Drill bit nozzle

Abstract

A drill bit for connection on a drill string has a hollow tubular body with an end cutting face and an exterior peripheral stabilizer surface with cylindrical sintered carbide inserts positioned therein and a novel arrangement for securing replaceable nozzles. Nozzle passages extend from the interior of the bit body through the cutting face for receiving a removable and interchangeable nozzle member therein. A portion of the length of each passage is threaded and the remainder of the passage is enlarged and of a smooth bore. The nozzle member is formed of wear-resistant hard metal, e.g. carbide, and has a metal sleeve brazed thereon with male threads operable to be fitted in the threads in said nozzle passage. The nozzle member is threadedly secured in place during installation and optionally further secured against unscrewing and additionally protected against wear or erosion by a metal or hard metal, e.g. carbide, retaining ring having an interference fit in the smooth portion of the nozzle passage. The shape of the hard metal nozzle member protects the entire nozzle assembly, and particularly the threaded metal sleeve, from erosion produced by abrasive drilling fluids. The cutting face supports suitable cutting means, preferably diamond cutting elements. The replaceable nozzles with threaded exteriors and protecting retaining rings may be used with other types of drill bits, e.g. roller cone bits, but are particularly useful with diamond bits because of the close proximity of the nozzles to the cutting surface in diamond bits which results in a very high wear rate.