A mechanical device designed to reduce friction in a part of a machine where another part turns or slides.

Types of Bearing

Plain Bearings Ball Bearings Roller Bearings Thrust Bearings

Selection of Bearing Type

The following points are a guide to applictions to which the various types of bearings are best suited: 1. Ball bearings are generally used for small to medium size loads and are suitable for high speed operation. 2. Roller bearings are preferable for large or relatively heavy loaded applications or if the bearings are liable to shock loading or vibration. 3. If good alignment between shaft and housing cannot be guarunteed, selfaligning ball bearings or spherical roller bearings are to be preferred and in some cases are essential. 4. Ball thrust bearings are intended to carry thrust loads only. At high speeds a deep groove or angular contact bearing is generally more suitable even under relatively heavy thrust loads. 5. Rigid roller journal bearings cannot carry thrust loads since they are designed to permit axial displacement of the shaft within certain limits. 6. A single self-aligning bearing cannot support a tilting movement. 7. Spherical roller thrust bearings, in addition to very heavy thrust loads, can carry considerable simultaniously acting radial loads. 8. Spherical roller bearings and taper roller bearings are useful for dealing with heavy combined radial and thrust loads, whilst deep groove and angular contact ball bearings serve the same purpose in lighter load applications. 9. Needle roller bearings are useful in lightly loaded applications where it is desirable to have as small an outside diameter as possible. 10. Separable bearings, i.e. taper roller bearings and single row angular contact bearings, must have both inner and outer races located axially. These types of bearings should only be used on short shafts which are not subject to appreciable alterations in length due to temperature variation. Once the type of bearing to be used has been selected with regard to application, the bearing size can be determined by the nature and magnitute of loads and the requirement with regard to speed, life and reliability. Factors in bearing Selection Relative movement between machine components

Plain Bearings
Plain (journal) bearings are used in many applications and have the following advantages :1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Small outside diameter as compared to rolling element bearings. Quietness of operation. Good capacity to absorb shock loading. Will take oscillating motion. Low cost.

Types of plain bearing

Hydrostatic.- In a hydrostatic bearing the load is carried by fluid pressure generated outside the bearing. Fluid is pumped under pressure into the bearing, therefore the bearing will operate whether static or rotating. Hydrodynamic.- In a hydrodynamic bearing a fluid is drawn into the region between the moving parts of the bearing by the virtue of its adhesion to the surfaces of the bearing and its viscosity and due to the shape of the bearing surfaces a pressure is generated within the fluid which keeps the bearing surfaces separated. The separating film is only generated when the there is relative motion in the bearing, i.e. when the shaft is rotating. Boundry Lubrication.- If the working fluid in a bearing adheres to or "wets" the bearing surfaces then some load may be carried. Boundary lubrication will apply at low speeds but as the speed increases some degree of hydrodynamic lubrication will be needed. Dry Bearings.- Dry bearings operate without a significant fluid film to separate the moving surfaces therefore low friction materials, or materials impregnated with a lubricant, must be used.

Materials - Lubricated bearings

Whitemetal - usually used as a lining bonded to bronze, steel or cast iron. Copper Based alloys - most common alloys are copper tin, copper lead, phosphor bronze: harder and stronger than whitemetal: can be used un-backed as a solid bearing. Aluminium based alloys - running properties not as good as copper based alloys but cheaper.

Materials - Dry bearings

Sintered bronze - Sintered bronze is a porous material which can be impregnated with oil, graphite or Ptfe. Not suitable for heavily loaded applications but useful where lubrication is inconvenient.

Ptfe - suitable only in very light applications. Mechanically weak material which has a tendancy to flow and is seriously affected by high temperatures. Nylon - similar to Ptfe but slightly harder: used only in very light applications.

Plain Bearing Guidelines

In general, plain bearings should be kept as short as possible in order to avoid long controlled diameters and highly finished portions on the shaft. Length/diamter ratio of 0.75 - 1.5 Two short bearings well spaced are better than one long one. Dry bearings of the impregnated sintered bronze type are available in stock sizes and these should be used if possible.

Ball Bearings
The object of ball bearings (and roller bearings) is the substitution of pure rolling motion for plain sliding friction.

