RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application is a non-provisional application of and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/759,858, entitled “Non-Cylindrical Nozzle Socket For Drill Bits” and filed on Feb. 1, 2013, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates generally to downhole tools used in subterranean drilling, and more particularly, to nozzle sockets formed within downhole tools.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Drill bits are commonly used for drilling bore holes or wells in earth formations. One type of drill bit is a fixed cutter drill bit which typically includes a plurality of cutting elements, or cutters, disposed within a respective cutter pocket formed within one or more blades of the drill bit and one or more nozzle sockets formed within the drill bit.
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a conventional drill bit 100, or conventional fixed cutter drill bit 100, in accordance with the prior art. Referring to FIG. 1, the conventional drill bit 100 includes a bit body 110 that is coupled to a shank 115 and is designed to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction 190. The shank 115 includes a threaded connection 116 at one end 120. The threaded connection 116 couples to a drill string (not shown) or some other equipment that is coupled to the drill string. The threaded connection 116 is shown to be positioned on the exterior surface of the one end 120. This positioning assumes that the conventional drill bit 100 is coupled to a corresponding threaded connection located on the interior surface of a drill string (not shown). However, the threaded connection 116 at the one end 120 is alternatively positioned on the interior surface of the one end 120 if the corresponding threaded connection of the drill string, or other equipment, is positioned on its exterior surface in other exemplary embodiments. A bore (not shown) is formed longitudinally through the shank 115 and extends into the bit body 110 forming a plenum 310 (FIG. 3), which communicates drilling fluid during drilling operations from within the bit body 110 to a drill bit face 111 via one or more conventional nozzle sockets 114 formed within the bit body 110. These conventional nozzle sockets 114 are cylindrically shaped within the conventional drill bit 100. The plenum 310 (FIG. 3) and the conventional nozzle sockets 114 is further described below with respect to FIGS. 2A-6.
The bit body 110 includes a plurality of gauge sections 150 and a plurality of blades 130 extending from the drill bit face 111 of the bit body 110 towards the threaded connection 116, where each blade 130 extends to and terminates at a respective gauge section 150. The blade 130 and the respective gauge section 150 are formed as a single component, but are formed separately in certain other conventional drill bits 100. The drill bit face 111 is positioned at one end of the bit body 110 furthest away from the shank 115. The plurality of blades 130 form the cutting surface of the conventional drill bit 100. One or more of these plurality of blades 130 are either coupled to the bit body 110 or are integrally formed with the bit body 110. The gauge sections 150 are positioned at an end of the bit body 110 adjacent the shank 115. The gauge section 150 includes one or more gauge cutters (not shown) in certain conventional drill bits 100. The gauge sections 150 typically define and hold the full hole diameter of the drilled hole. Each of the blades 130 and gauge sections 150 include a leading edge section 152, a face section 154, and a trailing edge section 156. The face section 154 extends from one end of the trailing edge section 156 to an end of the leading edge section 152. The leading edge section 152 faces in the direction of rotation 190. The blades 130 and/or the gauge sections 150 are oriented in a spiral configuration according to some of the prior art. However, in other conventional drill bits, the blades 130 and/or the gauge sections 150 are oriented in a non-spiral configuration. A junk slot 122 is formed, or milled, between each consecutive blade 130, which allows for cuttings and drilling fluid to return to the surface of the wellbore (not shown) once the drilling fluid is discharged from the conventional nozzle sockets 114 during drilling operations.
A plurality of cutters 140 are coupled to each of the blades 130 within a respective cutter pocket 160 formed therein. The cutters 140 are generally formed in an elongated cylindrical shape; however, these cutters 140 can be formed in other shapes, such as disc-shaped or conical-shaped. The cutters 140 typically include a substrate 142, oftentimes cylindrically shaped, and a cutting surface 144, also cylindrically shaped, disposed at one end of the substrate 142 and oriented to extend outwardly from the blade 130 when coupled within the respective cutter pocket 160. The cutting surface 144 can be formed from a hard material, such as bound particles of polycrystalline diamond forming a diamond table, and be disposed on or coupled to a substantially circular profiled end surface of the substrate 142 of each cutter 140. Typically, the polycrystalline diamond cutters (“PDC”) are fabricated separately from the bit body 110 and are secured within a respective cutter pocket 160 formed within the bit body 110. Although one type of cutter 140 used within the conventional drill bit 100 is a PDC cutter; other types of cutters also are contemplated as being used within the conventional drill bit 100. These cutters 140 and portions of the bit body 110 deform the earth formation by scraping and/or shearing depending upon the type of conventional drill bit 100.
