Tilting pad bearing assemblies; bearing apparatuses and methods of using the same
AssigneeUS Synthetic Corporation
InventorJair J. Gonzalez
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to tilting pad bearing assemblies and bearing apparatuses using the same. As will be discussed in more detail below, the tilting pad bearing assemblies include a plurality of tilting pads. The tilting pads include at least one or more first tilting pads and one or more second tilting pads. Each of the first tilting pads includes a first superhard bearing surface having a first material. Each of the second tilting pads includes a second bearing surface having a second material. The first material includes a superhard material and the second material includes a material that is different than the first material.
Claims19
A bearing assembly, comprising:
- a support ring;
- and
- a plurality of tilting pads distributed circumferentially about an axis, each of the plurality of tilting pads tilted and/or tiltably secured relative to the support ring, wherein the plurality of tilting pads include:
- one or more of first tilting pads, each of the one or more first tilting pads including a first superhard bearing surface including a first material comprising a superhard material;
- and
- one or more of second tilting pads that are distinct from the one or more first tilting pads, each of the one or more second tilting pads including a second bearing surface comprising a second material that is different than the first material.
A bearing apparatus, comprising:
- a first bearing assembly including:
- a first support ring;
- and
- one or more bearing elements extending about an axis, the one or more bearing element including a bearing surface, wherein the one or more bearing elements are secured to the first support ring;
- and
- a second bearing assembly including:
- a second support ring;
- and
- a plurality of tilting pads distributed circumferentially about an axis, each of the plurality of tilting pads tilted and/or tiltably secured relative to the second support ring, wherein the plurality of tilting pads include:
- one or more of first tilting pads, each of the one or more first tilting pads including a first superhard bearing surface having a first material comprising a superhard material;
- and
- one or more of second tilting pads that are distinct from the one or more first tilting pads, each of the one or more second tilting pads including a second bearing surface comprising a second material that is different than the first material.
A method of operating a bearing apparatus, the method comprising:
- rotating a rotor relative to a stator;
- wherein at least one of the stator or the rotor includes:
- a first support ring;
- and
- one or more bearing element extending about an axis, the one or more bearing element including a bearing surface, wherein the one or more bearing elements are secured to the first support ring;
- and
- wherein the other of the stator or the rotor includes:
- a second support ring;
- and
- a plurality of tilting pads distributed circumferentially about an axis, each of the plurality of tilting pads tilted and/or tiltably secured relative to the second support ring, wherein the plurality of tilting pads include:
- one or more of first tilting pads, each of the one or more first tilting pads including a first superhard bearing surface having a first material comprising a superhard material;
- and
- one or more of second tilting pads that are distinct from the one or more first tilting pads, each of the one or more second tilting pads including a second bearing surface comprising a second material that is different than the first material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.