Taper roller bearing types and characteristics

Taper roller bearings can take both axial and radial loads. The axial load carrying capacity of the bearings is largely determined by the contact angle α as shown in the figure below. If the contact angle α is larger, then the axial load carrying capacity is higher and vice versa.

Taper roller bearings are designed in such a way that vertices of the cone for each roller and those for the inner and outer raceways coincides on the bearing axis or extensions of the raceways and rollers converge at a common point on the axis of rotation. This results in true rolling motion of the rollers on the raceways at every point along the rollers. The taper roller bearings support radial loads and axial loads from one direction only. The line contact between rollers and raceways provide the bearings with a high load carrying capacity.

Steep angle taper roller bearing with exceptionally steep cone angle enables the bearings to take heavier axial load. The bearings are of separable type, enabling separate mounting of cups and cones.

Since the taper roller bearings can absorb thrust loads in one direction only, these bearings should generally be installed as opposed mountings. The correct amount of radial and axial clearance is obtained by adjusting the two bearings against each other.

Besides, double row and four row taper roller bearings are also widely used for heavy loads such as rolling mills. A single row taper roller bearing can be located endwise in one direction only.

In Double Row Taper Roller bearings, NBC provides both back-to-back arrangement (using double row outer rings) and face-to-face arrangement (using double row inner rings). These are adjusted to fix the clearance values of each type. Only parts with identical manufacturing numbers can be used and they must be assembled according to their code numbers.

Four Row Taper roller bearings are made up of two double row inner rings and two double row outer rings. These bearings are used for heavy load capacity as in the roller necks of rolling mills. The life of large bearings is extended by using case hardened steel, hollow rollers and pin-type cages.

NBC Taper Roller Thrust bearings include rollers that have conical sections. These bearings are designed primarily to support axial loads at contact angles between 30˚ and 90˚. These bearing are suited for applications where extremely high thrust loads like in crane hooks, coal pulverizer etc. These bearings can be supplied with a full complement of rollers. Applications for full-complement bearings should be reviewed by your NBC representative to ensure selection of the proper bearing.