US 12,188,526 B2
Torque coupling assemblies and related systems and methods
Daryl Wise, Provo, UT (US); Tyler Kolste, American Fork, UT (US); and Jair Gonzalez, Provo, UT (US)
Assigned to US Synthetic Corporation, Orem, UT (US)
Filed by US Synthetic Corporation, Orem, UT (US)
Filed on Aug. 12, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/401,030.
Prior Publication US 2023/0052172 A1, Feb. 16, 2023
Int. Cl. F16D 3/10 (2006.01); E21B 4/00 (2006.01); E21B 17/04 (2006.01); F16D 1/104 (2006.01)
CPC F16D 3/10 (2013.01) [E21B 4/00 (2013.01); E21B 17/04 (2013.01); F16D 1/104 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A torque coupling assembly, comprising:
an inner assembly comprising:
an inner support ring positioned circumferentially about an inner ring axis; and
a first plurality of superhard contact elements fixedly coupled to the inner support ring, each of the first plurality of superhard contact elements having a superhard contact surface with a hardness that is at least equal to that of tungsten carbide defining an outer circumference of the inner assembly; and
an outer assembly comprising:
an outer support ring positioned circumferentially about an outer ring axis; and
a second plurality of superhard contact elements coupled to the outer support ring, each of the second plurality of superhard contact elements having a superhard contact surface with a hardness that is at least equal to that of tungsten carbide, wherein the superhard contact surface of at least one of the second plurality of superhard contact elements is configured and positioned to contact and transfer a torque to a respective superhard contact surface of at least one of the first plurality of superhard contact elements at the outer circumference of the inner assembly when a rotational force is applied between the inner assembly and the outer assembly, wherein the inner assembly is configured to rotate less than 90 degrees relative to the outer assembly.