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:
Feb. 17, 2015
Filed:
Oct. 04, 2013
Applicant:
Smith International, Inc., Houston, TX (US);
Inventors:
Russell J. Steel, Salem, UT (US);
Scott M. Packer, Alpine, UT (US);
Cary A. Roth, Spring, TX (US);
Madapusi K. Keshavan, The Woodlands, TX (US);
Assignee:
Smith International, Inc., Houston, TX (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B23K 20/12 (2006.01); B23P 15/28 (2006.01); E21B 10/08 (2006.01); E21B 10/22 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
E21B 10/22 (2013.01); B23K 20/1225 (2013.01); B23K 20/129 (2013.01);
Abstract
A roller cone drill bit includes a bit body, at least one leg extending downward from the bit body, a journal on each leg, and a roller cone mounted on each journal. A ball race is configured between each journal and roller cone, and a plurality of retention balls is disposed within each ball race. A ball hole extends from the back face of each leg to the ball race, and a ball hole plug fits within the ball hole. The ball hole plug is secured to the leg by a friction stir weld.