A continuously variable transmission having a continuously variable transmission mechanism including an input member, an output member, and a rotary member sandwiched therebetween, transmitting torque between the input member and the output member by means of frictional forces generated by pushing the input member and the output member against the rotary member, and continuously varying a transmission gear ratio between the input member and the output member, an axial force generating portion which rotates in one direction to generate a first axial force for pushing one of the input member and the output member toward the other and rotates in the other direction to generate a second axial force opposite to the first force, and an opposite axial force transmitting portion for transmitting the second force to the other of the input member and the output member when the axial force generating portion generates the second force.

A continuously variable transmission includes a continuously variable transmission mechanism that includes an input disk, an output disk, and planetary balls sandwiched between them and that steplessly changes a transmission ratio between the input disk and the output disk by tilting the planetary balls, wherein cooling performance of a cooling device for the continuously variable transmission mechanism is enhanced as the transmission ratio becomes larger than 1 or smaller than 1.

Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously and infinitely variable transmissions (IVT). In one embodiment, a variator is adapted to receive a control system that cooperates with a shift nut to actuate a ratio change in an IVT. In another embodiment, a neutral lock-out mechanism is adapted to cooperate with the variator to, among other things, disengage an output shaft from a variator. Various inventive mechanical couplings, such as an output engagement mechanism, are provided to facilitate a change in the ratio of an IVT for maintaining a powered zero operating condition. In one embodiment, the output engagement mechanism selectively couples an output member of the variator to a ratio adjuster of the variator. Embodiments of a ratio adjuster cooperate with other components of the IVT to support operation and/or functionality of the IVT. Among other things, user control interfaces for an IVT are disclosed.

A system and method for controlling the endload force of a variator includes reducing a net force applied to a variator input disc of the variator. The variator includes an endload chamber, a subtraction chamber, and a valve fluidly coupled between the endload chamber and the subtraction chamber. Each of the endload chamber and the subtraction chamber applies an opposing force to the variator input disc. The valve is activateable to reduce the net force applied to the variator input disc. The valve may be activated based on the variator ratio, the position of the variator roller, and/or other parameters of the variator or operation thereof.

An infinitely variable transmission is provided. The transmission includes an input assembly that is coupled to receive input rotational motion and an output assembly that is rotationally coupled to a load. An input/output planetary ratio assembly sets an input to output speed ratio. The input/output planetary ratio assembly has a first stator and a second stator. An input speed feedback control assembly is operationally attached to the input assembly. The input speed feedback control assembly includes a spider that is coupled to one of the first stator and the second stator. A movable member is operationally engaged with the spider with at least one shift weight. The moveable member is further operationally coupled to the other of the first stator and second stator. Moreover a torque feedback control assembly applies an axial load force in response to a torque of a load to the input speed control assembly.

A system for selecting shift schedules of a transmission of a vehicle includes a controller configured to receive a signal indicative of acceleration of the vehicle prior to a change of a gear of the transmission. The controller is further configured to estimate tractive effort of the vehicle following the change of the gear of the transmission, the tractive effort estimation being based on at least an estimation of a road load on the vehicle. The controller is further configured to select between a first shift schedule and a second shift schedule based on the tractive effort estimation, wherein, if the tractive effort estimation is less than a threshold value, the controller selects the first shift schedule, and if the tractive effort estimation is at least equal to the threshold value, the controller selects the second shift schedule.

A fast valve actuation system for an automatic vehicle transmission includes a pair of spring-biased shift valves. Solenoids control the application of pressurized hydraulic fluid to the head of each of the shift valves. Each shift valve has at least one port that is coupled to a fluid chamber of a torque transferring mechanism of an automatic transmission. The position of each of the shift valves determines whether its ports are connected with fluid pressure. Fluid passages connect the head of each shift valve to the spring pocket of the other shift valve.

