Bearing contact pressure reduction in well tools
US8459379B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 12, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jun 11, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 20, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16C2352/00
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A method of reducing contact pressure between bearing surfaces of a well tool can include constructing a structure which supports one bearing surface in contact with the other bearing surface, and reducing contact pressure between the bearing surfaces by relieving strain energy in the structure. A well tool can include one bearing surface which contacts another bearing surface. There is a transition between contact and lack of contact between the bearing surfaces. A structure supporting one of the bearing surfaces can have a reduced stiffness, whereby a contact pressure between the bearing surfaces is reduced at the transition. The bearing surfaces can be formed on a thrust bearing, plain bearing, or other type of bearing between components of the well tool.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.