Patent ID: 9631674
Date: 2017-04-25
CPC Classifications: F16C,G06F

Claim:
1. A method of producing a thrust bearing for a well tool, the method comprising: receiving, using one or more computing devices, inputs representing a plurality of geometric characteristics and material properties of the well tool, the well tool comprising: determining, based on the inputs and using the one or more computing devices, an expected value of a bending moment of the well tool in the vicinity of the thrust bearing; determining, based on the expected value of the bending moment and using the one or more computing devices, an expected value of a radial reaction force for each of a plurality of prospective radii of the interface, the radial reaction force being located at the interface between the convex and concave surfaces; and manufacturing the thrust bearing so that the interface between the convex and concave surfaces has an optimal radius selected from the plurality of prospective radii;