Abstract: A water detecting system for detecting water in the bearings and lubricant reservoir system of a sealed bearing rotary rock bit permits detection and removal of water to decrease premature bearing failure caused by the presence of water on the bearing surface.

Abstract: A tri-cone rotary rock bit having true rolling conical cutters of different cone angle and with each cutter having a plurality of intermediate annular rows of cutting projections for disintegrating the borehole bottom. Such projections in the intermediate rows being true-rolling about a bottom distinct from the bottom cut by the projections on the remaining intermediate annular rows of the cutting projections of each cone are also at distinct separate distances from the center of rotation of the bit to produce a borehole bottom profile having concentric rows of crests and valleys.

Abstract: A heavy duty lubricating composition for lubricating metal rubbing surfaces, such as journal bearings in rock bits, is provided that forms a solid as a result of increased temperature at the areas of highest shear rate or highest loading in the bearing. The solid reverts to its original state within the carrier fluid when passing into areas of lower temperature. The composition comprises a substantially uniform dispersion within a carrier fluid of a solid additive having decreasing solubility/dispersibility in the carrier fluid as temperature increases, an additive capable of forming with the carrier fluid viscous lubricating solutions in water, and an extreme pressure agent having a high temperature of activation with the bearing materials.

Abstract: A rotary rock bit having a relatively thin-walled porous journal bushing, infiltrated with an anti-galling metal, is shown. The bushing is mounted within the rolling cone cutter and retained axially by abutments and rotationally by an interference fit in conjunction with a metallic conformal layer at the interferingly engaging surfaces to prevent movement of the bushing with respect to the cutter under bit operating conditions.

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 underreamer includes a central wash pipe for delivering drilling mud to remove cuttings and debris from the hole during drilling and an alternate flow path, generally through the body for delivering drilling fluid to the vicinity between the arm and the body to flush debris therefrom which would prevent the arms from retracting to their normal position for withdrawal from the borehole.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit for drilling earth formations is disclosed having a plurality of cutting elements mounted on the head portion of the bit. The bit further includes a plurality of individual protrusions projecting from the head portion more than the extension of the cutting elements. The protrusions are fabricated of a metal more readily abraded by the earth formation than any of the cutting elements. The protrusions protect the cutting elements during handling of the bit and entry of the bit into a borehole; and, the protectors are abraded away to expose the cutting elements during drilling.

Abstract: An improved quick release coupling assembly for a drive shaft of a downhole motor is disclosed. The quick release coupling has an internally tapered collar to cause the mating taper on the outside surfaces of the clutch dogs to be held firmly by the collar and in intimate engaging relationship between the mating tapered surfaces. The angle of the mating tapered surfaces is greater than a self-locking angle so that the quick release feature permits easy disassembly of the joint, and thus the tool, on the rig floor or as well as in the shop.

Abstract: A rolling cone cutter earth boring bit is provided having a pair of radial facing thrust bearing surfaces bounding the pilot pin of the journal and the pilot pin cavity on the cone. The thrust bearing surface of the cone defines a plurality of slots open to, and angled forwardly from, the pin cavity, and terminating within the annular bearing area. The bearing surfaces are, upon assembly, lubricated with a "smear grease" which, under drilling operation works its way to the radially outermost area of the bearing surfaces leaving the bearing area adjacent the pilot pin generally depleted of lubricant. The slots, being closed on the outer end and having radially inwardly impelling force, scrape the outwardly migrated lubricant from the journal pin thrust surface and direct it back toward the pilot pin area for redeposition to replenish lubricant in the radially inner area of the bearing.

Abstract: A rolling cone cutter earth boring bit is provided having a pair of facing thrust bearing surfaces, one such surface on the rolling cone and the other surface on the journal pin. The latter surface defines an annular groove which has separate arcuate segments thereof filled with a hardfacing material and machined to provide a complimentary engaging surface with the cone thrust bearing surface. The spaces in the groove between the hardfacing segments define pockets providing lubricant reservoirs and debris traps for the immediately adjacent thrust bearing surfaces.

Abstract: A torque transmitting drill string tool is provided that includes an outer member and an inner member telescopically arranged. Spline means between said outer member and said inner member transmits torque. A spring means is positioned between the outer member and the inner member. Means are provided for adjusting the position and/or pre-load of the spring means without disassembling the tool.

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 axially 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 circulating fluid that is transmitted through the drill string into the hammer body. All of the fluid is transmitted between the hammer body and the piston at a single fixed axial position along the length of the hammer body.

Abstract: An improved lubrication and seal system for a rock bit that includes a bit body arranged to be connected to a drilling string or the like and having an axle portion thereon. A cutting member is journaled on the axle portion and provides a cavity between the axle portion and cutting member in which there are disposed a bearings for rotatably supporting the loads on the cutting member on the axle portion. A pressurized fluid passageway extends through the bit body to the cavity for transmitting bearing conditioning fluid to the bearings. A permeable material having a lubricant in the pores in the material is disposed in the available space between bearings in the cavity in contact with the load carrying bearing and in the fluid passageway whereby the lubricant in the pores is gradually deposited on the bearing to provide a generally continuous in situ lubrication thereof.

