Baker Hughes Corporation

Baker Hughes, a Ge Compnay, LLC

Baker Hughes Holdings LLC

Alan J Massey

James Leslie Overstreet

David Keith Luce

Eric Charles Sullivan

Keith L Nehring

Anton F Zahradnik

Kenneth E Gilmore

Ronald L Jones

Daniel E Ruff

Danielle V Roberts

R Scot Smith

Timothy P Uno

Danny Eugene Scott

Don Quy Nguyen

James Andy Oxford

John F Bradford

Jeremy K Morgan

Sean W Wirth

Kevin Wayne Schader

Redd H Smith

Kenneth R Evans

Gregory L Ricks

Mark Phillip Blackman

Bruce Stauffer

Ajay V Kulkarni

Carl E Poteet, Iii

Rudolf Carl Otto Pessier

Carmel Zouheir El Hakam

Mou-Chih Lu

Crystal A Parrott

Trevor M McAninch

Crystal A Parrot

David K ‘Keith’ Luce

Kenneth A Gibbs

Mary K Adams

Carl E Poteet

Eric C Sullivan

Mark P Blackman

David K Luce

A method of forming an earth-boring tool includes forming a tool body including at least one inverted cutting element pocket, at least a portion of the at least one inverted cutting element pocket having a profile substantially matching a profile of an actual cutting element to be secured within a cutting element pocket to be formed by subsequently machining the at least one inverted cutting element pocket. Hardfacing material may be applied to portions of the tool body. The actual cutting element pocket is formed by removing material of the tool body within the at least one inverted cutting element pocket subsequent to applying the hardfacing material to portions of the tool body. A cutting element is affixed within the actual cutting element pocket.

Earth-boring tools with precise cutter pocket location and orientation and related methods

A method of improving the service life of a drill bit comprises creating a weldment between load bearing portions of the drill bit where the weldment has a preselected root gap greater than about 25 mils and a preselected root face greater than about 25 mils, and where the weldment has a material property greater than the materials being joined.

Hybrid drill bit having increased service life

Methods of depositing hardfacing material portions of earth-boring tools may involve supporting at least a portion of an earth-boring tool in a holder of a workpiece positioner, the holder being movable in at least a third plane. A location of a surface of the at least a portion of the earth-boring tool may be determined utilizing at least one sensor. The workpiece positioner, the sensor, and a torch positioner comprising a hardfacing torch movable in at least a first plane perpendicular to the third plane and a second plane parallel to the third plane may be controlled utilizing a programmable control system to cause the torch positioner to oscillate the hardfacing torch in the second plane while selectively causing the workpiece positioner to move the holder in the third plane and causing the torch to deposit hardfacing material on the surface.

Methods for automated deposition of hardfacing material on earth-boring tools and related systems

Methods of coupling a bearing assembly to a downhole tool include forming at least a portion of a downhole component from a diamond-enhanced material, applying a metal material to a surface of the downhole component using an ultrasonic molten metal process, and coupling at least a portion of the surface of the downhole component to at least another component of the downhole tool. Downhole tools include at least one component of a bearing assembly that is configured to move relative to a portion of the downhole tool. The at least one bearing component comprises a diamond-enhanced material and is coupled to a portion of the downhole tool by an ultrasonic molten metal process.

Methods of coupling components of downhole tools, downhole tools and components of downhole tools

Methods for depositing hardfacing material on portions of drill bits comprise providing a vertically oriented plasma transfer arc torch secured to a positioner having controllable movement in a substantially vertical plane. A rolling cutter is secured to a chuck mounted on an articulated arm of a robot. A surface of a tooth of the rolling cutter is positioned in a substantially perpendicular relationship beneath the torch. The torch is oscillated along a substantially horizontal axis. The rolling cutter is moved with the articulated arm of the robot in a plane beneath the oscillating torch. A hardfacing material is deposited on the tooth of the rolling cutter.

Methods for automated application of hardfacing material to drill bits

A system and method for the welding of drill bits using an automated robot or robots.

Systems and methods for robotic welding of drill bits

Methods include one or more of robotically positioning a cutting element on an earth-boring tool, using a power-driven device to move a cutting element on an earth-boring tool, and robotically applying a bonding material for attaching a cutting element to an earth-boring tool. Robotic systems are used to robotically position a cutting element on an earth-boring tool. Systems for orienting a cutting element relative to a tool body include a power-driven device for moving a cutting element on or adjacent the tool body. Systems for positioning and orienting a cutting element on an earth-boring tool include such a power-driven device and a robot for carrying a cutting element. Systems for attaching a cutting element to an earth-boring tool include a robot carrying a torch for heating at least one of a cutting element, a tool body, and a bonding material.

