Combination liner hanger bearing

Abstract

An axial bearing is designed to fit in the very valuable liner hanger radial package space. The rollers axially separate two washers. To hold the bearing together prior to installation, a sleeve radially surrounds the rollers and has tabs that fit into circumferential grooves in the washers. The sleeve can be metal or plastic.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 028,689, filed May 22, 2020; U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 029,942, filed May 26, 2020; and U.S. Non-Provisional Application No. 17 / 323,010, filed May 18, 2021, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to the general field of axial roller bearings. More specifically, this disclosure relates to combined full complement axial bearings. Background Technology

[0004] Deep wells can be drilled using a series of well liners arranged in a telescoping pattern, where the diameter of the liner used for the deepest section of the well is smaller than the diameter of the liner used for the shallower sections. The joint between the sections of the well is called a liner hanger. During drilling, the new section of the liner being installed is rotated, while the existing shallower sections are fixed in place. During drilling, large axial forces are transmitted between these sections. The radial space available for the hanger is very limited because the liner sections used for the deeper parts of the well must pass through it.

[0005] Some bearings have cages that circumferentially position the rollers relative to each other. Other bearings, known as full complement bearings, tightly enclose the rollers in the available circumferential space and omit the cage. Due to the larger number of rollers, full complement bearings have a greater load capacity than caged bearings, but may have higher frictional resistance.

[0006] Some bearing designs rely on non-bearing components to hold the bearing parts in place relative to each other. Bearing parts include the rollers themselves and components designed to allow the rollers to roll against each other; these components are called washers for axial bearings and rings for radial bearings. When the bearing parts are designed to remain together before being positioned in an assembly, the bearing is called a modular bearing. Modular bearings simplify the assembly process. Summary of the Invention

[0007] A combined axial bearing includes two washers, a plurality of rollers, and a sleeve. The rollers axially separate the washers. The washers have circumferential grooves on a radially outer surface. The sleeve radially surrounds the washers and rollers to radially retain the rollers. The sleeve has a plurality of inwardly directed tabs that extend into the grooves of the washers to axially retain the washers. The sleeve can define a plurality of axial cutouts between respective tabs. The rollers can be cylindrical. In one embodiment, the sleeve is made from sheet metal. The inwardly directed tabs can be formed by a stamping operation. The cross-section of the circumferential groove can be V-shaped. In another embodiment, the sleeve is made from plastic.

[0008] A method of manufacturing a combined axial bearing includes manufacturing a sleeve from a sheet of steel and assembling the sleeve and the remaining bearing components. The sheet of steel is stamped to form the tabs. Axial cutouts can also be stamped into the sheet of steel. The sheet of steel is then rolled into a cylindrical shape and welded to form the sleeve. The sleeve can be heat treated. Two washers are axially forced into opposite ends of the sleeve, the tabs snap into the circumferential grooves in the washers to axially retain the washers relative to the sleeve. Rollers are installed between the washers. The assembled bearing can be placed on a dummy shaft for shipping. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is an end view of a combined full complement axial bearing.

[0010] Figure 2 is a cross-section of a first embodiment of the bearing of Figure 1

[0011] Figure 3 is a first cross-section of a metal sheet sleeve of the bearing of Figure 2

[0012] Figure 4 is a second cross-section of a metal sheet sleeve of the bearing of Figure 2

[0013] Figure 5 is a cross-section view of one of the washers of the bearing of Figure 2

[0014] Figure 6 is a cross-section of a second embodiment of the bearing of Figure 1

[0015] Figure 7 is a first cross-section of a plastic sleeve of the bearing of Figure 6

[0016] Figure 8 is a second cross-section of a plastic sleeve of the bearing of Figure 6 DETAILED DESCRIPTION ​​​​​​​

[0017] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. It should be appreciated that the same reference numerals in different drawings identify the same or functionally similar elements throughout the several views. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and other embodiments can take various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features can be exaggerated or minimized for the purpose of clarity. The specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but are merely representative of representative embodiments. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the various features illustrated and described in connection with any one of the figures can be combined with features illustrated and described in connection with one or more other figures, to produce yet further embodiments. Combinations of features illustrated and described in connection with the figures are not limited to the sums of these features. Rather, like components in various embodiments can be combined in one or more ways to produce yet further embodiments.

[0018] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms and any acronyms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art in the field of the disclosure. Although any methods, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present disclosure, the following example methods, devices, and materials are now described.

