Patent ID: 8926185
Filing Date: 2015-01-06
Classification: F16C

Abstract:
1. A spherical plain bearing, said bearing comprising: an outer ring having a first peripheral edge, an opposing second peripheral edge, and a spherical concave bearing surface extending between said first peripheral edge and said second peripheral edge; an inner ring having a bore located therein and a spherical convex bearing surface, said spherical convex bearing surface being located in interfacial sliding engagement with said spherical concave bearing surface; a lubrication groove in at least one of the spherical convex bearing surface and the spherical concave bearing surface, the lubrication groove having a width and a depth, the lubrication groove comprising a contoured shape defined by a concave central portion conforming substantially to a circular arc defined by a continuous first radius of curvature with a first center point on a line that is perpendicular to at least one of the spherical convex bearing surface and the spherical concave bearing surface, the first center point being offset from at least one of the spherical convex bearing surface and the spherical concave bearing surface, the lubrication groove being further defined by convex side portions conforming substantially to circular arcs defined by blend radii having a continuous second radius of curvature with second center points on lines that extend perpendicular to at least one of the spherical convex bearing surface and the spherical concave bearing surface, wherein the second radius of curvature is at least 0.7 times the first radius of curvature and is smaller in magnitude than the lubrication groove depth, and wherein the first radius of curvature transitions into each of the second radius of curvature of the blended radii at a single transition point; and wherein the lubrication groove allows for periodic flushing of the lubricant when additional lubricant is introduced into the lubrication groove under pressure.