Patent attributes
Bearing assemblies, bearing components and related methods are provided for heavy load applications. In one embodiment, a bearing assembly includes a first bearing apparatus having a base member and a first plurality of polycrystalline diamond compacts (PDCs) on a first surface of the base member, the first plurality of PDCs defining a first collective bearing surface. A second bearing apparatus is configured to engage and slide over the first collective bearing surface. the second bearing apparatus may include a second plurality of PDCs defining a second collective bearing surface. The collective bearing surfaces may be configured to be substantially planar or substantially arcuate. Such bearing assemblies may be implemented in, for example, bridges, roadways, buildings, railways and other structures and machines that may require heavy load bearing support.
