Abstract: A bearing assembly for a drilling tool. A radial bearing assembly for use in a drilling tool may include a bushing having a generally cylindrical body with an inner surface. The radial bearing assembly may also include a sleeve configured to couple to a rotatable shaft of the drilling tool and configured to rotate within the bushing. The sleeve has (i) a plurality of spiral projections extending laterally in a direction away from a longitudinal axis of the radial bearing assembly and (ii) a plurality of flow paths, where a flow path of the plurality of flow paths is defined between a pair of adjacent spiral projections.

Abstract: A bearing assembly comprising a frame; a rotating disc disposed in the frame, the rotating disc comprising a first set of inserts; and a fixed disc disposed in the frame, the fixed disc comprising a second set of inserts, the second set of inserts configured to interact with the first set of inserts, and a lip disposed adjacent the second set of inserts. Also, a bearing assembly comprising a frame; a rotating disc disposed in the frame, the rotating disc comprising a first set of inserts and at least one groove disposed axially above at least one of the inserts; and a fixed disc disposed in the frame, the fixed disc comprising a second set of inserts, the second set of inserts configured to interact with the first set of inserts.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for a drilling tool. A radial bearing assembly for use in a drilling tool may include a bushing having a generally cylindrical body with an inner surface. The radial bearing assembly may also include a sleeve configured to couple to a rotatable shaft of the drilling tool and configured to rotate within the bushing. The sleeve has (i) a plurality of spiral projections extending laterally in a direction away from a longitudinal axis of the radial bearing assembly and (ii) a plurality of flow paths, where a flow path of the plurality of flow paths is defined between a pair of adjacent spiral projections.

Abstract: A bearing assembly comprising a frame; a rotating disc disposed in the frame, the rotating disc comprising a first set of inserts; and a fixed disc disposed in the frame, the fixed disc comprising a second set of inserts, the second set of inserts configured to interact with the first set of inserts, and a lip disposed adjacent the second set of inserts. Also, a bearing assembly comprising a frame; a rotating disc disposed in the frame, the rotating disc comprising a first set of inserts and at least one groove disposed axially above at least one of the inserts; and a fixed disc disposed in the frame, the fixed disc comprising a second set of inserts, the second set of inserts configured to interact with the first set of inserts.

Abstract: An apparatus for routing logs to various locations in a sawmill. The logs are conveyed in end-to-end relation on a conveyor and pass beneath a rotatable log kicker unit having a series of radially extending arms which, when rotated, will kick the log laterally to either side of the conveyor for delivery to sawing operations. Located at the downstream end of the log kicker unit is a movable gate disposed to be engaged by the end of the log as it is moved laterally by the log kicker to align the laterally discharged logs. By moving the gate out of the conveying path, the log can be conveyed through the log kicker unit to a third delivery location.