Self Lubricated Ceramic Composite Bearing Cages

The ideal aeroengine bearing will provide adequate performance without need for active cooling or lubrication. Foster-Miller's concept for an advanced aeroengine bearing uses ceramic races and rolling elements along with a self-contained, solid lubricating "composite" ball cage. The key innovation in this bearing concept is the cage element. It can simultaneously meet bearing cage requirements of light weight, high 1500 degrees F strength, and lubricity over -60 to 1500 degrees F. During the Phase I effort, Foster-Miller will conclusively prove the feasibility of this novel bearing cage concept and demonstrate a net shape process to cost effectively fabricate such bearing cages. Cage material specimens will be subjected to relevant friction/wear and strength tests at temperatures up to 1,500 degrees F. During the Phase I option, a representative bearing cage component will be fabricated to net shape, and performance benefits offered by this technologywill be quantified. The Phase I team consists of two recognized experts on solid lubricants and ceramic bearings-Bobby McConnell and Jim Hanoosh. Additionally, the Phase I includes two commercialization partners-NTN Bearings, a bearing manufacturer, and Textron Lycoming, an aeroengine manufacturer and a bearing user, to ensure "commericializable" technology that is relevant to aeroengine bearing needs.