Fluid cooled bearing method

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a bearing having improved cooling features is disclosed. A cooling coil is positioned in a casting mold for a bearing component. The cooling coil defines a conduit for the transmission of coolant through the coil. The bearing component is then cast within the mold to form a bearing component having an internal cooling coil. The cooling coil may be formed from any suitable material, such as copper. The cooling coil facilitates heat dissipation from the bearing during operation. Alternative methods of manufacturing a bearing with cooling features are also disclosed.

1 . A method for manufacturing a bearing, the method comprising: 
 disposing a cooling coil within a mold for a bearing component; and    casting a bearing component in the mold such that cooling coil is embedded within the bearing component.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising circulating a cooling material through the cooling coil during at least a portion of the casting of the bearing component within the mold to remove heat from the cooling coil.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the cooling material is a liquid.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling coil comprises a first material having a melting point substantially equal to or less than a second material cast in the mold.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the first material comprises copper.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the first material comprises steel.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the second material comprises iron.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling coil comprises a generally labyrinthine passageway for transmission of a cooling material.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bearing component is a sleeve bearing liner.  
     
     
         10 . A method for manufacturing a bearing, the method comprising: 
 providing a bearing component; and    machining a coolant passageway in the bearing component.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein machining a coolant passageway comprises drilling a first hole in a body of the bearing component.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising inserting a cooling tube in the first hole.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein machining a coolant passageway comprises drilling a plurality of holes in the body of the bearing component, wherein a second hole intersects the first hole.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising: 
 inserting a first cooling tube in the first hole and a second cooling tube in the second hole; and    brazing the first and second cooling tubes to one another such that the first and second cooling tubes define an internal cooling network of the bearing component.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the cooling tubes comprise copper.  
     
     
         16 . A method for manufacturing a bearing, the method comprising: 
 providing a first portion and a second portion of a bearing component, each portion having a channel formed in the respective portion; and    assembling the first and second portions such that the channel of the first portion cooperates with the channel of the second portion to define an internal cooling conduit in the bearing component.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein providing the first and second portions comprises machining the channels of the first and second portions.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein providing the first and second portions comprises casting the first and second portions such that the channels of the first and second portions are formed during the casting process.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein assembling the first and second portions comprises disposing a polymeric seal between the first and second portions and securing the first and second portions to each other via a mechanical fastener.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein assembling the first and second portions comprises brazing the first and second portions to one another.