Bearing apparatus and method for preloading bearings for

Abstract

A vibratory apparatus includes an outer member with a central opening. An inner member is within the opening of the outer member. There are two sets of bearings between the outer member and the inner member for permitting relative rotation therebetween about an axis. The two sets of bearings are spaced apart along the axis, each having an inner race and an outer race. The inner races are slidably mounted on the inner member. A portion of the outer member is disposed between the outer races so as to hold the outer races a first distance apart and so the inner races are held a second distance apart when the inner member and outer member are unloaded. Each of the sets of bearings transfers from the inner member to the outer member those forces acting along the axis which are directed towards the other set of bearings only. There is a spacer disposed between the inner races. A nut connected to the inner member biases the inner races towards each other along the axis with a force which has a first component transmitted from the inner member to the portion of the outer member by the sets of bearings and a second component which is borne by the spacer.