Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing compliance in bearings of rotating machinery are provided. The rotating machinery may include a drive shaft movably coupled within a bearing housing. Compliant bearing assemblies may interface engagement between the drive shaft and the bearing housing, including polycrystalline diamond bearing elements, each with an engagement surface, and an opposing engagement surface of a metal that contains diamond solvent-catalyst.

Abstract: A downhole tool for use in a downhole drill string is provided. The downhole tool includes a rotor movably coupled within a stator, and a drive shaft movably coupled within a bearing housing. The drive shaft has a first end coupled with the rotor and a second end coupled with a drill bit. Bearing assemblies interfaces engagement between the drive shaft and the bearing housing, including polycrystalline diamond elements, each with an engagement surface, and an opposing engagement surface of a non-superhard metal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing compliance in bearings of rotating machinery are provided. The rotating machinery may include a drive shaft movably coupled within a bearing housing. Compliant bearing assemblies may interface engagement between the drive shaft and the bearing housing, including polycrystalline diamond bearing elements, each with an engagement surface, and an opposing engagement surface of a metal that contains diamond solvent-catalyst.

Abstract: A radial bearing assembly is provided. The radial bearing assembly includes polycrystalline diamond elements, each having an engagement surface in sliding engagement with an opposing engagement surface. The opposing engagement surface includes a diamond reactive material. The radial bearing assembly may be deployed in a variety of components and applications, including in rotor and stator assemblies. Also provided are methods of use of the radial bearing assembly, as well as methods of designing the radial bearing assembly.

Abstract: A tubular engagement interface for interfacing the coupling of two movably engaged tubulars is disclosed. The tubular engagement interface includes a body. The body includes a body engagement surface. A polycrystalline diamond element is coupled with the body, and includes a diamond engagement surface. The tubular engagement interface may be coupled with an inner wall of a first tubular, such that the body engagement surface, the diamond engagement surface, or combinations thereof are engaged with an opposing engagement surface of an outer wall of a second tubular. Alternatively, the tubular engagement interface may be coupled with the outer wall of the second tubular, such that the body engagement surface, the diamond engagement surface, or combinations thereof are engaged with an opposing engagement surface of the inner wall of the first tubular.

Abstract: A downhole tool for use in a downhole drill string is provided. The downhole tool includes a rotor movably coupled within a stator, and a drive shaft movably coupled within a bearing housing. The drive shaft has a first end coupled with the rotor and a second end coupled with a drill bit. Bearing assemblies interfaces engagement between the drive shaft and the bearing housing, including polycrystalline diamond elements, each with an engagement surface, and an opposing engagement surface of a non-superhard metal.

Abstract: A tubular engagement interface for interfacing the coupling of two movably engaged tubulars is disclosed. The tubular engagement interface includes a body. The body includes a body engagement surface. A polycrystalline diamond element is coupled with the body, and includes a diamond engagement surface. The tubular engagement interface may be coupled with an inner wall of a first tubular, such that the body engagement surface, the diamond engagement surface, or combinations thereof are engaged with an opposing engagement surface of an outer wall of a second tubular. Alternatively, the tubular engagement interface may be coupled with the outer wall of the second tubular, such that the body engagement surface, the diamond engagement surface, or combinations thereof are engaged with an opposing engagement surface of the inner wall of the first tubular.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a diamond bearing surface positioned in sliding engagement with an opposing bearing surface of a diamond reactive material. The opposing bearing surface is hardened via a material treatment.

Abstract: A roller ball assembly is provided. The assembly includes a primary roller ball supported by a support element that is composed of a superhard material. The assembly includes a cup defining a cavity within which the support element is positioned. A cap is coupled with the cup and positioned to retain the primary roller ball within the cavity. Also, a cup is disclosed for supporting roller balls. Additionally, disclosed are system and apparatus incorporating the assembly, as well as to methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: A cam follower is provided. The cam follower includes a polycrystalline diamond element, including an engagement surface. The engagement surface of the polycrystalline diamond element is positioned on the cam follower for sliding engagement with an opposing engagement surface of a cam. The cam includes at least some of a diamond reactive material.

Abstract: A threaded installation is provided. The threaded installation includes a nut, a bolt, and a housing. The housing includes a threaded hole. A first threaded connection is formed where the bolt is threadably coupled with the nut, and a second threaded connection is formed where the bolt is threadably coupled with the threaded hole. The first threaded connection is characterized by a first flank angle, ?2A, of threads of the bolt or threads of the nut. The second threaded connection is characterized by a second flank angle, ?3B, of threads of the bolt or threads of the housing. The flank angles, ?2A and ?3B, satisfy the following equation: k 2 = cos ? ( ? 2 ? A ) cos ? ( ? 3 ? B ) > 1 . 0 ? 0 .

Abstract: A thrust bearing assembly is provided, including a thrust ring defining a thrust face and an opposing thrust ring defining an opposing thrust face. At least one polycrystalline diamond element is coupled with the thrust face and defines an engagement surface. The opposing thrust ring includes a diamond reactive material. In operation, the engagement surface is in contact with the opposing thrust face. Also provided are methods of making, assembling, and using the same, as well as to systems and apparatus including the same.

Abstract: A radial bearing assembly is provided. The radial bearing assembly includes polycrystalline diamond elements, each having an engagement surface in sliding engagement with an opposing engagement surface. The opposing engagement surface includes a diamond reactive material. The radial bearing assembly may be deployed in a variety of components and applications, including in rotor and stator assemblies. Also provided are methods of use of the radial bearing assembly, as well as methods of designing the radial bearing assembly.

Abstract: A cam follower is provided. The cam follower includes a polycrystalline diamond element, including an engagement surface. The engagement surface of the polycrystalline diamond element is positioned on the cam follower for sliding engagement with an opposing engagement surface of a cam. The cam includes at least some of a diamond reactive material.