Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Raymond Beryl Brough

Steven Eugene Meeker

George L Hurrell, Ii

A ball bearing has an outer race, an inner race and a plurality of balls disposed between the races. The balls are spaced on a pitch diameter to provide a rolling medium between the races to accommodate differential rotation between the races. The ball spacing is maintained by a separator having a pocket for each ball. The pockets are distributed around the pitch diameter in a random manner to reduce vibratory impulses which might be imposed by the surfaces of the races.

Bearing separator with random spacing

A novel method for assembling a two row, angular contact bearing achieves improved axial end play without providing more ball diameter classes. The actual width of the pairs of opposed ball pathways is gauged. When and if the width falls nearly halfway between two available ball diameter classes, one row is chosen from the larger class above, and the other from the smaller class below, the midpoint. The net effect is improved axial end play with no appreciable effect on contact angle or bearing operation.

Growing community of inventors

Port Clinton, OH, United States of America

Raymond Beryl Brough