Components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT) having a control system adapted to facilitate a change in the ratio of a CVT are provided. In one embodiment, a control system includes a stator plate configured to have a plurality of radially offset slots. Various traction planet assemblies and stator plates can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. In some embodiments, the traction planet assemblies include planet axles configured to cooperate with the stator plate. In one embodiment, the stator plate is configured to rotate and apply a skew condition to each of the planet axles. In some embodiments, a stator driver is operably coupled to the stator plate. Embodiments of a traction sun are adapted to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT.

A variator assembly for a transmission includes an input shaft, an input disc, an output disc, a roller, a trunnion, a piston, and a connection member. The input shaft defines an axis of rotation and the input disc is rotationally coupled to the input shaft and coaxial with the axis of rotation. The roller is disposed between the input disc and the output disc to provide a speed ratio between the input disc and the output disc. The trunnion is connected to the roller and includes a connecting feature. The piston defines a central bore. The connection member has a head portion, a shaft portion, and a connecting portion, where the connecting portion is connected to the connecting feature of the trunnion, the head portion abuts the piston, and the shaft portion is disposed in the central bore of the piston.

Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable accessory drives (CVAD). In one embodiment, a skew-based control system is adapted to facilitate a change in the ratio of a CVAD. In another embodiment, a skew-based control system includes a skew actuator coupled to a carrier member. In some embodiments, the skew actuator is configured to rotate a carrier member of a CVT. Various inventive traction planet assemblies can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. In some embodiments, the traction planet assemblies include legs configured to cooperate with the carrier members. In some embodiments, a traction planet assembly is operably coupled to the carrier members. Embodiments of a shift cam and traction sun are adapted to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces for a CVT are disclosed.

A toroidal continuously variable transmission of the present invention comprises: input side disks (1a, 1b) and output side disks (6) being supported concentric with each other such that the disks can rotate freely; a trunnion (9) that comprises end sections (36) on both ends on which tilt shafts (13) that are concentric with each other are provided, and a support beam section (15) that extends between both end sections (36), the trunnion (9) being capable of pivotally displacing around the tilt shafts (13); a thrust rolling bearing (17); and a power roller (8) that is supported to the inside surface of the trunnion (9) by way of the thrust rolling bearing (17) such that it rotates freely; wherein the support beam section (15) comprises an inside surface having a cylindrical convex surface (14); the thrust rolling bearing (17) comprises an outer race (18a) having an outside surface with a concave section (19a) that fits with the cylindrical convex surface (14) of the support beam section (15), and a plurality of rolling bodies (26) that are located between the power roller (8) and a track of an outer race (18a); and the concave section (19a) of the outer race (18a) has side surface sections (29) on both sides in the width direction, fits with the cylindrical convex surface (14) by the cylindrical convex surface (14) coming in contact with both side surface sections (29).

An unlocking controller is provided for an irreversible rotary transmission system having the irreversible rotary transmission system having an irreversible rotation transmission element arranged between an input shaft and an output shaft. The unlocking controller includes an input shaft rotation direction determination section and an unlocking torque setting section. The input shaft rotation direction determination section determines whether an input shaft rotational direction is the same as, or opposite to, a direction of the load torque of the output shaft. The unlocking torque setting section conducts an unlocking torque control that sets the unlocking torque a higher value when the input shaft rotational direction and the direction of the load torque of the output shaft are the same as while the lock is released, than when the input shaft rotational direction is opposite to the direction of the direction of the load torque of the output shaft.

Disclosed embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a CVT has a number of spherical planets in contact with an idler. Various idler assemblies can be used to facilitate to improve durability, fatigue life, and efficiency of a CVT. In one embodiment, the idler assembly has two rolling elements having contact surfaces that are angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the CVT. In some embodiments, a bearing is operably coupled between the first and second rolling elements. The bearing is configured to balance axial force between the first and second rolling elements. In one embodiment, the bearing is a ball bearing. In another embodiment, the bearing is an angular contact bearing. In yet other embodiments, needle roller bearings are employed.

