Abstract: A device is disclosed including a wear ring formed as a hollow cylinder with an inside diameter and an outside diameter. The hollow cylinder may have multiple holes through at least a portion of the wear ring from the inside diameter towards the outside diameter. The multiple holes may be passages between the inside diameter and the outside diameter that allow fluid under pressure to pass between the inside diameter and the outside diameter through the multiple holes.

Abstract: A bearing bush 1 for use in a toggle has a cylindrical metallic base material 2 and a solid lubricant 3 embedded in the metallic base material 2, and the metallic base material 2 has dead end grooves 5 formed in a cylindrical inner peripheral surface 4, an annular groove 6 formed in the cylindrical inner peripheral surface 4, and circular holes 7a and 7b as well as 7c and 7d formed in each of a pair of semicylindrical inner peripheral surfaces 4a and 4b adjacent to each other in an axial direction X and two pairs of semicylindrical inner peripheral surfaces 4c and 4d sandwiching the pair of semicylindrical inner peripheral surfaces 4a and 4b in a circumferential direction R and adjacent to each other in the axial direction X in each pair.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to bearing assemblies that include integrated lubrication, bearing apparatuses including such bearing assemblies, and related methods. For example, a lubricated bearing assembly may include a lubricant that may lubricate the bearing surface thereof during operation of the lubricated bearing assembly and/or bearing apparatus including the lubricated bearing assembly.

Abstract: A bearing assembly includes a support ring circumferentially surrounding a central bearing axis and a plurality of superhard bearing elements coupled to the support ring. Each of the plurality of superhard bearing elements has a base, a superhard bearing surface, and an element side surface extending between the base and the superhard bearing surface. The superhard bearing surface has a partial-ellipsoidal surface shape. A bearing apparatus includes an inner bearing assembly and an outer bearing assembly. A subterranean drilling system includes an output shaft operably coupled to a bearing apparatus.

Abstract: A mount bushing of a stabilizer bar for a vehicle includes an insert adapted to be directly molded to a predetermined position of the stabilizer bar, a sliding bearing comprising a pair of bearings and adapted to be coupled to an exterior circumference of the insert, a lubrication layer being formed between the insert and the sliding bearing, a rubber bushing comprising upper and lower rubber members and adapted to be coupled to the sliding bearing such that the rubber bushing encloses an exterior circumference of the sliding bearing, a bracket adapted to enclose the rubber bushing and to be fixed to a vehicle body, and first and second sealing means adapted to prevent foreign materials from flowing into the rubber bushing and to prevent grease in the rubber bushing from flowing out.

Abstract: A mount bushing assembly of a stabilizer bar for a vehicle, may include an inner bushing including a rubber member having a tubular shape and coupled to an external circumference of the stabilizer bar, and a pipe enclosing an external circumference of the rubber member, a sliding bearing including a pair of bearings coupled to upper and lower portions of an external circumference of the inner bushing, and a bracket including upper and lower brackets that may be coupled each other, and integrally formed at an interior surface thereof with an upper outer bushing and a lower outer bushing respectively, wherein the bracket may be fixed to a vehicle body in a state of enclosing the sliding bearing.

Abstract: Cooling-enhanced bearing assemblies, apparatuses, and motor assemblies using the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly may include a plurality of superhard bearing elements distributed circumferentially about an axis. Each of the superhard bearing elements may have a bearing surface. The bearing assembly may further include a support ring that carries the plurality of superhard bearing elements. The support ring may include at least an upper surface, an inner surface, and an outer surface. A plurality of cooling features may be arranged on at least one of the upper surface, the inner surface, or the outer surface of the support ring.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a bearing apparatus comprises a first bearing assembly including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced first bearing elements each of which includes a first bearing surface. The bearing apparatus further includes a second bearing assembly including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced second bearing elements each of which includes a second bearing surface oriented to engage the first bearing surfaces of the first bearing assembly during operation. At least one of the second bearing elements may be circumferentially spaced from an adjacent one of the second bearing elements by a lateral spacing greater than a lateral dimension of the at least one of the second bearing elements.

