2. Types of Self Aligning Bearings
(1)Self Aligning Ball Bearings Self-aligning ball bearings’ structure has double rows of balls. The biggest advantage of this type of bearing is self-adjusting. Self-aligning ball bearings are designed to withstand radial loads and a few axial loads. They are widely used in equipment that needs to withstand large radial loads, such as industrial machinery, agricultural machinery, transportation equipment, etc. The self-adjusting ability allows the self-aligning ball bearing to operate normally even when it is not fully aligned during installation or when the working environment changes.
(2)Spherical Roller Bearings Spherical roller bearings have double-row rollers. The biggest characteristic of it is self-adjusting. Spherical roller bearings can effectively bear radial loads and a few axial loads.While misaligned installation or uneven bearing force, the spherical roller bearings can automatically adjust displacements. The spherical roller bearings' self-adjusting function is good at maintaining high operating stability. Therefore, spherical roller bearings are widely used in equipment that needs to withstand large loads & axial errors, such as industrial machinery, agricultural machinery, transportation equipment, and other occasions.
3. Self Aligning Bearings Characteristics
(1)Automatic self-aligning ability: Because the raceway of the outer ring is spherical structure, the bearing can be automatically adjusted within a certain angle to compensate for shaft deflection or installation error, reduce additional stress and improve the stability of operation.
(2)Various structural forms: Self-aligning bearings are mainly divided into self-aligning ball bearings and self-aligning roller bearings. Spherical ball bearings are suitable for medium loads and high speeds, while spherical roller bearings can withstand large radial loads and certain axial loads, and are suitable for heavy-duty applications.
(3)Strong load carrying capacity: Spherical roller bearings adopt symmetrical roller design, larger rolling body and wide contact area, so their load carrying capacity is much higher than that of self-aligning ball bearings, which is especially suitable for high load conditions.
(4)Good impact resistance: Due to the reasonable structure design, self-aligning bearings can effectively disperse the impact load, in the vibration and heavy load environment can still maintain good running performance.
(5)Low friction coefficient: Due to the reasonable contact design between rolling elements and raceways, self-aligning bearings have low friction during operation, high operating efficiency and reduced energy consumption.
4. Self Aligning Bearings Application
Self-aligning bearings are widely used in industrial applications where the shaft deviation needs to be compensated due to their self-adjusting nature and high load-carrying capacity. Here are the major applications:
(1)Heavy machinery: For example mining machinery, metallurgical machinery, construction machinery, etc, and self-aligning bearings can work smoothly under adverse conditions.
(2)Textile and paper industry: Shafts of textile and paper machinery may get a little misaligned or bent during operation and self-aligning bearings can automatically compensate for these irregularities to ensure smooth operation of the equipment and improve production efficiency.
(3)Agricultural equipment: As agricultural equipment are working in complex outdoor environments, use of self-aligning bearings can give a long life to the equipment.
(4)Conveyor Equipment: Material conveyor shafts, belt conveyors and other equipment can get misaligned after a long time of use. Use of self-aligning bearings can reduce friction and increase the life of the equipment.
(5)Ship and railroad industry: As the mechanical parts of trains and ships have to withstand compounded working conditions along with vibrations, self-aligning bearings are used in axles, transmissions and other critical parts so that consistent performance can be maintained.
