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US 8,616,770 B2Granted
Bearing apparatuses, systems including same, and related methods
AssigneeUS Synthetic Corporation
InventorsTimothy N. Sexton, Craig H. Cooley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In an embodiment, a bearing apparatus comprises a first bearing assembly including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced first bearing elements each of which includes a first bearing surface. The bearing apparatus further includes a second bearing assembly including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced second bearing elements each of which includes a second bearing surface oriented to engage the first bearing surfaces of the first bearing assembly during operation. At least one of the second bearing elements may be circumferentially spaced from an adjacent one of the second bearing elements by a lateral spacing greater than a lateral dimension of the at least one of the second bearing elements.
Claims25
A bearing apparatus, comprising:
- a first bearing assembly including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced first bearing elements each of which includes a first bearing surface, each of the plurality of circumferentially-spaced first bearing elements circumferentially spaced from a circumferentially nearest one of the plurality of circumferentially-spaced first bearing elements by a respective first lateral spacing less than a respective first lateral dimension of the circumferentially nearest one of the plurality of circumferentially-spaced first bearing elements;
- and
- a second bearing assembly including:
- a plurality of circumferentially-spaced second bearing elements;
- and
- a bearing support ring having the plurality of circumferentially-spaced second bearing elements mounted thereto;
- wherein each of the plurality of circumferentially-spaced second bearing elements includes a second bearing surface oriented to engage the first bearing surfaces of the first bearing assembly during operation;
- wherein each of the plurality of circumferentially-spaced second bearing elements is circumferentially spaced from a circumferentially nearest one of the plurality of circumferentially-spaced second bearing elements by a respective second lateral spacing greater than a respective second lateral dimension of the circumferentially nearest one of the plurality of circumferentially-spaced second bearing elements, the second lateral spacing greater than the first lateral spacing;
- and
- wherein the bearing support includes at least one flow obstruction element positioned and configured to provide a selected fluid flow over the second bearing surfaces of the plurality of circumferentially-spaced second bearing elements, the at least one flow obstruction element is positioned circumferentially between circumferentially adjacent second bearing elements of the plurality of circumferentially-spaced second bearing elements and comprises a terminal surface positioned below each of the second bearing surfaces.
7 more elements
A bearing apparatus, comprising:
- a first bearing assembly including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced first bearing elements each of which includes a first bearing surface including polycrystalline diamond, each of the plurality of circumferentially-spaced first bearing elements circumferentially spaced from a circumferentially nearest one of the plurality of circumferentially-spaced first bearing elements by a respective first lateral spacing less than a respective first lateral dimension of the circumferentially nearest one of the plurality of circumferentially-spaced first bearing elements;
- and
- a second bearing assembly including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced second bearing elements each of which includes a second bearing surface oriented to engage the first bearing surfaces of the first bearing assembly during operation, each of the plurality of circumferentially-spaced second bearing elements circumferentially spaced from a circumferentially nearest one of the plurality of circumferentially-spaced second bearing elements by a respective second lateral spacing greater than a respective second lateral dimension of the circumferentially nearest one of the plurality of circumferentially-spaced second bearing elements, wherein the respective second lateral spacing is greater than the respective first lateral spacing, and wherein the respective second lateral dimension is equal to or greater than the respective first lateral spacing.
A motor assembly for use in a drilling system, the motor assembly comprising:
- a motor operable to apply torque to a rotary drill bit, the motor operably coupled to a bearing apparatus, the bearing apparatus including:
- a first bearing assembly including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced first bearing elements each of which includes a first bearing surface including polycrystalline diamond, each of the plurality of circumferentially-spaced first bearing elements circumferentially spaced from a circumferentially nearest one of the plurality of circumferentially-spaced first bearing elements by a respective first lateral spacing less than a respective first lateral dimension of the circumferentially nearest one of the plurality of circumferentially-spaced first bearing elements;
- and
- a second bearing assembly including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced second bearing elements each of which includes a second bearing surface oriented to engage the first bearing surfaces of the first bearing assembly during operation, each of the plurality of circumferentially-spaced second bearing elements circumferentially spaced from a circumferentially nearest one of the plurality of circumferentially-spaced second bearing elements by a respective second lateral spacing greater than a respective second lateral dimension of the circumferentially nearest one of the plurality of circumferentially-spaced second bearing elements;
- wherein the respective second lateral spacing is greater than the respective first lateral spacing;
- and
- wherein the respective second lateral dimension is equal to or greater than the respective first lateral spacing.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.