Diamond Innovations. Inc.

Baker Hughes, a Ge Compnay, LLC

Baker Hughes Corporation

Baker Hughes Holdings LLC

Andrew Gledhill

Christopher Long

Marc William Bird

Alexanne Johnson

Danny Eugene Scott

Joseph M Rhodes

Joel Michael Vaughn

Biju Varghese

Valeriy Konovalov

Anshul Singh

Venkata Durga Prasad Kappagantula

Joseph Rhodes

Provided are bearing assemblies including one or more substrate assemblies, such as thrust bearing assemblies. The substrate assemblies include a bearing element fixed to a substrate. The bearing elements are formed from a thermally stable material such as a ceramic-bonded diamond composite. Methods for manufacturing the bearing assemblies are also provided.

Bearing assembly

Diamond bodies and methods of manufacture are disclosed. Diamond bodies are formed from at least a bimodal, alternatively a tri-modal or higher modal, feedstock having at least one fraction of modified diamond particles with a fine particle size (0.5-3.0 &#x3bc;m) and at least one fraction of diamond particles with coarse particle size (15.0 to 30 &#x3bc;m). During high pressure-high temperature processing, fine particle sized, modified diamond particles in the first fraction preferentially fracture to smaller sizes while preserving the morphology of coarse particle sized diamond particles in the second fraction. Diamond bodies incorporating the two fractions have a microstructure including second fraction diamond particles dispersed in a continuous matrix of first fraction modified diamond particles and exhibit improved wear characteristics, particularly for wear associated with drilling of geological formations.

Polycrystalline diamond bodies incorporating fractionated distribution of diamond particles of different morphologies

A polycrystalline diamond compact includes a polycrystalline diamond material having a plurality of grains of diamond bonded to one another by inter-granular bonds and an intermetallic gamma prime (&#x3b3;') or &#x3ba;-carbide phase disposed within interstitial spaces between the inter-bonded diamond grains. The ordered intermetallic gamma prime (&#x3b3;&#x2032;) or &#x3ba;-carbide phase includes a Group VIII metal, aluminum, and a stabilizer. An earth-boring tool includes a bit body and a polycrystalline diamond compact secured to the bit body. A method of forming polycrystalline diamond includes subjecting diamond particles in the presence of a metal material comprising a Group VIII metal and aluminum to a pressure of at least 4.5 GPa and a temperature of at least 1,000&#xb0; C. to form inter-granular bonds between adjacent diamond particles, cooling the diamond particles and the metal material to a temperature below 500&#xb0; C., and forming an intermetallic gamma prime (&#x3b3;&#x2032;) or &#x3ba;-carbide phase adjacent the diamond particles.

Polycrystalline diamond compacts and earth-boring tools including such compacts

Polycrystalline diamond compacts having interstitial diamonds and methods of forming polycrystalline diamond compact shaving interstitial diamonds with a quench cycle are described herein. In one embodiment, a polycrystalline diamond compact includes a substrate and a polycrystalline diamond body attached to the substrate. The polycrystalline diamond body includes a plurality of inter-bonded diamond grains that are attached to one another in an interconnected network of diamond grains and interstitial pockets between the inter-bonded diamond grains, and a plurality of interstitial diamond grains that are positioned in the interstitial pockets. Each of the plurality of interstitial diamond grains are attached to a single diamond grain of the interconnected network of diamond grains or other interstitial diamond grains.

Polycrystalline diamond compacts having interstitial diamond grains and methods of making the same

Polycrystalline diamond bodies having an annular region of diamond grains and a core region of diamond grains and methods of making the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a polycrystalline diamond body () includes an annular region () of inter-bonded diamond grains having a first characteristic property and a core region () of inter-bonded diamond grains bonded to the annular region and having a second characteristic property that differs from the first characteristic property. The annular region decreases in thickness from a perimeter surface of the polycrystalline diamond body towards a centerline axis.

Polycrystalline diamond bodies having annular regions with differing characteristics

A superabrasive cutter and a method of making the superabrasive cutter are disclosed. The superabrasive cutter may comprise a plurality of polycrystalline superabrasive particles and about 0.01% to about 4% by weight of the superabrasive particles of a dopant as evaluated prior to a high pressure/high temperature process. The dopant may be immiscible with a catalyst for forming the polycrystalline superabrasive particles.

PDC cutter with chemical addition for enhanced abrasion resistance

Polycrystalline diamond bodies having an annular region of diamond grains and a core region of diamond grains and methods of making the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a polycrystalline diamond body includes an annular region of inter-bonded diamond grains having a first characteristic property and a core region of inter-bonded diamond grains bonded to the annular region and having a second characteristic property that differs from the first characteristic property. The annular region decreases in thickness from a perimeter surface of the polycrystalline diamond body towards a centerline axis.

Diamond bodies and methods of manufacture are disclosed. Diamond bodies are formed from at least a bimodal, alternatively a tri-modal or higher modal, feedstock having at least one fraction of modified diamond particles with a fine particle size (0.5-3.0 &#x3bc;m) and at least one fraction of diamond particles with coarse particle size (15.0 to 30 &#x3bc;m). During high pressure&#x2014;high temperature processing, fine particle sized, modified diamond particles in the first fraction preferentially fracture to smaller sizes while preserving the morphology of coarse particle sized diamond particles in the second fraction. Diamond bodies incorporating the two fractions have a microstructure including second fraction diamond particles dispersed in a continuous matrix of first fraction modified diamond particles and exhibit improved wear characteristics, particularly for wear associated with drilling of geological formations.

Methods of forming polycrystalline diamond

Polycrystalline diamond cutting elements having enhanced thermal stability, drill bits incorporating the same, and methods of making the same are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a cutting element includes a substrate having a metal carbide and a polycrystalline diamond body bonded to the substrate. The polycrystalline diamond body includes a plurality of diamond grains bonded to adjacent diamond grains by diamond-to-diamond bonds and a plurality of interstitial regions positioned between adjacent diamond grains. At least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions comprise a non-catalyst material, a catalyst material, metal carbide, or combinations thereof. At least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions comprise non-catalyst material that coats portions of the adjacent diamond grains such that the non-catalyst material reduces contact between the diamond and the catalyst.

Polycrystalline diamond cutting elements having non-catalyst material additions

Polycrystalline diamond compacts having parting compound within the interstitial volumes are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a polycrystalline diamond compact includes a polycrystalline diamond body having a plurality of diamond grains bonded together in diamond-to-diamond bonds, interstitial volumes positioned between the adjacent diamond grains, and a parting compound positioned in at least a portion of the interstitial volumes of the polycrystalline diamond body.

Polycrystalline diamond compacts having parting compound and methods of making the same

Polycrystalline diamond cutting elements having enhanced thermal stability, drill bits incorporating the same, and methods of making the same are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a cutting element includes a substrate having a metal carbide and a polycrystalline diamond body bonded to the substrate. The polycrystalline diamond body includes a plurality of diamond grains bonded to adjacent diamond grains by diamond-to-diamond bonds and a plurality of interstitial regions positioned between adjacent diamond grains. At least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions comprise lead or lead alloy, a catalyst material, metal carbide, or combinations thereof. At least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions comprise lead or lead alloy that coat portions of the adjacent diamond grains such that the lead or lead alloy reduces contact between the diamond and the catalyst.

Growing community of inventors

Westerville, OH, United States of America

Andrew Gledhill