Components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT) are provided. In one aspect, a control system is adapted to facilitate a change in the ratio of a CVT. A control system includes a control reference nut coupled to a feedback cam and operably coupled to a skew cam. In some cases, the skew cam is configured to interact with carrier plates of a CVT. Various inventive feedback cams and skew cams can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. In some transmissions described, the planet subassemblies include legs configured to cooperate with the carrier plates. In some cases, a neutralizer assembly is operably coupled to the carrier plates. A shift cam and a traction sun are adapted to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces for a CVT are provided.

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a main shaft configured to support and position various components of the CVT. Shift cam discs cooperate with ball-leg assemblies to shift the transmission ration of the CVT. Load cam discs, a torsion disc, rolling elements, and a hub cap shell are configured to generate axial force, transmit torque, and manage reaction forces. In one embodiment, a splined input shaft and a torsion disc having a splined bore cooperate to input torque into the variator of the CVT. Among other things, various ball axles, axle-ball combinations, and reaction force grounding configurations are disclosed. In one embodiment, a CVT having axial force generation means at both the input and output elements is disclosed.

A continuously variable transmission includes plural planetary balls, a carrier, a sun roller, an input shaft, an output shaft, and thrust bearings sandwiched between respective holding surfaces of the input shaft and the output shaft, wherein the holding surface at a time of rest is formed such that a space between the holding surface and a race on one side of the thrust bearing becomes wider on an outside in a radial direction than on an inside in the radial direction, and the holding surface at the time of rest is formed such that a space between the holding surface and a race on the other side of the thrust bearing becomes wider on the outside in the radial direction than on the inside in the radial direction.

Provided with first and second rotational members, a sun roller, a plurality of planetary balls sandwiched between the first and second rotational members, a support shaft of each of the planetary balls, a shaft, a carrier, an iris plate and a worm gear for tilting each of the planetary balls, and an input shaft and an output shaft individually fixed to the first and second rotational members, respectively, in which a movable amount of the sun roller relative to the carrier in an axis line direction is set to be smaller than the movable amount of the second rotational member relative to the carrier in the axis line direction when the input shaft is arranged so as to be relatively rotatable on an outer peripheral surface of the output shaft.

A method for reading a track of data may include positioning a read head at an initial position relative to the track of data and obtaining initial track signals, filtering the initial track signals, positioning the read head at an initial subsequent position relative to the track of data and obtaining initial subsequent track signals, and filtering the initial subsequent track signals. In an initial equalization, the filtered initial track signals and the filtered initial subsequent track signals are equalized to obtain equalized track signals. The read head is positioned at a further subsequent position relative to the track of data and further subsequent track signals are obtained The further subsequent track signals are filtered. In a subsequent equalization, previously obtained equalized track signals and the filtered further subsequent track signals are equalized. A storage device operating according to the method may have an equalizer in hardware or firmware.

Systems and methods are provided that may be implemented to provide a mechanical indicator to correlate magnetic disk drive IOP performance with features of mechanical and/or acoustic vibrational frequencies that are generated and captured or sensed outside of the disk drive itself. In one example, disk drive PES data may be collected concurrently with the capture of mechanical and/or acoustic vibrational data at different and progressive locations of vibration source, vibration path and vibration receiver in a disk drive operating environment, e.g., such as for disk drives installed within a server and/or storage chassis enclosure. In such case, PES threshold may be utilized to correlate performance of Drive IOP or drive servo-mechanical performance as a function of measured characteristics of vibration source/s that impart vibration to a disk drive.

In one embodiment, a system includes a robotic accessor for transporting media between multiple storage slots and one or more data storage drives; a controller for controlling the robotic accessor; a memory in communication with and/or integrated with the controller for storing information about the media and the storage slots, the information including data corresponding to a physical distribution of the media in the storage slots; and logic integrated with and/or executable by the controller, the logic being adapted to: position the robotic accessor at a computed optimal position during an idle period of the robotic accessor, the computed optimal position being based at least in part on the physical distribution of the media in the storage slots.

