Patents by Inventor Michael G. Azar

Michael G. Azar 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).

  • Publication number: 20140124270
    Abstract: A cutting tool cutting tool may include a tool body having a plurality of blades extending radially therefrom, a plurality of rotatable cutting elements having a first chamfer mounted on at least one of the plurality of blades, and a plurality of non-rotatable cutting elements having a second, distinct chamfer mounted on at least one the plurality of blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Bala Durairajan, Michael G. Azar, Yuri Burhan, Youhe Zhang
  • Publication number: 20130292186
    Abstract: A downhole cutting tool may include a tool body, a plurality of blades extending azimuthally from the tool body comprising a cone region, a shoulder region, and a gage region, at least one cutting element disposed along the cone region and the shoulder region of the blade, and at least one gage cutting element disposed along the gage region of the blade wherein the at least one gage cutting element has a negative backrake ranging from greater than 70 to about 85 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: YOUHE ZHANG, MICHAEL G. AZAR, CHEN CHEN, YURI BURHAN
  • Patent number: 8567534
    Abstract: Cutting elements have substrates including end surfaces. TSP material layers extend over only a portion of the end surfaces or extend into the substrates below the end surfaces. Bits incorporate such cutting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Youhe Zhang, Yuelin Shen, Madapusi K. Keshavan, Michael G. Azar
  • Publication number: 20130277120
    Abstract: A downhole cutting tool may include a tool body; a plurality of blades extending azimuthally from the tool body; and a plurality of cutting elements disposed on the plurality of blades, the plurality of cutting elements comprising: at least two non-planar cutting elements comprising a substrate and a diamond layer having a non-planar cutting end, wherein at least one of the at least two conical cutting elements has a positive back rake angle or positive side rake angle, and at least one of the at least two non-planar cutting elements has a negative back rake angle or a negative side rake angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Michael G. Azar, Bala Durairajan, Madapusi K. Keshavan
  • Publication number: 20130146361
    Abstract: A secondary cutting structure for use in a drilling assembly includes a tubular body, and a block, extendable from the tubular body, the block including a first arrangement of cutting elements disposed on a first blade, a first stabilization section disposed proximate the first arrangement of cutting elements, a second arrangement of cutting elements disposed on the first blade, and a second stabilization section disposed proximate the second arrangement of cutting elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Navish Makkar, Brian Cruickshank, Charles Dewey, Michael G. Azar
  • Patent number: 8418785
    Abstract: A drill bit for drilling a borehole in earthen formations, the bit comprising: a bit body having a bit axis and a bit face including a cone region, a shoulder region, and a gage region; a first primary blade extending radially along the bit face from the cone region to the gage region; a plurality of cutter elements mounted to the first primary blade, wherein a first of the plurality of cutter elements has a planar cutting face and a second of the plurality of cutter elements has a convex cutting face; and wherein each cutting face is forward-facing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael G Azar
  • Publication number: 20130020134
    Abstract: A drill bit has a plurality of blades that include a coring blade, a plurality of flow courses that include an evacuation slot disposed between the plurality of blades, and a conical insert disposed on or proximate a bit centerline of the drill bit. Coring blade includes a first cutting element disposed at a first radial position from the bit centerline. Also, coring blade includes a substantially vertical surface and an angled surface. During drilling, first cutting element cuts formation to generate a core sample fragment at bit centerline. Core sample fragment is then broken away from formation using angled surface or conical insert after core sample fragment reaches a certain length. Core sample fragment then exits drill bit via an evacuation slot, from where core sample fragment is transported via an annulus to the surface of formation for testing and analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Michael G. Azar, Hemachandar Mada
  • Publication number: 20120261193
    Abstract: A system and method to facilitate the drilling of one or more lateral wellbores while eliminating one or more trips downhole. The system utilizes a drilling assembly comprising an impregnated drill bit or other suitable drill bit. The impregnated drill bit is coupled to a whipstock by a connector for deployment downhole in a single trip. The connector comprises a separation device which facilitates disconnection of the impregnated drill bit from the whipstock once the whipstock is anchored at a desired downhole location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: Shantanu N. Swadi, Philip M. Gregurek, Kenneth M. Nevlud, Charles H. Dewey, Michael G. Azar
  • Publication number: 20120234610
    Abstract: A downhole cutting tool may include a tool body; a plurality of blades extending azimuthally from the tool body; and a plurality of cutting elements disposed on the plurality of blades, the plurality of cutting elements comprising: at least two conical cutting elements comprising a substrate and a diamond layer having a conical cutting end, wherein at least one of the at least two conical cutting elements has a positive back rake angle, and at least one of the at least two conical cutting elements has a negative back rake angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Michael G. Azar, Bala Durairajan, Madapusi K. Keshavan
  • Publication number: 20120205163
    Abstract: A drill bit for drilling a borehole in earth formations may include a bit body having a bit axis and a bit face; a plurality of blades extending radially along the bit face; and a plurality of cutting elements disposed on the plurality of blades, the plurality of cutting elements comprising: at least one cutter comprising a substrate and a diamond table having a substantially planar cutting face; and at least two conical cutting elements comprising a substrate and a diamond layer having a conical cutting end, wherein in a rotated view of the plurality of cutting elements into a single plane, the at least one cutter is located a radial position from the bit axis that is intermediate the radial positions of the at least two conical cutting elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Michael G. Azar, Bala Durairajan, Madapusi K. Keshavan
