US4789251A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Cooling networks for PCD bearing surfaces
Assignee: Halliburton Co
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Filing: 1988-02-22
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Granted: 1988-12-06
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Expires: 2008-02-22
Abstract
Abstract Polycrystalline diamond wear surfaces in bearing structures are maintained at temperatures that prevent thermal degradation in spite of exceptionally high loads. This temperature control is accomplished by segmenting the diamond wear surface to provide interrupt channels through which the energy build-up at the diamond wear surface is maintained below the thermal degradation level. Cooling fluid may be caused to flow through the interrupt channels, the higher the velocity of fluid flow around the diamond bearing surface, the greater the cooling effect.
Inventors
- 👤 James N. McPherson
- 👤 David R. Hall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 21:33
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C37/00; F16C37/002; F16C17/00; F16C17/04; F16C33/00; F16C33/02; F16C33/04; F16C33/043; F16C33/06; F16C33/10; F16C33/1025; F16C33/106; F16C33/108; F16C33/26; F16C2206/00; F16C2206/02; F16C2206/04; F16C2240/00; F16C2240/40; F16C2240/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
40 words
An improved bearing structure comprising: a continuous polycrystalline diamond bearing surface; and channel means in said surface for preventing thermal degradation of said surface in the presence of high bearing loads in excess of eight million PV (lbs./sq. in.) (ft./min.).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
40 words
An improved bearing structure comprising: a continuous polycrystalline diamond bearing surface; and channel means in said surface for preventing thermal degradation of said surface in the presence of high bearing loads in excess of eight million PV (lbs./sq. in.) (ft./min.).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A bearing structure comprising: a plurality of bearing inserts each having a diamond bearing face; channel means for conducting fluid flow through a plurality of said faces; and means for mounting said bearing inserts in bearing position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A bearing structure comprising: a plurality of bearing inserts each having a diamond bearing face; channel means for conducting fluid flow through a plurality of said faces; and means for mounting said bearing inserts in bearing position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The bearing structure of claim 2 wherein said fluid flow providing means includes a flow channel in each said bearing face.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The bearing structure of claim 2 wherein said fluid flow providing means comprises cross channels scribed into the diamond faces of said inserts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The bearing structure of claim 2 wherein said fluid flow providing means comprises cross channels in each said bearing face.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The bearing structure of claim 5 wherein said channels are 1/32-in. wide×1/32-in. deep and wherein the bearing surface provided by said face is 1/32- to 1/16-in. above the surface of said mounting means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The bearing structure of claims 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 wherein said inserts each have a planar face and are mounted by said mounting means such that their planar faces all lie in a common plane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The bearing structure of claims 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 wherein said mounting means comprises a frusto conical bearing element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
A bearing structure comprising: a plurality of cylindrical bearing inserts having planar diamond faces; means for mounting said inserts in a circular array such that their faces lie substantially in a common plane; and fluid flow channel means formed in each of a plurality of the faces of said inserts.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
A bearing structure comprising: a plurality of cylindrical bearing inserts having planar diamond faces; means for mounting said inserts in a circular array such that their faces lie substantially in a common plane; and fluid flow channel means formed in each of a plurality of the faces of said inserts.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The bearing structure of claim 9 wherein said diamond is polycrystalline diamond.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
A bearing comprising: an annular planar plycrystalline diamond (PCD) surface having a central cylindrical opening; and flow channel means in said PCD surface for conducting fluid from said central cylindrical opening through said surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
A bearing comprising: an annular planar plycrystalline diamond (PCD) surface having a central cylindrical opening; and flow channel means in said PCD surface for conducting fluid from said central cylindrical opening through said surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
An improved bearing structure, comprising: a diamond bearing surface; and means for maintaining the energy buildup on the surface of said diamond bearing below the thermal degradiation level at bearing loads in excess of eight million PV (lbs./sq. in.) (ft./min.).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
An improved bearing structure, comprising: a diamond bearing surface; and means for maintaining the energy buildup on the surface of said diamond bearing below the thermal degradiation level at bearing loads in excess of eight million PV (lbs./sq. in.) (ft./min.).
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improved bearing structure of claim 12 wherein said diamond bearing surface comprises a plurality of individual diamond areas segmented by channels therebetween.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improved bearing structure of claim 13 wherein said means for maintaining the energy buildup below the thermal degradation level comprises cooling fluid circulating in said channels at high velocity.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improved bearing structure of claim 12 wherein said diamond bearing surface is segmented by channels cut into the diamond surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improved bearing structure of claim 15 wherein said means for maintaining the energy buildup below the thermal degradation level comprises cooling fluid circulating in said channels at high velocity.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
42 words
An improved bearing structure, comprising: a diamond on diamond bearing interface; and means for maintaining the energy buildup at the surface of said diamond bearing interface below its thermal degradation level at PV values in excess of 8×10 6 (lbs./sq. in.) (ft.min.).
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
42 words
An improved bearing structure, comprising: a diamond on diamond bearing interface; and means for maintaining the energy buildup at the surface of said diamond bearing interface below its thermal degradation level at PV values in excess of 8×10 6 (lbs./sq. in.) (ft.min.).
