Stacked Tapered Thrust Bearing Within Existing Drill Envelopes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing top drive thrust bearings in the drilling industry face challenges in increasing capacity without enlarging the bearing size, as existing drilling equipment cannot accommodate larger bearings, and custom modifications are expensive.
Innovation Solution
A new design for a thrust bearing that fits within the existing envelope, utilizing a stacked configuration of axial and radial washers with tapered rolling elements, eliminating spacers to increase axial stiffness and capacity, allowing for a twenty percent increase in bearing rating and nearly double the bearing life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the bearing size is increased to improve capacity, then the bearing rating increases, but the bearing cannot fit within existing drilling equipment envelopes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-row bearing configuration to a stacked multi-row configuration, utilizing the axial dimension to increase capacity. By stacking bearing rows in the axial direction while maintaining the same radial envelope, the design achieves higher bearing ratings without increasing the radial size that would prevent installation in existing drilling equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent nests multiple bearing rows within a compact stacked arrangement, where inner and outer washers are positioned in alternating layers with rolling elements. This nested configuration allows multiple load-bearing rows to occupy a reduced volume while maintaining individual row functionality, effectively increasing capacity within the same envelope.
2Stability of the object's composition
If spacers are added between washers to maintain positioning, then alignment is improved, but axial stiffness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes spacers from the bearing assembly, eliminating the compliance introduced by these intermediate elements. By taking out the spacers and allowing direct contact between alternating inner and outer washers, the design achieves maximum axial stiffness while maintaining proper alignment through the self-aligning geometry of the tapered rolling elements and raceways.
3Force
If the bearing envelope is enlarged to increase capacity, then load bearing capability improves, but existing drilling equipment cannot accommodate the larger bearing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent increases load bearing capability by utilizing the axial dimension through stacked bearing rows rather than increasing radial dimensions. This dimensional shift allows the bearing to achieve higher capacity while maintaining the same outer diameter and width constraints, ensuring compatibility with existing drilling equipment that cannot accommodate larger radial envelopes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the load-bearing function across multiple stacked rows, with each row contributing to the total capacity. This segmentation allows the bearing to achieve enhanced load bearing capability through the combined effect of multiple rows within the same envelope, rather than requiring a single larger bearing that would exceed equipment constraints.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design achieves increased bearing rating and life within the existing envelope, reducing deflection and buckling under high loads, while maintaining true rolling motion and ideal radial positioning, enhancing maintenance efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
tapered rolling elements supported between the first race and the fourth race, and a second set of tapered rolling elements supported between the second race and the third race
Data Source
AI summary
A thrust bearing includes a first axial end washer defining thereon a first race, a second axial end washer defining thereon a second race, a one-piece, radially-inner washer having a first axial end engaged with the first axial end washer and having a second axial end defining thereon a third race, and a one-piece, radially-outer washer having a first axial end defining thereon a fourth race and having a second axial end engaged with the second axial end washer. A first set of tapered rolling elements is supported between the first race and the fourth race and a second set of tapered rolling elements is supported between the second race and the third race. The first and second sets of tapered rolling elements are both axially and radially offset from one another.