Types of Ball bearing

Rigid single row ball bearing.- Basic type of bearing widely used. The balls run in comparatively deep grooved tracks which make the bearing suitable for both radial (journal) load and axial thrust load. The bearing provides location of the shaft in relation to the housing when provided with suitable means of clamping.

Rigid single row bearing with filling slots for balls.- This bearing contains more balls than the standard type and can therefore take heavier radial loads but only

limited thrust.

Rigid double row bearing.- For heavy radial loads and to provide greater rigidity. Requires accurate location if used in conjunction with another bearing.

Self aligning double row bearing.- For applications in which slight deflections cannot be avoided when rotating.

Aligning single row bearing.- This bearing will correct inital angular misalignment between shaft and housing but is not designed to accommodate shaft deflection or misalignment when rotating.

Angular contact single row bearing.- Gives precise axial location under thrust load. May be used in pairs to accommodate thrust in either direction.

Duplex bearing.- Used to take heavy thrust in either direction and some radial load.

Adaption sleeve bearing.- This bearing is mounted on a tapered split sleeve to simplify assembly on long shafts etc.

Roller Bearings

The object of roller bearings (and ball bearings) is the substitution of pure rolling motion for plain sliding friction.

Types of Roller bearing

Rigid single row roller journal bearing.- Basic type of roller bearing commonly used for heavy radial loads. No thrust can be taken, for although one track of the race is lipped, the other race is plain and the bearing does not locate the shaft axially.

Lipped roller bearing.- This bearing has either one or two lips on both races and will locate axially in one or both directions but will not take appreciable thrust.

Loose side plate bearing.- This type of bearing has a lip on one side and a loose plate on the other to simplify assembly ans dismantling of components and to locate the shaft axially.

Aligning roller bearing.- To correct initial misalignment but not deflection under load.

Needle roller bearing.- Provide a small diameter, light bearing load for assemblies in which space and weight are restricted.

Taper roller bearings.- These bearings will take appreciable radial loads and thrust loads in one direction (single row) or both directions (double row). Single row bearings can be used in pairs to take thrust in both directions. This arrangement has the advantage that by providing adjustment to the clamping of the inner races the internal clearance of the bearings can be regulated while also providing a means of taking up wear.

Spherial roller bearing.- For applications where high load capacity is required together with the capability to absorb slight deflections when rotating.

Combined Needle Roller and Thrust bearing

This bearing provides the needle roller bearing with a means of taking axial loads, thus enabling the combination of small outside diameter and the facility of taking thrust in one direction.

Thrust Bearings

The object of thrust bearings is to support thrust and axial loads .

Types of Thrust bearing

Single row rigid thrust bearing.- Basic type with a shallow grooved track in each washer. The load is taken axially in one direction only. Has a limited speed range.

Double row thrust bearing.- This bearing will take thrust in both directions.

Aligning thrust bearing.- will correct initial misalignment but not deflection under load.

Flat track thrust bearing.- For very low speed and light load applications in which the shaft may be offset axially.

Taper roller thrust bearing.- This bearing will take appreciable thrust loads together with some radial load.

Spherial roller thrust bearing.- Will take thrust and radial loading and accommodate misalignment when rotating.

Some things to consider when selecting bearings

Load on bearings
The load may either be radial (journal) or axial (thrust) or may be a combination of the two. Radial Load is applied at Right Angles to the axis of the shaft Axial Load is applied Parallel to this axis of the shaft In order to calculate the load on a bearing the origin of the load must be known; this can be one or a combination of the following :1. 2. 3. 4. Torque reactions in power transmission Reactions due to centrifugal force, out of balance and inertia loads Weight of machinery components supported by the bearing Reaction due to tension in belts, etc

These loads must resolved into one radial load and the larger the axial load (if there is one in each direction) : this then gives the dynamic loading of the bearing. The static loading of the bearing must also be calculated, this usually being the only weight of components supported by the bearing.

Speed and Life

The speed and required life of the bearing must be determined, the speed quoted in rev/min and the life in hours or millions of revolutions. The manufacturer's catalogue should be consulted and the load, speed and life related (by the formulae given) to the dynamic capacity quoted in the catalogue. Each manufacturer uses a different optimum speed and life on which the dynamic capacity is based; therefore no general formulae can be given.

