Methods and apparatus for installing a bearing

Abstract

A method for installing a bearing into a component using an insert includes aligning the insert with an opening within the component that has a dimension that is less than a complimentary dimension of the insert, aligning the bearing with the insert, inserting the insert at least partially into the opening such that at least a portion of a surface defining the opening is deformed by the insert, and inserting the bearing into the opening after the insert such that the bearing is positioned at least partially with the opening and is at least partially retained within the opening by a portion of the surface defining the opening.

1 . A method for installing a bearing into a component using an insert, said method comprising: 
 aligning the insert with an opening within the component that has a dimension that is less than a complimentary dimension of the insert;    aligning the bearing with the insert;    inserting the insert at least partially into the opening such that at least a portion of a surface defining the opening is deformed by the insert; and    inserting the bearing into the opening after the insert such that the bearing is positioned at least partially within the opening and is at least partially retained within the opening by a portion of the surface defining the opening.    
   
   
       2 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said aligning the insert comprises concentrically aligning the insert with the opening and said aligning the bearing comprises concentrically aligning the bearing with the insert.  
   
   
       3 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the opening is generally open at two opposite ends thereof, said inserting the insert comprising inserting the insert into a first end of the two opposite ends and moving the insert through the opening and out a second end of the two opposite ends.  
   
   
       4 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said inserting the insert at least partially into the opening such that at least a portion of a surface defining the opening is deformed by the insert comprises elastically and plastically deforming at least a portion of the surface defining the opening.  
   
   
       5 . A method in accordance with  claim 4  wherein said inserting the insert at least partially into the opening such that at least a portion of a surface defining the opening is deformed by the insert comprises deforming the at least a portion of the surface defining the opening between about 0.0001 and 0.010 inches.  
   
   
       6 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the dimension of the opening within the component comprises a diameter and the complimentary dimension of the insert comprises a diameter.  
   
   
       7 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the dimension of the insert comprises a diameter that is substantially equal to a corresponding diameter of the bearing.  
   
   
       8 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the component comprises an endshield for an electromagnetic device and the bearing comprises a rotary-type bearing.  
   
   
       9 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the insert comprises at least one of a conical and a frustoconical shape.  
   
   
       10 . Apparatus for installing a bearing, said apparatus comprising: 
 a component comprising an opening therein having two opposite open ends, said opening configured to at least partially receive the bearing; and    an insert configured to be received within said opening and having a dimension that is greater than a complimentary dimension of said opening for deforming at least a portion of a surface defining said opening when received within said opening, wherein the bearing is configured to be received within said opening and retained within said opening by at least a portion of said surface defining said opening after said insert has been at least partially received within said opening.    
   
   
       11 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 10  wherein said opening comprises a generally cylindrical shape.  
   
   
       12 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 10  wherein said insert is configured to plastically and elastically deform said at least a portion of said surface defining said opening when received within said opening.  
   
   
       13 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 10  wherein the bearing is configured to be retained within said opening by elastic deformation of said at least a portion of said surface defining the opening.  
   
   
       14 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 10  wherein said dimension of said insert comprises a diameter and said complimentary dimension of said opening comprises a diameter.  
   
   
       15 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 10  wherein said dimension of said insert comprises a diameter that is substantially equal to a corresponding diameter of the bearing.  
   
   
       16 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 10  further comprising said bearing.  
   
   
       17 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 16  wherein said bearing comprises a rotary-type bearing.  
   
   
       18 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 10  wherein said component comprises an endshield for an electromagnetic device.  
   
   
       19 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 10  wherein said insert comprises at least one of a conical and a frustoconical shape.  
   
   
       20 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 10  wherein said insert is configured to deform said at least a portion of said surface defining said opening between about 0.0001 inches and about 0.010 inches.