Bearing Shapes
Bearing types are categorized by the shape of their inner and outer surfaces. Common types include cylindrical roller bearings, spherical roller bearings, tapered roller bearings, deep groove ball bearings, angular contact ball bearings and cylindrical roller thrust bearings.
Cylindrical Roller Bearings
The most popular form of roller bearings, cylindrical roller bearings, come with either a single or double row of rollers, depending on the application. The outer race of this bearing consists of two rings with a linear surface, while the inner race is generally a cylindrical barrel. These bearings are designed to handle large radial loads and operate at high speeds, making them suitable for as used in automotive, industrial, and medical applications.
Spherical Roller Bearings
Spherical roller bearings are very similar in design to cylindrical roller bearings, with the difference being that the inner and outer races are convex rather than linear. This greatly reduces friction, allowing them to be capable of handling higher radial loads with much lower maintenance needs. They can also handle high axial loads which makes them ideal for uses such as motors and compressors.
Tapered Roller Bearings
Tapered roller bearings are designed for applications where radial and axial loads need to be accommodated simultaneously. This is accomplished by the shape of the bearing rollers, which are conical rather than cylindrical. The inner and outer races both form a conical shape, allowing for a self-adjusting bearing assembly which can absorb high levels of gyroscopic force. This makes it perfect for use in cars and heavy machinery.
Deep Groove Ball Bearings
The most common type of bearing, deep groove ball bearings are composed of an inner race and outer race, with the former featuring an annular groove extending partially around its circumference. Two balls are then inserted between the races which are then centrally secured by a cage. This bearing type is known for its ability to handle both radial and axial loads and is commonly used in rotary motors, pumps and gearboxes.
Angular Contact Ball Bearings
Angular contact ball bearings are designed to be used in applications where there is a need to handle both radial and axial loads. This is accomplished by a special arrangement of the balls within the bearing, where the contact angle between the ball and the race increases as the distance from the center of the bearing increases. This allows for better distribution of the loads which makes these bearings well-suited for use in large industrial applications.
Cylindrical Roller Thrust Bearings
Cylindrical roller thrust bearings are designed for applications where there is a need for both radial and axial loads to be handled simultaneously. The rollers are placed in an angled arrangement along the diameter of the bearing which allows them to handle higher levels of axial load. They are mainly used in shafts and other rotary applications.
