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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Marine bearing for a downhole drilling apparatus

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5992928
A bearing supports a rotatable shaft in a fluid environment. The bearing can be utilized to support a drive shaft connected to a drill bit in a downhole drilling apparatus. The drive shaft extends through a housing in which drilling fluid is flowing. Preferably, the bearing includes an inner elastomeric sleeve and an outer rigid sleeve attached to the interior side wall of the housing. The drive shaft has a wear sleeve attached for rotation therewith. The wear sleeve is rotatably received in the bearing inner sleeve. The inner sleeve is relatively short as compared with the drive shaft and absorbs radial loads imposed on the drive shaft. The bearing is lubricated by a portion of the drilling fluid in the housing which flows between the exterior side wall of the wear sleeve and the interior side wall of the inner sleeve.
Assignee:
Baker International Corporation
Patent Number(s):
US 4462472
OSTI ID:
5992928
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English