  • Patent number: 8157029
    Abstract: Cutting elements have substrates including end surfaces. TSP material layers extend over only a portion of the end surfaces or extend into the substrates below the end surfaces. Bits incorporate such cutting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Youhe Zhang, Yuelin Shen, Madapusi K. Keshavan, Michael G. Azar
  • Publication number: 20120024604
    Abstract: The invention provides a fixed cutter drill bit for drilling through unconsolidated, highly abrasive formations. The bit includes a bit body having a cutting face and a side portion. The bit body comprising carbide matrix material. A plurality of blades azimuthally spaced about the cutting face and a plurality of cutters disposed along the blades. At least one gage pad is disposed along a side of the bit body and includes wear resistant gage elements formed of a material more wear resistant than the matrix material forming a portion of the gage pad. The wear resistant elements have a rounded surface and are embedded in gage pad material proximal a leading edge of the gage pad to provide a rounded wear-resistant edge or surface proximal the leading edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Carl Hoffmaster, Shelton W. Alsup, Michael G. Azar, Thomas W. Oldham, Stuart R. Oliver, Sidney J. Isnor
  • Patent number: 8100202
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a drill bit for drilling a borehole comprises a bit body having a bit axis and a bit face. In addition, the drill bit comprises a primary blade extending radially along the bit face. Further, the drill bit comprises a plurality of primary cutter elements mounted to the primary blade. The primary blade is free of backup cutter elements. Still further, the drill bit comprises a secondary blade extending radially along the bit face. Moreover, the drill bit comprises a plurality of primary cutter elements mounted to the secondary blade. In addition, the drill bit comprises a first plurality of backup cutter elements mounted to the secondary blade in a first backup row that trails the primary row. Further, the drill bit comprises a second plurality of backup cutter elements mounted to the secondary blade in a second backup row that trails the first backup row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Bala Durairajan, Carl M. Hoffmaster, Michael G. Azar, Kurt T. Bush
  • Patent number: 7946363
    Abstract: Cutting elements are provided having substrates including end surfaces. TSP material layers extend over only a portion of the end surfaces or extend into the substrates below the end surfaces. Bits incorporating such cutting elements are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Youhe Zhang, Yuelin Shen, Madapusi K. Keshavan, Michael G. Azar
  • Publication number: 20110100724
    Abstract: A drill bit for drilling a borehole in earthen formations, the bit comprising: a bit body having a bit axis and a bit face including a cone region, a shoulder region, and a gage region; a first primary blade extending radially along the bit face from the cone region to the gage region; a plurality of cutter elements mounted to the first primary blade, wherein a first of the plurality of cutter elements has a planar cutting face and a second of the plurality of cutter elements has a convex cutting face; and wherein each cutting face is forward-facing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Michael G. Azar
  • Publication number: 20110005837
    Abstract: The invention provides a fixed cutter drill bit for drilling through unconsolidated, highly abrasive formations. The bit includes a bit body having a cutting face and a side portion. The bit body comprising carbide matrix material. A plurality of blades azimuthally spaced about the cutting face and a plurality of cutters disposed along the blades. At least one gage pad is disposed along a side of the bit body and includes wear resistant gage elements formed of a material more wear resistant than the matrix material forming a portion of the gage pad. The wear resistant elements have a rounded surface and are embedded in gage pad material proximal a leading edge of the gage pad to provide a rounded wear-resistant edge or surface proximal the leading edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Carl Hoffmaster, Shelton W. Alsup, Michael G. Azar, Thomas W. Oldham, Stuart R. Oliver, Sidney J. Isnor
  • Publication number: 20100320005
    Abstract: In one aspect, an impregnated drill bit is provided having at least one insert positioned within at least one of the plurality of blades such that the insert spans more than 75% of the height of the blade and at least a portion of the blade has a blade height of at least 40 mm. In another aspect, an impregnated drill bit is provided having a plurality of blades with at least a portion of at least one blade having a blade height of at least 60 mm. Also provided are methods of manufacturing such impregnated drill bits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Yuri Burhan, Gregory T. Lockwood, Jonan Fulencheck, Michael G. Azar
  • Patent number: 7836981
    Abstract: Cutting elements are provided having substrates including end surfaces. TSP material layers extend over only a portion of the end surfaces or extend into the substrates below the end surfaces. Bits incorporating such cutting elements are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Youhe Zhang, Yuelin Shen, Madapusi K. Keshavan, Michael G. Azar
  • Publication number: 20100270088
    Abstract: Cutting elements are provided having substrates including end surfaces. TSP material layers extend over only a portion of the end surfaces or extend into the substrates below the end surfaces. Bits incorporating such cutting elements are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Youhe Zhang, Yuelin Shen, Madapusi K. Keshavan, Michael G. Azar
  • Patent number: 7798256
    Abstract: The invention provides a fixed cutter drill bit for drilling through unconsolidated, highly abrasive formations. The bit includes a bit body having a cutting face and a side portion. The bit body comprising carbide matrix material. A plurality of blades azimuthally spaced about the cutting face and a plurality of cutters disposed along the blades. At least one gage pad is disposed along a side of the bit body and includes wear resistant gage elements formed of a material more wear resistant than the matrix material forming a portion of the gage pad. The wear resistant elements have a rounded surface and are embedded in gage pad material proximal a leading edge of the gage pad to provide a rounded wear-resistant edge or surface proximal the leading edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl Hoffmaster, Shelton W Alsup, Michael G. Azar, Thomas W. Oldham, Stuart R. Oliver, Sidney J. Isnor