Basic Components of Thrust Ball Bearings

Thrust ball bearings are designed to withstand high axial and radial loads. The two races of a thrust bearing are interlocked and form a contact angle, varying between 15deg and 40deg. Typical thrust bearings are made of chrome steel. Their basic components are the outer race and the inner race.

Angular contact ball bearings

Angular contact ball bearings are designed to accommodate angular loads at various angles. This design is ideal for high-speed applications. In addition, it is economical and reliable. These are available in a range of sizes. Their specifications depend on their design and construction. Among these characteristics are their sizes, speeds, and shapes.

The most common types of angular contact ball bearings are single and double-row models. Both single and double-row models are suitable for high axial and radial loads. The angular contact angle and the positions of the inner and outer rings determine the bearings' combined load bearing capacity. As the contact angle increases, the bearings' load bearing capacity increases.

Radial ball bearings

There are two basic types of ball bearings: radial and thrust. The type of load being transferred will determine which type of bearing will work best. Radial ball bearings are generally used for static loads, while thrust ball bearings are used for dynamic loads. Each type of ball bearing has a different configuration, but the main difference is in the shape of the rolling elements. Radial ball bearings have small, ball-shaped elements that concentrate the force onto a limited number of points. Consequently, they are able to operate at high speeds.

Thrust ball bearings consist of two ring structures. The outer ring is a single ring, while the inner ring is a separate ring. The inner ring is made of hardened steel, while the outer ring is made of unhardened steel. Thrust ball bearings are also made of two rings of equal size and support axial loads.

Cylindrical thrust roller bearings

Cylindrical thrust roller bearings have similar basic components to other roller bearings. They contain a cage, rollers, and rings with different radial speeds. They are useful in applications where they need to sustain axial loads. They are inexpensive and have high carrying capacities, but are prone to wear due to differences in radial speeds.

Cylindrical thrust roller bearings are generally designed to accommodate high axial and impact loads without excessive radial loads. Cylindrical thrust roller bearings are also very stiff, and thus require minimal axial space.

Permanent magnet thrust bearings

Permanent magnet thrust bearings are a class of thrust bearings that feature unique magnetic patterns and designs. They can be customized to suit the application by varying the number of magnetic layers, axial magnet sizes, and the gap between the axial magnets. These bearings can also be rotatable relative to one another.

Researchers have developed an analytical model to determine the force and stiffness of a PM thrust bearing. They have validated this solution through experimental experiments. They have also designed and fabricated a prototype PM thrust bearing.