Methods for manipulating cutting elements for earth-boring drill bits and tools

The present invention relates to a system and method for automated or 'robotic' application of hardfacing to the surface of a steel-toothed cutter of a rock bit. In particular, the system incorporates a grounded adapter plate and chuck mounted to a robotic arm for grasping and manipulating a rock bit cutter beneath an electrical or photonic energy welding source, such as a plasma arc welding torch manipulated by a positioner. In this configuration, the torch is positioned substantially vertically and oscillated along a horizontal axis as the cutter is manipulated relative along a target path for the distribution of hardfacing. Moving the cutter beneath the torch allows more areas of more teeth to be overlayed, and allows superior placement for operational feedback, such as automatic positioning and parameter correction. In the preferred embodiment, sensors provide data to the control system for identification, positioning, welding program selection, and welding program correction. The control system, aided by data from the sensors, manipulates the robotically held cutter while controlling the operation and oscillation of the torch.

Method and apparatus for the automated application of hardfacing material to rolling cutters of earth-boring drill bits

The present invention relates to a system and method for automated or 'robotic' application of hardfacing to the surface of a steel-toothed cutter of a standard earth-boring rock bit or a hybrid-type rock bit. In particular, the system incorporates a grounded adapter plate and chuck mounted to a robotic arm for grasping and manipulating a rock bit cutter, particularly a hybrid rock bit cutter, beneath an electrical or photonic energy welding source, such as a plasma arc welding torch manipulated by a positioner. In this configuration, the torch is positioned substantially vertically and oscillated along a horizontal axis as the cutter is manipulated relative along a target path for the distribution of hardfacing. Moving the cutter beneath the torch allows more areas of more teeth to be overlayed, and allows superior placement for operational feedback, such as automatic positioning and parameter correction. In the preferred embodiment, sensors provide data to the control system for identification, positioning, welding program selection, and welding program correction. The control system, aided by data from the sensors, manipulates the robotically held cutter while controlling the operation and oscillation of the torch. These systems and methods can be applied to hardfacing steel teeth of the rolling cutters of both standard tri-cone or di-cone type rolling cone bits, as well as to hybrid-type earth boring drill bits.

Method and apparatus for automated application of hardfacing material to rolling cutters of hybrid-type earth boring drill bits, hybrid drill bits comprising such hardfaced steel-toothed cutting elements, and methods of use thereof

A system and method for the automated or 'robotic' application of hardfacing to a surface of a drill bit.

Apparatus for automated application of hardfacing material to drill bits

Methods, systems, and devices for manipulating cutting elements for earth-boring drill bits and tools

A hybrid drill bit having at least two rolling cutters, each rotatable around an axis of rotation, at least one of the rolling cutters having a high pin angle, and at least one fixed blade. The pin angle can encompass pin angles above 39 degrees to less than 393 degrees. The drill bit can allow the rolling cutters to engage a shoulder portion and/or gage portion of the bit profile and assist the fixed blade(s) in these areas. The at least two rolling cutters can be disposed at different pin angles.

Hybrid drill bit with high bearing pin angles

A rotary cone earth boring bit has at least one bit leg with a cone retaining ball passage that intersects an outer surface of the bit leg and is closed by a ball plug. An upwardly curved lower hardfacing bead is on the outer surface of the bit leg at least partially below the ball plug. A downwardly curved upper hardfacing bead is on the outer surface of the bit leg at least partially above the ball plug. The upper hardfacing bead has leading and trailing ends that join the lower hardfacing bead. The upper and lower hardfacing beads define a generally elliptical perimeter surround the ball plug. At least one transverse bead is above the upper hardfacing bead and leads generally upwardly and circumferentially from a leading edge of the bit leg to a trailing edge of the bit leg.

Hardfacing around ball loading hole for earth-boring bit

A shank configuration for rotary drill bits is disclosed for positioning of the shank in relation to a bit body. A tapered surface or feature of the shank may be configured and sized to matingly engage a complementarily shaped surface or feature of the drill bit body and thereby become centered or positioned in relation thereto. A deformable element may be disposed between the shank and bit body. Also, the shank may comprise a material having a carbon equivalent of less than about 0.35%. A multi-pass weld procedure may be employed to affix the shank and bit body to one another wherein welds may be formed so that one weld originates at a circumferential position that differs from the origination circumferential position of its immediately preceding weld by at least about 90&#xb0;. Further, a stress state may be developed within the multi-pass weld. A method of manufacture is also disclosed.

Shank structure for rotary drill bits

An earth boring bit has a steel body having at least one leg with a depending bearing pin. A cone having cutting elements is rotatably mounted to the bearing pin. A ball plug weld is on the outer surface of the leg. A layer of hardfacing applied to part of the outer surface of the leg, the hardfacing having carbide particles in a matrix. A corrosion resistant coating containing at least 50% nickel is formed on parts of the outer surface of the leg that are free of the layer of hardfacing both above and below the ball plug weld.

Corrosion protection for head section of earth boring bit

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Alan J Massey