High Performance Thrust Washer Bearings for Drive Train Applications Using Celadyne™ Bearing Grade Plastics

Automatic transmissions, torque converters, and air conditioner compressors are a few of the applications which require low profile thrust bearings such as thrust washers and needle roller bearings. The size and weight limitations of these automotive components must be reduced to fit in small envelopes. Limited space is only one of the design obstacles facing today's design engineer. Overcoming the performance limitations of needle roller thrust bearings and of current thrust washer designs is another. A recent development in the design of fluid film thrust washers addresses these limitations and provides certain advantages over needle rollers and conventional thrust washers.