A hard disc assembly includes a box and a hard disc body slidably mounted to the box. The box comprises a driving unit and a pivoting pole. The hard disc body comprises a disc member and a magnetic arm. A magnetic head is located on the magnetic arm and contacts the disc member. The magnetic arm is connected to the pivoting pole of the driving unit. The driving unit is configured to move the magnetic arm on the disc member. The magnetic head is configured to access data in the disc member when the disc member rotates. The magnetic head remains in contact with the disc member when the disc member stops rotating.

A novel information storage device is disclosed and claimed. The information storage device includes a device housing with a generally rectangular bay to accommodate a disk drive. The generally rectangular bay includes a base portion and a plurality of side portions. The information storage device further includes a damping insert sheet disposed between the disk drive and the base portion. The damping insert sheet has a plurality of elastomeric cushions, for example with a cushion thickness in the range 0.5 mm to 10 mm, and a spanning sheet, for example having a sheet thickness in the range 0.02 mm to 0.35 mm. Each of the plurality of elastomeric cushions is attached to the spanning sheet. Each of the plurality of elastomeric cushions contacts and is compressed between the generally rectangular bay and the disk drive.

A magnetic recording tape according to one embodiment includes at least about eight data bands, wherein each data band is defined between a pair of adjacent servo tracks, each pair of adjacent servo tracks defining only a single data band therebetween. One of the servo tracks has data encoded therein, the data including data for encryption. A magnetic recording tape according to another embodiment includes a plurality of servo tracks, each servo track comprising a series of magnetically defined bars. An average height of the bars is less than about 50 microns. About eight to about twenty six data bands are present on the tape. A tape supply cartridge according to various embodiments has a magnetic recording tape as described herein.

A slider includes a substrate having a trailing edge, a leading edge opposite the trailing edge, and an air bearing surface connecting the trailing edge with the leading edge; a read/write transducer formed at the trailing edge; and a coat layer attached on the trailing edge and covering on the read/write transducer. The slider further includes a protection layer for shielding the read/write transducer thereby preventing the read/write transducer from damaging during a laser soldering process. The present invention can prevent the read/write transducer from damaging during the laser bonding process and, in turn improve the reading and writing performance of the slider. The invention also discloses an HGA and a disk drive unit.

A suspension includes a positive write trace and a negative write trace. The positive write trace is separated into at least two positive write trace sections located at two different layers respectively, and the negative write trace is separated into at least two negative write trace sections located at two different layers respectively. Each positive write trace section and each negative write trace section are alternately arranged along a longitudinal direction on two different layers, and the positive write trace sections at different layers are connected together via conductive crossovers, and the negative write trace sections are connected together via conductive crossovers. The present invention can obtain balanced propagation time in the stacked trace structure to reduce signal distortion, and obtain widened frequency bandwidth.

A dual-stack read sensor is utilized in a storage device having an actuator arm that positions the read sensor over a rotating storage medium. The dual-stacked read sensor includes a primary read sensor having a first set of read sensor characteristics and a secondary read sensor having a second set of read sensor characteristics that differ from the first set of read sensor characteristics, wherein the secondary read sensor is positioned relative to the primary read sensor to be radially offset from the primary read sensor relative to a data track being read.

A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) air-bearing slider has an optically-transparent protective film over the near-field transducer (NFT) to protect the NFT from excessive heat caused by the accumulation of carbonaceous material on the slider's overcoat. The NFT is thus separated from the overcoat by the protective film. The protective film does not cover the write pole end, which is covered only by the overcoat, so there is no spacing loss between the write pole end and the recording layer on the disk. In one embodiment the protective film is coplanar with the recording-layer-facing surface of the slider and the overcoat covers both the protective film and the write pole end. In another embodiment the overcoat has a window that surrounds the protective film, with the protective film being substantially coplanar with the air-bearing surface (ABS) of the slider. In both embodiments the smooth topography of the slider's ABS is maintained.

