Bearings for downhole tools, downhole tools incorporating such bearings, and related methods
AssigneeBaker Hughes, A Ge Company, LLC
InventorsMichal Benes, John Abhishek Raj Bomidi, Jon David Schroder
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Bearing systems configured for use on a downhole tool may include a tensioner bolt having a complementary nut, the tensioner bolt and nut sized and shaped to secure the rolling cutter member to a head. A radial bearing may include an annular sleeve sized and shaped to surround the head. A shaft washer may be sized and shaped to surround the head between an enlarged head of the tensioner bolt and the annular sleeve. A bearing element may be configured for positioning proximate the head, the bearing element comprising an upper surface configured for sliding, frictional contact with a lower surface of the shaft washer.
Claims20
A bearing system configured for use on a downhole tool including a rolling cutter member, the rolling cutter member including a plurality of cutting structures, the bearing system comprising:
- a tensioner bolt having a complementary nut, the tensioner bolt and nut sized and shaped to secure the rolling cutter member to a head;
- a radial bearing comprising an annular sleeve sized and shaped to surround the head;
- a shaft washer sized and shaped to surround the tensioner bolt between an enlarged head of the tensioner bolt and the annular sleeve;
- and
- a bearing element for positioning proximate the head, the bearing element comprising an upper surface configured for sliding, frictional contact with a lower surface of the shaft washer.
A downhole tool for subterranean drilling, comprising:
- a body comprising at least one leg extending outward from the body;
- a head located at an end of the at least one leg;
- a rolling cutter member rotatably secured to the head;
- a tensioner bolt comprising an enlarged head located on a first side of the head and a nut located on a second, opposite side of the head, the tensioner bolt and nut securing the rolling cutter member to the head;
- a radial bearing comprising an annular sleeve surrounding the head, the radial bearing located within a central cavity of the rolling cutter member;
- a shaft washer surrounding the tensioner bolt and located longitudinally between the enlarged head of the tensioner bolt and the annular sleeve;
- and
- a bearing element located proximate the head, the bearing element comprising an upper surface configured for sliding, frictional contact with a lower surface of the shaft washer.
A method of assembling a bearing assembly of a downhole tool configured for subterranean drilling, the method comprising:
- placing an enlarged head of a tensioner bolt into a central cavity of a rolling cutter member;
- placing a shaft washer within the central cavity on a side of the enlarged head opposite the rolling cutter member;
- attaching a retaining member to the rolling cutter member, the retaining member having an upper surface in a position adjacent to the shaft washer on a side of the shaft washer opposite the enlarged head;
- placing a bearing element within a recess in a shoulder of a head at an end of a leg of a body of the downhole tool;
- inserting an elongated shaft of the tensioner bolt through the head, such that an upper surface of the bearing element is in sliding, frictional contact with a lower surface of the shaft washer;
- and
- securing the tensioner bolt to the head utilizing a nut.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.