each having a nominal damping coefficient preselected so as to improve the bearing's operating characteristics in low temperature applications.

Laminated bearing with improved low temperature operating characteristics

A bearing for carrying compressive radial loads comprising alternating bonded layers of a resilient material of a uniform modulus of elasticity and layers of a non-extensible material, all generally concentrically formed about a common center axis. The fatigue life of the bearing under torsional and compressive loads is enhanced by progressively decreasing both the length and thickness of each layer of resilient material with increasing radii, so that a substantially equal strain is carried across each layer of resilient material in response to each torsional load and the shape factor of each of the layers of resilient material remains substantially constant or increases with increasing radii.

Laminated bearings having elastomer layers of varying dimensions

A frusto-conical laminated elastomeric bearing is provided wherein at least some of the layers are graded in composition so that they have a first relatively high modulus of elasticity at the inner circumference, and a second relatively low modulus of elasticity at the outer circumference, with the grading being arranged so as to provide an optimum balance of strain distribution and spring rates consistent with bearing lifetime and reduced-torque considerations.

Laminated bearings with dual stock layers

A cylindrical elastomeric bearing for carrying relatively large compressive radial loads while accommodating thrust and torsional loads acting along the bearing's longitudinal axis. The bearing generally comprises a rigid interior member and a rigid exterior member, with the two members being joined together by bonded concentric laminae comprising alternating strata of resilient material and non-extensible material. The fatigue life of the bearing is enhanced by forming each resilient stratum with a shear modulus of elasticity such that the stratum will tend to carry a strain substantially equal to the strain carried by every other resilient stratum when the bearing is subjected to a wide range of different torsional loads. The desired shear moduli of elasticity are attained for the different resilient strata over a wide range of different torsional loads by forming at least some of the resilient strata from two or more substrata of selected thicknesses wherein each substratum within a given resilient stratum comprises a resilient material having a unique shear modulus.

Cylindrical elastomeric bearing

End bearing assemblies are provided for articulating links, especially for articulating control links associated with helicopter rotor mechanisms. The end bearing assemblies comprise at least two elastomeric bearing sections connected by a load-transmitting member and arranged to react to loadings and accommodate motions along and about at least one of three mutually orthogonal axes.

Growing community of inventors

Malden, MA, United States of America

Daniel S Ventura