Thrust Bearings : The Kinds

In mechanical engineering terms, thrust bearings can be referred as a smoothing agent which is used to reduce friction among two surfaces. Technically, it reduces the thrust pressure of a machine and enhances its shock resistance power and vibration. There are various kinds of thrust bearings as:

Ball Thrust Bearings
A ball thrust bearing is supported by a ring and is specially used in ball bearing. Machines with low level of radial load suit perfect to this king of bearing. A series of small balls are set in the machine, which on rotating, reduce the overall friction.



Tapered Thrust Bearings
As the name suggests, tapered thrust bearings are positioned in a tapering fashion with multiple rollers. The multiple axes are set to meet at a common point on the bearing. The axes are so fit, that there isn't any scope of skidding while grooving through the narrow and wide ends. Tapered thrust bearings are generally used in car or airplane's wheels.



Fluid Bearings
George Mitchell developed fluid bearings in the year 1905. these are a kind of bearings wherein the thrust or axial pressure is held together by a wafer-like liquid layer. This technique gives the entire machinery a very low degree of drag.



For more information regarding premature failure of thrust bearings read here.