Abstract: In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a thrust bearing member is positioned between the rolling cutter or cone and the bearing pin of a rock bit and comprises wound wire such as a closed spiral coil spring that provides spaced-apart bearing surfaces with open areas therebetween. The flexibility of the spiral spring tends to spread the load between several bearing areas to thereby reduce concentrations of stress and the occurrence of localized high temperatures and wear, and the spacing of the bearing surfaces provides wear and contamination particle traps as well as lubricant reservoirs, to significantly increase the useful life of the bearing.

Abstract: A magnetic seal system for belt conveyor rollers formed by axially disposed magnetic radial rings forming a labyrinth seal arranged before the ball bearings of the belt conveyor roller.

Abstract: A plain bearing pair comprising a bearing surface in opposed mating engagement with a relatively moveable friction bearing surface wherein the material of at least one of the mating bearing surfaces is formed from an amorphous metal alloy having a predominant refractory metal component and a Vickers Hardness Number in excess of 1000.

Abstract: A hydraulic jarring tool for imparting up-jarring impacts to release a stuck earth boring drill string component is shown. The tool defines upper and lower closed fluid chambers between telescopically moveable concentric cylinders. A fluid metering valve in one fluid passage between the chambers provides limited flow from one chamber to the other and permits telescopic movement at a rate which establishes tension on the drill string and causes the tool to jar. A normally open valve is provided in a by-pass passage between the chambers and is responsive to the fluid velocity therethrough to move to a closed position, restricting fluid flow to pass through the metering valve. However, the tool can be telescopically extended at a somewhat lesser rate insufficient to cause the velocity responsive valve to close thereby permitting the tool to be extended smoothly without a jarring impact.

Abstract: A fluid seal and retaining arrangement for securing a cylinder liner within the frame of a reciprocating piston pump. The frame and the cylinder liner cooperate to form an annular chamber within the frame about the periphery of the liner which is filled with pressurized hydraulic fluid to maintain a differential force securing the liner to the frame while providing a fluid-tight seal between the liner and the frame.

Abstract: A roller reamer/stabilizer tool is shown with rolling cutter assemblies removeably retained within elongated pockets in the body of the tool by cap members capturing opposing ends of the cutter axle pin. The cap members are received in sockets adjacent opposed ends of the pockets and secured thereon by balls, received within a passage defined by the mating faces of the socket and caps, and by threaded bolts. A countersunk bore in the cap members receives the bolts therethrough and provides an entry into a transverse opening through the cap to the passage for inserting or removing the balls. A shim plate between the cap and the body determine the gauge diameter of the tool.

Abstract: A downhole drilling motor located near the end of a rotary drill string is powered by the drilling fluid for driving a rotary drill bit for the drilling of an oil or gas well or the like. Substantially all of the drilling fluid that exits the power producing section is channeled toward the nozzles of the drill bit with a small portion being diverted through the bearings of the motor. A series of elastomer flow restrictor elements, each responding to increased fluid pressure by reducing the flow area therethrough, controls the fluid flow through the bearings to within a narrow range of flow rates.

Abstract: A pack composition is disclosed for case hardening a ferrous metal to initially diffuse boron into the surface thereof and subsequently diffuse boron and silicon into the surface thereof. The pack composition comprises an amorphous boron, a silicon material, an alkyli earth, and a carbon bearing compound with the last named compound including a barium carbonate, a calcium carbonate and a hardwood charcoal and coke mixture.

Abstract: A pack composition is disclosed for case hardening a ferrous metal to initially diffuse carbon into the surface thereof and subsequently diffuse boron into the surface. The pack composition comprises a boron material and a carburizing compound with the last named compound including a barium carbonate, a calcium carbonate and a hardwood charcoal and coke mixture.

Abstract: In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a bearing positioned between the rolling cutter or cone and the bearing pin of a rock bit comprises wound wire such as a closed helical coil spring that provides spaced-apart bearing surfaces with open areas therebetween. The flexibility of the helical spring tends to spread the load between several bearing areas to thereby reduce concentrations of stress and the occurrence of localized high temperatures and wear, and the spacing of the bearing surfaces provides wear and contamination particle traps as well as lubricant reservoirs, to significantly increase the useful life of the bearing.