Various embodiments may be generally directed to a magnetic sensor constructed with a decoupling layer that has a predetermined first morphology. A magnetic free layer can be deposited contactingly adjacent to the decoupling layer with the magnetic free layer configured to have at least a first sub-layer having a predetermined second morphology.

A method for communication between computing devices includes identifying the parameters of a data transfer between a source computing device and a target computing device and identifying communication paths between a source computing device and target computing device, in which at least one of the communications paths is a physical network. A communication path is selected for the data transfer. When a data transfer over the physical network is selected as a communication path, a nonvolatile memory (NVM) unit is removed from the source computing device and placed in a cartridge and the cartridge is programmed with transfer information. The NVM unit and cartridge are transported through the physical network to the target computing device according to the transfer information and the NVM unit is electrically connected to the target computing device.

A TMR sensor that includes a free layer having at least one B-containing (BC) layer made of CoFeB, CoFeBM, CoB, COBM, or CoBLM, and a plurality of non-B containing (NBC) layers made of CoFe, CoFeM, or CoFeLM is disclosed where L and M are one of Ni, Ta, Ti, W, Zr, Hf, Tb, or Nb. One embodiment is represented by (NBC/BC)n where n≧2. A second embodiment is represented by (NBC/BC)n/NBC where n≧1. In every embodiment, a NBC layer contacts the tunnel barrier and NBC layers each with a thickness from 2 to 8 Angstroms are formed in alternating fashion with one or more BC layers each 10 to 80 Angstroms thick. Total free layer thickness is

A method and system provide a magnetic transducer having an air-bearing surface (ABS). The magnetic transducer includes a main pole and at least one coil for energizing the main pole. The coil(s) have a number of turns. The magnetic transducer also includes at least one shunt coupled to at least one of the number of turns. At least one remaining turn of the number of turns carries a current. The shunt(s) carry a portion of the current from the shunted turn of the number of turns. Thus, the coil(s) have an effective number of turns is less than the number of turns.

A magnetic recording medium including a substrate, and at least one magnetic layer formed on the substrate. The magnetic layer is formed from an alloy containing Cobalt, and Platinum (Pt). The magnetic layer is also formed from grain boundary segregation materials comprising Manganese Oxide and at least one of Silicon Oxide, Chromium Oxide, and Cobalt Oxide (CoO).

A slider and microactuator elements are disposed on a gimbal portion of a flexure. A tongue of the gimbal portion has a first tongue portion, a second tongue portion, and a hinge portion. A leading-side portion of the slider is movably disposed on the first tongue portion. A trailing-side portion of the slider is secured to the second tongue portion. The hinge portion is formed between the first tongue portion and the second tongue portion. The gimbal portion is provided with a damper member includes a viscoelastic material layer and a constrained plate. The damper member comprises a first damper and a second damper. The hinge portion is exposed between the first damper and the second damper. A dimple on a load beam contacts the hinge portion at a point of contact.

Methods for providing magnetic storage elements with high magneto-resistance using Heusler alloys are provided. One such method includes depositing a substrate including NiFe, depositing a seed layer on the substrate, depositing a buffer layer on the seed layer, and growing, epitaxially, an upper layer on the buffer layer, the upper layer including a Heusler alloy.

A method and system provide a magnetic transducer having an air-bearing surface (ABS). The method provides a first read sensor stack and defines a first read sensor in a stripe height direction from the first read sensor stack. The stripe height direction is perpendicular to the ABS. A shield is provided on the first read sensor stack and in a down track direction from the first read sensor stack. A second read sensor stack is provided. The shield is between the first read sensor and the second read sensor stack in the down track direction. Both the first read sensor and the second read sensor are defined from the first read sensor stack and from the second read sensor stack, respectively, in a cross-track direction. The cross-track direction is substantially perpendicular to the down track direction and substantially perpendicular to the stripe height direction.

