THERMAL MANAGEMENT IN BEARING ASSEMBLIES

摘要

Bearing assemblies, apparatuses, and motor assemblies using the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, the bearing assembly may include a support ring extending circumferentially about a central axis and a plurality of superhard bearing elements distributed circumferentially about the central axis. Each of the superhard bearing elements may be mounted to the support ring and may include a bearing surface. The bearing assembly may further include one or more thermal management elements including at least one of one or more thermally conductive structures or at least one of the superhard tables exhibiting a non-uniform thickness structured to promote cooling thereof during use. The one or more thermal management elements are in thermal communication one or more bearing surfaces and are configured to promote heat transfer away from the one or more of the bearing surfaces.