Geometric Effects on the Rib-Roller Contact in Tapered Roller Bearings

Modern industrial machinery is making increasing use of tapered roller bearings for shaft support systems. Tapered roller bearings combine the high radial load capacity of cylindrical roller bearings with the ability of ball bearings to accommodate thrust loading. This is accomplished, however, at the expense of increased geometric and kinematic complexity, with resultant stringent demands on manufacturing tolerance control. With industrial machinery being operated at ever increasing speeds to improve productivity and while manufacturing costs are increasing at a comparable rate, a balance must be effected between performance and geometry control in order to produce cost effective bearings. This paper concerns itself with the effects on bearing performance of certain design features, of tolerance control in manufacturing, and of wear under poor lubricating conditions for a specific point in tapered roller bearings. Presented as an American Society of Lubrication Engineers paper at the ASLE/ASME Lubricatio...