Abstract: A rolling cone cutter earth boring bit is provided with a sealing system that results in the seal being squeezed uniformly around the seal circumference during drilling. The bearing pin seal surface is machined eccentrically to the bearing pin by an amount equal to the radial clearance of the bearing. The bearing pin seal surface is machined about an axis that is offset from the central axis of the bearing pin in the direction of the unloaded side of the bearing pin. When the bit is drilling and the bearing pin is loaded the seal will run on an axis concentric with the axis of the seal surfaces of the bearing pin and the rolling cutter and will see uniform squeeze around its circumference.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating almost all fine particles, including particles less than 10 microns in diameter, from a gas stream, which requires the input of only a small amount of water and which discharges a correspondingly small amount of particle-water slurry. The apparatus includes a vertical cylindrical chamber having a relatively wide upstream portion that gradually narrows in a transition portion into an elongated throat portion. A central core member extends axially along the throat portion and forms an elongated annular passage. A high velocity gas stream containing fine particles is generally tangentially introduced into the wide upstream portion of the conduit to provide a circulatory flow. Water is introduced through a plurality of parts in the transition portion downstream therefrom, to provide a thin layer of water along the outer walls of the throat.

Abstract: An improved sealing system for a rotary rock bit retains lubricant inside the bearing area of the bit and acts as a barrier to the pulverized cuttings and other materials in the borehole to prevent the materials from entering the bearing area through the cone mouth opening of the rolling cone cutter. An annular seal member located in the cone mouth opening has a hollow core filled with a fluid. The fluid will flow thru the hollow core when pressure is applied. During drilling with a rotary rock bit the lower or loaded side of the bearing has less clearance than the upper or unloaded side. The pressure on the loaded side of the bearing will force the fluid to the unloaded side of the seal member and cause that side of the seal member to expand and fill the clearance to maintain a seal.

Abstract: A sealing system provides a metal-to-metal barrier to the drilling fluid, pulverized cuttings and other materials in the borehole preventing the materials from entering the bearing area of an earth boring bit and a positive elastomer seal retains lubricant inside the bearing area. The body of the bit includes a bearing pin and a rolling cone cutter is mounted to rotate about the bearing pin. A sealing surface is provided on the bit body. An annular metal seal ring is positioned around the bearing pin adjacent the sealing surface. An elastomeric ring is positioned around the bearing pin and compressed or deformed axially to urge the metal seal ring into sealing engagement with the sealing surface. A lip projects from the elastomeric ring and contacts the sealing surface to provide a positive initial seal for filling and testing.

Abstract: A rotary rock bit is constructed with a lubrication system having an expansion space provided within the lubrication system to accommodate increases in internal volume during drilling. A flexible diaphragm is located in the lubricant reservoir cavity in the bit dividing the cavity into a lubricant portion and an expansion portion. A low melting point wax plug is positioned in the expansion portion of the lubricant reservoir. The lubricant portion of the lubricant reservoir is filled with lubricant. The wax plug prevents lubricant from entering the expansion portion. The bit is heated above the melting temperature of the wax plug allowing the wax to melt and run out of the bit. This provides an expansion space in the bit to accommodate an increase in volume in the lubrication system during drilling.

Abstract: A plastic chain has a link which includes two sections formed of molded thermoplastic material. One end of each link section includes a first opening and is shaped so that when the link sections are joined, the ends will be spaced apart and the first openings aligned. The other end of each section includes a second opening. First and second mating means cooperate to join the other end to form a link. The ends with the first openings are spaced apart a sufficient distance to accommodate at least a portion of the joined other ends of an adjacent similarly-shaped link so that the first openings can be aligned with the second openings in the adjacent link to receive a link pin which is in the form of a hollow tube with a manually releasable resilient latch.

Abstract: One or more holes are drilled into the crest of the tooth-shaped cutting structure of a milled steel tooth rotary rock bit. Tungsten carbide rods are positioned in the holes and hardfacing is applied to the tooth. The hardfacing is applied across the top of the tooth crest and acts to hold the tungsten carbide rods in place. The rods are inserted in holes parallel and close to one flank of the tooth so that the entire length of the carbide rods can be attached to the hardfacing by burning the hardfacing through to the carbide rods. Wear on the tooth will proceed along the side of the tooth not reinforced with the carbide rods and a self-sharpening effect is enhanced by the strength of the carbide rods. The carbide rods and holes therefore can be relatively inexpensive, since close tolerance finishing is not required.

Abstract: A drill string reamer-stabilizer includes a main body adapted to be connected as an element of a rotary drill string. Individual bearing shafts are mounted axially along the exterior of the main body supporting roller cutters that engage the wall of the borehole. Seal units are positioned around each bearing shaft between each roller cutter and bearing shaft to define a lubricant space. The seal units retain lubricant in the lubricant space and prevent contaminating fluid and materials in the borehole from entering the lubricant space. At least one seal unit comprises an annular cup-shaped elastomer seal member with an annular lip mounted in an annular seal gland in the roller cutter. The seal gland has an inner side adjacent the lubricant space and an outer side exposed to the fluid and materials in the borehole.