Importance

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Abstract

A pressure sealing bearing (13) for use in a protective environmental suit (10) is provided. The bearing employs inner and outer races (44,54) composed of a light weight, relatively weak material, such as a plastic or aluminum alloy. To provide long wear and adequate strength, the bearing includes contoured race wires (46,48,56,58) and an interlock mechanism (72,74). The ends of inner race wire 48 are designed to butt against one another to control the deformation due to compression of the inner race (44) when pressure is applied to the bearing. The ends of outer race wire 56 include interlocking hooks (82,84) which control the deformation due to tension of the outer race (54). In this way, the bearings achieve the performance of all stainless steel bearings while providing weight reductions of at least 60%.

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First Claim