spherical roller thrust bearings are rolling-element bearings of thrust type that permit rotation with low friction and permit angular misalignment. The bearings are 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 with respect to the housing washer. The misalignment is possible due to the spherical internal shape of the housing washer.

Spherical roller thrust bearings consist 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.

The bearings can accommodate axial loads acting in one direction and simultaneously acting radial loads. The load is transmitted between the raceways via the rollers at an angle to the bearing axis, while the flange guides the rollers.