Bearing retention method and apparatus

{
  "publication_number": "US9695876B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Bearing retention method and apparatus",
  "abstract": "A method of assembling a bearing assembly includes fitting a first ring onto a first end of a gear shaft. A second ring is fed into a slot in the first ring. The second ring is driven through the slot in the first ring. The second ring is positioned within the first ring. The second ring is positioned about the gear shaft such that a first end and a second end of the second ring are covered by a solid portion of the first ring.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A method of assembling a bearing assembly, the method comprising: fitting a first ring onto a first end of a gear shaft; feeding a second ring into a slot in the first ring; driving the second ring through the slot in the first ring; positioning the second ring within the first ring; positioning the second ring in between a first circumferential groove along an inner surface of the first ring and a second circumferential groove along an outer surface of the gear shaft; and rotating the second ring about the gear shaft such that a first end and a second end of the second ring are covered by a solid portion of the first ring.",
    "2. The method of claim 1, wherein rotating the second ring about the gear shaft further includes pulling the second ring by either a first hole located in the first end of the second ring or a second hole located in the second end of the second ring.",
    "3. The method of claim 1, wherein fitting a first ring onto a first end of a gear shaft further includes positioning the first ring adjacent to a bearing stack.",
    "4. The method of claim 1, wherein fitting a first ring onto a first end of a gear shaft further includes press-fitting the first ring onto the gear shaft.",
    "5. The method of claim 1 further including connecting the bearing assembly to an accessory gearbox of an aircraft engine.",
    "6. The method of claim 1 further including operating the gear shaft between 0 and 12,000 rpm.",
    "7. The method of claim 1 further including operating the bearing assembly in an environment with a temperature of less than or equal to 300 degrees Celsius.",
    "8. A method of assembling a bearing assembly, the method comprising: fitting a first ring onto a first end of a gear shaft, wherein fitting a first ring onto a first end of a gear shaft further includes positioning the first ring adjacent to a bearing stack and press-fitting the first ring onto the gear shaft; feeding a second ring into a slot in the first ring; driving the second ring through the slot in the first ring; positioning the second ring within the first ring; positioning the second ring in between a first circumferential groove along an inner surface of the first ring and a second circumferential groove along an outer surface of the gear shaft; and rotating the second ring about the gear shaft such that a first end and a second end of the second ring are covered by a solid portion of the first ring, wherein rotating the second ring further includes pulling the second ring by either a first hole located in the first end of the second ring or a second hole located in the second end of the second ring.",
    "9. The method of claim 8 further including connecting the bearing assembly to an accessory gearbox of an aircraft engine.",
    "10. The method of claim 8 further including operating the gear shaft between 0 and 12,000 rpm.",
    "11. The method of claim 8 further including operating the bearing assembly in an environment with a temperature less than or equal to 300 degrees Celsius."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present disclosure is directed generally to a retention method, and more specifically, to a retention method and apparatus for a bearing assembly on a gear shaft.\n\nBearing retention often includes the use of threaded lock-nuts to secure bearings along a gear shaft. Threaded bearing retention features can require significant torque. The friction retention required with threaded retention features can also sustain critical failure during vibration or modal events during use of the assembly.\n\nA method of assembling a bearing assembly includes fitting a first ring onto a first end of a gear shaft. A second ring is fed into a slot in the first ring. The second ring is driven through the slot in the first ring. The second ring is positioned within the first ring. The second ring is rotated about the gear shaft such that a first end and a second end of the second ring are covered by a solid portion of the first ring.\n\nA method of assembling a bearing assembly includes fitting a first ring onto a first end of a gear shaft. The first ring is positioned adjacent to a bearing stack and is press-fit onto the gear shaft. A second ring is fed into a slot in the first ring. The second ring is driven through the slot in the first ring. The second ring is positioned within the first ring. The second ring is positioned in between a first circumferential groove along an inner surface of the first ring and a second circumferential groove along an outer surface of the gear shaft. The second ring is rotated about the gear shaft such that a first end and a second end of the second ring are covered by a solid portion of the first ring.",
  "cpc": [
    "F16C 35/063",
    "F16B 2200/69",
    "F16B 2200/71",
    "F16C 19/10",
    "F16C 19/54",
    "F16C 2300/02",
    "F16C 33/78",
    "F16C 33/7816",
    "F16C 35/06",
    "F16C 43/04",
    "G01T 1/2002",
    "Y10T 29/49696",
    "Y10T 29/49698",
    "Y10T 29/497",
    "Y10T 403/581",
    "Y10T 403/587"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "F16C 19/10",
    "F16C 35/063",
    "F16C 43/04"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Hamilton Sundstrand Corp"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Matthew Allen Slayter",
    "Jeff A. Brown"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2015-07-29",
  "publication_date": "2017-07-04",
  "grant_date": "2017-07-04",
  "priority_date": "2015-07-29",
  "application_number": "US-201514811874-A",
  "family_id": "56936625",
  "cited_by_count": 0,
  "citations": [
    "US1535739A",
    "US1899343A",
    "US3434761A",
    "US3648348A",
    "US3985458A",
    "US3884534A",
    "US4196945A",
    "US4229054A",
    "US4498874A",
    "US4415280A",
    "US4415281A",
    "US4699523A",
    "US4522515A",
    "US4602876A",
    "US5228785A",
    "US6626581B2",
    "US6902325B1",
    "US20100143065A1",
    "EP2559907A1",
    "US8783952B1",
    "US20140369784A1"
  ]
}