Thrust Bearing Support Ring with Localized Yield Strength

Solution Overview

Problem

The operational lifetime of subterranean drilling systems is often limited by the durability of thrust-bearing apparatuses, which face extreme thrust loads and require improved materials to enhance their longevity.

Innovation Solution

The use of support ring structures with distinct material properties, featuring a high yield strength carrier and a fracture-tough, lower yield strength support ring, combined with superhard bearing elements, to distribute and manage clamping and operational loads effectively, thereby extending the useful life of the bearing assemblies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a single high-strength material is used for the support ring structure, then the bearing can withstand high thrust loads, but the structure becomes prone to cracking and failure under extreme stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethrust load capacityVSAvoidcrack resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support ring structure employs different materials with different properties in different regions: a high-strength material in the load-bearing region to withstand thrust loads, and a tougher, more ductile material in the non-load-bearing region to resist cracking and deformation. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between strength and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The support ring is constructed as a composite structure combining two or more materials with complementary properties. The high-strength material provides load-bearing capacity while the tougher material provides crack resistance, together resolving the contradiction between strength and reliability that cannot be solved by a single material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If a single tough material is used for the support ring structure, then the bearing resists cracking, but it cannot withstand high thrust loads without excessive deformation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrack resistanceVSAvoidthrust load capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The support ring structure employs different materials with different properties in different regions: a high-strength material in the load-bearing region to withstand thrust loads, and a tougher, more ductile material in the non-load-bearing region to resist cracking and deformation. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between strength and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The support ring is constructed as a composite structure combining two or more materials with complementary properties. The high-strength material provides load-bearing capacity while the tougher material provides crack resistance, together resolving the contradiction between strength and reliability that cannot be solved by a single material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If the support ring structure is made entirely from high-strength material, then it can carry heavy loads, but manufacturing complexity increases due to material processing difficulties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidmaterial processing

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The support ring structure employs different materials with different properties in different regions: a high-strength material in the load-bearing region to withstand thrust loads, and a tougher, more ductile material in the non-load-bearing region to resist cracking and deformation. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between strength and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The support ring is constructed as a composite structure combining two or more materials with complementary properties. The high-strength material provides load-bearing capacity while the tougher material provides crack resistance, together resolving the contradiction between strength and reliability that cannot be solved by a single material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS10451116B1Bearing assemblies

Publication Date: 2019.10.22 US SYNTHETIC CORP

AI summary

Durability-enhanced 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 includes a bearing surface. The bearing assembly may further include a support ring structure that carries the plurality of superhard bearing elements. The support ring structure may have a first portion that exhibits a first yield strength and a second portion that exhibits a second yield strength. The first yield strength of the first portion may be greater than the second yield strength of the second portion.