Interfacing surfaces of adjacent tiles in a downhole tool may combine to form a tortuous path therebetween. In various embodiments, this tortuous path may run generally parallel and/or perpendicular to a top surface of the tiles. One example of such a tortuous path may be created by a protrusion extending from an interfacing surface of one of the tiles that may fit snugly within a cavity receding into an interfacing surface of another of the tiles.

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to bearing assemblies and methods of manufacturing. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly includes a support ring and bearing elements. The bearing elements are mounted to and distributed circumferentially about an axis of the support ring. At least one of the bearing elements includes a polycrystalline diamond table, a substrate bonded to the polycrystalline diamond table, bonding region defined by the substrate and the polycrystalline diamond table, and a corrosion resistant region. The corrosion resistant region includes a corrosion resistant material that covers at least a portion of at least one lateral surface of the bonding region. The corrosion resistant region prevents corrosion of at least some material in the bonding region covered by the corrosion resistant region (e.g., during use). Other embodiments employ one or more sacrificial anodes as an alternative to or in combination with the corrosion resistant region.

A radial bearing for transmitting a radial load, including a first radial bearing component having an inner surface defining a bore and a second radial bearing component received within the bore of the first radial bearing component and having an outer surface. The first radial bearing component includes a plurality of first component wear resistant inserts arranged and mounted on the inner surface. The second radial bearing component includes a second component wear resistant coating on at least a portion of the outer surface. The first radial bearing component and the second radial bearing component interact to transmit the radial load between the first radial bearing component and the second radial bearing component.

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to bearing assemblies and methods of manufacturing. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly includes a support ring and bearing elements. The bearing elements are mounted to and distributed circumferentially about an axis of the support ring. At least one of the bearing elements includes a polycrystalline diamond table, a substrate bonded to the polycrystalline diamond table, bonding region defined by the substrate and the polycrystalline diamond table, and a corrosion resistant region. The corrosion resistant region includes a corrosion resistant material that covers at least a portion of at least one lateral surface of the bonding region. The corrosion resistant region prevents corrosion of at least some material in the bonding region covered by the corrosion resistant region (e.g., during use). Other embodiments employ one or more sacrificial anodes as an alternative to or in combination with the corrosion resistant region.

A double-row self-aligning roller bearing has rollers interposed, in two rows aligned in a bearing width direction, between an inner ring and an outer ring. The outer ring has a spherical raceway surface. Each of the rollers has an outer circumferential surface having a cross-sectional shape that matches the raceway surface of the outer ring. Either or both of shapes and contact angles of the rollers are different from each other. An attachment hole to which a protrusion prevention jig is attachable is provided in an end surface of at least either one of the inner ring and the outer ring. The protrusion prevention jig prevents protrusion of the end surface of the inner ring in the bearing width direction with respect to the end surface of the outer ring.

A bearing providing a plurality of rolling elements and at least one raceway for the rolling elements. The at least one raceway or the rolling elements include a tungsten carbide coating. In some embodiments, the tungsten carbide coating may be a Nano-structured tungsten carbide coating. In some embodiments, the at least one raceway or the rolling elements may comprise a steel substrate covered with the tungsten carbide coating. Embodiments also relate to a method for producing a bearing. The method includes coating a plurality of rolling elements or at least one raceway for the rolling elements with a tungsten carbide coating. In some embodiments, the tungsten carbide coating may be a Nano-structured tungsten carbide coating.

A rolling bearing excellent in durability is provided. A rolling bearing includes an inner ring, an outer ring, a plurality of rolling elements, and a hard film. The hard film is formed on a surface of at least one selected from the group consisting of the inner ring, the outer ring, and the rolling elements. The hard film includes an underlying layer, a mixed layer, and a surface layer. The underlying layer is directly formed on the surface and mainly composed of Cr. The mixed layer is formed on the underlying layer and mainly composed of WC and DLC. The surface layer is formed on the mixed layer and mainly composed of DLC. The mixed layer is such a layer that a content of WC therein decreases and a content of DLC therein increases continuously or stepwise from a side of the underlying layer toward the surface layer.

A contact layer is formed by a deposition method on an inner surface of a first metal element by a centrifuging process, and preferably includes an inner layer of copper alloy and an outer layer of tin alloy. Such a contact layer is used in an articulation joint including a first metal element having a surface provided with the contact layer, and a second metal element with a second surface. The first and second elements are relatively movable such that first and second surfaces slide against each other.

Bearing assemblies, apparatuses, and motor assemblies using the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly may include a plurality of superhard bearing elements distributed circumferentially about an axis. Each of the superhard bearing elements may include a bearing surface. The bearing assembly may also include a support ring structure having a support ring that carries the superhard bearing elements. The support ring structure may include at least one erosion resistant region exhibiting a higher erosion resistance than another region of the support ring.

A radial bearing having a wear surface with improved wear characteristics comprises a steel support, to which is bonded a metal carbide composite wear surface made by first arranging, within a cavity defined between a steel mold and the steel support, tiles made of microwave sintered, cemented metal carbide, closely packing the voids between the tiles with metal carbide powder, and infiltrating the mold cavity with a metal brazing alloy by subjecting the filled mold to rapid heating. The brazing alloy fills voids between the metal carbide particles, the microwave sintered metal carbide tiles, and the metal support, thereby relatively rapidly consolidating the carbide into a wear layer bonded with the steel support without substantially damaging the properties of the microwave-sintered metal carbide tiles.