Patent ID: 8967871
Filing Date: 2015-03-03
Classification: E21B,F16C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A bearing assembly, comprising: a support ring including a plurality of recesses; a plurality of superhard bearing elements each of which is positioned in a corresponding recess of the plurality of recesses, the plurality of superhard bearing elements distributed circumferentially about an axis, each of the plurality of superhard bearing elements including a superhard element having a bearing surface and a base portion bonded to the superhard element, the base portion including a convex tilting feature configured to allow a corresponding one of the plurality of superhard bearing elements to be tiltable about a corresponding tilt axis; and a plurality of elongated retaining members that tiltably secure the plurality of superhard bearing elements to the support ring, each of the plurality of elongated retaining members having a longitudal axis extending radially when the bearing assembly is a thrust-bearing assembly or extending axially when the bearing assembly is a radial bearing assembly, at least part of each of the plurality of elongated retaining members is positioned in the base portion of the corresponding one of the plurality of superhard bearing elements.