Patents by Inventor Michael D. Rupp

Michael D. Rupp has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8146686
    Abstract: Fibers for diamond-impregnated cutting tools and their associated methods for manufacture and use are described. A matrix is formed that contains fibers made from carbon, glass, ceramic, polymer, and the like. The matrix is then sintered to form a cutting portion of a drill bit. The type and concentration of the fibers can be modified to control the tensile strength and the erosion rate of the matrix to optimize the cutting performance of the tools. Additionally, the fibers may be added to the cutting section to weaken the structure and allow higher modulus binders to be used for the cutting tools at a lower cost, allowing the amount of fibers to be tailored to retain the diamonds in the cutting portion for the desired amount. As the cutting portion erodes, the fibers may also increase the lubricity at the face of the cutting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Longyear TM, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristian S. Drivdahl, Michael D. Rupp
  • Publication number: 20120061146
    Abstract: Drilling tools include a bit crown and an integrated reamer. The bit crown and the integrated reamer can be configured with approximately equal drilling lives. The bit crown can be impregnated with abrasive cutting media and include one or more external flutes. The integrated reamer can be positioned at the base the bit crown and include one or more channels that align with one or more of the outer flutes. The channels can taper such that they increase in width as they extend away from the bit crown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
    Inventors: Cody A. Pearce, Christian M. Lambert, Michael D. Rupp
  • Publication number: 20110303465
    Abstract: Impregnated drilling tools include elongated structures that provide enhanced properties. The drilling tools contain a diamond-impregnated cutting section that contains elongated structures made from carbon, glass, ceramic, and the like. The elongated structures can comprise tubes, fibers, or rods. In one or more implementations the elongated structures are nano-sized. The elongated structures can control the tensile strength and/or the erosion rate of the drilling tools to optimize the cutting performance of the tools. Additionally, the elongated structures may also weaken the cutting section in one or more implementations; thereby, allowing higher strength binders to be used. Such higher modulus binders can cost less and allow for tailoring of the cutting section to retain the diamonds for the desired amount of time. As the cutting section erodes, the elongated structures may also increase the lubricity at the face of the cutting section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
    Inventors: Michael D. Rupp, Cody A. Pearce, Christian M. Lambert, Kristian S. Drivdahl
  • Patent number: 8051929
    Abstract: Core drill bits with long crown heights are described herein. The core drill bits have a series of slots or openings that are not located at the tip of the crown and are therefore enclosed in the body of the crown. The slots may be staggered and/or stepped throughout the crown. As the cutting portion of the drill bit erodes through normal use, the fluid/debris notches at the tip of the bit are eliminated. As the erosion progresses, the slots become exposed and then they function as fluid/debris ways. This configuration allows the crown height to be extended and lengthened without substantially reducing the structural integrity of the drill bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Longyear TM, Inc.
    Inventors: K. Shayne Drivdahl, Michael D. Rupp
  • Patent number: 8025107
    Abstract: Reamers for use in core-sample drilling include PDC inserts. Such reamers with PDC inserts may be used to maintain borehole diameters, reduce deviation, and/or stabilize drill strings used in core sample drilling. The PDC inserts may be of different sizes and shapes and may be arranged around the reamers in various ways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Longyear TM, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristian S. Drivdahl, Erik M. Gaugh, Michael D. Rupp
  • Patent number: 8006783
    Abstract: A down-the-hole assembly includes a housing having a central axis and a mechanical gear box positioned within the housing. The mechanical gear box is coupled to the housing such that rotation of the housing at a first rotational rate provides a rotary input to the mechanical gear box. A rotary cutting bit is coupled to the mechanical gear box. The mechanical gear box is configured to rotate said rotary cutting bit at a second rotational rate in response to that rotary input from the housing. The second rotational rate is greater than the first rotational rate. The mechanical gear box is also further configured to cause the rotary cutting bit to orbit about the central axis of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Longyear TM, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Rupp, Christopher L. Drenth
  • Patent number: 7975785
    Abstract: Diamond-impregnated cutting tools including fibers and drilling systems incorporating such tools are described. The cutting tools contain a diamond-impregnated cutting portion that contains fibers made from carbon, glass, ceramic, polymer, and the like. The fibers may be used to both control the tensile strength and the erosion rate of the matrix to optimize the cutting performance of the tools. Additionally, the fibers may also weaken the structure and allow higher modulus binders to be used for the cutting tools at a lower cost, allowing the amount of fibers to be tailored to retain the diamonds in the cutting portion for the desired amount. As the cutting portion erodes, the fibers may also increase the lubricity at the face of the cutting portion. Using the fibers allows the cutting tools to last longer and make them safer and more economical because they need to be replaced less often.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Longyear TM, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristian S. Drivdahl, Michael D. Rupp
  • Patent number: 7958954
    Abstract: Core drill bits with long crown heights are described herein. The core drill bits have a series of slots or openings that are not located at the tip of the crown and are therefore enclosed in the body of the crown. The slots may be staggered and/or stepped throughout the crown. As the cutting portion of the drill bit erodes through normal use, the fluid/debris notches at the tip of the bit are eliminated. As the erosion progresses, the slots become exposed and then they function as fluid/debris ways. This configuration allows the crown height to be extended and lengthened without substantially reducing the structural integrity of the drill bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Longyear TM, Inc.
