Self-Aligning Bearings

Synonyms

Internal aligning bearings; Self-adjustment bearings; Self-alignment bearings; Spherical race bearings; Spherical roller bearings

Definition

Self-aligning bearings refer to a type of bearing designed and used to accommodate misalignment between the housing and shaft. Self-aligning bearings include self-aligning ball bearings, spherical roller bearings, toroidal roller bearings, and self-aligning thrust bearings

Scientific Fundamentals

Self-aligning bearings are designed for use in applications where misalignment or angular displacement between the shaft and bearing housing is anticipated. The misalignment can be accommodated either internally inside the bearing or externally outside of the bearing. Figure 1 illustrates a spherical roller bearing where the misalignment is accommodated between rollers and raceways. The accommodation to the misalignment is achieved dynamically inside the bearing. Figure 2shows another example where the misalignment is accommodated externally at...