Patent ID: 7308856
Filing Date: 2007-12-18
Classification: F16C

Abstract:
1. In a friction support bearing for a railway locomotive traction motor comprising an main bearing housing having an inboard end portion and an outboard end portion, a central wick window for a central lubricating wick, an interior surface at least part of which contacts an axle journal, a mounting flange at said outboard end portion, and a lubricating flange wick operatively associated with said mounting flange; said outboard end of said interior surface having at least one of a flinger groove and an oil collection groove, and said inboard end of said interior surface also having at least one of a flinger groove and an oil collection groove, the improvement comprising: a first outboard supplemental lubricating wick at said outboard end portion, and a second inboard supplemental wick at said inboard end portion, for additionally lubricating the contact surface area between said interior surface and said axle journal axially beyond the limits of said central lubricating wick; each of said first and second supplemental lubricating wicks being located approximately at the 6:00 position of said main bearing housing; each of said first and second supplemental wicks extending axially interiorly from its respective said at least one groove, said first outboard supplemental wick extending from the opposite side of said at least one outboard groove as said flange wick, whereby said grooves provide a lubricating source for said supplemental wicks.