High Fatigue Life Bearings and Bushings

Existing bearing technology has not kept up with improved permanent fasteners that are interference fit installed to improve in-service fatigue life. Bearing net-fit service life problems are, elevated temperature and loss of lubrication, causing rolling contact fatigue and RPM noise, bearing migration, high stress amplitude and fretting fatigue lug failure. The high fatigue bearing is manufactured with a predetermined radial looseness of the outer race. This bearing, when installed into existing hole sizes, the press-fit must exceed the elastic range into the compressive plastic zone of the outer race. Only in the compressive plastic zone is the diameter of the outer race stabilized to maintain radial bearing clearances and fabrication tolerances. This bearing concept may be used on ball, roller and spherical bearings and bushings. It is not intended to replace all existing bearings.

Aircraft and helicopter structural failures are many, this is the area of concern for aircraft safety, cost and weight problems.