Abstract: A lubrication system for a multiple segment rotary rock bit, with each segment having lubrication supply means to the cutter bearing structure associated therewith and whereby each supply means is in lubricant flow communication with the lubricant supply means of the remaining segments so that the internal pressure of the lubricant system is substantially equal in each segment.

Abstract: Structure for permanently retaining a rolling cutter on a journal pin of a rotary cutter earth boring bit is shown. The structure is defined by opposed, axially aligned, circumferential grooves formed in the mating bearing surfaces of the pin and the assembled cutter. The cutter groove is a single width throughout whereas the pin groove defines a double width for an arcuate extent thereof on its unloaded side. A split snap ring is compressed within the pin groove, with the ends of the ring axially overlapping in the double width portion so that the ring does not extend above the surface of the pin. Upon alignment of the grooves, during assembly of the cutter on the pin, the ring snaps into the cutter groove with the ends in abutting relationship and extends radially into the pin groove to retain the cutter on the pin.

Abstract: A compressible pressure compensating member is disposed within a sealed lubricant volume enclosing a bearing and seal system of an earth boring apparatus. Lubricant is maintained within the volume by metal face seals so that both the bearing and the seal structure are lubricated thereby. As the lubricant expands, due to thermal expansion under use, the increased pressure is accommodated by compression of the compressible member so that no lubricant is expelled through the seals. When the lubricant cools and contracts, the compensator expands to maintain the lubricant volume at the initially filled level.

Abstract: A series of axially stacked rolling bearing assemblies for transmitting axial thrust load between relative rotating cylinders, such as in a fluid powered downhole motor, is provided with the bearing races of each assembly formed from a bearing material significantly softer than the balls thereof so as to readily wear to a condition wherein the thrust load is generally equally distributed throughout each assembly within the stack.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for case hardening a ferrous metal. In the invention, the surface of the ferrous metal is exposed to diffusible carbon, boron and silicon in a furnace during multiple stages of a single thermal cycle. The furnace is maintained at a first temperature which enhances diffusion of the carbon to create a carburized substrate to a desired depth. The furnace temperature is then elevated to a second temperature to enhance diffusion of the boron and silicon to form an outer surface layer enriched with these elements. This results in a gradual transition between the carburized substrate and the boronized and siliconized layer.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for case hardening of ferrous metal. In the process of the invention, the surface of the ferrous metal is exposed to diffusible carbon and boron in a furnace during multiple stages of a single thermal cycle without intermediate cooling. The furnace is maintained at a first temperature which enhances diffusion of the carbon to create a carburized substrate to a desired depth. The furnace temperature is then elevated to a second temperature to enhance diffusion of the boron to form an outer surface layer enriched therewith. This results in a gradual transition between the carburized substrate and the boronized layer.

Abstract: A design for a drill bit (10) is provided. The design permits placement of a plurality of cutters (14) in a pattern approaching an ideal equal volume cutting arrangement while minimizing the mathematical steps necessary to calculate the desired positions. The design positions the cutters so that the annular area between radially adjacent cutters is a constant. Certain groups of cutters can also be positioned to prevent a central core in the material drilled and to provide a desired kerf overlap.

Abstract: An underreamer having a plurality of drilling arms hingedly attached to a tubular body for movement between a retracted position and an extended position for drilling. The hinge attachment includes a cylindrical boss and socket assembly, between the arm and a removeable hinge plate retained in a recess in the body against outward movement by an engaging key and keyway between the plate and wall of the recess.

Abstract: A rotary rock bit having the load bearing elements between the axle and the cone cutter encased in a permeable porous plastic material having lubricant in the pores thereof, with the material substantially filling a portion of the bearing cavity to seal the cavity and a lubricant reservoir in the bit with a lubricant flow passage therefrom to adjacent said material to replenish the lubricant lost from the pores during use.

Abstract: A fluid operated rock drill hammer includes an annular hammer body with the upper end of the hammer body adapted to be connected to a drill string and with a drill chuck mounted at the lower end of the hammer body. A drill bit extends through the drill chuck into the body. A piston is slidably mounted in the hammer body to move between the drill bit and the upper end of the hammer body for striking the portion of the drill bit that extends through the drill chuck. The force for moving the piston is provided by a fluid that is circulated through the drill string into the hammer body. A restricted exhaust port is provided for preventing back hammering of the piston by maintaining a high fluid pressure in the space between the piston and the upper end of the hammer body when the bit is off bottom.