Spherical Bearing Arrangements

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a spherical bearing arrangement, the method comprising: providing a ball and a cast bearing housing; elevating the ductility of the cast bearing housing; and swaging the housing onto the ball whilst the ductility is elevated, the ductility lowering after swaging.

1 . A method of manufacturing a spherical bearing arrangement, the method comprising:
 providing a ball and a cast bearing housing;   elevating the ductility of the cast bearing housing; and   swaging the housing onto the ball whilst the ductility is elevated, the ductility lowering after swaging.   
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising: performing at least one machining operation on the cast housing prior to swaging thereof. 
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising: performing at least one machining operation on the resultant spherical bearing arrangement. 
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the elevation of the ductility is performed by heating the housing. 
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the ductility is lowered after swaging by cooling the housing. 
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the ductility of the housing prior to elevation is less than 10%. 
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the ductility of the housing prior to elevation is less than or equal to substantially 9%. 
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the ductility of the housing prior to elevation is less than or equal to substantially 8%. 
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the ductility of the housing prior to elevation is less than or equal to substantially 7%. 
   
   
       10 . A method according  claim 1 , wherein the elevated ductility is at least 10%. 
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the elevated ductility is at least substantially 11%. 
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the elevated ductility is at least substantially 12%. 
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the elevation of the ductility is performed by providing the housing at a predetermined temperature. 
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the predetermined temperature is at least substantially 80° C. 
   
   
       15 . A method according  claim 13 , wherein the predetermined temperature is at least substantially 90° C. 
   
   
       16 . A method according  claim 13 , wherein the predetermined temperature is at least substantially 100° C. 
   
   
       17 . A method according  claim 13 , wherein the predetermined temperature is at least substantially 110° C. 
   
   
       18 . A method according  claim 13 , wherein the predetermined temperature is at least substantially 120° C. 
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the lowered ductility of the housing is at least substantially equal to the ductility of the housing before elevation. 
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the lowered ductility of the housing is substantially greater than the ductility of the housing before the elevation. 
   
   
       21 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the material of the bearing housing comprises metal. 
   
   
       22 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein the metal is zinc or zinc alloy. 
   
   
       23 . A spherical bearing arrangement manufactured according to the method of  claim 1 . 
   
   
       24 . A spherical bearing arrangement, comprising a cast bearing housing swaged onto a ball, wherein the ductility of the housing is elevated during swaging and lowered after swaging. 
   
   
       25 . A rod end bearing comprising the spherical bearing arrangement according to  claim 24 .