Abstract:
Apparatuses and methods are provided for manufacturing bearing assemblies. In accordance with one embodiment, a fixture is provided for use in brazing bearing elements to a bearing ring. The fixture comprises a substantially annular body and at least one or more force-applying mechanism associated with the annular body. The force applying mechanisms include a push rod disposed within a channel that is formed in the annular body, the push rod being displaceable within the channel. A biasing member is configured to bias the push rod in a radial direction relative to the annular body. In one embodiment, a plurality of force-applying mechanisms are circumferentially spaced about the substantially annular body. In one embodiment, the push rods extend radially inwardly from a peripheral surface of the body, while in another embodiment the push rods extend radially outwardly from peripheral surface of the body.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention relate to tilting pad bearing assemblies and apparatuses. The disclosed tilting pad bearing assemblies and apparatuses may be employed in downhole motors of a subterranean drilling system or other mechanical systems. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly or apparatus includes a support ring and a plurality of tilting pads. Each tilting pad is tilted and/or tiltably secured relative to the support ring. In some embodiments, one or more of the tilting pads include a plurality of superhard bearing segments assembled to form a superhard bearing surface. One or more seams may be positioned between adjacent superhard bearing segments of the superhard bearing segments. In other embodiments, one or more of the tilting pads may include at least one or only one superhard bearing segment, such as a polycrystalline diamond bearing segment.
Abstract:
Various embodiments relate to a bearing assembly including a support ring configured to reduce thermal warping under operational temperature conditions, a bearing apparatus that may utilize such a thrust-bearing assembly, and applications that incorporate the disclosed bearing apparatuses such as downhole motors in subterranean drilling systems, directional drilling systems, and many other apparatuses. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly includes a plurality of superhard bearing elements distributed circumferentially about an axis. The thrust-bearing assembly further includes a support ring having the plurality of superhard bearing elements mounted thereto. The support ring includes at least one thermal-warping-reducing feature configured to reduce a radial moment, compared to if the at least one thermal-warping-reducing feature were absent from the support ring, which is thermally induced in the support ring when the support ring and the plurality of superhard bearing elements are exposed to operational temperature conditions.
Abstract:
Bearing assemblies, apparatuses, and motor assemblies using the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly includes a plurality of superhard bearing elements distributed circumferentially about an axis. At least some of the superhard bearing elements may include a first end surface, a second end surface generally opposite the first end surface, a first side surface extending between the first end surface and the second end surface, a second side surface generally opposite the first side surface, and a bearing surface extending between the first end surface, the second end surface, the first side surface and the second side surface. Such superhard bearing elements may also include a ramped feature negatively sloping away from the bearing surface. The bearing assembly may further include a support ring that carries the plurality of superhard bearing elements.
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.
Abstract:
A heating apparatus for induction heating is disclosed. The heating apparatus may comprise a bearing ring, at least one bearing element disposed in the bearing ring, and a braze material adjacent to the at least one bearing element and the bearing ring. The heating apparatus may additionally comprise an inductor positioned radially adjacent to at least a portion of the bearing ring. A current source may be electrically coupled to the inductor. A bearing orienting member may also abut a surface of the at least one bearing element. The bearing orienting member may orient a surface of the at least one bearing element. A heating method is also disclosed.
Abstract:
Bearing assemblies, apparatuses, and motor assemblies using the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly may include a plurality of superhard bearing elements distributed circumferentially about an axis. Each of the superhard bearing elements may include a bearing surface. The bearing assembly may also include a support ring structure having a support ring that carries the superhard bearing elements. The support ring structure may include at least one erosion resistant region exhibiting a higher erosion resistance than another region of the support ring.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention relate to tilting pad bearing assemblies and apparatuses. The disclosed tilting pad bearing assemblies and apparatuses may be employed in downhole motors of a subterranean drilling system or other mechanical systems. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly or apparatus includes a support ring and a plurality of tilting pads. Each tilting pad is tilted and/or tiltably secured relative to the support ring. In some embodiments, one or more of the tilting pads include a plurality of superhard bearing segments assembled to form a superhard bearing surface. One or more seams may be positioned between adjacent superhard bearing segments of the superhard bearing segments. In other embodiments, one or more of the tilting pads may include at least one or only one superhard bearing segment, such as a polycrystalline diamond bearing segment.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention relate to tilting pad bearing assemblies and apparatuses. The disclosed tilting pad bearing assemblies and apparatuses may be employed in downhole motors of a subterranean drilling system or other mechanical systems. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly or apparatus includes a support ring and a plurality of tilting pads. Each tilting pad is tilted and/or tiltably secured relative to the support ring. In some embodiments, one or more of the tilting pads include a plurality of superhard bearing segments assembled to form a superhard bearing surface. One or more seams may be positioned between adjacent superhard bearing segments of the superhard bearing segments. In other embodiments, one or more of the tilting pads may include at least one or only one superhard bearing segment, such as a polycrystalline diamond bearing segment.
Abstract:
In an embodiment, a bearing assembly may include a support ring to which one or more superhard bearing elements may be mounted. The support ring may include one or more relief features configured to reduce residual stresses in the superhard bearing elements that are induced by brazing the superhard bearing elements to the support ring, operational loads, other processes, or combinations of the foregoing. Reducing the residual stresses in the superhard bearing elements may help prevent damage to the superhard bearing elements. The bearing assembly may be used in subterranean drilling systems and/or other types of systems.