Patent 7938583 was granted and assigned to NTN Corporation on May, 2011 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
A rolling bearing made of stainless steel for use in conditions where hydrofluoric acid or fluorine grease is present can prevent boundary lubrication due to the invasion of metal corrosion powder into rolling surface of the bearing, and thus prevent the rapid advance of internal wear. The rolling bearing is highly durable and has a long life even if used in metal corrosive environments. A deep-groove rolling bearing includes bearing rings (inner ring and outer ring), rolling elements, and a retainer all made of stainless steel, and solidified lubricating oil sealed in the rolling bearing. The solidified lubricating oil is made by heat curing a mixture of lubricating oil or grease containing perfluoropolyether and a thermoplastic resin. Contact seals made of fluorine rubber seal the solidified lubricating oil. Even if metal abrasion powder is produced by effect of perfluoropolyether or hydrofluoric acid, it will be held embedded in the solidified lubricating oil, so that abnormal wear will not occur.