US 12,378,991 B2
Contained bearing assemblies and related systems and methods
Jair J. Gonzalez, Provo, UT (US); Jair A. Gonzalez, Provo, UT (US); Tyler Kolste, American Fork, UT (US); and Daryl Wise, Provo, UT (US)
Assigned to US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION, Orem, UT (US)
Filed by US Synthetic Corporation, Orem, UT (US)
Filed on Aug. 8, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/231,674.
Application 18/231,674 is a continuation in part of application No. 18/226,731, filed on Jul. 26, 2023.
Application 18/231,674 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/884,501, filed on Aug. 9, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0052886 A1, Feb. 15, 2024
Int. Cl. F16C 17/10 (2006.01); F16C 17/26 (2006.01); F16C 33/04 (2006.01)
CPC F16C 17/10 (2013.01) [F16C 17/26 (2013.01); F16C 33/043 (2013.01); F16C 2320/16 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A bearing assembly, comprising:
an inner assembly including an inner support ring positioned about an inner ring axis;
an outer assembly including an outer support ring positioned about an outer ring axis;
superhard contact elements coupled to the inner support ring and the outer support ring having superhard contact surfaces, the inner assembly configured to move relative to the outer assembly when a rotational force is applied to the bearing assembly; and
one or more thrust bearing elements comprising a hardened surface configured to at least partially contain the inner assembly relative to the outer assembly, the one or more thrust bearing elements positioned and configured to support the bearing assembly when an axial loading is applied between the inner assembly and the outer assembly in a direction at least partially along at least one of the inner ring axis or the outer ring axis.