Self-Aligning Ball Bearings

The inner ring has two raceways and the outer ring has a single spherical raceway with its center of curvature coincident with the bearing axis; therefore, the axis of the inner ring, balls, and cage can deflect to some extent around the bearing center. Consequently, minor angular misalignment of the shaft and housing caused by machining or mounting error is automatically corrected.

This type of bearing often has a tapered bore for mounting using an adapter sleeve.