Bearing elements, bearing apparatuses including same, and related methods
View Patent ↗Bearing apparatuses including contacting bearing surfaces comprising superhard materials are disclosed. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to bearings including polycrystalline diamond inserts or compacts defining a plurality of surfaces that move relative to one another and contact one another. For example, apparatuses may include radial bearings, or other bearings including arcuate bearing surfaces that more in relation to one another, without limitation. In one embodiment, a superhard bearing element may comprise a superhard table (e.g., polycrystalline diamond) forming an arcuate bearing surface. Further, such a superhard bearing element may comprise a chamfer formed about at least a portion of a periphery of the arcuate bearing surface. Bearing apparatuses including such bearing elements and various mechanical systems are disclosed.
1. A bearing apparatus comprising:
a first body having a first plurality of recesses formed therein;
a first plurality of bearing elements, each bearing element having an individual bearing surface, wherein the first plurality of individual bearing surfaces define a first collective bearing surface, wherein each of the first plurality of bearing elements is at least partially disposed within an associated one of the first plurality of recesses, and wherein at least one bearing element of the first plurality of bearing elements includes a superhard table and a chamfer extending only partially around the individual bearing surface; and
at least one compliant member associated with the at least one bearing element, the at least one compliant member being configured to enable displacement of the at least one bearing element relative to the first body in at least one direction, wherein the individual bearing surface of the at least one bearing element of the first plurality of bearing elements includes an arcuate bearing surface.
2. The bearing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one compliant member includes a first plurality of compliant members, each of the first plurality of compliant members being at least partially disposed in an associated one of the first plurality of recesses and configured to enable displacement of an associated one of the first plurality of bearing elements relative to the first body.
3. The bearing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one compliant member comprises a biasing element.
4. The bearing apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the biasing element includes a wave spring washer, a curved spring washer, or a Belleville spring washer.
5. The bearing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one chamfer exhibits a variation in width as it extends along a periphery of the arcuate bearing surface.
6. The bearing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the individual bearing surfaces of the first plurality of bearing elements includes an arcuate bearing surface.
7. The bearing apparatus of claim 6 , wherein each arcuate bearing surface includes a concave surface.
8. The bearing apparatus of claim 6 , wherein each arcuate bearing surface includes a convex surface.
9. The bearing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the superhard table comprises a polycrystalline diamond table and wherein the polycrystalline diamond table is bonded to a substrate.
10. The bearing apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second body having a second plurality of recesses formed therein;
a second plurality of bearing elements, each bearing element of the second plurality having an individual bearing surface, wherein the plurality of individual bearing surfaces of the second plurality of bearing elements define a second collective bearing surface configured for direct contact with the first collective bearing surface, wherein each of the second plurality of bearing elements is at least partially disposed within an associated one of the plurality of recesses of the second body, and wherein at least one bearing element of the second plurality of bearing elements includes a superhard table and a chamfer formed in the superhard table extending at least partially around the individual bearing surface.
11. The bearing apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the first body is substantially ring-shaped.
12. The bearing apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the second body is substantially ring-shaped.
13. The bearing apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the individual bearing surface of the at least one bearing element of the second plurality of bearing elements includes an arcuate bearing surface.
14. The bearing apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising at least one additional compliant member associated with the at least one bearing element of the second plurality of bearing elements, the at least one additional compliant member being configured to enable displacement of the at least one additional bearing element of the second plurality of bearing elements relative to the second body in at least one direction responsive to contact of the at least one bearing element of the second plurality of bearing elements with the first collective bearing surface.