Patent attributes
According to one aspect of the present invention, a preloaded hybrid duplex bearing assembly is disclosed. A hybrid duplex ball bearing assembly includes a forward bearing, an aft bearing, and a preload spring, the preload spring disposed adjacent the aft bearing and configured to apply an axial force to push the aft bearing toward the forward bearing, where the forward bearing and aft bearing share an inner race. The forward bearing and the aft bearing are angular contact bearings each including a contact angle, and the contact angles of the forward bearing and the aft bearing converge at a point within the bearing assembly. In one embodiment, the aft bearing is not radially loaded and carries only the axial force of the preload spring. In at least one embodiment, the forward bearing forms a radial clearance fit with the aft bearing such that the aft bearing carries no radial load.
