Patent ID: 6860015

Claim:
A method of forming an internally preloaded opposing conical elastomeric bearing assembly, comprising: forming an inboard bearing element, the inboard bearing element including an inner race primarily bonded to an elastomeric element and an outer race primarily bonded to the elastomeric element; forming an outboard bearing element, the outboard bearing element including an inner race primarily bonded to an elastomeric element and an outer race primarily bonded to the elastomeric element; forming an outer housing, the outer housing having an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface having a plurality of flange sections extending radially from the outer surface, the inner surface configured to receive inboard and the outboard bearing elements; inserting the inboard bearing element into the outer housing; bonding the outer race of the inboard bearing element to the inner surface of the outer housing to form a first secondary bond; inserting the outboard bearing element into the outer housing such that a frictional connection is achieved between the inner race of the inboard bearing element and the inner race of the outboard element; bonding the outer race of the outboard bearing element to the inner surface of the outer housing to form a second secondary bond; pressing the inboard bearing element and the outboard bearing element together to create an axial pre-load; and attaching a plurality of bearing coupler lugs axially through the inboard bearing element and the outboard bearing element.