Patents by Inventor Nicholas J. Lyons

Nicholas J. Lyons 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: 10174562
    Abstract: Methods of forming a polycrystalline table may involve disposing a plurality of particles comprising a superabrasive material, a substrate comprising a hard material, and a catalyst material in a mold. The plurality of particles may be partially sintered in the presence of the catalyst material to form a brown polycrystalline table having a first permeability attached to an end of the substrate. The substrate may be removed from the brown polycrystalline table and catalyst material may be removed from the brown polycrystalline table. The brown polycrystalline table may then be fully sintered to form a polycrystalline table having a reduced, second permeability. Intermediate structures formed during a process of attaching a polycrystalline table to a substrate may include a substantially fully leached brown polycrystalline table. The substantially fully leached brown polycrystalline table may include a plurality of interbonded grains of a superabrasive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Anthony A. DiGiovanni, Nicholas J. Lyons, Derek L. Nelms, Danny E. Scott
  • Patent number: 10144113
    Abstract: Partially formed earth-boring rotary drill bits comprise a first less than fully sintered particle-matrix component having at least one recess, and at least a second less than fully sintered particle-matrix component disposed at least partially within the at least one recess. Each less than fully sintered particle-matrix component comprises a green or brown structure including compacted hard particles, particles comprising a metal alloy matrix material, and an organic binder material. The at least a second less than fully sintered particle-matrix component is configured to shrink at a slower rate than the first less than fully sintered particle-matrix component due to removal of organic binder material from the less than fully sintered particle-matrix components in a sintering process to be used to sinterbond the first less than fully sintered particle-matrix component to the at least a second less than fully sintered particle-matrix component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Redd H. Smith, Nicholas J. Lyons
  • Patent number: 10113368
    Abstract: Cutting elements include a substrate, a thermally stable polycrystalline table comprising a superhard material secured to the substrate, and a layer of metal interposed between, and attaching the substrate and the thermally stable polycrystalline table. Methods of forming a cutting element include providing a thermally stable polycrystalline table in a mold, providing a layer of metal on the thermally stable polycrystalline table, distributing a mixture of particles comprising a plurality of hard particles and a plurality of particles comprising a matrix material on the layer of metal, and heating the mold while applying pressure to the mixture of particles to cause the mixture of particles to coalesce and form a substrate and at least partially melt the layer of metal to flow and wet the thermally stable polycrystalline table and the substrate to form an attachment therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Lyons, Danny E. Scott
  • Patent number: 10099347
    Abstract: Polycrystalline elements include a substrate and a polycrystalline table attached to an end of the substrate. The polycrystalline table includes a first region of superabrasive material having a first permeability and at least a second region of superabrasive material having a second, lesser permeability, the at least a second region being interposed between the substrate and the first region. Methods of forming a polycrystalline element involve attaching a polycrystalline table including a first region of superabrasive material having a first permeability and at least a second region of superabrasive material having a second, lesser permeability to an end of a substrate, the at least a second region being interposed between the first region and the substrate. Catalyst material is removed from at least the first region of the polycrystalline table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Lyons, Danny E. Scott, Anthony A. DiGiovanni, Derek L. Nelms
  • Patent number: 10017998
    Abstract: Cutting elements for an earth-boring tool include a substrate base and a cutting tip. The cutting tip may include a first generally conical surface, a second, opposite generally conical surface, a first flank surface extending between the first and second generally conical surfaces, and a second, opposite flank surface. The cutting tip may include a central axis that is not co-linear with a longitudinal axis of the substrate base. The cutting tip may include a surface defining a longitudinal end thereof that is relatively more narrow in a central region thereof than in a radially outer region thereof. Earth-boring tools include a body and a plurality of such cutting elements attached thereto, at least one cutting element oriented to initially engage a formation with the first or second generally conical surface thereof. Methods of drilling a formation use such cutting elements and earth-boring tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Juan Miguel Bilen, Danny E. Scott, Suresh G. Patel, Oliver Matthews, Derek L. Nelms, Nicholas J. Lyons
  • Patent number: 10006253
    Abstract: Cutting elements, earth-boring drill bits having such cutting elements and related methods are described herein. In some embodiments, a cutting element for an earth-boring tool may include a diamond table having an indentation in a cutting face thereof and a shaped feature in a substrate at the interface between the diamond table and the substrate, the shaped feature corresponding to the indentation in the cutting face of the diamond table. In further embodiments, a cutting element for an earth-boring tool may include a sacrificial structure positioned within an indentation in a diamond table. In additional embodiments, a method of forming a cutting element may include positioning a sacrificial structure in a mold, positioning a powdered precursor material over the sacrificial structure, and pressing and sintering the powdered precursor material to form a diamond table having an indentation in a cutting face formed by the sacrificial structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignees: Baker Hughes Incorporated, Element Six LTD
