Angled Bearing Assembly for Axial Misalignment in Drilling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Thrust and bearing apparatuses in subterranean drilling systems experience axial misalignment due to repeated deflection of the output shaft, leading to decreased performance or failure, as existing bearing assemblies do not effectively accommodate misalignment without compromising contact between superhard bearing surfaces.

Innovation Solution

The proposed bearing apparatus comprises an inner and outer bearing assembly with obliquely positioned bearing elements, featuring partially spheroid convex and planar surfaces, respectively, allowing for angled engagement and accommodating axial misalignment while maintaining contact, thus enabling continued operation despite shaft deflection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If bearing elements are positioned radially outward to bear against opposing superhard bearing surfaces, then load-bearing capacity is improved, but axial misalignment tolerance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidaxial misalignment tolerance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing elements are configured with spheroidal bearing surfaces instead of flat or purely radial surfaces. The inner bearing elements have convex spheroidal surfaces while outer bearing elements have concave spheroidal surfaces, creating a spherical contact interface that naturally accommodates angular and axial misalignment while maintaining load-bearing capacity through point or line contact geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing assembly transitions from a single-plane radial contact configuration to a three-dimensional spherical contact configuration. By introducing angular orientation of bearing elements and spheroidal surface geometry, the system gains additional degrees of freedom to accommodate misalignment in multiple dimensions while maintaining effective load transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stability of the object's composition

If bearing rotor is rigidly attached to output shaft, then structural stability is improved, but misalignment accommodation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidmisalignment accommodation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing assembly incorporates dynamic adjustment capability through its spheroidal contact geometry and obliquely positioned bearing elements. This allows the bearing rotor to dynamically adapt its orientation relative to the stator, accommodating shaft deflection and misalignment while maintaining structural integrity and load-bearing function throughout operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing elements are positioned at oblique angles relative to the radial direction, creating variable contact parameters that can adapt to changing alignment conditions. The spheroidal surfaces provide variable contact points that shift according to misalignment magnitude, allowing the system to maintain optimal load distribution across varying operational conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11619264B2Bearing assemblies, apparatuses, and methods including bearing elements

Publication Date: 2023.04.04 US SYNTHETIC CORP

AI summary

Bearing assemblies, apparatuses, systems, and methods include bearing assemblies where one of the bearing assemblies may include angled bearing surfaces having a planar shape.