BEARINGS FOR DOWNHOLE TOOLS, DOWNHOLE TOOLS INCORPORATING SUCH BEARINGS, AND METHODS OF COOLING SUCH BEARINGS

摘要

Bearings for downhole tools including a first bearing member and a second bearing member, at least one of the first and second bearing members having a channel formed therein. Methods of cooling bearings of downhole tools comprise flowing a fluid within a channel formed in at least one bearing member. Heat is transferred from at least the at least one bearing member to the fluid. The fluid is flowed away from the at least one bearing member.

主权项

1. A downhole tool, comprising:
a body; a first bearing member fixed to the body, the first bearing member comprising an outer contact surface defining an outer diameter; and a second bearing member rotatable about the first bearing member, the second bearing member comprising an inner contact surface defining an inner diameter, the inner diameter of the second bearing member being larger than the outer diameter of the first bearing member and the inner contact surface of the second bearing member being in sliding contact with the outer contact surface of the first bearing member at an interface; wherein the first bearing member comprises a channel formed in the outer contact surface of the first bearing member, the channel comprising a notch defining a flat surface interrupting an otherwise circular cross-sectional shape of the outer contact surface.