In one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a lower shield, a magnetoresistive (MR) film positioned above the lower shield, the MR film including a pinned layer, an intermediate layer positioned above the pinned layer, and a free layer positioned above the intermediate layer, the free layer being configured for sensing data on a magnetic medium, wherein a track width of the MR film is defined by a width of the free layer in a cross-track direction, a bias layer positioned on both sides of the MR film in the cross-track direction, a track insulating film positioned on both sides of the MR film in the cross-track direction and between the MR film and the bias layer, and an upper shield positioned above the bias layer and the MR film, wherein a length of the free layer in an element height direction perpendicular to an air bearing surface of the magnetic head is less than a length of the pinned layer in the element height direction.

A data reader may be configured at least with a magnetic stack positioned on an air bearing surface (ABS) and contacting a spin depolarizing layer that is a minority spin current carrier. The spin depolarizing layer can have a thickness and spin diffusion length corresponding to a net zero spin polarization at an interface of the magnetic stack and spin depolarizing layer.

A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk, and a slider comprising a head, where the head comprises a write component electrically insulated from the slider. A bias voltage is applied to the write component, and a current flowing between the write component and the disk is measured, wherein the current is indicative of a fly height of the head.

An exemplary object is to provide a library apparatus, a magazine insertion detection method, and a program that are capable of detecting whether or not a magazine is inserted for all the magazine insertion positions without using sensors for detecting insertion of magazines. A library apparatus includes: a mark reading unit which is provided in an accessor unit which transfers a plurality of media that can be read and written by a computer, and reads a predetermined mark for all insertion positions of a plurality of magazines which can be inserted into the library apparatus and can accommodate the media, the mark being stuck to each of cells accommodating the media; and a control unit which, if the mark can be read, determines that a magazine is inserted at an insertion position which includes a read position for which a reading result that the mark can be read has been obtained, and, if the mark cannot be read, determines that no magazine is inserted at an insertion position which includes a read position for which a reading result that the mark cannot be read has been obtained.

A gear-train for transferring torque from multiple power sources includes first, second, and third input members, and an output member. The first and second input members rotate about a first axis, the third input member rotates about a second axis, and the output member rotates about a third axis. The gear-train additionally includes a first gear-set connected to the first input member. The gear-train also includes a second gear-set connected to the second input member. The gear-train additionally includes an intermediate shaft that rotates about a fourth axis. Furthermore, the gear-train includes a third gear-set connected to the intermediate shaft. In the third gear-set, first member is connected to the intermediate shaft and to the third input member, second and third members are set coaxially relative to the intermediate shaft and configured for asynchronous rotation with each other, and the third member is also connected to the output member.

A disk drive unit includes a rotor configured to rotate a disk accommodated within a disk accommodating space and set thereon, a fixed body configured to rotatably support the rotor, a fluid dynamic pressure generating part provided between the fixed body and the rotor, and a plurality of ring-shaped members, provided in an overlapping manner along a direction of a rotational axis of the rotor within a space that communicates the disk accommodating space and a gas-liquid interface of the lubricant, and covering a gap between the rotor and the fixed body.

A ball-screw assembly isolator is provided, and includes a housing; a ball-screw, a bearing assembly, a retaining member, a first compressible member and a second compressible member. The bearing assembly is located between the housing and the ball-screw. The bearing assembly includes an outer race. The retaining member is secured by the housing. The first compressible member is positioned between the housing and the outer race. The second compressible member is positioned between the outer race and the retaining member. The retaining member is configured to be preloaded to exert an axial force upon the first compressible member and the second compressible member.

An end cap module of a linear guideway for being installed on a sliding block, comprises: a cap having an oil-input hole and a resilient dustproof member installed on the cap. The dustproof member has an oil-guiding passage concavely formed on a surface thereof and communicated with the oil-input hole. When the end cap module is installed on the sliding block, the dustproof member is clipped between the cap and the sliding block. Thus, the instant disclosure provides the end cap module for reducing the design difficulty and producing difficulty of the cap. Moreover, the instant disclosure also provides a linear guideway.

