Method of assembling a bearing assembly

Abstract

A bearing includes a first inner race half and a second inner race half, and a first outer race half and a second outer race half. A cage defining a plurality of openings supports a plurality of rollers. The bearing is assembled by positioning the first inner race half on a mandrel and the first outer race half on a work support, positioning the cage with the rollers supported in the openings adjacent to and concentric with the first inner race half and the first outer race half. The second inner race half and the second outer race half are positioned adjacent the first inner race half and the first outer race half respectively. The first inner race half and the second inner race half, and the first outer race half and the second outer race half are then bonded together to form the bearing assembly.

1 . A bearing assembly comprising:
 an inner race;   an outer race concentric with said inner race about a longitudinal axis;   an annular cage disposed between said inner race and said outer race and defining a plurality of openings;   a plurality of rollers with each of said plurality of rollers disposed within one of said plurality of openings; and   at least one of said inner race and said outer race including first race half and a second race half cooperating together to define at least one flash trap to  10  provide a volume for a portion of said first race half and said second race half to expand during compression as said first race half and said second race half are welded together.   
     
     
         2 . A bearing assembly as set forth in claim  15 , wherein said first race half and said second race half include alignment features cooperating together to concentrically align said first race half and said second race half about said longitudinal axis relative to each other. 
     
     
         3 . A bearing assembly as set forth in claim  16 , wherein said first race half and said second race half comprise a polymer.