Baker Hughes Corporation

Jim L Jacobsen

Bruce Stauffer

William Heuser

Walk characteristics of an earth-boring rotary drill bit may be predicted by measuring locations and orientations of cutting elements thereof and calculating the magnitude and direction of an imbalance force of the drill bit using the measurements obtained. The calculated imbalance force may be compared to the imbalance force of at least one other drill bit having a calculated imbalance force and observed walk characteristics. An earth-boring rotary drill bit may be designed by constructing a database including the magnitude and direction of a calculated imbalance force and observed walk characteristics for a number of drill bits. Desired walk characteristics are selected, the database is referenced, and the bit may be configured to exhibit an imbalance force selected to impart desired walk characteristics to the drill bit. Drill bits are configured to exhibit an imbalance force oriented in a predetermined direction relative to a blade of the drill bit. A system may be employed to monitor the imbalance force of an operating drill bit and to provide or implement desirable operational parameters to compensate for same.

Methods for designing and fabricating earth-boring rotary drill bits having predictable walk characteristics and drill bits configured to exhibit predicted walk characteristics

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Erie, CO, United States of America

Jim L Jacobsen