Initial Experiments with a Ball Bearing Simulator

Abstract

A test rig called a Ball Bearing Simulator (BBS) was developed to investigate the causes of failure of a specific gyro spin-axis bearing. However, its construction is such that it can be readily adapted to the study of other similar applications ands “lubrication failures” in general.

The device is basically a three-ball thrust bearing with flat disc races. One race is motor driven and the other is restrained from turning by a torque indicating system. The balls are constrained by a third disc supported in miniature bearings. Bushings of any desired cage material are pressed into three equispaced holes in the cage disc.

This arrangement makes it possible to simulate many parameters of ball bearing performance while the simple shapes and flat surfaces permit economical replacement of test parts of many materials and finishes using only simple tools.

Initial experiments are described in which qualitative correlation has been established between BBS life and the bench test life of several products with a number of lubricants.

Presented as an American Society of Lubrication Engineers paper at the Lubrication Conference held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, October 16–18, 1962.

Notes

Presented as an American Society of Lubrication Engineers paper at the Lubrication Conference held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, October 16–18, 1962.