The assembly of balls and races forms a section of a sphere within a steel casing. The inside of this casing is ground spherically to the same radius as the spherical seats, thus permitting the assembled bearing parts to adjust themselves to any shaft deflection.
This type of double thrust bearing is so designed that the central rotating disc, two rows of balls, and the aligning seats are combined in a single unit within the casting.
The unit construction of this type of bearing insures ease in mounting, and eliminates much costly machine work usually encountered in setting double thrust bearings, and renders the bearing practically dirt, dust and fool-proof. If it becomes necessary to disassemble the machine upon which these bearings are mounted, the user has every assurance that the shafts can be relocated precisely in its original position, with the minimum of time, labor and expense. This type of bearing is also entirely free from adjustment, loose parts, costly machine work, and the possible abuse at the hands of inexperienced workman are entirely done away with.
Fig. 144. Double Row Thrust Bearing
Fig. 145. End Thrust Bearing
[Fig. 145] shows a thrust bearing designed to carry the load in one direction, along the shaft, and consists of two hardened steel discs provided with grooved ball-races, and a single row of balls held in position between the races by means of a suitable retainer.
Cleaning Bearings.—To clean bearings, use gasoline, kerosene, or a weak solution of baking soda and soft water. Place the cleaning fluid in a shallow receptacle, take a piece of wire and bend a hook on the end, place the hook through the center of the bearing and rinse up and down in the fluid, spinning it with the hand occasionally. If some of the grease has dried or baked on the roll or roller guide or retainer and refuses to be dislodged by this method, lay the bearing flat and scrub with a brush which has been dipped into the cleaning fluid.