Radially Adjustable PDC Bearings for Wear-Gap Repositioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bearing assemblies face premature replacement due to wear, leading to unnecessary costs and maintenance, as they are typically replaced when the wear-gap exceeds a specified tolerance, despite significant remaining bearing material.
Innovation Solution
Radial bearing assemblies with adjustable bearing elements, where carrier components with bearing elements can be removably coupled to a bearing ring, allowing for radial adjustment of the bearing elements to maintain optimal positioning and extend the service life by repositioning worn elements to within tolerance specifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bearing assemblies are replaced when wear-gap exceeds specified tolerance, then reliability is maintained, but productivity is reduced due to premature replacement with significant bearing material remaining
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly incorporates adjustable bearing elements that can be radially repositioned along the raceway. When wear occurs, the bearing elements can be moved to a different radial position rather than replacing the entire assembly, thus maintaining reliability while extending service life and reducing premature replacement.
2Reliability
If bearing assemblies are replaced when wear-gap exceeds specified tolerance, then reliability is maintained, but loss of substance increases due to discarding bearing material that still has remaining life
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discarding the entire bearing assembly when wear-gap exceeds tolerance, the invention allows recovery and reuse of the bearing elements by repositioning them radially. This recovers the remaining useful life of the bearing material, reducing substance loss while maintaining reliability through proper functional restoration.
3Productivity
If bearing elements are made adjustable to extend service life, then productivity is improved by reducing replacement frequency, but device complexity increases due to additional adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly is segmented into modular carrier components, each holding bearing elements that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows for localized adjustment of worn elements without affecting the entire assembly, extending service life and productivity while keeping the complexity manageable through modular design.
Data Source
AI summary
Bearing assemblies and methods of using bearings are provided in the present disclosure. In one embodiment, a bearing ring is provided having a plurality of carrier components removably coupled therewith. Each carrier component may carry one or more bearing elements. Upon wearing of the bearing elements beyond a desired amount, the carrier components may be removed from the bearing ring and installed in a different bearing ring to place the mearing elements at their original bearing surface radius. In another embodiment, individual bearing elements may be radially adjustable relative to the bearing ring to define and redefine the radius of a radial bearing surface.