Smith International, Inc.

Other

Chris Edward Cawthorne

Gary Ray Portwood

Michael Allen Siracki

James Carl Minikus

Sujian Huang

Zhigang Zak Fang

Per Ivar Nese

Gary Edward Garcia

Madapusi K Keshavan

Robert M Denton

Robert H Slaughter, Jr

Roger Didericksen

Dennis Cisneros

Peter Thomas Cariveau

J Daniel Belnap

Ronald K Eyre

Scott D McDonough

Quan V Nguyen

Nathan R Anderson

David P Moran

Stephen C Steinke

Anthony Griffo

Zhou Yong

Nephi M Mourik

Lance T Richman

Brian A James

Robert H Slaughter

James Layne Larsen

Ghanshyam Rai

Alysia C White

J Albert Sue

Steven W Peterson

Michael S Oliver

Naresh J Kar

Ramamurthy Viswanadham

Kirk A Norris

Steve Peterson

G Steve Kyker

Gary Erpenbeck

G Steven Kyker

Per I Nese

Suprant J Huang

A shaped insert that includes a top portion, and a grip length, wherein the grip length is modified to have a non-uniform cross sectional area is disclosed. In another case, a shaped insert includes a top portion, and a grip length, wherein the grip length is modified such that the insert is non-cylindrical. In another case, a shaped insert includes a top portion, and a grip length, wherein the grip length is coated in a non-uniform manner.

Shaped inserts with increased retention force

Methods and apparatus for maintaining lubrication of rolling cone cutters mounted on journal pins. Embodiments comprise a rotating cone disposed on a journal pin and forming a journal gap there between. A cylindrical journal sleeve is disposed in the journal gap. The journal sleeve has a longitudinal gap forming opposing end portions, which are continuously contoured. A lubrication port is disposed in the journal pin and in fluid communication with a lubrication supply. The lubrication port has an outlet located in a recess in the journal gap. Each end of the recess comprises a transitioning surface extending between the bottom of the recess and the outer surface of the journal pin to prevent sharp transitions. In certain embodiments, the journal pin may comprise two or more lubrication ports, each located in a recess with transitioning surfaces.

Bearing and lubrication system for earth boring bit

Annular seals of this invention comprise an elastomeric seal body that is configured to fit within a seal gland of a rock bit. The seal comprises a first seal surface, for providing a seal along a dynamic rotary surface formed between the seal body and one portion of the rock bit, and a second seal surface, for providing a seal between the seal body and another portion of the rock bit. The annular seal further comprises an extrusion prevention member that is positioned adjacent a surface of the seal body between the first and second seal surfaces. The extrusion prevention member can be integral, partially-attached, or independent of the seal body. The extrusion prevention member is preferably formed from a material having a hardness that is greater than that of the seal body. The member is positioned along the seal body at a location adjacent a groove, formed between opposed members of the rock bit, to act as a physical barrier to prevent the seal from being extruded therethrough.

Rock bit seal with extrusion prevention member

A cutter element for a drill bit has a crest that defines a crest line. The crest can be non-rectilinear. The crest line of each cutter element defines an angle with respect to the axis of the rolling cone on which the cutter element is mounted. The cutter elements define different angles with respect to the cone axis and with respect to each other.

Cutter element with non-linear, expanded crest

A drill bit for use in a borehole at least partially containing drilling fluid includes a bit body having at least two bit components, including at least one leg, the leg having a journal segment, and a roller cone rotatably mounted upon the journal segment and forming at least one bearing cavity therebetween. Also included is an annular primary seal disposed between the leg and the roller cone, an annular secondary seal disposed between the leg and the roller cone and between the annular primary seal and the borehole and an annular space disposed between the annular primary seal and the annular secondary seal, the annular space at least partially containing fluid and being in substantially absolute fluid isolation from the bearing cavity and a conduit for permitting the flow of fluid from the annular space to the borehole. The annular secondary seal may be primarily elastomeric and the means for permitting the flow of fluid may further permit the flow of fluid from the borehole to the annular space. The annular space may at least partially include a grease possessing a water washout value of under approximately 50% per ASTM D-4049 water spray test for lubrication characteristics and the grease may include a polymer tackifier of between approximately 1% and approximately 5% by weight.

Dual-seal drill bit pressure communication system

A drill bit for use in a borehole at least partially containing drilling fluid includes a bit body having at least two bit components, including at least one leg, the leg having a journal segment, and a roller cone rotatably mounted upon the journal segment and forming at least one bearing cavity therebetween. Also included is an annular primary seal disposed between the leg and the roller cone, an annular secondary seal disposed between the leg and the roller cone and between the annular primary seal and the borehole and an annular space disposed between the annular primary seal and the annular secondary seal, the annular space at least partially containing fluid and being in substantially absolute fluid isolation from the bearing cavity and a conduit for permitting the flow of fluid from the annular space to the borehole. The annular secondary seal may be primarily elastomeric and a passage for permitting the flow of fluid may further permit the flow of fluid from the borehole to the annular space. The annular space may at least partially include a grease possessing a water washout value of under approximately 50% per ASTM D-4049 water spray test for lubrication characteristics and the grease may include a polymer tackifier of between approximately 1% and approximately 5% by weight.

