Tapered Roller Bearing Dimensions

Tapered roller bearings are a type of rolling element bearing that can support axial loads and radial forces. They are used in many applications that have a combination of thrust and radial forces such as transmission shafts, wheel hubs, pinions, gear boxes and other heavy-duty machines.

The main components of a tapered roller bearing are the cone (inner ring), the cup (outer ring), the rollers and the cage. In a single-row tapered roller bearing, the rollers are spaced from one another to accommodate a combined radial and axial load.

A tapered roller bearing has a conical geometry that creates a linear contact patch that allows for greater load carrying capacity than spherical or ball bearings with point contact, which have lower radial capacity. The cones are angled so that they meet at a common point and the corresponding raceways that interface with the rollers are also angled. This design ensures that the roller axes do not slide and the rolling elements are held in place by the cage.

There are different types of tapered roller bearings with various numbers of rows of rollers. The most common type of tapered roller bearing has two rows of rollers, but four-row assemblies are available for high-load applications that have multiple radial and axial loading scenarios.

Some tapered roller bearings have a single row of rollers that are placed right next to each other. These types of bearings are referred to as tandem or back-to-back bearings, depending on how they are mounted.

The tapered rollers in these bearings are angled so that they can be rotated without sliding. This provides a symmetrical rollover effect, which reduces friction and extends the life of the bearing.

Tapered roller bearings are made from a variety of materials, including stainless steel, aluminum and polyamide. Some are machined from high-carbon chrome steel with through-hardened heat treatment to provide consistent hardness throughout the component. Others are forged to give a tough core.

In addition, some tapered roller bearings are available in different diameter sizes to meet a wide range of requirements. Sizes range from a minimum of 0.02 inch to a maximum of 1.55 inches.

These are often used in heavy-duty commercial trucking applications. They are also commonly found in agricultural, construction and mining equipment.

There are several types of lubrication options for tapered roller bearings. They can be lubricated with grease from the outside, but can also be lubricated with oil or other oils that are applied through the sides of the bearing.

A number of tests can be performed on tapered roller bearings to determine the durability and corrosion resistance. These include the ASTM D 1743 and ASTM D 5969 testing procedures.

Using tapered roller bearings in these tests can help manufacturers meet their inspection and maintenance requirements. Some of the tests include:

Tapered roller bearings are commonly used in moderate-to-heavy-duty applications with multi-directional loading such as gearboxes, differentials, wheel hubs, and railroad axles. These products can handle a wide variety of directional loads and are durable, reliable, and capable of supporting hundreds of thousands of miles of operation.