    Inventors: Anthony A. DiGiovanni, Nicholas J. Lyons, Matthew S. Hale, John H. Liversage
  • Patent number: 9957757
    Abstract: A cutting element for use in a drill bit for drilling subterranean formations includes a cutting body having a substrate, and a superabrasive layer overlying an upper surface of the substrate. The cutting element further includes a sleeve including another superabrasive layer and surrounding the peripheral side surface of the cutting body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Chaitanya K. Vempati, Suresh G. Patel, Jack T. Oldham, Danielle M. Fuselier, Jim R. Powers, Nicholas J. Lyons
  • Patent number: 9931736
    Abstract: Cutting elements for use with earth-boring tools include a cutting table having a base surface and a substrate having a support surface. An intermediate structure and an adhesion layer extend between the base surface of the cutting table and the support surface of the substrate. Earth-boring tools include such cutting elements. Methods for fabricating cutting elements for use with earth-boring tools include forming an intermediate structure on and extending from a support surface of a substrate and adhering a cutting table comprising a superabrasive material to the support surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Nicholas J. Lyons
  • Publication number: 20180066478
    Abstract: A cutting element for use in a drilling bit and/or a milling bit having a cutter body made of a substrate having an upper surface, and a superabrasive layer overlying the upper surface of the substrate. The cutting element further includes a sleeve extending around a portion of a side surface of the superabrasive layer and a side surface of the substrate, wherein the sleeve exerts a radially compressive force on the superabrasive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Anthony A. DiGiovanni, Nicholas J. Lyons, Matthew S. Hale, Konstantin E. Morozov, John H. Liversage, Danny E. Scott, L. Allen Sinor
  • Patent number: 9885213
    Abstract: Cutting structures for use with downhole tools in subterranean boreholes include a blade, a plurality of primary cutting elements coupled to the blade, and at least one secondary element rotationally leading the plurality of primary cutting elements in a direction of intended rotation of the cutting structure. The at least one secondary element is coupled to the blade proximate a leading surface of the blade and comprises at least one of a rubbing surface and a cutting surface. An exposure of at least one primary cutting element of the plurality of primary cutting elements is greater than an exposure of the at least one secondary element. Downhole tools such as reamers include cutting structures. Methods of enlarging a subterranean borehole include reaming a borehole with cutting structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Nicholas J. Lyons
  • Publication number: 20170356250
    Abstract: Cutting elements include a volume of superabrasive material. The volume of superabrasive material comprises a front-cutting surface, an end-cutting surface, a cutting edge, and lateral side surfaces extending between and intersecting each of the front-cutting surface and the end-cutting surface. An earth-boring tool may comprise a bit body and at least one cutting element attached to the bit body. Methods of forming cutting elements comprise forming a volume of superabrasive material comprising forming a front-cutting surface, an end-cutting surface, a cutting edge, and lateral side surfaces extending between and intersecting each of the front-cutting surface and the end-cutting surface. Methods of forming earth-boring tools comprise forming a cutting element and attaching the cutting element to an earth-boring tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Danny E. Scott, Nicholas J. Lyons, Juan Miguel Bilen, Oliver Matthews, Rudolf Carl Pessier
  • Patent number: 9816324
    Abstract: A cutting element for use in a drilling bit and/or a milling bit having a cutter body made of a substrate having an upper surface, and a superabrasive layer overlying the upper surface of the substrate. The cutting element further includes a sleeve extending around a portion of a side surface of the superabrasive layer and a side surface of the substrate, wherein the sleeve exerts a radially compressive force on the superabrasive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignees: Baker Hughes, Element Six (Production) (PTY) (LTD)., Element Six Limited
    Inventors: Anthony A. DiGiovanni, Nicholas J. Lyons, Matthew S. Hale, Konstantin E. Morozov, John H. Liversage, Danny E. Scott, L. Allen Sinor
  • Publication number: 20170321488
    Abstract: Partially formed earth-boring rotary drill bits comprise a first less than fully sintered particle-matrix component having at least one recess, and at least a second less than fully sintered particle-matrix component disposed at least partially within the at least one recess. Each less than fully sintered particle-matrix component comprises a green or brown structure including compacted hard particles, particles comprising a metal alloy matrix material, and an organic binder material. The at least a second less than fully sintered particle-matrix component is configured to shrink at a slower rate than the first less than fully sintered particle-matrix component due to removal of organic binder material from the less than fully sintered particle-matrix components in a sintering process to be used to sinterbond the first less than fully sintered particle-matrix component to the at least a second less than fully sintered particle-matrix component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Redd H. Smith, Nicholas J. Lyons
  • Patent number: 9752387
