US 11,994,006 B2
Downhole drilling tool with a polycrystalline diamond bearing
Gregory Prevost, Spring, TX (US); Michael V. Williams, Conroe, TX (US); Edward C. Spatz, Spring, TX (US); Michael R. Reese, Houston, TX (US); William W. King, Houston, TX (US); and David P. Miess, Magnolia, TX (US)
Assigned to XR Reserve LLC, Houston, TX (US)
Filed by XR Reserve LLC, Houston, TX (US)
Filed on Apr. 14, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/300,819.
Application 18/300,819 is a continuation of application No. 17/518,315, filed on Nov. 3, 2021, granted, now 11,655,679.
Application 17/518,315 is a continuation of application No. 16/561,335, filed on Sep. 5, 2019, granted, now 11,187,040, issued on Nov. 30, 2021.
Application 16/561,335 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/049,608, filed on Jul. 30, 2018, granted, now 10,738,821, issued on Aug. 11, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0287740 A1, Sep. 14, 2023
Int. Cl. E21B 4/00 (2006.01); E21B 10/573 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 4/003 (2013.01) [E21B 10/573 (2013.01)] 73 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
64. A drilling string assembly comprising:
a stator component, the stator component comprising a stator, a transmission housing, and a bearing housing, wherein the transmission housing is coupled between the stator and the bearing housing;
a rotor component, the rotor component comprising a rotor, a transmission, a drive shaft and a drill bit, wherein the transmission is coupled between the rotor and the drive shaft, and wherein the drill bit is positioned at a distal end of the rotor component;
a first bearing interfacing engagement between the rotor and the stator, the first bearing comprising a first polycrystalline diamond bearing element having a first diamond bearing surface, wherein the first polycrystalline diamond bearing element is positioned relative to the stator and the rotor such that the first diamond bearing surface is engaged with the metal bearing surface;
a second bearing interfacing engagement between the rotor and the stator, the second bearing comprising a second polycrystalline diamond bearing element having a second diamond bearing surface, wherein the second polycrystalline diamond bearing element is positioned relative to the stator and the rotor such that the second diamond bearing surface is engaged with the metal bearing surface, and wherein the first bearing is spaced apart from the second bearing; and
one or more sensors coupled with the stator component and configured to measure a direction of the drill string assembly; and
a pad coupled with the stator component and an actuator coupled with the pad and configured to extend and retract the pad to steer a direction of the drill string assembly in a target direction.