US 12,305,710 B2
Creep free and insulated bearing outer race construction
Peng Shen, Troy, MI (US); Wenying Yang, Rochester Hills, MI (US); Jack M. Gayney, Grosse Ile, MI (US); and Xiaoqing Zeng, Northville, MI (US)
Assigned to GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed by GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed on Aug. 9, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/446,937.
Prior Publication US 2025/0052280 A1, Feb. 13, 2025
Int. Cl. F16C 33/58 (2006.01); F16C 35/077 (2006.01)
CPC F16C 33/583 (2013.01) [F16C 35/077 (2013.01); F16C 2326/01 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vehicle bearing system, comprising:
a bearing having a bearing outer race, the bearing outer race including an outer race surface;
at least one circumferential groove recessed into the bearing outer race;
an expanding member received in the at least one circumferential groove, wherein the expanding member defines an elastomeric rubber;
a housing receiving the bearing having a gap between a housing inner face and the bearing outer race, the expanding member expanding to radially extend across the gap into direct contact with the housing inner face to mitigate against motion between the bearing and the housing inner face; and
a liquid applied to one of the at least one circumferential groove prior to installation of the expanding member or applied onto the expanding member during or after receiving the expanding member, wherein the liquid initiates radial expansion of the expanding member to extend the expanding member outward of the at least one circumferential groove.
 
12. A bearing system, comprising:
a bearing having a bearing outer race;
at least one circumferential groove recessed into the bearing outer race;
an expanding member of an elastomeric rubber and having an impedance received in the at least one circumferential groove, wherein the expanding member expands when contacted by a liquid; and
a housing having a housing inner face, the housing receiving the bearing having a gap remaining between the housing inner face and the bearing outer race, the expanding member expanding to radially extend across the gap into direct contact with the housing inner face to mitigate against motion between the bearing and the housing inner face, and wherein the impedance mitigates against an electrical current passing between the bearing and the housing.
 
18. A method to construct a bearing system, comprising:
creating a bearing having a bearing outer race including an outer race surface;
recessing at least one circumferential groove into the bearing outer race;
positioning an expanding member in the at least one circumferential groove;
installing the bearing into a housing having a gap between a housing inner face and the bearing outer race; and
inducing expansion of the expanding member to radially extend across the gap into direct contact with the housing inner face to mitigate against motion between the bearing and the housing inner face.