Spherical roller bearings have two rows of rollers, a common spherical outer ring raceway and two inner ring raceways inclined at an angle to the bearing axis. The centre point of the sphere in the outer ring raceway is at the bearing axis. Therefore, the bearings are self-aligning and insensitive to misalignment of the shaft relative to the housing, which can be caused, for example, by shaft deflection. Spherical roller bearings are designed to accommodate heavy radial loads, as well as heavy axial loads in both directions.
[Factors that influence spherical roller bearing performance]
Bearing performance is not only determined by load or speed ratings. There are a number of other factors that contribute to bearing performance. To a large extent, performance is influenced by the geometry of the rollers, raceways and cages, the heat treatment, as well as the surface finish of all contact surfaces.
Main factors which influence spherical roller bearing performance include, but are not limited to:
Symmetrical rollers
Roller tolerances
Special roller profile
