Compressible bearing assembly for downhole tools and methods of operation of same

摘要

Bearing assemblies for downhole tools include a compensator member operatively associated with a slidable member and a bearing member. The slidable member is movable longitudinally relative to the bearing member. Such movement of slidable member occurs when a force acts upwardly on the downhole tool. Thus, the slidable member facilitates absorption of the upward force acting on the downhole tool. During movement of the slidable member, the compensator member is moved from its expanded position to one of its plurality of compressed positions. As a result, the compensator member becomes biased or further biased toward the expanded position. After the upward force dissipates, the compensator member releases some of its stored energy to move from a compressed position toward the expanded position. Longitudinal movement of the slidable member facilitates maintaining engagement of the downhole tool in its working position so that interruptions of operations are minimized.

主权项

1. A bearing assembly for a rotatable downhole tool, the bearing assembly comprising:
a bearing member; a slidable member operatively associated with the bearing member; and a compensator member operatively associated with the slidable member and the bearing member, the compensator member positioned between the bearing member and at least a portion of the slidable member, the compensator member having an expanded position and a plurality of compressed positions, the slidable member being slidable relative to the bearing member causing the compensator to move between the expanded position and at least one of the plurality of compressed positions; wherein the slidable member is operatively associated with the bearing member by a piston, the piston having a first end secured to the bearing member and a second end in sliding engagement with the slidable member.