US Patent 10145380 Thrust bearing suspension system and apparatus

A thrust bearing suspension system and apparatus is described. A thrust bearing suspension system includes an electric submersible pump including at least two impellers, each of the at least two impellers paired with a diffuser, a thrust bearing set between two of the at least two impellers, the thrust bearing set comprising a bushing moveable axially between the two impellers and pivotable along a bushing-to-diffuser pivot key, and a retaining ring on a rim of the bushing constraining the axial movement of the bushing, the retaining ring extending across a radial tolerance between the bushing and at least one of the diffusers.