Earth-boring tools including rotatable bearing elements and related methods
US10494876B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 3, 2017 |
| Grant date | Dec 3, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 6, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16F15/08
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An earth-boring tool for drilling a subterranean formation includes a bit body having a central axis and a cavity extending into the bit body from an outer surface thereof. A bearing element assembly may be mounted within the cavity. The bearing element assembly comprises a lower retaining member, an upper retaining member mounted over to the lower retaining member, the upper retaining member comprising an aperture formed therethrough, and a spherical bearing element disposed over the lower retaining member and extending through the aperture formed through the upper retaining member. The spherical bearing element is rotatable about three axes of rotation within the lower retaining member and the upper retaining member.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.