Abstract: A self-aligning bearing assembly utilizing PDC buttons for forming opposing circumferential arrays of bearing surfaces, is particularly suitable for use in a fluid environment, such as being immersed in flowing water when supporting the rotor of a hydroelectric turbine. One bearing surface is supported for rotation with the rotor. The opposing bearing surface is supported by a spherical joint in a stationary housing. When the rotor is subjected to hydraulic loading, the opposing bearing surface can be tilted to self-align with the rotor axis.

Abstract: A method of processing a signal is disclosed, which includes receiving a downmix signal, object information and rendering information; obtaining downmix gain flag information indicating whether a downmix gain is included in the object information; and generating downmix processing information using the object information and the rendering information based on the downmix gain flag information, wherein the object information includes modified object level information or object level information, wherein the modified object level information is determined using a level of a modified object generated by applying the downmix gain to an object, and wherein the object level information is determined using a level of the object. Accordingly, in an apparatus for processing a signal and method thereof according to the present invention, the signal is decoded using modified object level information based on downmix gain flag information.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a bearing apparatus comprises a first bearing assembly including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced first bearing elements each of which includes a first bearing surface. The bearing apparatus further includes a second bearing assembly including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced second bearing elements each of which includes a second bearing surface oriented to engage the first bearing surfaces of the first bearing assembly during operation. At least one of the second bearing elements may be circumferentially spaced from an adjacent one of the second bearing elements by a lateral spacing greater than a lateral dimension of the at least one of the second bearing elements.

Abstract: Embodiments of present invention relate to a bearing assembly, and a bearing apparatus and motor assembly that employs such a bearing assembly. In one embodiment of the present invention, a bearing assembly comprises a support ring including a plurality of recesses and at least one opening. The bearing assembly further includes a plurality of bearing elements, each of which is positioned generally within a corresponding one of the recesses. At least one of the bearing elements includes at least one groove. At least one retention element may be positioned generally within the at least one opening and adjacent to the at least one groove. Further embodiments of the present invention are directed to a thrust-bearing apparatus, a radial bearing apparatus, and a downhole motor that may utilize any of the disclosed thrust-bearing assemblies and radial bearing assemblies.

Abstract: Embodiments of present invention relate to a bearing assembly, and a bearing apparatus and motor assembly that employs such a bearing assembly. In one embodiment of the present invention, a bearing assembly comprises a support ring including a plurality of recesses and at least one opening. The bearing assembly further includes a plurality of bearing elements, each of which is positioned generally within a corresponding one of the recesses. At least one of the bearing elements includes at least one groove. At least one retention element may be positioned generally within the at least one opening and adjacent to the at least one groove. Further embodiments of the present invention are directed to a thrust-bearing apparatus, a radial bearing apparatus, and a downhole motor that may utilize any of the disclosed thrust-bearing assemblies and radial bearing assemblies.

Abstract: A bearing seat of a ball joint improved in lubricity is provided. By opening a plurality of dimples that are opened on a spherical sliding surface that rotatably holds an approximately globular ball portion of a ball stud and house a grease, the dimples can be provided in a balanced manner in proximity to each other, therefore, the grease spreads out between the respective dimples even when sway of the ball portion is relatively small, and lubricity can be improved.

Abstract: Bearing apparatuses (e.g., thrust bearings and radial bearings) are disclosed. Such bearing apparatuses may comprise a rotor including a rotor surface comprising a first superhard material and a stator surface comprising a second superhard material. In one embodiment, the first superhard material may be structured differently than the second superhard material. In another embodiment, the first superhard material may exhibit an average grain size that is smaller than an average grain size of the second superhard material. Mechanical systems including such a bearing apparatus are disclosed, such as, for example, a motor for use in subterranean drilling. Methods of operating and designing bearing apparatuses are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing a wrapped bushing, includes cutting a metal blank to size: introducing holes into the blank, each hole being provided with at least one inwardly projecting protrusion: inserting plugs of plastics material exhibiting sliding characteristics into the holes; and shaping the blank to form the bushing. The resultant bushing has a substrate of at least one metal in which the holes are provided and filled with the plastics material. Each hole comprises at least one inwardly projecting protrusion.

Abstract: This invention introduces a new category of engineered surfaces and corresponding production processes for better wear resistance and lower friction loss. The structured surfaces can be applied on many automobile components with frictional surfaces. The composite structure settles the usual conflicts between surface functions and stresses. Two sets of multiple-step processes are introduced to achieve high production efficiency and low cost. Unlike traditional surface technologies that generate single and uniform layers on the whole part surface, the new technology processes the part surface selectively for more effective surfaces with versatile functions.

Abstract: The invention provides a sliding member including a plurality of holes formed on a sliding surface thereof, which sliding surface is adapted to slide on a mating member, at least one of the holes having an enlarged portion in at least a portion between an opening end and a bottom end thereof, the enlarged portion being larger than the opening end on the sliding surface.

Abstract: A plain bearing bush possesses a hollow cylindrical shape and includes a first hollow cylindrical part of a first material and a second hollow cylindrical part of a second material, with the second hollow cylindrical part being coaxially surrounded by the first hollow cylindrical part. One of the first and second materials is a plain bearing material and the other of the first and second materials is a high-strength material. A plurality of through holes penetrate both the first hollow cylindrical part and the second hollow cylindrical part, with the through holes each having an axis arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hollow cylindrical shape.

Abstract: This invention relates to a self-lubricating bearing and a method of producing the same. The self-lubricating bearing includes a main body and a plurality of solid lubricant pieces. The main body has an inner annular wall surface, an outer annular wall surface, and a through hole defined by the inner annular wall surface. The solid lubricant pieces are embedded in a plurality of depressions of the inner annular wall surface by coating and grinding and each has a radial inside annular surface in a curve conforming to that of the inner annular wall surface. The forming of the depressions without radially penetrating through the outer annular wall surface to make the solid lubricant pieces embedded into the depressions with less amount by coating and grinding allows the self-lubricating bearing to reduce the material cost, and keep its structural strength and lubricating effect simultaneously.

Abstract: A plain bearing bush possesses a hollow cylindrical shape and includes a first hollow cylindrical part of a first material and a second hollow cylindrical part of a second material, with the second hollow cylindrical part being coaxially surrounded by the first hollow cylindrical part. One of the first and second materials is a plain bearing material and the other of the first and second materials is a high-strength material. A plurality of through holes penetrate both the first hollow cylindrical part and the second hollow cylindrical part, with the through holes each having an axis arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hollow cylindrical shape.

Abstract: First and second sliding parts of a sliding mechanism slide relative to each other. The first sliding part is held in a recess of a metal holding member, which is bounded by an inner wall that meets an open end of the recess along an edge. The first sliding part has a first side surface portion that contacts the inner wall in the recess away from the edge, and a second side surface portion displaced inwardly away from the inner wall so as not to contact the holding member at the edge. By this structure, generation of stress concentration on the sliding part can be avoided.

Abstract: A thrust bearing, for axially supporting a rotating member, includes a flat circular disk-shaped bearing body having a central axial bore and a plurality of axial cavities surrounding the central axial bore and a plurality of bearing elements releasably retained, one in each cavity, and axially projecting from the axial surface of the bearing body. The bearing elements are axially reversible and may be provided for rotationally handed or unhanded use.

Abstract: The surface of a lining member 3 is formed with a multiplicity of uneven surfaces 3a. The entire surface of the lining member 3 is coated by an intermediate layer 4 which comprises Ni. The surface of the intermediate layer 4 is additionally coated by an overlay layer 5 which comprises an Sn alloy. The lining member 3 has a surface roughness t.sub.1, as a result of forming the uneven surfaces 3a, which is chosen to be in a range from 2 to 8 .mu.mRz, and a thickness t.sub.2 of the intermediate layer 4 is chosen to be in a range from 0.01 to 0.6 .mu.m. When a sliding bearing 1 is heated, the overlay layer 5 and the intermediate layer 4 chemically react with each other to produce an Sn--Ni compound. As the overlay layer 5 becomes abraded, the Sn--Ni compound 6 will be exposed on the sliding contact surface. However, the described choice prevents the Sn--Ni compound from being exposed across the entire region of the sliding contact surface, thus improving the anti-seizure resistance of the sliding bearing 1.

