The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 21, 2025
Filed:
Jul. 20, 2022
Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US);
Swetha Suresh, Chennai, IN;
Gary C. Yerby, Morton, IL (US);
Chetan V. Dahiwal, Chennai, IN;
Thomas J. Yaniak, Peoria, IL (US);
Michael A. Pershing, Washington, IL (US);
Todd M. Blindt, Canton, IL (US);
Scott A. Johnston, East Peoria, IL (US);
Timothy F. Nusz, Wyoming, IL (US);
Akilan Appavu, Chennai, IN;
Benjamin J. Bargfrede, Chicago, IL (US);
Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
Roller cone drill bits and methods of increasing the wear resistance of a roller cone drill bit are disclosed. The roller cone drill bit includes a plurality of rolling elements within a bearing assembly of a cone. Each rolling element of the plurality of rolling elements may have a surface hardness of HRC 59-63, a hardened depth that is 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm deep, and may be derived from a low carbon bearing steel material. The hardened depth is measured from the surface of each rolling element and the low carbon bearing steel material has, by weight percent, from 0.12% to 0.25% carbon.