LOW-FRICTION, ABRASION RESISTANT REPLACEABLE BEARING SURFACE
A replaceable bearing surface is disclosed. The replaceable bearing surface comprises an outer housing and a low-friction, abrasion resistant button secured within the outer housing. The outer housing is adapted to be inserted into and removed from a device without damaging the device.
1 . A replaceable bearing surface, comprising:
an outer housing; and
a low-friction, abrasion resistant button secured within the outer housing;
wherein the outer housing is adapted to be inserted into and removed from a device without damaging the device.
2 . The replaceable bearing surface of claim 1 , wherein the button is comprised of Polycrystalline Diamond Compact (PDC).
3 . The replaceable bearing surface of claim 1 , wherein the outer housing is comprised of 41/30 steel.
4 . The replaceable bearing surface of claim 1 , wherein the button is press fit into the outer housing.
5 . The replaceable bearing surface of claim 1 , wherein the outer housing has a notched grip portion.
6 . The replaceable bearing surface of claim 1 , wherein the outer housing has a threaded portion.
7 . The replaceable bearing surface of claim 6 , wherein the threaded portion of the outer housing is adapted to mate with a threaded recess in the device.
8 . The replaceable bearing surface of claim 1 , wherein the button is hemispherical.
9 . The replaceable bearing surface of claim 8 , wherein the outer surface of the button extends beyond at least one surface of the outer housing.
10 . The replaceable bearing surface of claim 8 , wherein, when installed, button extends beyond an exterior surface of the device.
11 . A low-friction, abrasion resistant system, comprising:
a device having at least one recess;
a plurality of replaceable bearing surfaces adapted to be inserted into and removed from the at least one recess without damaging the device, each replaceable bearing surface comprising:
an outer housing; and
a low-friction, abrasion resistant button secured within the outer housing.
12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the button is comprised of Polycrystalline Diamond Compact (PDC).
13 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the outer housing is comprised of 41 / 30 steel.
14 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the button is press fit into the outer housing.
15 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the outer housing has a notched grip portion.
16 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the outer housing has a threaded portion.
17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the threaded portion of the outer housing is adapted to mate with a threaded recess in the device.
18 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the button is hemispherical.
19 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the outer surface of the button extends beyond at least one surface of the outer housing.
20 . The system of claim 18 , wherein, when installed, button extends beyond an exterior surface of the device.
21 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the device is one of a drill bit, a reamer, a cam shaft, a bearing, or an axle.
22 . A method of installing and removing the replaceable bearing surface of claim 1 without damaging the device.