Bearing assemblies that include a plurality of polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) bearing elements, bearing apparatuses including such bearing assemblies, and methods of operating and fabricating such bearing assemblies and apparatuses are disclosed. In an embodiment, the plurality of PCD bearing elements of one or more of the bearing assemblies disclosed herein include at least one first PCD bearing element. At least a portion of the first PCD bearing element exhibits a coercivity of about 125 Oersteds or more and a specific magnetic saturation of about 14 Gauss.Math.cm3/gram or less. The first PCD bearing element includes a bearing surface with at least one groove formed therein. In an embodiment, the plurality of PCD bearing elements also include at least one second PCD bearing element. The second PCD bearing element exhibits a coercivity that is less than and a specific magnetic saturation that is greater than the first PCD bearing element.

A wellbore rig top drive is disclosed. The wellbore rig top drive can include a main bearing housing. The wellbore rig top drive can also include a main bearing supported by the main bearing housing. The main bearing can be configured to support a weight of a wellbore string and facilitate rotation of the wellbore string about an axis. The wellbore rig top drive can further include a quill supported by the main bearing and configured to rotate about the axis. The quill can be coupleable to the wellbore string. In addition, the wellbore rig top drive can include a drive motor disposed below the main bearing and supported by the main bearing housing. The drive motor can be coupled to the quill to provide torque to rotate the quill about the axis.

A rolling-element bearing assembly includes first and second bearing rings that form a bearing interior between them and a plurality of rolling elements disposed in the bearing interior and a seal assembly for sealing the bearing interior. The seal assembly includes a seal carrier and a seal element having at least one primary seal lip for sealing the bearing interior and a secondary seal lip for sealing against external contamination. The seal element is connected to the seal carrier such that the primary seal lip and the secondary seal lip abut axially against an axial end surface of the second bearing ring.

A rolling-element bearing assembly includes a first bearing ring and a second bearing ring that define a bearing interior between them, a plurality of rolling elements disposed in the bearing interior to allow a relative rotation of first and second bearing rings, and a seal assembly for sealing the bearing interior. The seal assembly includes a seal carrier that is connected to the first bearing ring such that they rotate together and a seal element that is connected to the seal carrier such that they rotate together, and the seal carrier comprises a fiber-reinforced plastic.

A drain cleaning apparatus is described that uses a FlexShaft type drain cleaning cable. The drain cleaning apparatus includes a drum housing, a rotatable cable carrier mounted within an interior of the drum housing and a transmission assembly for transferring rotary power to an end of a FlexShaft cable residing in the interior of the drum housing. Also described are systems using these apparatuses in combination with a rotary power source such as a drill. In addition, various methods of use are described.

The bearing provides an outer ring and an inner ring capable of rotating concentrically relative to one another. At least one of the inner and outer rings are split into a plurality of successive circumferential ring segments. Each pair of adjacent successive ring segments of the split-ring is secured together with at least one fixing plate. The fixing plate is disposed inside a first groove disposed on one of the ring segments and a second groove 38 disposed on the other ring segment. The fixing plate is set back or flush with at least the surface of each of the ring segments from which the first or second groove is formed.

A downhole-type device includes an electric machine. The electric machine includes an electrical rotor configured to couple with a device to drive or be driven by the electric machine. An electrical stator surrounds the electric rotor. The electric stator includes a seal configured to isolate stator windings from an outside, downhole environment. An inner surface of the seal and an outer surface of the electric rotor define an annulus exposed to the outside environment. A bearing couples the electric rotor to the electric stator. A lubrication system is fluidically coupled to the downhole-type device. The lubrication system includes a topside pressure pump and a downhole-type distribution manifold configured to be used within a wellbore. The distribution manifold is fluidically connected to the topside pressure pump and the bearing to receive a flow of lubricant from the topside pressure pump.

Systems and methods for reducing friction between a casing string and a bore of a subterranean well when moving the casing string within the bore of a subterranean well include a roller bearing assembly. The roller bearing assembly has a bearing body and a plurality of spherical bearings spaced around an outer diameter of the bearing body. The bearing body is secured in line with the casing string.

In an embodiment, a method of fabricating a polycrystalline diamond compact is disclosed. The method includes sintering a plurality of diamond particles in the presence of a metal-solvent catalyst to form a polycrystalline diamond body; leaching the polycrystalline diamond body to at least partially remove the metal-solvent catalyst therefrom, thereby forming an at least partially leached polycrystalline diamond body; and subjecting an assembly of the at least partially leached polycrystalline diamond body and a cemented carbide substrate to a high-pressure/high-temperature process at a pressure to infiltrate the at least partially leached polycrystalline diamond body with an infiltrant. The pressure of the high-pressure/high-temperature process is less than that employed in the act of sintering of the plurality of diamond particles.

A method of manufacturing a radial bearing assembly having a bearing surface created from a plurality of spherical bearing inserts positioned within insert retainer channels extending diagonally along the length of the bearing sleeve. The method of manufacture includes providing insert retainer channels having a curved bottom surface. The method of manufacture utilizes a mold for simultaneously brazing and bonding the spherical bearing inserts to the surface of the bearing sleeve.