Static load-carrying capacity and fatigue life of a double row pitch bearing with radial interference

Abstract

A computational model taking into account the radial interference was first presented for determining the distribution of contact forces, static load-carrying capacity and fatigue life of a double row pitch bearing, which was subjected to the combined radial, axial and tilting moment loadings. The relation between the radial interference and the contact force distribution was analyzed. The static load-carrying capacity curves were established and the effect on the static load-carrying capacity by the change of the radial interference, coefficient of raceway groove curvature radius and initial contact angle was analyzed. The results show that with the increase in the radial interference, the maximum contact load decreases first then increases, and the basic rating fatigue life of the bearing increases first and then decreases. The radial interference value in the range of 0–0.05 mm has little effect on the static load-carrying capacity of the bearing. With the increase in the coefficient of raceway groove curvature radius and the decrease in the initial contact angle, the static load capacity of the bearing decreases.