Polycrystalline diamond radial bearing
AssigneeXR Downhole, LLC
InventorsDavid P. Miess, Gregory Prevost, Michael Williams, Edward C. Spatz, Michael R. Reese, William W. King
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Abstract
A radial bearing assembly is provided. The radial bearing assembly includes polycrystalline diamond elements, each having an engagement surface in sliding engagement with an opposing engagement surface. The opposing engagement surface includes a diamond reactive material. The radial bearing assembly may be deployed in a variety of components and applications, including in rotor and stator assemblies. Also provided are methods of use of the radial bearing assembly, as well as methods of designing the radial bearing assembly.
Claims49
A radial bearing assembly comprising:
- a polycrystalline diamond element that includes an engagement surface;
- an opposing engagement surface comprising a diamond reactive material, wherein the engagement surface of the polycrystalline diamond element is in sliding engagement with the opposing engagement surface.
A method comprising:
- providing a radial bearing assembly, the radial bearing assembly including polycrystalline diamond elements, wherein each polycrystalline diamond element includes an engagement surface;
- interfacing engagement between a rotor and a stator with the polycrystalline diamond elements, such that the engagement surfaces are in sliding engagement with an opposing engagement surface, wherein the opposing engagement surface includes at least some diamond reactive material;
- and
- providing a solid lubricant on the opposing engagement surface.
A method of designing and making a radial bearing assembly for a rotor and a stator, wherein the radial bearing assembly includes polycrystalline diamond elements, each polycrystalline diamond element including an engagement surface in sliding engagement with an opposing engagement surface of diamond reactive material, the method comprising:
- selecting a configuration of the radial bearing assembly within the rotor and the stator;
- calculating a maximum contact pressure per polycrystalline diamond element based on a selected number of polycrystalline diamond elements in the selected configuration of the radial bearing assembly within the rotor and the stator, and based on anticipated load;
- wherein the calculated maximum contact pressure is below a preset maximum allowable pressure;
- deploying at least a minimum number of the polycrystalline diamond elements on the selected configuration of the radial bearing assembly within the rotor and the stator, wherein the number of the polycrystalline diamond elements fit on the selected configuration of the radial bearing assembly within the rotor and the stator, and making the radial bearing assembly for the rotor and the stator, wherein making the radial bearing assembly includes interfacing engagement between the rotor and the stator with the polycrystalline diamond elements, such that the engagement surfaces are in sliding engagement with the opposing engagement surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.