spherical roller thrust bearing is a rolling-element bearing of thrust type that permits rotation with low friction, and permits angular misalignment. The bearing is designed to take radial loads, and heavy axial loads in one direction. Typically these bearings support a rotating shaft in the bore of the shaft washer that may be misaligned in respect to the housing washer. The misalignment is possible due to the spherical internal shape of the house washer.
Spherical roller thrust bearings constitute of a shaft washer (for radial bearings often called "inner ring"), a housing washer (for radial bearings often called "outer ring"), asymmetrical rollers and a cage. There are also bearing units available that can take axial loads in two directions.
External dimensions of spherical roller bearings are standardised by ISO in the standard ISO 104:2002. Some common series of spherical roller bearings are:
292
293
294
Spherical roller thrust bearings are used in industrial applications, where there are heavy axial loads, moderate speeds and possibly misalignment. Some common application areas are:
Gearboxes
Pulp and paper processing equipment (notably refiners)
Marine propulsion and offshore drilling
Cranes and swing bridges
Water turbines
Extruders for injection molding