Methods of operating roller bearing apparatuses including compliant rolling elements

Abstract

In an embodiment, a roller bearing apparatus may include a rotor having first superhard raceway elements distributed circumferentially about an axis. Each first superhard raceway element includes a raceway surface positioned/configured to form a first portion of a raceway. The apparatus includes a stator including second superhard raceway elements generally opposed to the first superhard raceway elements. Each second superhard raceway element includes a raceway surface positioned/configured to form a second portion of the raceway. The apparatus includes rolling elements interposed between the rotor and stator and positioned and configured to roll on the raceway. One or more of the rolling elements may be configured to elastically deform on the raceway during use. At least a portion of the raceway exhibits a first modulus of elasticity greater than a second modulus of elasticity of at least a portion of the one or more of the rolling elements.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of operating a bearing assembly that includes a first raceway and a second raceway, the method comprising:
 rotating the first raceway relative to the second raceway, the first raceway including a plurality of first superhard raceway elements having a first modulus of elasticity;   rolling one or more rolling elements between the first and second raceways and on the plurality of first superhard raceway elements, the one or more rolling elements having a second modulus of elasticity that is three (3) times greater to about fifty (50) times greater than the first modulus of elasticity.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein rotating the first raceway relative to the second raceway causes the rolling of the one or more rolling elements. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein rolling one or more rolling elements between the first and second raceways and on the plurality of first superhard raceway elements includes rolling the one or more rolling elements in contact with at least some of the plurality of first superhard raceway elements. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second raceway includes a plurality of second superhard raceway elements, and wherein rolling one or more rolling elements between the first and second raceways and on the plurality of first superhard raceway elements includes rolling the one or more rolling elements in contact with one or more of the plurality of first superhard raceway elements and the plurality of second superhard raceway elements. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more rolling elements include a superelastic material. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second raceway includes a plurality of second superhard raceway elements generally opposing the plurality of first superhard raceway elements. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second raceways is substantially planar, substantially cylindrical, or substantially conical. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the plurality of first superhard raceway elements include a concavely-curved raceway surface or a convexly-curved raceway surface. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of first superhard raceway elements include polycrystalline diamond. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first raceway, the second raceway, and the one or more rolling elements form a radial bearing assembly, a thrust-bearing assembly, or a tapered bearing assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of superhard raceway elements includes gaps between adjacent ones of the plurality of first superhard raceway elements, and wherein one or more of the first plurality of superhard raceway elements include at least one side surface forming a respective oblique angle relative to the axis, and wherein the respective oblique angle is selected to at least partially inhibit the gaps from impeding the one or more rolling elements during operation. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the respective oblique angle is greater than about forty (40) degrees. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the respective oblique angle is greater than about forty (40) degrees. 
     
     
         14 . A method of operating a bearing assembly, the method comprising:
 rotating a first raceway relative to a second raceway, the first raceway including a plurality of first superhard raceway elements having a first modulus of elasticity, and the second raceway including a plurality of second superhard raceway elements;   rolling one or more rolling elements between the first and second raceways and on the plurality of first superhard raceway elements and the plurality of second superhard raceway elements, the rolling elements including one or more superelastic materials.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more rolling elements are generally elongated rolling elements. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the generally elongated rolling elements include a core body at least partially surrounded by the one or more superelastic materials. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the generally elongated rolling elements includes a hollow cylindrical body. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising a cage that retains the generally elongated rolling elements between the first raceway and the second raceway. 
     
     
         19 . A method of operating a bearing assembly, the method comprising:
 rotating a first raceway relative to a second raceway, the first raceway including a plurality of first superhard raceway elements having a first modulus of elasticity, and the second raceway including a plurality of second superhard raceway elements;   rolling one or more rolling elements between the first and second raceways and on the plurality of first superhard raceway elements and the plurality of second superhard raceway elements, one or more of the plurality of first superhard raceway elements or the plurality of second superhard raceway elements having a thermal conductivity of at least 300 W/m-K.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the thermal conductivity is about 700 W/m-K to about 1600 W/m-K.