Conical Bearing Surface Geometry for Shaft Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In subterranean drilling systems, axial misalignment of the bearing rotor with respect to the bearing stator can lead to decreased bearing performance or failure due to repeated deflection of the output shaft.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a bearing apparatus comprising an inner bearing assembly with partially spherical convex bearing surfaces and an outer bearing assembly with partially cylindrical concave bearing surfaces, collectively defining a conical inner surface to engage with the inner bearing assembly, allowing for axial movement to compensate for misalignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional radial bearing surfaces are used, then the bearing structure is simple, but axial misalignment causes bearing failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies spherical curvature to the bearing surfaces by configuring the outer bearing elements with concave spherical surfaces and the inner bearing elements with convex spherical surfaces. This spherical geometry allows the bearing elements to self-align and accommodate axial misalignment between the rotor and stator, maintaining reliable contact under deflected conditions while preserving the overall simplicity of the bearing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the bearing surfaces from traditional radial configurations to conical configurations with specific spherical curvature radii. The outer bearing elements have concave spherical surfaces with a radius of curvature, and the inner bearing elements have convex spherical surfaces with a matching radius, creating a conical arrangement that accommodates axial misalignment while maintaining bearing performance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If bearing elements are rigidly fixed, then manufacturing precision is high, but adaptability to misalignment is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical curvature of the bearing surfaces provides geometric adaptability that compensates for axial misalignment. The concave spherical surface of the outer bearing elements and the convex spherical surface of the inner bearing elements create a self-aligning mechanism that accommodates deflection without requiring high manufacturing precision for perfect initial alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing elements are configured to dynamically adapt to misalignment conditions through their spherical geometry. The conical arrangement with spherical surfaces allows the elements to self-adjust their contact points and orientation in response to axial misalignment, providing versatility without compromising the precision of the bearing element attachment.
Data Source
AI summary
Bearing assemblies, apparatuses, systems, and methods include bearing assemblies where one of the bearing assemblies may include bearing surfaces defining an at least partially conical surface.