US Patent 11982313 Spherical plain bearing with lubrication features

A spherical plain bearing includes an outer ring and an inner ring that are each coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the bearing. The outer ring has a first axial outer ring end, a second axial outer ring end, and an interior spherical concave bearing surface extending therebetween. The inner ring has a first axial inner ring end, a second axial inner ring end, and an interior cylindrical bearing surface defining a bore and an exterior spherical convex bearing surface extending therebetween. The exterior spherical convex bearing surface is in interfacial sliding engagement with the interior spherical concave bearing surface. A plurality of circumferential lubrication grooves and one or more curved lubrication channels are in the exterior spherical convex bearing surface. The curved lubrication channels are positioned to intersect each of the circumferential lubrication grooves. A plurality of profiled annular lubrication grooves circumferentially extend into the interior cylindrical bearing surface.