Patent ID: 9611885
Date: 2017-04-04
CPC Classifications: F16C

Claim:
1. A bearing apparatus, comprising: a housing having a first end spaced from a second end, the housing defining a sealed enclosure; a lubricating fluid contained at least partially within the housing; a rotatable shaft disposed at least partially within the housing, the rotatable shaft including at least one circulation cavity through which the lubricating fluid may flow; a first bearing assembly including a plurality of first superhard bearing elements each of which includes a first superhard bearing surface, the first bearing assembly disposed within the housing so as to be exposed to the lubricating fluid during use, the first bearing assembly being configured to rotate with the rotatable shaft; and a second bearing assembly including a plurality of second superhard bearing elements each of which includes a second superhard bearing surface, the second bearing assembly disposed within the housing so as to be exposed to the lubricating fluid during use, the second superhard bearing surfaces of the second bearing assembly being opposed to the first superhard bearing surfaces of the first bearing assembly.