Systems and methods for preloading a bearing

{
  "publication_number": "US10184519B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Systems and methods for preloading a bearing",
  "abstract": "A tool for use in preloading a bearing includes a plurality of arms pivotable relative to each other and a pin extending from each arm of a plurality of arms. The pin is configured to engage an opening of a plurality of openings in a retaining ring. A resilient member biases the plurality of arms away from each other. A first arm of the plurality of arms includes a cavity. A second arm of the plurality of arms is received in the cavity such that an extending portion of the second arm extends outside the cavity and the second arm is moveable in the cavity.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A tool for deforming a retaining ring for use in preloading a bearing, comprising: a plurality of arms pivotable relative to each other; a first arm of said plurality of arms comprising a first pin extending therefrom configured to be received in a first opening of a plurality of openings in a retaining ring; a second arm of said plurality of arms comprising a second pin extending therefrom configured to be received in a second opening of said plurality of openings in the retaining ring; a resilient member biasing said plurality of arms away from each other; said first arm of said plurality of arms comprising a cavity; said second arm of said plurality of arms received in said cavity such that an extending portion of said second arm extends outside said cavity in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal dimension of said cavity; and a first end of said second arm pivotally connected to said first arm about a pivot pin at a first end of said cavity; said second arm comprising an inner surface closest to a top surface of said first arm and a second curved outermost surface furthest from said first arm such that a user's hand may grip said second curved outermost surface; said inner surface having a first contacting surface contacting said top surface when said first pin and said second pin are furthest from each other and said inner surface having a second contacting surface contacting said top surface when said first pin and said second pin are closest to each other; said first contacting surface located in said cavity between said pivot pin and said top surface, and said first contacting surface extending longitudinally relative to said longitudinal dimension of said cavity from said pivot pin toward said first end of said cavity; said second contacting surface located in said cavity between said pivot pin and said top surface, and said second contacting surface extending longitudinally relative to said longitudinal dimension of said cavity from said pivot pin toward a second end of said cavity longitudinally opposite said first end of said cavity and toward said resilient member; said second arm extending from said first end of said cavity within said cavity to said second end of said cavity, said second pin of said second arm extending out of an opening of said cavity at an end of said first arm.",
    "2. The tool of claim 1 wherein said pivot pin is located at opposite ends of said first arm and said second arm relative to said second pin and said first pin, said pivot pin located in said cavity.",
    "3. The tool of claim 1 wherein said cavity is bounded by inner surfaces of said first arm.",
    "4. The tool of claim 1 wherein said top surface of said first arm and said second contacting surface of said second arm continuously contact each other from a longitudinal position of said pivot pin relative to a longitudinal dimension of said first arm to a second end of said first arm.",
    "5. The tool of claim 1 wherein said resilient member is located in said cavity and is located longitudinally away from said pivot pin relative to a longitudinal dimension of said first arm.",
    "6. The tool of claim 5 further comprising an entirely open space bounded by said top surface of said first arm, said inner surface of said second arm, said resilient member and said second end of said cavity.",
    "7. The tool of claim 5 wherein said first arm is unconnected to said second arm between said resilient member and said second end of said cavity.",
    "8. The tool of claim 1 wherein said second curved outermost surface comprises a second arched outer surface extending from said first end of said second arm to a second end of said second arm.",
    "9. The tool of claim 8 wherein said first arm comprises a first arched outer surface extending from a first end of said first arm to a second end of said first arm, said first arched outer surface having a smaller arc than said second arched outer surface.",
    "10. The tool of claim 9 wherein said first arched outer surface and said second arched outer surface allow a user to contact hands of the user with said first arched outer surface and said second arched outer surface to squeeze said first arm and said second arm toward each other."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates, generally, to methods and apparatus for preloading antifriction bearings in drive trains, particularly, to preloading and adjusting bearings while monitoring the preload being applied.\n\nVarious means have been devised to simplify the adjustment of axle bearings, specifically, truck axle bearings. It is generally accepted that in some bearing installations, for example, axle bearings, the life of the bearing will be optimized if the adjustment is made for a slight axial compressive deflection, for example, about 0.003 inches (where this amount is the compressive deflection of the two bearings combined), which is often referred to as “a three thousandths preload.” Typical prior art methods of creating these preloads are obtained by applying specified torques to the bearing assembly, for example, by tightening the nut that retains the bearings. However, for several reasons, it is typically extremely difficult to achieve such preload settings under actual in-field conditions, such as in a mechanic shop. For example, the assembly of a heavy truck wheel onto a wheel hub assembly is a relatively cumbersome procedure that hinders the mechanic. Moreover, the wheel hub assembly always includes at least one inner seal, usually a lip type of seal, which can impose a resistive drag torque component to the preload torque, particularly when the seal is new.\n\nLock nut systems are often utilized to retain a wheel or hub assembly, including axle bearings, on a shaft. Such lock nut systems may be connected to a shaft and inhibit rotation of a retaining nut relative to such shafts.",
  "cpc": [
    "F16C 25/083",
    "B25B 27/205",
    "B60B 2320/10",
    "B60B 27/0078",
    "B60B 2900/115",
    "B60B 31/00",
    "F16C 19/364",
    "F16C 19/548",
    "F16C 2229/00",
    "F16C 2326/02",
    "F16C 25/06"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B25B 27/20",
    "B60B 27/00",
    "B60B 31/00",
    "F16C 19/36",
    "F16C 19/54",
    "F16C 25/06",
    "F16C 25/08"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Temper Axle Prodcuts Corp"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "John E. Rode",
    "Sean E. Strait"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2017-01-26",
  "publication_date": "2019-01-22",
  "grant_date": "2019-01-22",
  "priority_date": "2006-01-27",
  "application_number": "US-201715416683-A",
  "family_id": "58360380",
  "cited_by_count": 4,
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