[0019] Figure 1 is an end view of a combined axial bearing 10. A set of rollers 12 are sandwiched between two washers 14. A sleeve 16 radially surrounds the assembly. Figure 2 is a cross-section through a first embodiment of a bearing 10'. In this embodiment, the sleeve 16' is a sheet metal sleeve. Stamped tabs 18 in the sheet metal sleeve 16' are bent inward and fit into grooves 22 in the washers. The tabs 18 flex when the respective washers are inserted into place from the respective ends and then snap back into place. The tabs 18 hold the washers 14' in place axially. The washers in turn hold the rollers axially. The sleeve 16' holds the washers and rollers radially.

[0020] Figure 3 is a cross-section through the sheet metal sleeve 16'. Six tabs 18 are equally spaced around the circumference to hold one of the washers. Another six tabs hold the other washer. Axial cuts 20 are formed in the middle between the tabs to increase the flexibility and reduce the force required to insert the washers. Figure 4 is another cross-section view of the sheet metal sleeve 16' that more clearly shows the tabs and axial cuts.

[0021] Figure 5 is a cross section of one of the washers 14' showing the recess 22 in more detail.

[0022] The metal sheet sleeve can be made from a strip of steel sheet material. The tabs and axial cuts can be formed in the steel sheet material with a stamping operation. After stamping, the steel sheet material can be rolled into a cylindrical piece and welded. Heat treatment, such as quenching, can be used to ensure proper elasticity.

[0023] A batch of assembled bearings can be placed on a dummy shaft for transport. The dummy shaft prevents the rollers from protruding towards the inner diameter. The bearings in the batch can be separated axially by a plate with holes for the dummy shaft. The mounting of the bearings is done by placing the dummy shaft end-to-end with the application shaft and pushing the assembled bearings from the dummy shaft to the application shaft using the plate.

[0024] Figure 6 is a cross section through the second embodiment of the bearing 10". In this embodiment, the plastic sleeve 16" radially surrounds the assembly. Molded tabs 30 in the plastic sleeve extend inward and fit in recesses in the washers 14". The tabs 30 flex when the respective washer is inserted into place from the respective end and then snap back into place. The tabs hold the washers axially in place. The washers in turn hold the rollers axially. The sleeve holds the washers and rollers radially.

[0025] Figure 7 is an end view of the plastic sleeve 16. Six tabs 30 are equally spaced around the circumference to hold one of the washers. Another six tabs hold another of the washers. Axial cuts 20 are formed in the middle between the tabs to increase the elasticity and reduce the force needed to insert the washers. Figure 8 is a cross section view of the plastic sleeve 16" showing the tabs and axial cuts more clearly. In the illustrated embodiment, the tabs on one end of the plastic sleeve are circumferentially aligned with the tabs on the opposite end. Similarly, the recesses on one end are circumferentially aligned with the recesses on the opposite end. In other embodiments, the tabs and recesses can be staggered.

[0026] While the example implementations are described above, these implementations are not intended to describe all possible forms of the claims. The words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. As previously described, features of various implementations can be combined to form further implementations that can not be explicitly described or illustrated. While various implementations can be described as providing advantages or being more desirable than other implementations or prior implementations, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that one or more features or characteristics can be deemed less desirable at an implementation-specific cost and application-specific benefit. As such, these implementations are not necessarily meant to be out of the scope of the disclosure and can be desirable for certain applications.

Claims

1. A combined axial bearing, comprising: Multiple rollers axially separate two washers, each washer having a rectangular cross-section and a circumferential groove on its radially outer surface; as well as A sleeve radially surrounds the washer and the roller to radially retain the washer and the roller, the sleeve having a plurality of inwardly pointing tabs extending into the groove of the washer to axially retain the washer, the sleeve defining a plurality of axial cuts between the respective tabs.

2. The combined axial bearing according to claim 1, wherein, The roller is a cylindrical component.

3. The combined axial bearing according to claim 1, wherein, The sleeve is made of metal sheet.

4. The combined axial bearing according to claim 3, wherein, The inwardly pointing tabs are formed by a stamping operation.

5. The combined axial bearing according to claim 3, wherein, The cross-section of the circumferential groove is V-shaped.

6. The combined axial bearing according to claim 1, wherein, The sleeve is made of plastic.

7. A method for manufacturing a combined axial bearing according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the method comprising: Steel sheets are stamped to form tabs; An axial cut is punched into the steel sheet; The steel sheet is rolled into a cylindrical part and the cylindrical part is welded to form a sleeve; Two washers are provided, each with a circumferential groove; The washer is axially pressed into the opposite end of the sleeve, and the tab springs into the groove to hold the washer axially relative to the sleeve; as well as Rollers are installed between the washers.

8. The method according to claim 7 further includes heat treating the sleeve.

9. The method of claim 7 further includes mounting the bearing on a dummy shaft for transport.

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