Multi-Stage Thrust Bearing With Extrudable Load Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thrust bearings used in high axial load applications, such as in the oil and gas industry, face challenges with wear rates and the need for lubrication, and in downhole applications, space restrictions limit the ability to increase bearing size to accommodate higher loads.
Innovation Solution
A thrust bearing design featuring axially arranged bearing stages with extrudable components that balance loads by extrusion, allowing for even distribution of axial loads across multiple stages, reducing the need for precise tolerances and accommodating bending and misalignment, while maintaining load transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the bearing size is increased to accommodate higher loads, then the load capacity is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing is divided into multiple bearing stages arranged axially, with each stage containing extrudable components. This segmentation allows the load to be distributed across multiple smaller stages rather than requiring a single large bearing, thus maintaining high load capacity while reducing the overall bearing diameter and fitting space constraints in downhole applications.
2Force
If mechanical thrust bearings are used with opposing bearing surfaces in rotary sliding contact, then the load capacity is improved, but the wear rate increases and lubrication is required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material state of the bearing components by using extrudable materials that can deform under axial loading. This parameter change from rigid to deformable material allows the bearing to accommodate misalignment and bending without the high wear rates associated with traditional rigid mechanical thrust bearings in rotary sliding contact.
3Force
If precise tolerances are required for load distribution across bearing stages, then the load balancing is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing stages are designed with extrudable components that can dynamically adjust their shape and position in response to applied loads. This dynamic capability allows the bearing to self-balance loads across stages without requiring precise manufacturing tolerances, as the material deformation compensates for initial dimensional variations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the bearing is designed to accommodate bending and misalignment, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing utilizes extrudable materials that exhibit flexible, deformable characteristics similar to flexible shells. These materials can bend and deform to accommodate misalignment between bearing stages without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms, thus achieving high adaptability while maintaining relatively simple bearing structure.
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 thrust bearing achieves balanced load distribution and reduced wear rates, extending its operational life and maintaining performance under varying loads and misalignment conditions without the need for large diameters or precise tolerances.
Implementation Method 1
The extrudable components are extrudable under axial loading, providing load balancing between each bearing stages. When sufficient applied load the extrudable component may be subject to extrusion to thus allow the relative spacing between the first and second load shoulders to adjust
Implementation Method 2
load balancing may be achieved by extrusion, for example in what may be considered in the form of deformation of the extrudable component within the bearing structure
Data Source
AI summary
A thrust bearing is described comprising first and second bearing assemblies (15, 17) rotatable relative to each and a plurality of axially arranged bearing stages (14a, 14b) formed between the first and second bearing assemblies (15, 17). Each bearing stage comprises a first load shoulder (16) provided on the first bearing assembly (15), a second load shoulder (18) provided on the second bearing assembly (17), a bearing structure (30) defined between the first and second load shoulders; and an extrudable component (32) forming part of the bearing structure. Wherein axial load applied between the first and second bearing assemblies (15, 17) in a first relative axial direction is transmitted between respective pairs of first and second load shoulders via the extrudable components (32) of respective bearing structures (30). The extrudable components (30) provide for load balancing between each bearing stage (14a, 14b).