Methods and system for lubrication pressure relief for a roller cone drill bit

Abstract

According to one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a roller cone drill bit including a bit body having at least one support arm extending therefrom, a cone assembly containing bearings or retaining balls and rotatably mounted on a journal extending from each support arm, a lubricant reservoir disposed in each support arm, a lubricant chamber disposed in each support arm and fluidly coupled to the bearings or retaining balls, a bore disposed in each support arm to communicate lubricant between the lubricant reservoir and the lubricant chamber, and a pressure release mechanism disposed within the bore. The pressure release mechanism may be operable to relieve lubricant from the lubricant reservoir into the lubricant chamber when lubricant pressure within the lubricant reservoir exceeds pressure of the lubricant in the lubricant chamber. According to another embodiment, the disclosure relates to methods of relieving lubricant in such a bit.