Bearing cage with circumferential lubricant passages

Abstract

A cage is provided for a bearing, the bearing including an inner body having an inner raceway surface, an outer body disposed about the inner body so as to define an annular space, the outer body having an outer raceway surface, and a plurality of rolling elements disposed within the annular space and rollable simultaneously upon the inner raceway surface and the outer raceway surface. The cage includes an annular body disposeable within the annular space between the inner body and the outer body, having a centerline and including a plurality of pockets spaced circumferentially about the centerline. Each pocket is configured to retain a separate one of the plurality of rolling elements. Further, a plurality of interior circumferential passages each extend circumferentially between a separate pair of adjacent pockets. The passages function to retain lubricant, particularly grease, and also enables displacement of lubricant/grease between the adjacent pockets.