摘要 |
Embodiments of a combination bearing are provided, as are embodiments of a valve assembly including a combination bearing. In one embodiment, the valve assembly includes a flowbody having a flow passage therethrough, a drive shaft rotatably mounted within the flowbody, a valve element mounted to the drive shaft and positioned within the flow passage, and a combination bearing coupled between the flowbody and the drive shaft. The combination bearing comprises an integral radial load/thrust ring coupled to the drive shaft, and a thrust washer substantially adjacent the integral radial load/thrust ring, as taken along the longitudinal axis of the combination bearing. An outer radial ring circumscribes the integral thrust/radial load ring. A first plurality of rolling elements is captured between the thrust washer and the integral radial load/thrust ring, and a second plurality of rolling elements is captured between the outer radial ring and the integral radial load/thrust ring. |