US3720271A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bearing device and method for using same
Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
•
Filing: 1971-03-10
•
Granted: 1973-03-13
•
Expires: 1991-03-10
Abstract
Abstract A self-adjusting bearing device employing multiple bearing means wherein each bearing means being in contact with a piston means which is in movable communication within a chamber. The chamber of each bearing means is in open communication with the chambers of other bearing means by way of conduit means so that movement of one piston means is reflected by movement of the other piston means in the other chambers by way of a liquid in the chambers and conduit means. A method for adjusting a plurality of bearing means so that each carries a predetermined proportion of the total load imposed on the bearing device by employing a movable piston with each bearing means and effecting communication from one movable piston to the rest of the movable pistons in the bearing device so that a movement of one piston is reflected in movement of the remaining pistons thereby distributing the total load among all the bearing means.
Inventors
- 👤 L Kern
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 18:29
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C19/00; F16C19/54; E; E21; E21B; E21B4/00; E21B4/003; F16C41/00; F16C41/02; F16C2352/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
234 words
In a well drilling device wherein a drill bit is rotated in the earth to drill a wellbore, the improvement comprising a downhole motor means, a shaft means connected to one end of said motor means, the other end of said shaft means being adapted to carry a drill bit, said shaft means being supported by a bearing device having multiple bearing means, said device comprising a shaft means, said bearing means, each bearing means having first and second race means on opposing sides of at least one bearing, each of said bearing means being carried by said shaft means in a spaced apart relation along a portion of the length of said shaft means, a race means from each bearing means being in contact with a piston means which is movable at least parallel to the direction of the major thrust forces transmitted by said bearing device, a cylinder means having at least one opening therein adjacent each of said piston means, a portion of each of said piston means extending into said at least one opening of its adjacent cylinder means in a liquid tight manner to define a closed chamber for each bearing means, each closed chamber being enclosed by the walls of a cylinder means and the exposed surface of its associated piston means, and conduit means openly connecting each closed chamber with the other closed chambers in said device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
234 words
In a well drilling device wherein a drill bit is rotated in the earth to drill a wellbore, the improvement comprising a downhole motor means, a shaft means connected to one end of said motor means, the other end of said shaft means being adapted to carry a drill bit, said shaft means being supported by a bearing device having multiple bearing means, said device comprising a shaft means, said bearing means, each bearing means having first and second race means on opposing sides of at least one bearing, each of said bearing means being carried by said shaft means in a spaced apart relation along a portion of the length of said shaft means, a race means from each bearing means being in contact with a piston means which is movable at least parallel to the direction of the major thrust forces transmitted by said bearing device, a cylinder means having at least one opening therein adjacent each of said piston means, a portion of each of said piston means extending into said at least one opening of its adjacent cylinder means in a liquid tight manner to define a closed chamber for each bearing means, each closed chamber being enclosed by the walls of a cylinder means and the exposed surface of its associated piston means, and conduit means openly connecting each closed chamber with the other closed chambers in said device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
234 words
In a well drilling device wherein a drill bit is rotated in the earth to drill a wellbore, the improvement comprising a downhole motor means, a shaft means connected to one end of said motor means, the other end of said shaft means being adapted to carry a drill bit, said shaft means being supported by a bearing device having multiple bearing means, said device comprising a shaft means, said bearing means, each bearing means having first and second race means on opposing sides of at least one bearing, each of said bearing means being carried by said shaft means in a spaced apart relation along a portion of the length of said shaft means, a race means from each bearing means being in contact with a piston means which is movable at least parallel to the direction of the major thrust forces transmitted by said bearing device, a cylinder means having at least one opening therein adjacent each of said piston means, a portion of each of said piston means extending into said at least one opening of its adjacent cylinder means in a liquid tight manner to define a closed chamber for each bearing means, each closed chamber being enclosed by the walls of a cylinder means and the exposed surface of its associated piston means, and conduit means openly connecting each closed chamber with the other closed chambers in said device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
234 words
In a well drilling device wherein a drill bit is rotated in the earth to drill a wellbore, the improvement comprising a downhole motor means, a shaft means connected to one end of said motor means, the other end of said shaft means being adapted to carry a drill bit, said shaft means being supported by a bearing device having multiple bearing means, said device comprising a shaft means, said bearing means, each bearing means having first and second race means on opposing sides of at least one bearing, each of said bearing means being carried by said shaft means in a spaced apart relation along a portion of the length of said shaft means, a race means from each bearing means being in contact with a piston means which is movable at least parallel to the direction of the major thrust forces transmitted by said bearing device, a cylinder means having at least one opening therein adjacent each of said piston means, a portion of each of said piston means extending into said at least one opening of its adjacent cylinder means in a liquid tight manner to define a closed chamber for each bearing means, each closed chamber being enclosed by the walls of a cylinder means and the exposed surface of its associated piston means, and conduit means openly connecting each closed chamber with the other closed chambers in said device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein a drill bit is connected to the other end of said shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said cylinder means has a single cylindrical-shaped opening therein, said piston means is cylindrical-shaped and fits within said cylindrical-shaped opening, seal means carried by said piston means to prevent leakage of pressurized liquid from said closed chamber around said piston means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said exposed surface area is substantially the same for each piston means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said exposed surface areas for said piston means are unequal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said bearing means extend transverse to the long axis of said shaft means and said piston means are movable parallel to the long axis of said shaft means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said motor means is supported by a string of drill pipe.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
86 words
In a method for drilling a wellbore by rotating a drill bit with the shaft of a downhole motor, the shaft being supported by a plurality of bearing means, the improvement comprising providing a piston for each bearing means, making said pistons movable in a cylinder, connecting the interior of each cylinder with the interior of the other cylinders with a liquid, moving the remaining pistons in response to a movement of one of said pistons to distribute said total load among all said bearing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
86 words
In a method for drilling a wellbore by rotating a drill bit with the shaft of a downhole motor, the shaft being supported by a plurality of bearing means, the improvement comprising providing a piston for each bearing means, making said pistons movable in a cylinder, connecting the interior of each cylinder with the interior of the other cylinders with a liquid, moving the remaining pistons in response to a movement of one of said pistons to distribute said total load among all said bearing means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein when the incremental load on one bearing means increases, moving the piston associated with that bearing means into its cylinder to thereby cause by the movement of said liquid the remaining pistons to move out of their cylinders towards their respective bearing to distribute the increased incremental load equally among all said bearing means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein when the incremental load on one bearing means decreases, moving the piston associated with that bearing means out of its cylinder to thereby cause by the movement of said liquid the remaining pistons to move into their cylinders away from their respective bearing to distribute the decreased incremental load equally among all said bearing means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein said load is distributed equally among said bearing means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein said load is distributed unequally among said bearing means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein said motor, shaft, and bit are rotated using surface motor means and the resultant cumulative rotation speed of said bit due to surface motor rotation combined with the downhole motor rOtation is at least about 400 rpm.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein the borehole drilled has a diameter of up to about 6 inches.
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) | 1976-03-12 | 1976-09-11 | 1977-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-12 | 1980-09-11 | 1981-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-12 | 1984-09-11 | 1985-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |