Introduction
Tapered anti-friction roller bearings are used for heavy radial and axial (thrust) loads. This type of bearing is used extensively in the automotive industry. Unlike non-tapered roller bearings, tapered roller bearings have races and rolling elements that slant inwards towards a central point along the bearing axis (apex). If all rolling elements were extended, they would intersect at the central point and true rolling would occur (the rolling elements would roll against each other).
Tapered Anti-Friction Bearing
Tapered roller bearings consist of a cup, cone, retainer and rolling elements. The cup shaped design allows each rolling element to align itself perfectly between the cup and cone; this ensures the load is spread evenly across all of the rolling elements.
Unlike other bearing designs, the cup and cone can be separated. This means it is possible to mount the cone and rolling elements first, then the cup.
Tapered Bearing (exploded view)
Tapered roller bearings are often mounted in pairs (‘back-to-back’) to handle increased radial loads and axial loads in both directions.
Mounted Tapered Bearings
Roller Bearings
There are four main types of roller bearing and each is named after the rolling elements they use.
Roller Bearing Elements
All roller bearings operate using line contact and can carry significantly higher radial loads than ball bearings; most roller bearings are poorly suited to handle axial loads.
Roller bearings have higher coefficients of friction than ball bearings and are consequently not suitable for very high-speed applications. Roller bearings do not use the term angular contact or angular load.
Bearing Suitability Graph
Additional Resources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bearing_(mechanical)
http://courses.washington.edu/engr100/Section_Wei/engine/UofWindsorManual/Bearings.htm
https://www.engineering.com/Blogs/tabid/3207/ArticleID/130/categoryId/11/Bearings.aspx