Rock bits comprising wear and fracture resistant surface of this invention include a steel bit body having at least one leg extending therefrom. A steel cone is rotatably disposed on the leg. The steel cone includes a plurality of steel cutting elements that each projecting outwardly a distance therefrom. At least a portion of the cone comprises a wear resistant surface formed from a wear resistant composite material. The wear resistant composite material is made by the process of combining powders selected from the group consisting of carbides, borides, nitrides, carbonitrides, refractory metals, cermets, Co, Fe, Ni, steel, and combinations thereof, to form a material mixture. The material mixture is applied onto a designated surface of the cone, in one form or another, when the cone is in a pre-existing rigid state. Depending on the particular application, the material mixture can be applied in as a slurry to the designated surface of the cone to form a coating thereon. Alternatively, the material mixture can be preformed into a green part that is configured to be placed over the designated surface prior to being disposed thereon. The material mixture is then pressurized under conditions of elevated temperature to form the wear resistant surface. In the event that the material mixture is preformed into a green part, the preformed green part can be sintered prior to its placement on the designated cone surface. The sintered part can then be attached to the cone surface by brazing process.

Roller cone bits with wear and fracture resistant surface

A drill bit having one or more nozzle retention bodies attached by a single orientation mounting is disclosed, as is the associated method for its manufacture. The upper end of the nozzle retention body has a fluid inlet in communication with the internal fluid plenum of the drill bit, and the lower end of the nozzle retention body includes a fluid outlet that defines an exit flow angle. The exit flow angle is angularly disposed from the longitudinal axis of the drill bit. The nozzle retention body may advantageously be chamfered or the like to provide a reduced cross-sectional area at the lower end of the nozzle retention body. The outer surface of the nozzle retention body (and attached hardened elements) may extend substantially to gage, or may fall short of that diameter.

Directional flow nozzle retention body

A cutter element for a drill bit has a non-rectilinear crest. The cutter element has a base portion and an extending portion and the extending portion has either a zero draft or a negative draft with respect to the base portion. The non-positive draft allows more of the borehole bottom to be scraped using fewer cutter elements. The cutter elements having non-positive draft can be either tungsten carbide inserts or steel teeth.

Seals of this invention comprise an annular elastomeric ring-shaped body having a dynamic surface disposed along a first body portion, the dynamic surface comprising at least two surface elements that project outwardly therefrom to provide multiple barriers to fluid and debris migration thereacross when placed into contact with a rock bit rotary dynamic surface. The seal dynamic surface includes a recessed portion disposed between the surface elements, and a static seal surface disposed along a second body portion. At least one of the surface elements includes a wear surface that is formed from a material that is more wear resistant than materials that are used to form a remaining portion of the seal. A preferred wear surface is one formed from a composite material comprising a fabric of nonelastomeric polymeric material that is bonded together with an elastomeric material. Seals of this invention provide improved properties of both wear resistance and sealability when compared to conventional seals having a single dynamic seal surface.

Rock bit seal with multiple dynamic seal surface elements

A method for simulating the drilling performance of a roller cone bit drilling an earth formation may be used to generate a visual representation of drilling, to design roller cone drill bits, and to optimize the drilling performance of a roller cone bit. The method for generating a visual representation of a roller cone bit drilling earth formations includes selecting bit design parameters, selecting drilling parameters, and selecting an earth formation to be drilled. The method further includes calculating, from the bit design parameters, drilling parameters and earth formation, parameters of a crater formed when one of a plurality of cutting elements contacts the earth formation. The method further includes calculating a bottomhole geometry, wherein the crater is removed from a bottomhole surface. The method also includes incrementally rotating the bit and repeating the calculating of crater parameters and bottomhole geometry based on calculated roller cone rotation speed and geometrical location with respect to rotation of said roller cone drill bit about its axis. The method also includes converting the crater and bottomhole geometry parameters into a visual representation.

Method for simulating drilling of roller cone bits and its application to roller cone bit design and performance

A rolling cone bit includes at least one cone cutter having a gage row of cutter elements and a first inner row of near but off-gage cutter elements that are positioned so as to divide the sidewall and bottom hole cutting duty so as to enhance bit durability, maintain borehole diameter and improve ROP. The off-gage distance of the first inner row of cutter elements is defined for various bit sizes to optimize the division of cutting duty. The distance that the first inner row of cutter elements are off-gage may be constant for all the cones on the bit or may be varied among the various cones to balance the durability and wear characteristics on all the cones of the bit.

Rolling cone bit with gage and off-gage cutter elements positioned to separate sidewall and bottom hole cutting duty

Enhanced inserts are formed having a cylindrical grip and a protrusion extending from the grip. An ultra hard material layer is bonded on top of the protrusion. The inserts are mounted on a rock bit and contact the earth formations off center. The ultra hard material layer is thickest at a critical zone which encompasses a major portion of the region of contact between the insert and the earth formation. Transition layers may also be formed between the ultra hard material layer and the protrusion so as to reduce the residual stresses formed on the interface between the ultra hard material and the protrusion.

Engineered enhanced inserts for rock drilling bits

A cutter element for use in a drill bit, comprising a substrate and a cutting layer. The substrate comprises a grip portion and an extension portion, where the grip portion has an insert axis and an extension portion including an interface surface having a first apex. The cutting layer is affixed to the interface surface and has a cutting surface having a second apex. The cutting layer is shaped such that when a plane passing through the first apex and lying parallel to the insert axis and normal to a radius from the insert axis, the plane divides the cutting layer into major and minor portions and the major portion has a major volume that is at least 60 percent of the total volume of said cutting layer. Alternative embodiments of the present invention include variations wherein the first and second apices do not coincide and wherein the interface surface of the substrate is not axisymmetric. Using these variations, cutter elements having sizeable variations in thickness are constructed.

Drill bit inserts with variations in thickness of diamond coating

Growing community of inventors

The Woodlands, TX, United States of America

Chris Edward Cawthorne