PCD Bearing Layout for Rotating Control Device Sealing Loads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotating control devices (RCDs) face challenges in efficiently supporting both radial and axial loads while maintaining a reliable fluid-tight seal during drilling operations.

Innovation Solution

The integration of polycrystalline diamond (PCD) bearings between the inner and outer housings of RCDs, which can be arranged as radial, axial, or tapered bearings to support various load types and facilitate rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If roller-type bearings are used in RCDs, then the device can support radial and axial loads, but the durability and operational life are limited under well fluid pressures and drilling conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedurability and operational lifeVSAvoidwear and degradation under well fluid pressures

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter of the bearing from conventional roller-type bearing materials to polycrystalline diamond (PCD) material. This material parameter change provides superior hardness, wear resistance, and chemical inertness, enabling the bearing to withstand well fluid pressures and drilling conditions without degradation, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and harmful factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs polycrystalline diamond, a composite material formed by sintering diamond particles with a metallic binder, to create bearing surfaces that combine the extreme hardness and wear resistance of diamond with the structural support of the binder matrix. This composite material approach enables the bearing to maintain durability and reliability under the harmful conditions of well fluid pressures and drilling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If sealing elements contact and seal against the drill pipe, then a fluid-tight seal is achieved, but rotation of the inner housing is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid-tight sealVSAvoidrotation smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces polycrystalline diamond bearings as an intermediary element between the sealing assembly and the inner housing. This intermediary allows the sealing elements to maintain contact with the drill pipe for fluid-tight sealing while the PCD bearing facilitates smooth rotation of the inner housing by providing a low-friction interface, thus resolving the contradiction between seal reliability and rotation ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250180070A1Polycrystalline diamond bearings in an rcd

Publication Date: 2025.06.05 HYDRIL USA DISTRIBUTION LLC

AI summary

Rotating control devices (RCDs) include one or more polycrystalline diamond (PCD) bearings positioned between an inner housing and an outer housing of the RCD, where the inner housing and outer housing are rotatable relative to each other along a rotational axis via the PCD bearings.