    Inventors: K. Shayne Drivdahl, Michael D. Rupp
  • Publication number: 20110127086
    Abstract: A down-the-hole assembly includes a housing having a central axis and a mechanical gear box positioned within the housing. The mechanical gear box is coupled to the housing such that rotation of the housing at a first rotational rate provides a rotary input to the mechanical gear box. A rotary cutting bit is coupled to the mechanical gear box. The mechanical gear box is configured to rotate said rotary cutting bit at a second rotational rate in response to that rotary input from the housing. The second rotational rate is greater than the first rotational rate. The mechanical gear box is also further configured to cause the rotary cutting bit to orbit about the central axis of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
    Inventors: Michael D. Rupp, Christopher L. Drenth, Christian M. Lambert
  • Patent number: 7918288
    Abstract: Core drill bits with long crown heights are described herein. The core drill bits have a series of slots or openings that are not located at the tip of the crown and are therefore enclosed in the body of the crown. The slots may be staggered and/or stepped throughout the crown. As the cutting portion of the drill bit erodes through normal use, the fluid/debris notches at the tip of the bit are eliminated. As the erosion progresses, the slots become exposed and then they function as fluid/debris ways. This configuration allows the crown height to be extended and lengthened without substantially reducing the structural integrity of the drill bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Longyear TM, Inc.
    Inventors: K. Shayne Drivdahl, Michael D. Rupp
  • Publication number: 20110067924
    Abstract: Implementations of the present invention include impregnated drill bits having a plurality of relatively large abrasive cutting media, such as polycrystalline diamonds, embedded therein. According to some implementations of the present invention, the relatively large abrasive cutting media can be dispersed in an unorganized arrangement throughout at least a portion of the crown. Additionally, one or more implementations can include a second plurality of relatively small abrasive cutting media. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling systems including impregnated drill bits having a plurality of relatively large abrasive cutting media embedded therein, methods of using such impregnated drill bits, and methods of forming such impregnated drill bits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
    Inventors: Christian M. Lambert, Michael D. Rupp
  • Patent number: 7909119
    Abstract: Core drill bits with long crown heights are described herein. The core drill bits have a series of slots or openings that are not located at the tip of the crown and are therefore enclosed in the body of the crown. The slots may be staggered and/or stepped throughout the crown. As the cutting portion of the drill bit erodes through normal use, the fluid/debris notches at the tip of the bit are eliminated. As the erosion progresses, the slots become exposed and then they function as fluid/debris ways. This configuration allows the crown height to be extended and lengthened without substantially reducing the structural integrity of the drill bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Longyear TM, Inc.
    Inventors: K. Shayne Drivdahl, Michael D. Rupp
  • Publication number: 20110036640
    Abstract: A drill bit includes a crown defining a central axis. The crown includes at least one segment. The segment includes a planar portion and a plurality of surface features continuous with and extending away from the planar portion. The surface features are discontinuous within the segment with respect to a first arced path defined at a first radial distance from the central axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
    Inventors: Christian M. Lambert, Michael D. Rupp
  • Publication number: 20110031027
    Abstract: Core drill bits with long crown heights are described herein. The core drill bits have a series of slots or openings that are not located at the tip of the crown and are therefore enclosed in the body of the crown. The slots may be staggered and/or stepped throughout the crown. As the cutting portion of the drill bit erodes through normal use, the fluid/debris notches at the tip of the bit are eliminated. As the erosion progresses, the slots become exposed and then they function as fluid/debris ways. This configuration allows the crown height to be extended and lengthened without substantially reducing the structural integrity of the drill bit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
    Inventors: K. Shayne Drivdahl, Michael D. Rupp
  • Patent number: 7874384
    Abstract: Core drill bits with long crown heights are described herein. The core drill bits have a series of slots or openings that are not located at the tip of the crown and are therefore enclosed in the body of the crown. The slots may be staggered and/or stepped throughout the crown. As the cutting portion of the drill bit erodes through normal use, the fluid/debris notches at the tip of the bit are eliminated. As the erosion progresses, the slots become exposed and then they function as fluid/debris ways. This configuration allows the crown height to be extended and lengthened without substantially reducing the structural integrity of the drill bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Longyear TM, Inc.
    Inventors: K. Shayne Drivdahl, Michael D. Rupp
  • Patent number: 7828090
    Abstract: Core drill bits with long crown heights are described herein. The core drill bits have a series of slots or openings that are not located at the tip of the crown and are therefore enclosed in the body of the crown. The slots may be staggered and/or stepped throughout the crown. As the cutting portion of the drill bit erodes through normal use, the fluid/debris notches at the tip of the bit are eliminated. As the erosion progresses, the slots become exposed and then they function as fluid/debris ways. This configuration allows the crown height to be extended and lengthened without substantially reducing the structural integrity of the drill bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Longyear TM, Inc.
    Inventors: K. Shayne Drivdahl, Michael D. Rupp
  • Publication number: 20100243331
    Abstract: A down-the-hole assembly includes a housing having a central axis and a mechanical gear box positioned within the housing. The mechanical gear box is coupled to the housing such that rotation of the housing at a first rotational rate provides a rotary input to the mechanical gear box. A rotary cutting bit is coupled to the mechanical gear box. The mechanical gear box is configured to rotate said rotary cutting bit at a second rotational rate in response to that rotary input from the housing. The second rotational rate is greater than the first rotational rate. The mechanical gear box is also further configured to cause the rotary cutting bit to orbit about the central axis of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
    Inventors: Michael D. Rupp, Christopher L. Drenth
  • Patent number: D630656
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Longyear TM, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian M. Lambert, Michael D. Rupp
  • Patent number: D647114
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Longyear TM, Inc.
    Inventors: Cody A. Pearce, Michael D. Rupp, Christian M. Lambert
  • Patent number: D647115
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Longyear TM, Inc.
    Inventors: Cody A. Pearce, Michael D. Rupp, Christian M. Lambert