A vibration-damping plain bearing composite comprising a sliding layer, a dimensionally stable support layer and an elastic layer. In one embodiment, the dimensionally stable support layer is arranged between the sliding layer and the elastic layer; in another embodiment, the elastic layer is arranged between the sliding layer and the dimensionally stable support layer. The bearing composites are characterized that a ratio of the thickness of the elastic layer tEL to a thickness of the sliding layer tSL is at least 3.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to bearing assemblies configured to effectively provide heat distribution from and/or heat dissipation for bearing element, bearing apparatuses including such bearing assemblies, and methods of operating such bearing assemblies and apparatuses. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly includes a plurality of superhard bearing elements distributed about an axis. Each superhard bearing element of the plurality of superhard bearing elements has a superhard material including a superhard surface. Additionally, a support ring structure that includes a support ring that supports the plurality of superhard bearing elements and a thermally-conductive structure in thermal communication with the superhard table of each of the plurality of superhard bearing elements. The thermally-conductive structure has a higher thermal conductivity than the support ring of the support ring structure.

A guide piece projects from an outside surface of a cage bar of a cage so as to make sliding contact with a raceway surface of an outer ring. As the cage rotates, the guide piece operates to guide the rotation of the cage while removing an excess grease on the raceway surface and transferring the excess grease to axially opposite ends of the outer ring. The guide piece is formed with a through-hole extending from an inner periphery of the cage to an edge of the guide piece for supplying the lubricant from the inner periphery side of the cage to the raceway surface.

A retainer of synthetic resin is provided in such a way that abnormal heat generation in a bearing and wear of the retainer due to interference between the retainer and balls are less likely to arise while the bearing is rotating at a high speed. A retainer (5) of synthetic resin includes two annular members (10) made of synthetic resin and facing each other in the axial direction, the annular members defining therebetween a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart pockets (11) in which respective balls (4) are received. Concave spherical surfaces (23) are formed at the circumferential ends of the respective pockets (11) so as to extend along the outer peripheries of the balls (4), and cylindrical surfaces (22) are formed at the axial ends of the respective pockets (11).

A bearing ring for a radial rolling bearing, in particular for a cylindrical roller bearing or needle bearing which has, on one of the radial surface areas thereof, a track for a set of cylindrical rolling bodies which are cageless or are guided by a cage and one or two guide flanges axially bounding the track of the rolling bodies is/are fastened to the axial end surfaces of said bearing by adhesive bonding. Each guide flange has a rectangular profile cross section with a horizontal fastening limb and a vertical flange limb and, by way of the horizontal fastening limb thereof, is adhesively bonded in an encircling axial groove in an axial end surface of the bearing ring. The width of each axial groove is greater than the material thickness of each fastening limb, and each guide flange can be fixed radially in position in the particular axial groove of a profiling of the fastening limb of said guide flange, the profiling being in contact both with the outer wall and with the inner wall of the associated axial groove.

An axle assembly having a carrier housing, a pair of axle tubes, a differential case, a pair of differential bearings and a pair of bearing adjusters. The carrier housing includes a cavity, which is configured to receive the differential case, and a pair of axle tubes that are mounted to the carrier housing. The differential case includes bearing bores into which the outer races of the differential bearings are received. The bearing adjusters are threaded to the carrier housing and support the differential bearings on a side opposite the differential case.

A hub bearing assembly includes a hub made of lightweight metallic material and forming a cylindrical portion, on which a tubular inner ring providing a raceway is mounted; a second inner ring is fixed on the first tubular inner ring and provides a second raceway; a cylindrical interstice is formed between the cylindrical portion of the hub and the tubular inner ring and contains a bonding brazing material which integrally joins the hub to the first tubular inner ring.