	US 11,808,301 B2
	Large roller bearing
Thomas Altmayer, Gutenzell-Hürbel (DE); Oliver Born, Altenstadt (DE); and Andreas Palmer, Riedlingen (DE)
Assigned to Liebherr-Components Biberach GmbH, Biberach an der Riss (DE)
Filed by Liebherr-Components Biberach GmbH, Biberach an der Riss (DE)
Filed on Oct. 14, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/070,434.
Application 17/070,434 is a continuation of application No. PCT/EP2019/058887, filed on Apr. 9, 2019.
Claims priority of application No. 20 2018 102 121.4 (DE), filed on Apr. 17, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0102575 A1, Apr. 8, 2021
Int. Cl. F16C 33/66 (2006.01); F16C 33/58 (2006.01); F16C 19/38 (2006.01); F16C 19/49 (2006.01)

CPC F16C 33/6696 (2013.01) [F16C 19/381 (2013.01); F16C 33/58 (2013.01); F16C 33/6611 (2013.01); F16C 33/6614 (2013.01); F16C 33/6648 (2013.01); F16C 19/49 (2013.01); F16C 2300/14 (2013.01)]

16 Claims

1. A large roller bearing comprising:

two concentric races comprising an outer race and an inner race, wherein the inner race comprises a groove opening towards the outer race, wherein the outer race comprises a projection towards the groove; and

rollers comprising a first axial bearing row, a second axial bearing row, and a radial bearing row forming an open center large roller bearing, wherein the first axial bearing row and the second axial bearing row are arranged on opposite sides of the projection, wherein the first axial bearing row and the second axial bearing row are in a bearing gap between the two concentric races, wherein the bearing gap is positioned around the projection, wherein the radial bearing row is in the bearing gap between the first axial bearing row and the second axial bearing row to support the projection against the groove, wherein at least one of the first axial bearing row, the second axial bearing row, and the radial bearing row comprises cylindrical rollers,

wherein the two concentric races are supportable relative to each other in an axial direction via the first axial bearing row and the second axial bearing row, wherein the two concentric races are supportable relative to each other in a radial direction via the radial bearing row,

wherein the first axial bearing row is rollable on first raceways, wherein the second axial bearing row is rollable on second raceways, wherein the radial bearing row is rollable on third raceways,

wherein the bearing gap changes direction between the radial bearing row and the first axial bearing row such that the bearing gap has a corner between the radial bearing row and the first axial bearing row,

wherein the bearing gap changes direction between the radial bearing row and the second axial bearing row such that the bearing gap has a corner between the radial bearing row and the second axial bearing row,

wherein the bearing gap comprises two or more corners comprising the corner between the radial bearing row and the first axial bearing row and the corner between the radial bearing row and the second axial bearing row,

wherein the bearing gap is completely filled with a solid lubricant such that bearing gap sections between adjacent rollers of the first axial bearing row are completely filled with the solid lubricant, such that bearing gap sections between adjacent rollers of the second axial bearing row are completely filled with the solid lubricant, such that bearing gap sections between adjacent rollers of the radial bearing row are completely filled with the solid lubricant, such that the bearing gap between the radial bearing row and the first axial bearing row, including the corner between the radial bearing row and the first axial bearing row, is completely filled with the solid lubricant, and such that the bearing gap between the radial bearing row and the second axial bearing row, including the corner between the radial bearing row and the second axial bearing row, is completely filled with the solid lubricant,

wherein the bearing gap is formed free of seals other than the solid lubricant, wherein the solid lubricant forms spacers between adjacent rollers of the first axial bearing row, the second axial bearing row, and the radial bearing row to maintain rollers spaced apart from each other,

wherein the solid lubricant forms a cage-like spacer structure in the bearing gap that runs around together with the rollers relative to the two concentric races, wherein the cage-like spacer structure comprises connection elements and the spacers, wherein the connection elements are formed by the solid lubricant that connect the spacers to one another, wherein the cage-like spacer structure is exclusively formed by the solid lubricant,

wherein the solid lubricant in the bearing gap sections is integrally formed with the solid lubricant that forms the spacers and the connection elements,

wherein the bearing gap changes direction between the radial bearing row and the first axial bearing row and changes direction between the radial bearing row and the second axial bearing row such that the bearing gap has a U-shape,

wherein the bearing gap between the radial bearing row and the first axial bearing row is completely filled with the solid lubricant such that the radial bearing row is sealed against the first axial bearing row on a first side of the radial bearing row by the solid lubricant,

