Bearings

Abstract

In some embodiments, a bearing includes a substrate having a first portion and a second portion thicker than the first portion, the second portion having a curved outer contour. The bearing can further include a first layer on the outer contour of the substrate and/or a second layer on an inner contour of the substrate. The first layer can include a thermally conductive material, and the second layer can include a lubricious material.

1 . A bearing comprising:
 a substrate comprising a first portion and a second portion thicker than the first portion, the second portion having a curved outer contour; and   a first layer on the outer contour of the substrate.   
   
   
       2 . The bearing of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a plurality of first portions spaced from each other, and a plurality of second portions spaced from each other. 
   
   
       3 . The bearing of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a plurality of outwardly projecting lobes. 
   
   
       4 . The bearing of  claim 3 , wherein the lobes have curved outermost contours. 
   
   
       5 . The bearing of  claim 3 , wherein the lobes extend linearly for at least 25% of a length of the substrate. 
   
   
       6 . The bearing of  claim 3 , wherein the lobes are positioned around a longitudinal axis of the bearing. 
   
   
       7 . The bearing of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion has a curved outermost contour. 
   
   
       8 . The bearing of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises two spaced second portions and the first portion is between the two spaced second portions. 
   
   
       9 . The bearing of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a plurality of discrete layers having different chemical compositions. 
   
   
       10 . The bearing of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a metal or an alloy. 
   
   
       11 . The bearing of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer comprises a material having a higher thermal conductivity than a material of the substrate. 
   
   
       12 . The bearing of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer contacts the substrate. 
   
   
       13 . The bearing of  claim 1 , further comprising a second layer on an inner contour of the substrate. 
   
   
       14 . The bearing of  claim 13 , wherein the second layer comprises a material having a lower coefficient of friction than a material of the substrate. 
   
   
       15 . The bearing of  claim 14 , wherein the substrate comprises a plurality of outwardly projecting lobes having curved outermost contours, the lobes being positioned around a longitudinal axis of the bearing, and the first layer comprises a material having a higher thermal conductivity than a material of the substrate. 
   
   
       16 . The bearing of  claim 15 , wherein the lobes extend linearly for at least 25% of a length of the substrate. 
   
   
       17 . The bearing of  claim 13 , wherein the second layer contacts the substrate. 
   
   
       18 . A system, comprising:
 a bearing of  claim 1 , the bearing having a lumen; and   a movable member in the lumen.   
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising a motor comprising the movable member. 
   
   
       20 . A bearing, comprising:
 a substrate comprising an inner surface, a first portion and a second portion thicker than the first portion, the second portion extending linearly for at least 25% of a length of the substrate; and   a first layer on the inner surface of the substrate.   
   
   
       21 . The bearing of  claim 20 , wherein the second portion extends for at least 50% of the length of the substrate. 
   
   
       22 . The bearing of  claim 20 , wherein the second portion extends for at least 75% of the length of the substrate. 
   
   
       23 . The bearing of  claim 20 , wherein the substrate comprises a plurality of first portions spaced from each other, and a plurality of second portions spaced from each other. 
   
   
       24 . The bearing of  claim 20 , wherein the substrate comprises a plurality of outwardly projecting lobes. 
   
   
       25 . The bearing of  claim 24 , wherein the lobes have curved outermost contours. 
   
   
       26 . The bearing of  claim 24 , wherein the lobes extend linearly for at least 25% of a length of the substrate. 
   
   
       27 . The bearing of  claim 24 , wherein the lobes are positioned around a longitudinal axis of the bearing. 
   
   
       28 . The bearing of  claim 20 , wherein the second portion has a curved outermost contour. 
   
   
       29 . The bearing of  claim 20 , wherein the substrate comprises two spaced second portions and the first portion is between the two spaced second portions. 
   
   
       30 . The bearing of  claim 20 , wherein the substrate comprises a plurality of discrete layers having different chemical compositions. 
   
   
       31 . The bearing of  claim 20 , wherein the substrate comprises a metal or an alloy. 
   
   
       32 . The bearing of  claim 20 , wherein the first layer comprises a material having a lower coefficient of friction than a material of the substrate. 
   
   
       33 . The bearing of  claim 20 , wherein the first layer contacts the substrate. 
   
   
       34 . The bearing of  claim 20 , further comprising a second layer on an outer surface of the substrate. 
   
   
       35 . The bearing of  claim 34 , wherein the second layer comprises a material having a higher thermal conductivity than a material of the substrate. 
   
   
       36 . The bearing of  claim 34 , wherein the second layer contacts the substrate. 
   
   
       37 . The bearing of  claim 20 , wherein the substrate comprises a plurality of outwardly projecting lobes having curved outermost contours, the lobes being positioned around a longitudinal axis of the bearing, and the first layer comprises a material having a lower coefficient of friction than a material of the substrate. 
   
   
       38 . A system, comprising:
 a bearing of  claim 20 , the bearing having a lumen; and   a movable member in the lumen.   
   
   
       39 . The system of  claim 38 , further comprising a motor comprising the movable member.