ABSTRACT
In Chapter 6, methods for calculating the elastic contact deformations between a ball and a
raceway and between a roller and a raceway were demonstrated. For bearings with rigidly
supported rings, the elastic deflection of a bearing as a unit depends on the maximum elastic
contact deformation in the direction of the applied load or in the direction of interest to the
application designer. Because the maximum elastic contact deformation depends on
the rolling element loads, it is necessary to analyze the load distribution occurring within
the bearing before determination of the bearing deflection. Chapter 7 demonstrated methods
for evaluating the load distribution among the rolling elements for bearings with rigidly
supported rings subjected to a relatively simple statically applied loading. In these methods,
the variables dr and da, the principal bearing deflections, were utilized. These deflections may be critical in determining system stability, dynamic loading on other components, and
accuracy of system operation in many applications and are discussed in this chapter.