wherein the bearing gap between the radial bearing row and the second axial bearing row is completely filled with the solid lubricant such that the radial bearing row is sealed against the second axial bearing row on a second side of the radial bearing row by the solid lubricant,

wherein at least one raceway of the first raceways has an elongate groove-like lubricant pocket in a center section that is completely filled with the solid lubricant and is flanked on both sides by raceway sections that support the first axial bearing row, wherein the solid lubricant is at the right and left towards margins of the at least one raceway of the first raceways,

wherein at least one raceway of the second raceways has an elongate groove-like lubricant pocket in a center section that is completely filled with the solid lubricant and is flanked on both sides by raceway sections that support the second axial bearing row, wherein the solid lubricant is at the right and left towards margins of the at least one raceway of the second raceways,

wherein at least one raceway of the third raceways has an elongate groove-like lubricant pocket in a center section that is completely filled with the solid lubricant and is flanked on both sides by raceway sections that support the radial bearing row, wherein the solid lubricant is at the right and left towards margins of the at least one raceway of the third raceways,

wherein each raceway of the first raceways, the second raceways, and the third raceways comprises the solid lubricant,

wherein the large roller bearing is formed free of seals separate from the solid lubricant, and

wherein the solid lubricant comprises a polymer matrix and a lubricant embedded therein, wherein the polymer matrix forms a dimensionally stable, deformable, and compressible structure that is self-adapting to deformations of the two concentric races and to forces of the two concentric races relative to each other in response to the deformations.

15. A large roller bearing comprising:

wherein the first axial bearing row is rollable on first raceways, wherein the second axial bearing row is rollable on second raceways, wherein the radial bearing row is rollable on third raceways,

wherein the bearing gap comprises two or more corners and is completely filled with a solid lubricant such that bearing gap sections between adjacent rollers of the first axial bearing row are completely filled with the solid lubricant, such that bearing gap sections between adjacent rollers of the second axial bearing row are completely filled with the solid lubricant, such that bearing gap sections between adjacent rollers of the radial bearing row are completely filled with the solid lubricant, and such that a corner of the two or more corners between the first axial bearing row and the radial bearing row is completely filled with the solid lubricant, wherein the bearing gap is formed free of seals other than the solid lubricant,

wherein the two or more corners of the bearing gap are adjacent to both the inner race and the first axial bearing,

wherein the solid lubricant forms spacers between adjacent rollers of the first axial bearing row, the second axial bearing row, and the radial bearing row to maintain rollers spaced apart from each other,

wherein the solid lubricant in the bearing gap sections is integrally connected to the solid lubricant that forms the spacers such that the solid lubricant in the bearing gap sections and the solid lubricant between adjacent rollers comprises a single integral element of solid lubricant,

wherein an opening to the bearing gap or an end of the bearing gap is formed free of a seal separate from the solid lubricant,

wherein the lubricant embedded in the polymer matrix is a synthetic oil that has a viscosity in the range of approximately 75-200 mm²/s or a viscosity in the range of 10-25 mm²/s at 100° C.,

wherein a diameter of the large roller bearing defined by an outermost or innermost row of the rollers is more than 750 mm,

wherein the first raceways and the second raceways are marginal layer hardened and have a hardness of more than 52 HRC,

wherein the large roller bearing is an open centered large roller bearing, and

wherein the first raceways and the second raceways are inductively hardened.

16. A large roller bearing comprising:

wherein the first axial bearing row is rollable on first raceways, wherein the second axial bearing row is rollable on second raceways, wherein the radial bearing row is rollable on third raceways,

wherein the bearing gap has a corner between the first axial bearing row and the radial bearing row,

wherein the bearing gap comprises two or more corners comprising the corner between the first axial bearing row and the radial bearing row,

wherein the bearing gap is completely filled with a solid lubricant such that bearing gap sections between adjacent rollers of the first axial bearing row are completely filled with the solid lubricant, such that bearing gap sections between adjacent rollers of the second axial bearing row are completely filled with the solid lubricant, such that bearing gap sections between adjacent rollers of the radial bearing row are completely filled with the solid lubricant, and such that the corner between the first axial bearing row and the radial bearing row is completely filled with the solid lubricant, wherein the bearing gap is formed free of seals other than the solid lubricant,

wherein the solid lubricant in the bearing gap sections is integrally formed with the solid lubricant that forms the cage-like spacer structure,

wherein the solid lubricant forms a ring sealing the bearing gap and the rollers arranged within the solid lubricant toward an outside of the bearing, wherein the solid lubricant forms a bridge connecting the inner race and the outer race,

wherein two sides of the bearing gap are formed free of a seal separate from the solid lubricant, and