Aktiebolaget Skf

Derek R Wright

Daniel P Sottiaux

Jeffrey L George

An elastomeric bearing includes a first race having an axis of rotation, a second race coaxially arranged relative to the first race and spaced from the first race by a gap and a bearing body in the gap connecting the first race to the second race. The bearing body is formed from a first plurality of elastomeric laminae coaxial with the first race and a second plurality of carbon fiber laminae coaxial with the first race, and the elastomeric laminae and the carbon fiber laminae alternate in a direction from the first race to the second race. The carbon fiber laminae may each include multiple sheets of carbon fibers embedded in a thermoplastic such as polyether ether ketone (PEEK).

Elastomeric bearing having carbon-fiber reinforced laminae

An elastomeric bearing includes a first race having an axis of rotation, a second race coaxially arranged relative to the first race and spaced from the first race by a gap, a bearing body in the gap connecting the first race to the second race, the bearing body comprising a plurality of first laminae coaxial with the first race and a plurality of second laminae coaxial with the first race, the first laminae being formed from a different material than the second laminae, and a metal end cap connected to the first race or to the second race. The metal end cap includes an at least partially hollow interior and/or is formed by an additive manufacturing process.

Elastomeric bearing having reduced-weight end cap

A bearing assembly is for movably coupling first and second members and includes first and second laminated bodies disposed within the second member bore, spaced about a centerline and connected with the first member. The first laminated is formed of alternating, arcuate first elastomeric laminae and arcuate first rigid laminae nested generally about a first central axis, each first rigid lamina having a first radial thickness between inner and outer surfaces. The second laminated body is formed of alternating, arcuate second elastomeric laminae and arcuate second rigid laminae nested generally about a second central axis, each second rigid lamina having a second radial thickness between the rigid lamina inner and outer surfaces. The first radial thickness of the first rigid laminae is substantially greater than the second radial thickness of the second rigid laminae such that the second laminated body has a substantially lesser stiffness than the first laminated body.

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Hampshire, IL, United States of America

Derek R Wright