Oblique Bearing Assembly for Axial Misalignment Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bearing apparatuses in subterranean drilling systems experience axial misalignment due to repeated deflection of the output shaft, leading to decreased performance and potential failure.

Innovation Solution

The bearing apparatus comprises inner and outer bearing assemblies with obliquely angled bearing elements, featuring convex and planar surfaces that engage at an oblique angle, allowing for misalignment compensation and maintaining contact during rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If bearing elements are attached to rotor and stator with radially outward facing surfaces, then bearing load capacity is improved, but axial misalignment causes bearing failure over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebearing load capacityVSAvoidbearing performance stability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing elements are configured with spheroidal bearing surfaces where the rotor bearing elements have convex spherical surfaces and the stator bearing elements have concave spherical surfaces. This curvature allows the bearing elements to accommodate axial misalignment between the rotor and stator while maintaining continuous contact and load-bearing capability, resolving the contradiction between load capacity and reliability under misalignment conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Force

If bearing elements have radially outward facing surfaces, then radial load support is improved, but repeated shaft deflection causes axial misalignment and bearing failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradial load supportVSAvoidbearing operation continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spherical bearing surfaces enable the bearing elements to maintain contact under both radial loads and axial misalignment conditions. The curved geometry allows automatic adjustment to misalignment angles caused by shaft deflection, preserving both load support capability and operational reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Manufacturing precision

If bearing rotor is rigidly aligned with bearing stator, then manufacturing precision is improved, but shaft deflection causes axial misalignment and performance decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinitial alignment precisionVSAvoidaccommodation of shaft deflection

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The spheroidal bearing surfaces provide inherent adaptability to shaft deflection and axial misalignment while maintaining precise initial alignment through controlled assembly. The curved geometry allows the bearing elements to self-adjust to misalignment angles, combining manufacturing precision with operational adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS20250271028A1Bearing assemblies, apparatuses, and methods including bearing elements

Publication Date: 2025.08.28 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.