Diametral Clearance
This is the total distance through which the inner race can move relative to the outer race in a radial direction. Bearings are usually manufactured with what is known as normal of two dot (00) diametral clearance but bearings with larger or smaller diametral clearance can be supplied at extra cost.

Fit of Bearings on Shaft and in Housings

The fit of a bearing in a housing or on a shaft can affect the diametral clearance; therefore it is necessary when dimensioning a shaft or housing to consult the manufacturer's catalogue which will usually quote limits to be applied for various fits.

Friction
The friction coefficient will very considerably with load, speed and lubrication but the following values give a guide to values applicable to normal operating conditions and favourable lubrication :Self-aligning ball bearings - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.0010 microns Cylindrical roller bearings with flange guided rollers - - - - - - - - - 0.0011 microns Thrust ball bearings - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.0013 microns Single row deep groove ball bearings - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.0015 microns Taper and Spherical roller bearings - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.0018 microns

The values quoted are for running friction and it can be expected that friction during starting will be higher.

Lubrication
Provision must be made for lubrication of all rolling element bearings. Lubrication can be either grease or oil. Grease must usually fed to the bearing by grease cup or grease gun injection to provide periodical replenishment, or pump feed injection to supply a large number of bearings simultaneously at intervals. A drain should be provided in order that contaminated gases can be ejected; this should be fitted on the opposite side to that of the filling cup or nipple. Grease cannot be used to dissipate heat from a bearing. Oil lubrication can be provided by :

Hand Feed - Into a ball sealed nipple for machinery operating at high speed for short and infrequent periods. Splash - e.g. gearboxes up to medium size in which the bottom rims of the lowest gears run in oil and splash the remaining components. Oil Bath - Suitable for moderate speeds, oil level maintained at a predetermined level. Usually provided with a sight glass and a drain hole to prevent overfilling. Drip Feed - Can be used for higher speeds than the oil bath method. Metered supply of oil drips into housing, must be provided with a drain hole. Wick Feed - Alternative to drip feed for high speed applications. Wick bears on some part which will throw oil into the bearing. Oil Thrower - Thrower rotates in oil bath (maintained at a constant level), picks up oil and throws it onto the bearing. Circulatory System - For high speed and high temperature operation where heat dissipation is essential. Oil is circulated by pump in closed ciruit. Forced Lubrication - Oil is fed under pressure through system by pump, providing a generous flow and good heat dissipation. Oil Mist - For very high speeds: small quantities of oil are blown into the bearing housing by compressed air. The oil is atomised before entering the housing.

Seals
All bearings on rotating machinery must be provided with adequate sealing arrangements. These can take the form of external shields and seals in which the devices are incorporated in the assembly external to the bearings, or built-in shields and seals incorporated in the bearings. Any seal which bears on rotating component will increase friction considerably.

Seals used when grease, but not oil is employed as lubricant are : felt washers, grease grooves and labyrinths; seals for oil lubrication are synthetic rubber (also suitable for grease); piston ring seals and labyrinths: the last two only for horizontal applications.

Relative Movements
Relative movement between machine components and the constraints applied. Constraint applied to the movement - About a Point

Continuous Movement The movement will be rotation, and the arrangement can therefore make repeated use of accurate surfaces Oscillating Movement If only an oscillatory movement is required, some additional arrangments can be used in which the geometric layout prevents continuous rotation.

Constraint applied to the movement - About a line

Continuous Movement The movement will be rotation, and the arrangement can therefore make repeated use of accurate surfaces Oscillating Movement If only an oscillatory movement is required, some additional arrangments can be used in which the geometric layout prevents continuous rotation.

Constraint applied to the movement - Along a line

Continuous Movement The movement will be translation. Therefore one surface must be long and continuous, and to be economically attractive must be fairly cheap. The shorter, moving component must usually be supported on a fluid film or rolling contact for an acceptable wear rate. Oscillating Movement If the transitional movement is a reciprocation, the arrangement can make repeated use of accurate surfaces and more mechanisms become economically attractive.