Polycrystalline diamond-on-metal bearings for use in cryogenic conditions
AssigneePi Tech Innovations LLC
InventorsGregory Prevost, Edward C. Spatz, William W. King
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Abstract
Bearing assemblies for use in low-temperature conditions are provided. The bearing assemblies include polycrystalline diamond bearing elements having diamond bearing surfaces and opposing bearing elements having metal bearing surfaces. The metal bearing surfaces include a metal that contains at least 2 weight percent of a diamond solvent-catalyst based on a total weight of the metal. The metal is ductile at temperatures ranging from −150° C. to −253° C. The metal bearing surface is in sliding contact with the diamond bearing surface.
Claims50
A bearing assembly for use in low-temperature conditions, the bearing assembly comprising:
- a cryogenically treated polycrystalline diamond bearing element having a diamond bearing surface;
- an opposing bearing element having a metal bearing surface, wherein the metal bearing surface comprises a metal, the metal containing at least 2 weight percent of a diamond solvent-catalyst based on a total weight of the metal, and wherein the metal is ductile at a temperature of −150° C.;
- and wherein the metal bearing surface is in contact with the diamond bearing surface.
A system for use in low-temperature conditions, the system comprising:
- a bearing assembly including a cryogenically treated polycrystalline diamond bearing element and an opposing bearing element;
- the polycrystalline diamond bearing element having a diamond bearing surface;
- the opposing bearing element having a metal bearing surface, wherein the metal bearing surface comprises a metal, the metal containing at least 2 weight percent of a diamond solvent-catalyst based on a total weight of the metal, and wherein the metal is ductile at a temperature of −150° C.;
- and wherein the metal bearing surface is in contact with the diamond bearing surface.
A bearing assembly for use in low-temperature conditions, the bearing assembly comprising:
- a cryogenically treated polycrystalline diamond bearing element having a diamond bearing surface;
- a cryogenically treated opposing bearing element having a metal bearing surface, wherein the metal bearing surface comprises a metal alloy, the metal alloy containing at least 2 weight percent of a diamond solvent-catalyst based on a total weight of the metal alloy, wherein the metal alloy is ductile at a temperature of −150° C. when subjected to a Charpy impact test performed in accordance with ASTM-E23-18, and wherein the metal alloy has a hardness value of less than 25 GPa as determined in accordance with ASTM E92-17;
- and wherein the metal bearing surface is in sliding contact with the diamond bearing surface.
A system for use in low-temperature conditions, the system comprising:
- a bearing assembly including a cryogenically treated polycrystalline diamond bearing element and an opposing bearing element;
- the cryogenically treated polycrystalline diamond bearing element having a diamond bearing surface;
- the opposing bearing element having a metal bearing surface, wherein the metal bearing surface comprises a metal, the metal containing at least 2 weight percent of a diamond solvent-catalyst based on a total weight of the metal, wherein the metal is ductile at a temperature of −150° C. to −196° C. when subjected to a Charpy impact test performed in accordance with ASTM-E23-18, and wherein the metal has a hardness value of less than 25 GPa as determined in accordance with ASTM E92-17;
- wherein the metal bearing surface is in sliding contact with the diamond bearing surface.
A bearing assembly for use in low-temperature conditions, the bearing assembly comprising:
- a cryogenically treated polycrystalline diamond bearing element having a diamond bearing surface;
- an opposing bearing element having a metal bearing surface, wherein the metal bearing surface comprises a metal, the metal containing at least 2 weight percent of a diamond solvent-catalyst based on a total weight of the metal;
- and wherein the metal bearing surface is in contact with the diamond bearing surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.