Patent US3630634A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3630634A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rock-drilling apparatus
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1970-06-26
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Granted: 1971-12-28
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Expires: 1990-06-26
Abstract
Abstract A thrust-bearing structure for a turbodrill, and a turbodrill incorporating the same, comprising a stack of inner and outer ball bearing track members with sets of bearing balls running in a plurality of axially spaced tracks defined by said track members so as to be capable of transmitting axial thrust between the inner and outer track members by shear stress in the balls, the inner track members being arranged for the transmission of axial thrust between neighboring ones of such inner track members and the outer track members being arranged for the transmission of axial thrust between neighboring ones of such outer track members, whereby axial loads are distributed through the bearing structure in use.
Inventors
- 👤 William Mayall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 12:18
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B4/00; E21B4/02; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S415/00; Y10S415/903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A turbodrill comprising a housing having a rotary assembly supported therein against axial thrust loads by at least one thrust-bearing structure comprising a stack of inner and outer ball bearing track members with sets of bearing balls running in a plurality of axially spaced tracks defined by said track members so as to be capable of transmitting axial thrust between the inner and outer track members by shear stress in the balls, the inner track members having means for the transmission of axial thrust between neighboring ones of such inner track members and the outer track members having means for the transmission of axial thrust between neighboring ones of such outer track members, whereby axial loads are distributed through the bearing structure in use.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
A turbodrill comprising a housing having a rotary assembly supported therein against axial thrust loads by at least one thrust-bearing structure comprising a stack of inner and outer ball bearing track members with sets of bearing balls running in a plurality of axially spaced tracks defined by said track members so as to be capable of transmitting axial thrust between the inner and outer track members by shear stress in the balls, the inner track members having means for the transmission of axial thrust between neighboring ones of such inner track members and the outer track members having means for the transmission of axial thrust between neighboring ones of such outer track members, whereby axial loads are distributed through the bearing structure in use.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A turbodrill as claimed in claim 1, including at least two of said thrust-bearing structures arranged to support the said rotary assembly of the turbodrill, the rotary assembly having means to divide axial thrust loads between said bearing structures irrespective of the direction of such thrust loads.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
A turbodrill as claimed in claim 2, wherein the said rotary assembly comprises a turbine rotor which is supported by one said thrust-bearing structure, and a drill shaft that is supported by another said thrust-bearing structure, the drill shaft and the turbine rotor being coupled by an adjustable coupling sleeve adapted for the transmission of torque and axial thrust.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A turbodrill as claimed in claim 1, wherein the maximum external diameter of the said outer track members of the said thrust-bearing structure is slightly less than the minimum internal diameter of the said housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
A turbodrill as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said thrust-bearing structure has its said inner track members secured in longitudinal compression on said rotary assembly by sleeves mounted on and locked to said assembly, and its said outer track members secured in longitudinal compression on said housing by sleeves mounted in and locked to said housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A turbodrill as claimed in claim 1, wherein a rotary seal structure is provided between the said housing and the said rotary assembly above and below the thrust-bearing structure, to minimize the ingress of drilling mud to the thrust bearing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
87 words
A turbodrill as claimed in claim 6, wherein each said rotary seal structure comprises a pack of split rings having their individual splits indexed out of alignment, said rings being disposed in an outer sleeve adapted to apply radially inwards thrust upon the rings of said pack, said sleeve being fixed and sealed to end rings respectively abutting the opposite ends of said split ring pack, said end rings sealingly engaging said housing and the inner faces of said split rings sealingly engaging the said rotary assembly.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-27 | 1975-06-28 | 1975-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-27 | 1979-06-28 | 1979-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-27 | 1983-06-28 | 1983-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |