Patent ID: 8277124
Filing Date: 2012-10-02
Classification: E21B,F16C

Abstract:
1. A bearing assembly, comprising: a plurality of circumferentially-spaced bearing elements, each of the plurality of circumferentially-spaced bearing elements includes a bearing surface, a lateral surface of at least one of the plurality of circumferentially-spaced bearing elements circumferentially spaced from an immediately circumferentially successive and facing lateral surface of an immediately circumferentially successive one of the plurality of circumferentially-spaced bearing elements by a lateral spacing greater than a maximum lateral dimension of the circumferentially-spaced bearing elements; and a support ring having the plurality of circumferentially-spaced bearing elements mounted thereto, the support ring including a plurality of bearing support regions on which corresponding ones of the plurality of circumferentially-spaced bearing elements are supported and a plurality of flow obstruction regions integrally formed with the plurality of bearing support regions, each of the plurality of flow obstruction regions is positioned circumferentially between circumferentially successive bearing elements of the plurality of circumferentially-spaced bearing elements and configured to obstruct fluid flow during operation to provide a selected fluid flow over the bearing surfaces of the plurality of circumferentially-spaced bearing elements, each of the plurality of flow obstruction regions includes a terminal surface positioned behind each of the bearing surfaces of the plurality of circumferentially-spaced bearing elements.