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US 12,188,526 B2Granted
Torque coupling assemblies and related systems and methods
AssigneeUS Synthetic Corporation
InventorsDaryl Wise, Tyler Kolste, Jair Gonzalez
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Force coupling or torque coupling assemblies, apparatuses, systems, and methods include assemblies that each include superhard contact elements. At least some of the superhard contact elements may be configured to remain in contact with each other when a force is applied between the assemblies.
Claims20
A torque coupling assembly, comprising:
- an inner assembly comprising:
- an inner support ring positioned circumferentially about an inner ring axis;
- and
- a first plurality of superhard contact elements fixedly coupled to the inner support ring, each of the first plurality of superhard contact elements having a superhard contact surface with a hardness that is at least equal to that of tungsten carbide defining an outer circumference of the inner assembly;
- and
- an outer assembly comprising:
- an outer support ring positioned circumferentially about an outer ring axis;
- and
- a second plurality of superhard contact elements coupled to the outer support ring, each of the second plurality of superhard contact elements having a superhard contact surface with a hardness that is at least equal to that of tungsten carbide, wherein the superhard contact surface of at least one of the second plurality of superhard contact elements is configured and positioned to contact and transfer a torque to a respective superhard contact surface of at least one of the first plurality of superhard contact elements at the outer circumference of the inner assembly when a rotational force is applied between the inner assembly and the outer assembly, wherein the inner assembly is configured to rotate less than 90 degrees relative to the outer assembly.
6 more elements
A torque coupling assembly, comprising:
- an inner assembly comprising:
- an inner support ring positioned circumferentially about an inner ring axis;
- and
- a first plurality of superhard contact elements fixedly coupled to the inner support ring, each of the first plurality of superhard contact elements having a superhard contact surface with a hardness that is at least equal to that of tungsten carbide;
- and
- an outer assembly comprising:
- an outer support ring positioned circumferentially about an outer ring axis;
- and
- a second plurality of superhard contact elements coupled to the outer support ring, each of the second plurality of superhard contact elements having a superhard contact surface with a hardness that is at least equal to that of tungsten carbide, wherein the superhard contact surface of at least one of the second plurality of superhard contact elements is configured to contact and transfer a torque to a respective superhard contact surface of at least one of the first plurality of superhard contact elements when a rotational force is applied between the inner assembly and the outer assembly, wherein the superhard contact surface of each of the second plurality of superhard contact elements is configured to remain substantially stationary relative to the respective superhard contact surface of the first plurality of superhard contact elements when the rotational force is applied between the inner assembly and the outer assembly.
6 more elements
A torque coupling assembly, comprising:
- an inner assembly comprising:
- an inner support ring positioned circumferentially about an inner ring axis;
- and
- a first plurality of superhard contact elements fixedly coupled to the inner support ring, each of the first plurality of superhard contact elements having a superhard contact surface with a hardness that is at least equal to that of tungsten carbide;
- and
- an outer assembly comprising:
- an outer support ring positioned circumferentially about an outer ring axis;
- and
- a second plurality of superhard contact elements fixedly coupled to the outer support ring, each of the second plurality of superhard contact elements having a superhard contact surface with a hardness that is at least equal to that of tungsten carbide, wherein the superhard contact surface of at least one of the second plurality of superhard contact elements is configured to contact and transfer a torque to a respective superhard contact surface of at least one of the first plurality of superhard contact elements when a rotational force is applied between the inner assembly and the outer assembly, wherein the inner assembly is configured to rotate less than 90 degrees relative to the outer assembly, wherein the inner support ring is configured to tilt relative to the outer support ring while at least some of the second plurality of superhard contact elements and at least some of the first plurality of superhard contact elements remain in contact with each other, and wherein an axis of rotation of the inner support ring is angularly offset from an axis of rotation of the outer support ring during the tilt.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.