Trane International Inc.

William E Lapp

Dennis R Dorman

Arthur L Butterworth

Michael Gerard Benco

Todd Wayne Smith

Derrick Lepak

Paul J Sikorsky

Arther L Butterworth

David Janda

Derrick J Lepak

A pressure nitrided stainless steel hybrid ball bearing having an inner ring, an outer ring, and rolling elements disposed therebetween. The pressure nitrided stainless steel hybrid bearing has one or more component(s) made from a pressure nitrided stainless steel material. The pressure nitrided stainless steel hybrid bearing used with a refrigerant lubrication for chiller applications leads to a very long useful life time.

Method of using pressure nitrided stainless steel hybrid bearing with a refrigerant lubricated compressor

An assembly includes a composite metal-polymer bushing having an outer metal layer with an inner surface, metal particles sintered to the inner surface, a polymer material between the metal particles, a finished interior surface collectively defined by the polymer material and exposed portions of the metal particles, a plurality of interstices formed between the metal particles and the polymer material, and a plurality of ridges defined by the polymer material that protrude above the metal particles. The ridges occupy at least about 8% of the area of a cylindrical reference surface nominally coinciding with the finished interior surface. The assembly also includes a crankshaft having a journal at least partially received within the bushing and supported by the finished interior surface. The journal is polished to a surface finish of about 0.1 microns or less to reduce a wear rate of the bushing.

Composite metal-polymer bushing and crankshaft assembly

Growing community of inventors

La Crosse, WI, United States of America

William E Lapp