BEARING UNIT WITH RACES FOR SWIVEL JOINT (VERSIONS) AND SWIVEL JOINT PROPER (VERSIONS) Russian patent published in 2000 - IPC

FIELD: swivel joints of pipes or pipe lines. SUBSTANCE: male connector of bearing unit has central axle, first end and many outer ring-shaped grooves; each groove has bow-shaped cross section and is located in respective plane perpendicularly relative to central axle. Each outer groove has constant radius measured from central axle. Each subsequent outer groove (from first end of male connector) has radius exceeding that of previous outer groove. Device is also provided with female connector coaxially centered with male connector. Female connector has first end and many inner ring-shaped grooves; each inner groove has bow-shaped cross section and is located in respective plane perpendicularly relative to central axle. Each inner groove corresponds to one of outer grooves forming bow-shaped race together with it for bearing. Each groove receives many ball bearings for ease of rotation of male and female connectors about central axle. Radius of outer grooves is so selected that load between male and female connectors should be smoothly distributed among races. EFFECT: reduction of dents on raceways. 20 cl, 6 dwg