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improved bearing structure of claim 17 wherein said means for maintaining energy buildup comprises said bearing surfaces being a plurality of individual segments having channels therebetween.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improved bearing structure of claim 18 wherein said means for maintaining energy buildup further comprises cooling fluid circulating in said channels at high velocity.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improved bearing structive of claim 19 wherein said velocity is in the range of 50 to 100 feet per second.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improved bearing structure of claim 17 wherein said means for maintaining energy buildup comprises channels cut into the bearing surface creating a plurality of segments.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improved bearing structure of claim 21 wherein said means for maintaining energy buildup further comprises cooling fluid circulating in said channels at high velocity.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improved bearing structure of claim 22 wherein said velocity is in the range of 50 to 100 feet per second.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
37 words
An improved bearing structure comprising: a diamond bearing surface; and cooling fluid flow channel means in said diamond bearing surface, said fluid flow channel means comprising a plurality of branching flow grooves of descending fluid carrying capability.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
37 words
An improved bearing structure comprising: a diamond bearing surface; and cooling fluid flow channel means in said diamond bearing surface, said fluid flow channel means comprising a plurality of branching flow grooves of descending fluid carrying capability.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
36 words
An improved bearing structure comprising: a diamond bearing surface; and cooling fluid flow channel means in said diamond bearing surface, said fluid flow channel means comprising first and second flow grooves disposed perpendicularly to one another.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
36 words
An improved bearing structure comprising: a diamond bearing surface; and cooling fluid flow channel means in said diamond bearing surface, said fluid flow channel means comprising first and second flow grooves disposed perpendicularly to one another.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
32 words
An improved bearing structure comprising: a diamond bearing surface; and cooling fluid flow channel means in said diamond bearing surface, said fluid flow channel means comprising a rectangular matrix of flow grooves.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
32 words
An improved bearing structure comprising: a diamond bearing surface; and cooling fluid flow channel means in said diamond bearing surface, said fluid flow channel means comprising a rectangular matrix of flow grooves.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
32 words
An improved bearing structure comprising: a diamond bearing surface; and cooling fluid flow channel means in said diamond bearing surface for acting as a pump to pump cooling fluid through said surface.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
32 words
An improved bearing structure comprising: a diamond bearing surface; and cooling fluid flow channel means in said diamond bearing surface for acting as a pump to pump cooling fluid through said surface.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
50 words
A bearing structure comprising: a plurality of bearing inserts each having a substantially planar diamond bearing face; means for conducting fluid flow through a plurality of said faces at velocities in the range of 50 to 100 feet per second; and means for mounting said bearing inserts in bearing position.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
50 words
A bearing structure comprising: a plurality of bearing inserts each having a substantially planar diamond bearing face; means for conducting fluid flow through a plurality of said faces at velocities in the range of 50 to 100 feet per second; and means for mounting said bearing inserts in bearing position.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
The bearing structure of claim 28 wherein said inserts comprise cylindrical inserts having a polycrystalline diamond (PCD) face.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
23 words
The bearing structure of claim 29 wherein said fluid flow providing means comprises cross channels scribed into the PCD faces of said inserts.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
33 words
The bearing structure of claim 30 wherein said channels are 1/32-in. wide×1/32-in. deep and wherein the bearing surface provided by said face is 1/32- to 1/16-in. above the surface of said mounting means.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
21 words
The bearing structure of claim 28 wherein said fluid flow providing means includes a flow channel in each said bearing face.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
The bearing structure of claim 28 wherein said fluid flow providing means comprises cross channels in each said bearing face.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
81 words
A bearing structure comprising: a plurality of cylindrical bearing inserts each having a substantially planar polycrystalline diamond bearing face; first and second channel means 1/32-in. wide x 1/32-in. deep for conducting fluid flow through a plurality of said faces at velocities in the range of 50-100 feet per second; and means for mounting said bearing inserts in bearing position above a planar surface with their centers on a common circle and their faces 1/32 - to 1/16-in. above said planar surface.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
81 words
A bearing structure comprising: a plurality of cylindrical bearing inserts each having a substantially planar polycrystalline diamond bearing face; first and second channel means 1/32-in. wide x 1/32-in. deep for conducting fluid flow through a plurality of said faces at velocities in the range of 50-100 feet per second; and means for mounting said bearing inserts in bearing position above a planar surface with their centers on a common circle and their faces 1/32 - to 1/16-in. above said planar surface.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
58 words
An improved bearing structure comprising: a diamond bearing surface having a circular cross-section; and cooling fluid flow channel means in said diamond bearing surface, said fluid flow channel means comprising first and second flow grooves disposed perpendicularly to one another, crossing substantially in the center of said circular cross-section and terminating at the periphery of said circular cross-section.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
58 words
An improved bearing structure comprising: a diamond bearing surface having a circular cross-section; and cooling fluid flow channel means in said diamond bearing surface, said fluid flow channel means comprising first and second flow grooves disposed perpendicularly to one another, crossing substantially in the center of said circular cross-section and terminating at the periphery of said circular cross-section.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
17 words
The bearing structure of claim 35 wherein said diamond bearing surface is supported by a cylindrical stud.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-12-06 | 1992-06-06 | 1992-12-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-12-06 | 1996-06-06 | 1996-12-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-12-06 | 2000-06-06 | 2000-12-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |