BEARING ASSEMBLIES INCLUDING ENHANCED SELECTED SUPPORT FOR NONUNIFORM LOADS, BEARING APPARATUSES, AND METHODS OF USE

摘要

Embodiments of the invention are directed to bearing assemblies configured to effectively carry nonuniform loads, bearing apparatuses including such bearing assemblies, and methods of operating such bearing assemblies and apparatuses. In an embodiment, under some operational conditions, one or more portions of the bearing assemblies and bearing apparatus may be preferentially loaded, such as to carry preferentially higher loads (e.g., radial and/or axial loads) than other portion(s) of the bearing assemblies and bearing apparatus.

主权项

1. A bearing assembly, comprising:
a support ring; a plurality of first superhard bearing elements mounted to the support ring, the plurality of first superhard bearing elements being distributed about an axis, each of the plurality of first superhard bearing elements having a superhard material including a first superhard bearing surface, the plurality of first superhard bearing elements defining a unreinforced portion; and a plurality of second superhard bearing elements mounted to the support ring, the plurality of second superhard bearing elements being distributed about the axis and defining a reinforced portion that has a span angle about the axis, each of the plurality of second superhard bearing elements having a superhard material including a second superhard bearing surface, the second superhard bearing surfaces collectively defining a reinforced bearing surface, and the reinforced portion having a bearing surface density greater than the unreinforced portion.