Abstract: A hydrodynamic thrust, journal or combined radial and thrust bearing and methods of manufacturing the same. The bearing includes a continuous bearing surface and support structure which supports the surface such that the surface may change shape and move in any direction (six degrees of freedom) to optimize formation of a converging wedge for hydrodynamic operation, equalization of load across the bearing surface in thrust bearings and to adjust for any shaft misalignment. The support structure can include a repeating series of support structure portions each including a fully rigid portion a partially rigid portion and connecting portions connecting the spaced portions. Alternatively, the support structure can include a spaced series of deflectable ears which are arranged such that the continuous surface deforms when the ear portions are deflected. The bearing may also include an additional support portion which includes one or more beam-like or membrane members.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic thrust, journal or combined radial and thrust bearing which may be mounted within a sealed housing assembly which can be, for example, be used to replace rolling element bearings. The bearing can be designed for mounting to either the shaft or housing. If mounted for rotation with the shaft, the bearing pads move relative to a smooth support surface. The bearing includes a bearing pad structure that may change shape and move in any direction (six degrees of freedom) to optimize formation of a converging wedge for hydrodynamic operation, equalization of load on the bearing pads in thrust bearings and to adjust for any shaft misalignment. The bearing pad may be formed so as to contact the shaft in the installed state and to deflect under fluid film pressure. The pad is separated from the support member by a support structure which includes one or more beam-like members. The support structure preferably includes a primary support portion, a secondary support portion and a tertiary support portion.

Abstract: A drilling apparatus having progressive cavity drive train which includes a progressive cavity device and a coupling for converting the complex motion of the rotor into simple rotation. The coupling includes a sealed universal joint assembly coupling yokes formed on a first stub shaft to yokes formed on the second stub shaft. The sealed universal joint assembly includes a cross member assembly having a cross member and a sealing cup. The cross member has a central body and two sets of pin portions extending from the body. Each set of pin portions includes two pin portions having coincident axes. The pin portions of one set are transverse to the pin portions of the other set. The sealing cup is fixed to each of the pin portions of the cross member. The sealing cup includes connecting sleeve portion fixed to the pin portion of the cross member, a flexible elastomeric section secured to the sleeve portion and a hollow upon portion enclosing the end of the pin portion.

Abstract: A sealed bearing assembly for downhole drilling motors, which has a modular drop-in type construction. The sealed bearing assembly includes a housing portion which is secured to the drilling shaft and a housing portion which is secured to the casing. A bearing assembly extends between the two housing portions and the housing portions encase the bearing assembly and include a sealed construction which prevents the entry of drilling mud into the sealed assembly. A number of flow passages are provided in the rotating housing portion and/or the stationary housing portion so as to allow fluid to freely pass the sealed bearing assembly such that there is a negligible pressure drop across the sealed bearing assembly. The assembly also includes sealing portions on either side of the bearing assembly which preclude the entry of mud into the sealed bearing assembly.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing constructed entirely of non-newtonian fluidic materials such as rubber, plastic and the like. The bearing is extrudable and includes a bearing pad support structure and a plurality of bearing pads formed with bearing pad support structure. The bearing pads may be formed of a material which is softer than the support structure. The bearing may also include a number of deflection control members fused to the bearing pads and/or the bearing pad support structure.The method of making the bearing inlcudes the steps of extruding one or more materials to form an uncured tubular extrusion, curing the tubular extrusion, cutting the tubular extrusion into bearing segments and sizing the bearing segments by machining the individual segments to the desired inner and outer diameters.

Abstract: A downhole drilling apparatus which includes a progressive cavity drive train having a progressive cavity device and a coupling for converting the complex motion of the rotor into simple rotation. The coupling is constructed along the lines of a double Hooke's joint. Each joint includes two transversely arranged pins which pivot within a torsion member. The pins are supported for rotation with a bore formed in the torsion member on a plurality of rollers. An elastomer encases the rollers and fills the remaining spaces between the pin and torsion members such that all sliding surfaces within the coupling are perfectly isolated from the surrounding environment and thereby hermetically sealed.

Abstract: A downhole drilling apparatus which includes a progressive cavity drive train comprising a progressive cavity device and a coupling for converting the complex motion of the rotor into simple rotation. The coupling includes two shafts coupled to one another by joint assemblies connected to opposite ends of an intermediate shaft. The joint assemblies include interleaved annular extensions from the opposite ends of the joint assembly and an elastomer filling the spaces between the annular extensions. The elastomer is highly restrained by the interleaved annular extensions, but is still flexible in shear. The moving components within the coupling are perfectly isolated from the surrounding environment; the joint assembly may further include backup features such as a thrust bearing member and radial pins locking the interleaved portions together.

Abstract: A piston ring which consists of a sealing member supported by a flexible support structrue that deflects under applied loads to cause improved sealing and reduced wear. The support structure is constructed to react the applied loads such that the sealing member moves toward the cylinder wall to improve sealing and lower frictional drag and wear. Under operating loads, the sealing surface moves relative to the cylinder wall to form a coverging wedge shape that seals along its trailing edge while maintaining a fluid film to minimize wear and frictional drag. In the case of an oil control ring, the support structure may be arranged to provide better contact and oil flow control.

Abstract: A jet pump has a chamber with a jet nozzle at the inlet port and a diffuser fitted into the outlet port with a suction port fitted in the chamber. A ball valve having a passage therethrough is fitted ahead of the jet nozzle and angular rotation of the ball valve creates a swirling action in the jet nozzle and adjustment thereof will provide maximum pumping action for various operating conditions.

Abstract: An end face seal assembly having a seat and a nosepiece rotating relative thereto in which the nosepiece is fitted with a plurality of recesses that carry stool-like pads therein that operate as lift pads. A fluid dam is provided in association with the nose piece adjacent the lift pads. Essentially the lift pads have leg ligaments that permit the pads to rock under the action of pressure and friction to develop a wedge-like lift between the nosepiece and the seat. The ligaments may also be made flexible in a third direction to allow the pads to be equally loaded and be capable of adjusting for shaft misalignment.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing is disclosed in which there are a plurality of bearing pads that each have a face member and a support member, the pad being separated from the support member by at least one leg-like ligament. Each leg-like ligament is arranged at an angle to the pad face to permit the pad to rock for shaft alignment and may be provided with a dog leg portion to permit movement of the pad in the direction of the load to compensate for unequal loads.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing is disclosed which is designed to work in a fluid. The hydrodynamic bearing is formed with a central section of the load carrying surface that is more compliant so that it will deflect under load and form a pressure pocket of fluid to carry high loads.

Abstract: A fluid bearing is disclosed which consists essentially of a number of bearing pads, each having a face member and a support member that are separated and bonded together by an elastomeric material. The face member will have a load engaging surface, and its back surface will have at least one arcuate portion to provide a point of inflection which opposes an identical arcuate surface providing another point of inflection located on the support member. In operation the pad which operates in a fluid that serves as a lubricant will develop friction and pressure forces, which move the pad in such a way as to provide a wedge for hydrodynamic lubrication.

Abstract: A pad-type sliding surface bearing is disclosed, in which the bearing surface is segmented into a plurality of pads that rockingly displace themselves to form a wedge shape converging in the direction of motion with a relatively moving part. The pads are each supported in a bearing housing or a support portion by a plurality of webs which indeed are integral with the pad and the housing or support portion, which allow the pad to rock by deflection of the webs. The opposing part that moves relative to the pads creates a viscous friction force in the direction to form a converging web shape between the moving part and the bearing pad, which rocks to a position until the bearing surface stabilizes where the moments of the fluid pressure and the load are in balance.