GB1491766A - Thrust support for a fluid motor used in drilling wells - Google Patents

Abstract

1491766 Bearings VSES NI INST BUROVOI TEKHNIKI 17 June 1975 25739/75 Heading F2A [Also in Division E1] A thrust support in a fluid motor for use in drilling wells, and adapted to be fitted on the shaft 14 of the motor inside its housing 13, includes a rolling bearing 20 having outer and inner races 24, 23 rigidly attached to the housing 13 and shaft 14 respectively, and at least one mechanical seal 21 flanking at least the top end face of the bearing 20 and including at least one friction pack consisting of an outer and an inner disc 29, 28 overlapping each other and rigidly attached to the outer and inner races 24, 23 respectively, and to the housing 13 and shaft 14 respectively. Such attachment may be effected by screwing in threaded members to clamp the components against shoulders in the housing or shaft. Spacer rings 25, 26, 30, 31 may be fitted between the races or discs and antifriction inserts 28a, 29a of, e.g. a hard alloy, may be provided in the rubbing surfaces of the discs. In operation, when the shaft 14 or housing 13 is spinning, drilling mud fed under a pressure equal to the pressure difference across the drill bit reaches the seal 21. Since the discs of the seal 21 are always tightly pressed one to another, abrasive particles in the mud are prevented from entering the bearing 20. Some of the external thrust load on the bearing 20 is taken up by the seal 21, and some of the hydraulic load on the latter is taken up by the bearing 20.