Journal Published Online: 13 October 2015
Volume 4, Issue 1

Superelastic Ball Bearings: Materials and Design to Avoid Mounting and Dismounting Brinell Damage in an Inaccessible Press-Fit Application—Part I Design Approach

CODEN: MPCACD

Abstract

Ball bearings require proper fit and installation into machinery structures (onto shafts and into bearing housings) to ensure optimal performance. For many applications, the inner and/or outer races must be mounted with an interference fit and care must be taken during assembly and disassembly to avoid placing heavy static loads between the balls and races, otherwise Brinell dent-type damage can occur. In this paper, a highly dent resistant superelastic alloy, 60NiTi, was considered for rolling element bearing applications that encounter excessive static axial loading during assembly or disassembly. A small (R8) ball bearing was designed for an application where access was limited and precluded the use of disassembly tools. First principles based analyses showed that by careful selection of materials, raceway curvature, and land geometry, a bearing can be designed that allows blind assembly and disassembly without incurring raceway damage due to ball denting. Though such blind assembly applications are uncommon, the availability of bearings with unusually high static load capability may enable more such applications with additional benefits, especially for miniature bearings.

Author Information

DellaCorte, Christopher
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH, US
Howard, S.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH, US
Pages: 16
Price: $25.00
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Details
Stock #: MPC20150023
ISSN: 2165-3992
DOI: 10.1520/MPC20150023