FIG. 2A shows a cross-sectional side view a nozzle 210 coupled within the conventional nozzle socket 114 in accordance with the prior art. FIG. 2B shows a top view of the nozzle 210 coupled within the conventional nozzle socket 114 in accordance with the prior art. Referring to FIGS. 2A-2B, the conventional nozzle socket 114 includes a conventional nozzle socket base 230 and a conventional nozzle socket wall 235 extending perpendicularly away from the perimeter of the conventional nozzle socket base 230, thereby forming a cylindrically-shaped cavity 237 therein. Hence, the conventional nozzle socket 114 also is cylindrically shaped. The nozzle 210 is inserted through the conventional nozzle socket 114 and coupled to the bit body 110 (FIG. 1) adjacent the conventional nozzle socket base 230. Although not illustrated, the nozzle 210 is coupled to the bit body 110 (FIG. 1) using a snap-fit, threaded connection, or other method and/or device known to people having ordinary skill in the art.
FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a drilling fluid flow pathway 300 formed within the conventional drill bit 100 (FIG. 1) in accordance with the prior art. Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the drilling fluid flow pathway 300 defines the outer peripheries of a plenum 310 formed within the bit body 110, one or more conventional nozzle sockets 114, and one or more flow tubes 320 extending from the plenum 310 to a respective conventional nozzle socket 114. The drilling fluid flow pathway 300 is formed using apparatuses and methods known to people having ordinary skill in the art and will not be described in detail herein for the sake of brevity.
As previously mentioned, the bore is formed within the shank 115 and extends into the bit body 110 forming the plenum 310. The bore allows for drilling fluid to flow from within the drill string into the conventional drill bit 100. The flow tubes 320 allow for drilling fluid to flow from within the plenum 310 to the conventional nozzle sockets 114. The drilling fluid exits the conventional nozzle sockets 114, which are positioned at the drill bit face 111, and facilitates removal of the cuttings from the drill bit face 111 and move them back towards the surface of the ground. These conventional nozzle sockets 114, as previously mentioned, are cylindrically shaped, i.e., have conventional nozzle socket wall 235 that forms a cylindrical shape. Although four conventional nozzle sockets 114 are illustrated as being formed within the conventional drill bit 100, greater or fewer conventional nozzle sockets 114 are formed in other conventional drill bits 100.
FIGS. 4-6 illustrate a study performed on the fluid movement, particles movement, and pressure distribution at or immediately surrounding the conventional nozzle sockets 114, or conventional nozzle socket areas. FIG. 4 shows a schematic of the conventional drill bit 100 and the positioning of particles 410, or cuttings 410, after a period of time in accordance with the prior art. Referring to FIG. 4, some particles 410 are seen to be trapped at or immediately near the conventional nozzle sockets 114. Specifically, as seen in FIG. 4, there are four particles 410 that are trapped at or immediately near the conventional nozzle sockets 114 after the period of time. FIG. 5 shows a schematic of a calculated trajectory of generated particles 410 in the drilling fluid flow pathway 300 and the particle recirculation movement lines 510 with respect to drilling fluid flow and particles properties over a period of time in accordance with the prior art. Referring to FIG. 5, a portion of the particle recirculation movement lines 510 illustrate some particles 410 recirculating and/or being trapped at or immediately adjacent to the conventional nozzle sockets 114, thereby forming substantially circular patterns 512. These circular patterns 512 are very prominent and dense since some particles 410 have been trapped, or recirculating in the same area, over a prolonged period of time. FIG. 6 shows a histogram chart 600 illustrating the residence time 610 of six hundred particles 410 generated and flowing at or immediately adjacent the conventional nozzle sockets 114 in accordance with the prior art. Referring to FIG. 6, approximately 105 particles 410 remain at or immediately adjacent the conventional nozzle socket 114 after 0.3 seconds after release. These figures show that particle movement does not follow fluid movement and can be affected by differential pressure areas created by the fluid motion. As seen in the figures, some particles 410 are captured into the conventional nozzle socket area 114 and circulated in it during a certain time before leaving the conventional nozzle socket space area 114. Since these particles 410 take much time before leaving the conventional nozzle socket area 114, new particles 410 continue to enter this conventional nozzle socket area 114 as drilling operations continue and these new particles 410, or cuttings, are formed when the rock is destroyed. Hence, the particles 410 tend to accumulate in these conventional nozzle socket areas 114 which cause plugging of the conventional nozzle sockets 114 and eventual bit balling.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and other features and aspects of the invention may be best understood with reference to the following description of certain exemplary embodiments, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a conventional fixed cutter drill bit in accordance with the prior art;
