Balance structure for rotating member
OwnerDon Wallaceinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A balancing structure to reduce vibration created in a rotating body by imbalance comprises an annular groove formed in the body, the groove partially filled with a quantity of solid balls. The solid balls, by only partially filling the groove, provide a stabilizing force that tends to compensate for the imbalance caused by different amounts of solids adhering to one side or the other of the body, such as for example a drilling assembly. The groove is preferably wider in a region further from the axis of rotation from the rotating body for more efficient balancing effect.
Claims19
A balance structure for a rotating member comprising:
- a. a body tool defining an annular, ring-shaped groove;
- and
- b. a quantity of solid balls partially filling the groove.
A downhole drilling assembly including a drill bit on a drill string, the drill bit defining a body having an annular groove formed therein, the groove partially filled with a quantity of solid balls to provide a stabilizing force that tend to compensate for the imbalance caused by different amounts of solids adhering to one side or the other of the drilling assembly.
A method of reducing vibrations created by imbalance in a rotating member, comprising the steps of:
- a. forming an annular groove in the rotating member;
- and
- b. partially filling the annular groove with a quantity of solid balls.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.