What is a Bearing?

Component used to reduce friction between

rotating parts in a machine.
Types of bearings:
Plain bearing
Ball bearing
Angular ball bearing
Roller bearing
 Plain bearings are the simplest
Cylindrical sleeve used to support a rotating
shaft
Shaft slides on the surface of the plain
bearing
Film of lubricant forms between shaft and
plain bearing while shaft rotates
 3 types of Plain bearings
Sleeve Bearing

Flange Sleeve Bearing

Thrust Plain Bearing

 Bearing choice dependent upon the load.
2 types of load
Radial Loads that are perpendicular to the shaft
Axial loads that are parallel to the shaft
 Bearing Choice:
Sleeve Bearing - Radial Loads
Thrust Bearing - Axial Loads
Flange Sleeve Bearing - Combination of both
Lubrication is key
Lubricate through a hole on the outside of the
sleeve bearing
Permanent lubrication from porous metal
impregnated with oil.
Sometimes grooves machined on the sleeves to
provide lubricant path.
 Ball Bearings
Type of Antifriction Bearing
Friction reduced due to rolling motion rather than
sliding motion in plain bearings

* Balls roll on a
raceway (Not
shown at left)
 5 types of Ball Bearings
Radial Open
Open to the environment
Radial Shielded
Protected from the environment
Radial Sealed
Seal retains lubricant
Prevents relubrication
 Angular Ball Bearing
Same principle as radial
Shoulders designed for a combined
radial and axial loads.
Most common in pumps/compressors
Thrust Ball Bearing
2 flat washers and a cage
Balls positioned between the washers
Axial load applications
 Roller Bearings
Another type of Antifriction Bearing
Friction reduced due to rolling motion rather than
sliding motion in plain bearings
Use rollers instead of balls
Rollers have greater contact area than balls
Higher load capacity than ball bearings of same size
More contact area more friction
Used for heavy duty moderate speed application
Car axles common use
 3 types of Roller Bearings
Tapered Roller Bearing
Inner & outer cones (rings), rollers,
cage
Rings can separate to assist assembly
High radial and axial loads
Radial Needle Bearings
Support high load in limited space
No raceway
Rollers make direct contact with
the shaft.
 Thrust Needle Bearing
Perform same as thrust ball
bearings.
Capable of higher loads
 Gaskets & Seals
Used to prevent leaks and contamination
2 categories
Static seals
Dynamic seals
Static Seals
Gaskets - Used when there is no movement between
the mating surfaces
Dynamic Seals
Mechanical Seals used to seal moving surfaces
 Gaskets
Prevent fluid leakage
Block out dirt and contaminants
Deform under pressure to seal
small irregular surfaces
Material cork, metals, fibers,
Teflon, rubber.
Material choice depends on pressure, temperature
and chemical properties of the medium
Identified by the thickness of the material in
fraction of an inch.
 O-Rings
Prevent fluid leakage between
mating parts
Operation O-Ring deforms when
it is subject to a squeeze between
2 surfaces
Flattens whens comes in contact with the surfaces
to be sealed
Excessive squeeze wears
O-Ring out too quickly
Insufficient squeeze leakage
Buna-N, Teflon, Silicone,
ethylene propylene,
polyurethane
 Mechanical Seals
Used in pumps to prevent leakage
Prevents fluid from leaking from
the fluid side to dry side
4 components
Holder
Spring
Seal Head
Seat
Dynamic seal
Seals by the rotation of the seal head
on the seat
Flat faces held together by the spring and fluid pressure