Cooling networks for PCD bearing surfaces
AssigneeSmith International, Inc.
InventorsJames N. McPherson, David R. Hall
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Polycrystalline diamond wear surfaces in bearing structures are maintained at temperatures that prevent thermal degradation in spite of exceptionally high loads. This temperature control is accomplished by segmenting the diamond wear surface to provide interrupt channels through which the energy build-up at the diamond wear surface is maintained below the thermal degradation level. Cooling fluid may be caused to flow through the interrupt channels, the higher the velocity of fluid flow around the diamond bearing surface, the greater the cooling effect.
Claims36
An improved bearing structure comprising:
- a continuous polycrystalline diamond bearing surface;
- and
- channel means in said surface for preventing thermal degradation of said surface in the presence of high bearing loads in excess of eight million PV (lbs./sq. in.) (ft./min.).
A bearing structure comprising:
- a plurality of bearing inserts each having a diamond bearing face;
- channel means for conducting fluid flow through a plurality of said faces;
- and
- means for mounting said bearing inserts in bearing position.
A bearing structure comprising:
- a plurality of cylindrical bearing inserts having planar diamond faces;
- means for mounting said inserts in a circular array such that their faces lie substantially in a common plane;
- and
- fluid flow channel means formed in each of a plurality of the faces of said inserts.
A bearing comprising:
- an annular planar plycrystalline diamond (PCD) surface having a central cylindrical opening;
- and
- flow channel means in said PCD surface for conducting fluid from said central cylindrical opening through said surface.
An improved bearing structure, comprising:
- a diamond bearing surface;
- and
- means for maintaining the energy buildup on the surface of said diamond bearing below the thermal degradiation level at bearing loads in excess of eight million PV (lbs./sq. in.) (ft./min.).
An improved bearing structure, comprising:
- a diamond on diamond bearing interface;
- and
- means for maintaining the energy buildup at the surface of said diamond bearing interface below its thermal degradation level at PV values in excess of 8.times.10.sup.6 (lbs./sq. in.) (ft.min.).
An improved bearing structure comprising:
- a diamond bearing surface;
- and
- cooling fluid flow channel means in said diamond bearing surface, said fluid flow channel means comprising a plurality of branching flow grooves of descending fluid carrying capability.
An improved bearing structure comprising:
- a diamond bearing surface;
- and
- cooling fluid flow channel means in said diamond bearing surface, said fluid flow channel means comprising first and second flow grooves disposed perpendicularly to one another.
An improved bearing structure comprising:
- a diamond bearing surface;
- and
- cooling fluid flow channel means in said diamond bearing surface, said fluid flow channel means comprising a rectangular matrix of flow grooves.
An improved bearing structure comprising:
- a diamond bearing surface;
- and
- cooling fluid flow channel means in said diamond bearing surface for acting as a pump to pump cooling fluid through said surface.
A bearing structure comprising:
- a plurality of bearing inserts each having a substantially planar diamond bearing face;
- means for conducting fluid flow through a plurality of said faces at velocities in the range of 50 to 100 feet per second;
- and
- means for mounting said bearing inserts in bearing position.
A bearing structure comprising:
- a plurality of cylindrical bearing inserts each having a substantially planar polycrystalline diamond bearing face;
- first and second channel means 1/32-in. wide x 1/32-in. deep for conducting fluid flow through a plurality of said faces at velocities in the range of 50-100 feet per second;
- and
- means for mounting said bearing inserts in bearing position above a planar surface with their centers on a common circle and their faces 1/32 - to 1/16-in. above said planar surface.
An improved bearing structure comprising:
- a diamond bearing surface having a circular cross-section;
- and
- cooling fluid flow channel means in said diamond bearing surface, said fluid flow channel means comprising first and second flow grooves disposed perpendicularly to one another, crossing substantially in the center of said circular cross-section and terminating at the periphery of said circular cross-section.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.