Abstract: A method of forming a bearing assembly is set forth. A PCD disk typically of circular construction is joined to a cylindrical plug formed of support metal. The plug is registered with respect to an internal shoulder in a passage formed in a ring for the bearing assembly. Multiple PCD disks are installed in the same fashion. In assembly, the disk is attached to the cylinder, the cylinder is wrapped in brazed material, then the cylinder with the brazed material wrapping is registered on an internal shoulder in a drilled passage in the bearing assembly. A brazing temperature which is too low to damage the material is applied to complete joinder. Then, multiple disk faces supported by individual disk in a circle around the bearing assembly can be lapped to assure that they are brought to a common height with respect to a reference plane.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bearing including a perforated annular body and a solid lubricant filled in holes on the perforated annular body, wherein the perforated annular body is made from a steel plate covered with a layer of copper of 1 mm in thickness and shape formed through the processes of punching, bending, and welding for permitting the layer of copper to be disposed on the inside.

Abstract: A diamond thrust bearing and method for manufacturing the diamond thrust bearing wherein diamond bearing pads are interference fitted at ambient temperatures into a plurality of equidistantly spaced bearing pad recesses located in a circle in a receiving surface of a bearing pad retainer. The bearing faces of the diamond bearing pads are located coplanar with a predetermined common bearing plane by pressing the bearing faces into the bearing pad retainer with a ram and inflexible pressing plate until the pressing face of the pressing plate is stopped by a press stop block. The diamond thrust bearing manufactured using the method will be free from heat induced stresses that cause bearing face misalignment.

Abstract: Bearing rings containing PCD faced bearing inserts are mounted adjacent tungsten carbide radial bearing surfaces at the ends of respective bearing sleeves attached to the drive shaft of a down hole well drilling motor, thereby preventing excessive wear at the extremities of the radial bearing surface in controlled and steerable drilling applications.

Abstract: A unitary sleeve mounts both thrust and radial bearings, the radial bearing being fabricated in a recessed area on an elongated extension and the thrust bearing being mounted in a thrust head at one end of the extension.

Abstract: A bidirectional thrust bearing assembly is used between a downhole fluid motor and a rock bit for drilling oil wells. The bearing assembly has a stationary housing with radial journal bearing sleeves and a rotatable drive shaft also having radial bearing sleeves. A pair of oppositely facing thrust bearing rings are mounted in the housing. A second pair of thrust bearing rings are mounted on the shaft so as to have faces opposing the bearing faces on the first pair of rings. Belleville springs resiliently bias a pair of the thrust bearing rings apart and carry the thrust load between such rings. Each ring has a plurality of inserts of hard material, preferably polycrystalline diamond, at the bearing surface. Means are provided for circulating drilling fluid from the motor through the thrust bearing faces for forming hydrodynamic fluid bearing films in the bearing interfaces.

Abstract: An improved bearing structure for a rod which permits both rotational and axial movement of the rod in conjunction with longitudinal bending thereof. Two semi-cylindrical pieces are assembleable along an axial line of separation to enclose a ring of low friction material and form a first cylindrical bearing half while a second cylindrical bearing half is integrally formed for matingly receiving the first half. The two halves of the bearing each include an outer, radially extending flange and are each passed through opposite sides of an aperture in a wall and are assembled into a complete bearing by threadably engaging one another within the hole. The rod to be journaled is inserted through an axial opening formed through the bearing. The axial opening of the second bearing half is constructed with a larger diameter than the anti-friction ring for permitting a select degree of longitudinal bending within the elastic limits of the materials involved.