Segmented rolling element bearing

Abstract

A rocker arm assembly including a rocker arm, a bearing support member, and a bearing assembly. The bearing assembly is supported on the support member and engages the rocker arm. The bearing assembly includes a race defining a raceway having a stop member coupled thereto, and a plurality of rolling elements positioned on the raceway such that the movement of the rolling elements on the raceway is limited by the stop member.

1 . A rocker arm assembly comprising:
 a rocker arm;   a bearing support member; and   a bearing assembly supported on the bearing support member and engaging the rocker arm, the bearing assembly including:
 a race defining a raceway, the raceway having a stop member coupled thereto; and 
 a plurality of rolling elements positioned on the raceway such that the movement of the rolling elements on the raceway is limited by the stop member. 
   
     
     
         2 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the bearing assembly further comprises a second race, the plurality of rolling elements positioned between the two races. 
     
     
         3 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the stop member is positioned and configured to center the bearing support member with respect to the first race. 
     
     
         4 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the bearing assembly further comprises a second stop member coupled to the raceway, positioned and configured to center the bearing support member with respect to the first race. 
     
     
         5 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the stop member is integrally formed with the race. 
     
     
         6 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the stop member is a projection formed in the raceway. 
     
     
         7 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the stop member is a plug secured to the raceway. 
     
     
         8 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the bearing assembly further comprises a second stop member, the first and second stop members defining extents of travel of the rolling elements positioned therebetween. 
     
     
         9 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first stop member and the second stop member define an included angle of between about 200 degrees and about 220 degrees to limit the extent of travel of the rolling elements around the raceway. 
     
     
         10 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the race is substantially cup-shaped. 
     
     
         11 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rolling elements is less than a full complement of rolling elements relative to the raceway. 
     
     
         12 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the bearing support member includes two support arms extending in opposite directions along an axis, and wherein the rocker arm assembly includes two bearing assemblies, one bearing assembly on each support arm. 
     
     
         13 . A rocker arm assembly comprising:
 a rocker arm;   a bearing support member having two support arms extending in opposite directions along an axis; and   two bearing assemblies, one bearing assembly on each support arm and engaging the rocker arm, each bearing assembly including:
 a cylindrical race defining a raceway, the raceway having a stop member coupled thereto; and 
 a plurality of rolling elements positioned on the raceway; 
   wherein the stop member defines an extent of travel of the rolling elements on the raceway that is less than three-hundred-sixty degrees.   
     
     
         14 . A bearing assembly comprising:
 a cylindrical race defining a raceway, the raceway having a stop member coupled thereto; and   a plurality of rolling elements positioned on the raceway such that the movement of the rolling elements on the raceway is limited by the stop member.   
     
     
         15 . The bearing assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising a second race, the plurality of rolling elements positioned between the two races. 
     
     
         16 . The bearing assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the stop member is positioned and configured to center the second race with respect to the first race. 
     
     
         17 . The bearing assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the raceway includes a second stop member coupled thereto, positioned and configured to center the second race with respect to the first race. 
     
     
         18 . The bearing assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the stop member is integrally formed with the race. 
     
     
         19 . The bearing assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the stop member is a projection formed in the raceway. 
     
     
         20 . The bearing assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the stop member is a plug secured to the raceway. 
     
     
         21 . The bearing assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising a second stop member, the first and second stop members defining the extents of travel of the rolling elements positioned therebetween. 
     
     
         22 . The bearing assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the first stop member and the second stop member define an included angle of between about 200 degrees and about 220 degrees to limit the extent of travel of the rolling elements around the raceway. 
     
     
         23 . The bearing assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the race is substantially cup-shaped. 
     
     
         24 . The bearing assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of rolling elements is less than a full complement of rolling elements relative to the raceway.