Spherical Thrust Bearings

A form of bearing known as a spherical thrust bearing is made to withstand axial loads, or forces that act parallel to the shaft. In big machinery like turbines, gearboxes, and pumps where heavy loads are anticipated, this type of bearing is frequently employed.

Housing washers and shaft washers are the two primary parts of spherical thrust bearings. The shaft washer is positioned on the bearing’s inner diameter, whereas the housing washer is on the outer diameter. A sequence of ball bearings are utilised to move the axial load from one of these two components to the other between them.

The capacity of a spherical thrust bearing to accommodate misalignment is one of its main advantages. A spherical housing washer is used to do this, allowing for a small amount of angular misalignment between the shaft and the housing. This is especially helpful in applications where there is some shaft deflection or if the shaft is subject to heat expansion or contraction.

Single direction and double direction bearings are just two of the many designs available for spherical thrust bearings. Axial loads can only be handled in one direction by single direction bearings, whereas both directions can be handled by double direction bearings.