    Abstract: A cutting element for an earth-boring tool includes at least one volume of superabrasive material on a substrate. The volume of superabrasive material includes a first planar surface and a second planar surface oriented at an angle relative to the first planar surface and intersecting the first planar surface along an apex. The first planar surface has a circular or oval shape having a first maximum diameter, and the second planar surface has a circular or oval shape having a second maximum diameter. The apex has a length less than the first maximum diameter and the second maximum diameter. Earth-boring tools include such a cutting element attached to a body. Methods of forming earth-boring tools include the attachment of such a cutting element to a body of an earth-boring tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Volker Richert, Nicholas J. Lyons
  • Publication number: 20170247949
    Abstract: Bearings for earth-boring tools may include a first bearing member including a first bearing pad having a first contact surface and a second bearing member including a second bearing pad having a second contact surface in sliding contact with at least a portion of the first contact surface. At least one of the first bearing member and the second bearing member may include a polycrystalline table attached to a portion of a first substrate on which the polycrystalline table was formed. Another substrate may be attached to the portion of the first substrate, the portion of the first substrate interposed between the polycrystalline table and the other substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Anthony A. DiGiovanni, Nicholas J. Lyons, Derek L. Nelms, Danny E. Scott
  • Patent number: 9732562
    Abstract: Cutting elements include a volume of superabrasive material. The volume of superabrasive material comprises a front-cutting surface, an end-cutting surface, a cutting edge, and lateral side surfaces extending between and intersecting each of the front-cutting surface and the end-cutting surface. An earth-boring tool may comprise a bit body and at least one cutting element attached to the bit body. Methods of forming cutting elements comprise forming a volume of superabrasive material comprising forming a front-cutting surface, an end-cutting surface, a cutting edge, and lateral side surfaces extending between and intersecting each of the front-cutting surface and the end-cutting surface. Methods of forming earth-boring tools comprise forming a cutting element and attaching the cutting element to an earth-boring tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Danny E. Scott, Nicholas J. Lyons, Juan Miguel Bilen, Oliver Matthews, Rudolf Carl Pessier
  • Patent number: 9700991
    Abstract: Partially formed earth-boring rotary drill bits comprise a first less than fully sintered particle-matrix component having at least one recess, and at least a second less than fully sintered particle-matrix component disposed at least partially within the at least one recess. Each less than fully sintered particle-matrix component comprises a green or brown structure including compacted hard particles, particles comprising a metal alloy matrix material, and an organic binder material. The at least a second less than fully sintered particle-matrix component is configured to shrink at a slower rate than the first less than fully sintered particle-matrix component due to removal of organic binder material from the less than fully sintered particle-matrix components in a sintering process to be used to sinterbond the first less than fully sintered particle-matrix component to the at least a second less than fully sintered particle-matrix component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Redd H. Smith, Nicholas J. Lyons
  • Patent number: 9650838
    Abstract: Cutting elements for earth-boring tools may include a polycrystalline table attached to a portion of a first substrate on which the polycrystalline table was formed. The portion of the first substrate may exhibit a thickness less than a thickness of the first substrate before a remainder of the first substrate was removed to form the portion of the first substrate. Another substrate may be attached to the portion of the first substrate, the portion of the first substrate being interposed between the polycrystalline table and the other substrate. Earth-boring tools may include such cutting elements secured to bodies of the earth-boring tools. Bearings for earth-boring tools may include a polycrystalline table attached to a portion of a first substrate on which the polycrystalline table was formed, the polycrystalline table defining a contact surface. Another substrate may be attached to the portion of the first substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Anthony A. DiGiovanni, Nicholas J. Lyons, Derek L. Nelms, Danny E. Scott
  • Patent number: 9650836
    Abstract: Earth-boring tools may comprise a body comprising a first region and a second region. The first region may be located closer to a rotational axis of the body than the second region. A first cutting element may be located in the first region and a second cutting element may be located in the second region. A first polycrystalline table of the first cutting element may be substantially free of catalyst material to a first depth and a second polycrystalline table of the second cutting element may be substantially free of catalyst material to a second, greater depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Danny E. Scott, Anthony A. DiGiovanni, Nicholas J. Lyons, Derek L. Nelms
  • Patent number: 9567807
    Abstract: An earth-boring tool includes a bit body, a plurality of first cutting elements, and a plurality of second cutting elements. Each of the first cutting elements includes a discontinuous phase dispersed within a continuous matrix phase. The discontinuous phase includes a plurality of particles of superabrasive material. Each of the second cutting elements includes a polycrystalline diamond compact or tungsten carbide. A method of forming an earth-boring tool includes disposing a plurality of first cutting elements on a bit body and disposing a second plurality of second cutting elements on the bit body. Another method of foaming an earth-boring tool includes forming a body having a plurality of first cutting elements and a plurality of cutting element pockets and securing each of a plurality of second cutting elements within each of the cutting element pockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: James C. Green, Ben L. Kirkpatrick, Christopher J. Cleboski, Nicholas J. Lyons, Andrew R. Warner, Wesley Dean Fuller