Introduction
Spherical roller bearings are a type of rolling-element bearing that has an inner and outer ring with spherical raceways. Spherical rollers between them guide the load. The two raceway surfaces concave and convex, when a load is applied, the rollers roll along the surfaces and rollers move towards the bigger radius reacing the shape of the inner and outer rings, that is why is also called self-aligning bearing.
The biggest advantage compared with conventional bearings is the higher load capacity for a given bore and outside diameter due to the convex shaped raceways which allow the bearing to carry more load. Another advantage of this bearing is that the thrust forces can be equally distributed by the spherical rollers with a greater load carrying capacity.
Structure
Spherical roller bearings consist of an inner ring, an outer ring, a set of double row rolling elements and special cage. They often have a tapered base for easy installation in the housing. Spherical roller bearings come in a variety of sizes and types to meet different applications.
A standard spherical roller bearing consists of two rings of different diameter mounted on the same shaft. The inner ring has a tapered bore that accommodates the rollers while the outer ring has a spherical convex surface. Between the two, a set of double row of spherical rollers is housed within a special cage created specifically to prevent any damage to the roller or cage.
Applications
Spherical roller bearings are ideal for heavy shock loads and difficult environmental conditions such as dirty or wet equipment, extreme temperatures, and high temperatures. They are also used in conveyors, mixers, agitators, and in welding machines.
Most often, they are used in two-bearing application designs in order to absorb misalignment.They are commonly used in agricultural machinery and heavy-duty construction machinery, metalworking machinery, compressors, and papermaking machinery.
Benefits
Spherical roller bearings are an ideal option for any application where high loads and misalignment may be present. They provide high load capacities in a relatively small envelope and can easily be assembled into a unit.
Spherical roller bearings are capable of carrying radial and axial loads and can accommodate moderate to high speeds. They can also be used in applications that require frequent re-lubrication due to the fact that they are self-aligning, meaning they do not require precise shaft alignment to work properly.
Conclusion
Spherical roller bearings are a great option for those looking for high load capacity, misalignment and high speed capabilities. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes and can be easily assembled into a unit. The benefits of using spherical roller bearings outweigh the cost, making them an ideal solution for high load applications.
