A bearing unit having a radially outer ring which is stationary, a radially inner ring, rotatable around a central rotation axis (X) of the bearing unit, provided, in an end portion thereof, with at least two segments of circular sectors separated by at least two grooves, a row of rolling elements interposed between the radially outer ring and the radially inner ring, and a collar for clamping the radially inner ring on to a shaft; each circular sector segment is provided with a lip having a thickness (s) and a step having a thickness (s+s1), wherein the thickness (s+s1) of the step is greater than the thickness (s) of the lip.

A connecting rod comprises a shaft connecting a first end including a first bore with a second end including a second bore. Methods for forming and assembling a connecting rod and crankshaft assembly include fabricating the second end of the connecting rod via additive manufacturing such that the second end comprises a first and second weakened regions on opposing sides of the second bore, and breaking the second end of the connecting rod at the first and second weakened regions to form a connecting rod assembly comprising a second end base and a second end cap, wherein the base comprises a first fracture face and a second fracture face which each respectively correspond to a first fracture face and a second fracture face of the cap. The methods can further include mating the base and the cap such that a crankpin of a crankshaft is disposed within the second bore.

A hydrodynamic bearing in the form of a flex pad bearing includes configurations structured to change a bearing characteristic. One form of the bearing includes a nonlinear back wall that includes a circular arc and a transition, where the back wall extends radially outward of a ligament. The bearing can include an opening for the deposit of a weighted mass, wherein the opening can threadingly receive a threaded weighted mass. In one form a sidewall that includes the back wall segment can have an average outer radius which determines a thickness of the flex pads. A ratio of the pad between the thickness and diameter of a central passage can be set to achieve the change in bearing characteristic.

A sliding member includes a resin layer that slides with a mating member. The resin layer contains polytetrafluoroethylene and an additive. The resin layer includes a plurality of rich regions formed in a thickness direction of the resin layer, the rich regions having a higher concentration of the polytetrafluoroethylene than other regions.

A half thrust bearing for a crankshaft includes a back metal layer defining a first surface and a second surface, and a bearing alloy layer on the first surface to form a slide surface, and thrust relieves formed adjacent to both circumferential end surfaces and having a thrust relief surface consisting of the bearing alloy layer. Each circumferential end surface of the back metal layer includes an exposed end surface adjacent to the second surface, and a transition surface adjacent to the first surface. The bearing alloy layer further includes an extension portion covering the transition surface and having extension end surface adjacent to the exposed end surface, the extension end surface and the exposed end surface extending at least partly in the same plane.

A bearing cage assembly is disclosed herein that includes a first cage half formed as a plastic cage and a second cage half formed as a metal shell. The first cage half includes a first base rim and a first plurality of arms extending axially from the first base rim. The second cage half includes a second base rim and a second plurality of arms extending axially from the second base rim. The second plurality of arms are each formed by a first flange and a second flange. The first flange and the second flange are spaced apart from each other in a radial direction to define a receptacle dimensioned to receive a respective one of the first plurality of arms. Free ends of the first flange and the second flange are crimped over to retain the first cage half with the second cage half.

A bearing cage assembly is disclosed herein that includes a first cage half formed as a plastic cage and a second cage half formed as a metal shell. The first cage half includes a first base rim and a first plurality of arms extending axially from the first base rim. The second cage half includes a second base rim and a second plurality of arms extending axially from the second base rim. The second plurality of arms are each formed by a first flange and a second flange. The first flange and the second flange are spaced apart from each other in a radial direction to define a receptacle dimensioned to receive a respective one of the first plurality of arms. Free ends of the first flange and the second flange are crimped over to retain the first cage half with the second cage half.

A method of forming a bearing ring having improved hardness is disclosed herein. The method generally includes a duplex hardening process in which the bearing ring is first subjected to a heat treatment. After the heat treatment process, the bearing ring undergoes a nitriding treatment in predetermined portions, including at least a raceway and a cage pilot surface.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to bearing assemblies configured to effectively provide heat dissipation for bearing elements, bearing apparatuses including such bearing assemblies, and methods of operating such bearing assemblies and apparatuses. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly includes a plurality of superhard bearing elements distributed about an axis. Each superhard bearing element of the plurality of superhard bearing elements has a superhard table including a superhard surface. The bearing assembly includes a support ring structure coupled to the plurality of superhard bearing elements. One or more of the superhard bearing elements includes a superhard table, which may improve heat transfer from such superhard bearing elements.

The method comprises depositing a coating of metal material on the inside surface of the body (4) of the stator (36), impregnating said coating with a self-lubricating composite material (20), machining internal cells (28) in the thickness of the coating (10), and machining orifices (34) leading into the cells.