Bearing assemblies, apparatuses, devices, systems, and methods includingbearings

Abstract

Downhole centrifugal pumps and related components and methods may include diffusers housing impellers and a rotational shaft passing through the impellers to impart rotation to the impellers. Bearings are positioned within at least some of the diffusers to support the rotational shaft during the rotation of the impellers. Coupling pins may be positioned between and engage with the bearings and the at least some of the diffusers to at least partially secure each of the bearings to one of the at least some of the diffusers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of assembling a centrifugal pump, the method comprising:
 forming a stack of a plurality of diffusers;   housing a plurality of impellers in the plurality of diffusers;   extending a rotational shaft through the plurality of impellers to impart rotation to the plurality of impellers;   supporting the rotational shaft with a plurality of bearings positioned within the plurality of diffusers; and   positioning coupling pins between the plurality of bearings and the plurality of diffusers to at least partially secure each of the plurality of bearings to restrict relative rotation between the plurality of bearings and the plurality of diffusers.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising securing each of the plurality of bearings with a bushing positioned axially adjacent to each of the plurality of bearings in the plurality of diffusers. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising matching a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the bushing within ±10% to a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the plurality of diffusers. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising securing the bushing to each respective diffuser of the plurality of diffusers with an interference fit. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein positioning the coupling pins comprises sliding a protrusion formed on one of the plurality of bearings or the plurality of diffusers into a recess formed on the other of the plurality of bearings or the plurality of diffusers. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein sliding a protrusion comprises providing the protrusion as an integral structure of the plurality of bearings. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein sliding a protrusion comprises providing the protrusion as an integral structure of the diffusers. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising coupling at least one of the plurality of bearings to another component other than the plurality of diffusers of the centrifugal pump with at least one of the coupling pins. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the another component of the centrifugal pump comprises a pump base coupled to an end diffuser of the plurality of diffusers. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein positioning the coupling pins comprises sliding a separatable pin in between recesses defined the plurality of bearings and the plurality of diffusers. 
     
     
         11 . A method of operating a downhole centrifugal pump, the method comprising:
 impellers;   rotating impellers on a rotational shaft within diffusers having a body housing the impellers;   supporting the rotational shaft during the rotation of the impellers with bearings positioned within at least some of the diffusers; and   at least partially securing each of the bearings to the at least some of the diffusers against a rotational force applied to the bearings from the rotation of the rotational shaft with coupling members positioned between and engaged with the bearings and the at least some of the diffusers.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising securing one of the bearings in a first axial along the rotational shaft in the body of the at least some of the diffusers with bushings positioned adjacent to the bearings. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising securing each of the bearings in a second, opposing axial direction by directly abutting a shelf defined by the body of the at least some of the diffusers. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising at least partially securing each of the bearings with the coupling members that each comprise a separable nonthreaded pin being removable from each of the at least some of the diffusers. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising at least partially securing each of the bearings with the coupling members that each comprise a protrusion extending from an outer sidewall of the bearings. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising at least partially securing each of the bearings with the coupling members that each comprise a protrusion extending from an inner sidewall of the body of the at least some of the diffusers. 
     
     
         17 . A method of operating a centrifugal pump, the method comprising:
 impellers;   rotating a shaft coupled to impellers housed in diffusers;   supporting the rotation of the shaft with bearings positioned within the diffusers during the rotation of the impellers; and   resisting a rotational force applied between the bearings and the diffusers with coupling pins positioned between and engaged with the bearings and the diffusers.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising axially securing the bearings in the diffusers in a first axial direction with bushings positioned adjacent to the bearings. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising securing each of the bearings in a second axial direction by a shelf defined in the diffusers. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising securing the coupling pins between a first recess defined in each of the bearings and a second recess formed in each of the diffusers.