Patent ID: 8016052
Filing Date: 2011-09-13
Classification: E21B,F16C

Abstract:
1. A thrust bearing assembly comprising: a rotating bearing runner having a wear resistant face, the rotating bearing runner rotatable about a longitudinal axis; a stationary bearing carrier defining a plurality of thrust pad sites disposed annularly around the stationary bearing carrier, the stationary bearing carrier having a first side facing the wear resistant face of the rotating bearing runner and a second side opposite to the first side; a thrust pad disposed on the first side of the stationary bearing carrier at a site of the plurality of thrust pad sites, the thrust pad contacting the wear resistant face of the rotating bearing runner; a deflection element disposed in between the thrust pad and the stationary bearing carrier, wherein the stationary bearing carrier constrains movement of the thrust pad in a direction generally radial to the longitudinal axis while allowing the thrust pad to move in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis; and an overload protection runner, the overload protection runner configured to engage an overload stop prior to bottoming of the deflection element.