Patent ID: 6042273
Filing Date: 2000-03-28
Classification: F16C

Abstract:
An adjustable preload mechanism for varying the preload on a bearing set for a spindle rotatably supported within a spindle housing by the bearing set comprising:an annular piston slidably, sealingly supported on the I.D. of the spindle housing;an annular fluid supply plug sealing supported between the spindle housing and the O.D. of the spindle forming a pressurizable chamber between the annular piston and the fluid supply plug;a port for connecting a source of selectively directed pressure into the pressurizable chamber;a spring retainer including a portion thereon engageable with the bearing set;a spring member interposed between the annular piston and the spring retainer for imposing a preload force on the bearing set that varies in accordance with the position of the annular piston;a position locating device including an adjustment member removably supported within the housing and insertable within the annular piston when the annular piston is directed toward the spring by pressure build-up in the pressurizable chamber;the position locating device having a plurality of stops to change the adjusted positions of said annular piston when the adjustment member is located within the housing and selectively engageable with the annular piston for fixing it in one of a plurality of positions for varying the compression of the spring member so as to maintain one of a plurality of preload levels on the bearing set.