US 11,703,082 B2
Multi-ball thrust bearing arrangement
Jorge F. Briceno, Indianapolis, IN (US); and Burak A. Gecim, Indianapolis, IN (US)
Assigned to Allison Transmission, Inc., Indianapolis, IN (US)
Filed by Allison Transmission, Inc., Indianapolis, IN (US)
Filed on Jul. 5, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/857,539.
Application 17/857,539 is a continuation of application No. 17/117,620, filed on Dec. 10, 2020, granted, now 11,378,121.
Prior Publication US 2022/0397153 A1, Dec. 15, 2022
Int. Cl. F16C 19/10 (2006.01); F16C 33/38 (2006.01); F16C 33/40 (2006.01)
CPC F16C 19/10 (2013.01) [F16C 33/3887 (2013.01); F16C 33/40 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A thrust bearing comprising:
a first race;
a second race positioned opposite the first race, wherein the second race is arranged for rotation relative to the first race about an axis of rotation;
a plurality of rolling elements positioned between the first race and the second race; and
a cage positioned between the first race and the second race and configured to engage with the rolling elements to align the rolling elements into a plurality of rows, the rows circumferentially spaced apart from one another, wherein each row of rolling elements extends linearly along an axis of a plurality of axes, wherein each axis of the plurality of axes is offset from the axis of rotation;
wherein each row of rolling elements includes at least three rolling elements; and
wherein the cage includes a body and a plurality of pockets formed into the body, and wherein the pockets are configured to receive the rolling elements and engage with the rolling elements to align the rolling elements into the rows, and wherein each pocket defines an opening through the body of the cage that is sized to receive at least three rolling elements.
 
8. A thrust bearing comprising:
a first race;
a second race positioned opposite the first race, wherein the second race is arranged for rotation relative to the first race about an axis of rotation;
a plurality of rolling elements positioned between the first race and the second race; and
a cage positioned between the first race and the second race and configured to engage with the rolling elements to align the rolling elements into a plurality of rows, the plurality of rows including a first plurality of rows that each extend linearly along a axis of a first plurality of axes, wherein each axis of the first plurality of axes is offset to a first side of the axis of rotation, and a second plurality of rows that each extend linearly along an axis of a second plurality of axes, wherein each axis of the second plurality of axes is offset to a second side of the axis of rotation, wherein the second side is opposite the first side;
wherein each row of rolling elements includes at least three rolling elements; and
wherein the cage includes a body and a plurality of pockets formed into the body, and wherein the pockets are configured to receive the rolling elements and engage with the rolling elements to align the rolling elements into the rows, and wherein each pocket defines an opening through the body of the cage that is sized to receive at least three rolling elements.