US Patent 11686196 Downhole actuation system and methods with dissolvable ball bearing

Systems and methods for instructing a device within a wellbore of a subterranean well includes a drill string with an actuator assembly extending into the subterranean. The actuator assembly has a first pipe member with a segment formed of a first material. A second pipe member is coaxially aligned with the first pipe member. A plurality of bearings are positioned between the first pipe member and the second pipe member. Each of the plurality of bearings includes a second material. The first material is reactive to the second material. Certain of the plurality of bearings are changeable bearings that include a dissolvable material. The actuator assembly is operable to instruct an operation of the device by generating an instruction signal by rotating the first pipe member relative to the second pipe member and interpreting a pattern of a reaction of the segment as a bearing rotates past the segment.