FIG. 2A shows a cross-sectional side view a nozzle coupled within the conventional nozzle socket of FIG. 1 in accordance with the prior art;
FIG. 2B shows a top view of the nozzle coupled within the conventional nozzle socket of FIG. 1 in accordance with the prior art;
FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a drilling fluid flow pathway formed within the conventional drill bit of FIG. 1 in accordance with the prior art;
FIG. 4 shows a schematic of the conventional drill bit of FIG. 1 and the positioning of particles, or cuttings, after a period of time in accordance with the prior art;
FIG. 5 shows a schematic of the calculated trajectory of generated particles and the particle recirculation movement lines with respect to drilling fluid flow and particle properites over a period of time in accordance with the prior art;
FIG. 6 shows a histogram chart illustrating the residence time of six hundred particles generated and flowing at or immediately adjacent the conventional nozzle sockets in accordance with the prior art;
FIG. 7A shows a cross-sectional side view of a nozzle coupled within a nozzle socket in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;
FIG. 7B shows a top view of the nozzle coupled within the nozzle socket of FIG. 7A in accordance with the exemplary embodiment;
FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a drilling fluid flow pathway formed within a drill bit that includes nozzle sockets of FIG. 7A in accordance with the exemplary embodiment;
FIG. 9 shows a schematic of a drill bit that includes nozzle sockets of FIG. 7A and the positioning of particles, or cuttings, after a period of time in accordance with the exemplary embodiment;
FIG. 10 shows a schematic of the calculated trajectory of generated particles and the particle recirculation movement lines with respect to drilling fluid flow and particle properties over a period of time in accordance with the exemplary embodiment;
FIG. 11 shows a histogram chart illustrating the residence time of six hundred particles generated and flowing at or immediately adjacent the nozzle sockets in the drill bit of FIG. 9 in accordance with the exemplary embodiment;
FIG. 12A shows a first cross-sectional side view of a nozzle coupled within a nozzle socket in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment;
FIG. 12B shows a second cross-sectional side view of the nozzle coupled within a nozzle socket of FIG. 12A in accordance with the second exemplary embodiment;
FIG. 12C shows a top view of the nozzle coupled within the nozzle socket of FIG. 12A in accordance with the second exemplary embodiment;
FIG. 13 shows a schematic of the positioning of a nozzle socket on a drill bit in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment;
FIG. 14A shows a cross-sectional side view of a nozzle coupled within a nozzle socket in accordance with yet another exemplary embodiment; and
FIG. 14B shows a top view of the nozzle coupled within the nozzle socket of FIG. 14A in accordance with the exemplary embodiment;
The drawings illustrate only exemplary embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, as the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION The present invention is directed to downhole tools used in subterranean drilling. In particular, the application is directed to nozzle sockets formed within downhole tools. Although the description of exemplary embodiments is provided below in conjunction with a fixed cutter drill bit, similar to that shown in FIG. 1, alternate exemplary embodiments of the invention may be applicable to other types of downhole tools having nozzle sockets, including, but not limited to, PDC drill bits, roller cone bits, and any other downhole tool that includes one or more nozzle sockets. The present invention may be better understood by reading the following description of non-limiting, exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, wherein like parts of each of the figures are identified by like reference characters, and which are briefly described as follows.
FIG. 7A shows a cross-sectional side view of a nozzle 710 coupled within a nozzle socket 714 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 7B shows a top view of the nozzle 710 coupled within the nozzle socket 714 in accordance with the exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the nozzle socket 714 includes a nozzle socket base 730 and a nozzle socket wall 735 extending outwardly away from the perimeter of the nozzle socket base 730, thereby forming a noncylindrically-shaped cavity 737 therein. Hence, the nozzle socket 714 also is noncylindrically shaped. According to some exemplary embodiments, the nozzle socket 714 is U-shaped such that the diameter of the nozzle socket 714 at the nozzle socket base 730 is less than the diameter at a distal end 736 of the nozzle socket wall 735. The nozzle socket wall 735 includes a lower portion 780 extending outwardly from the nozzle socket base 730 and an upper portion 785 extending outwardly from the lower portion 780 to the distal end 736. The lower portion 780 is conical-shaped and formed at one angle from the nozzle socket base 730; however, the lower portion 780 is formed at more than one angle according to certain alternative exemplary embodiments. The upper portion 785 is cylindrical-shaped. In some examples, the lower portion 780 extends outwardly form the nozzle socket base 730 at about a forty-five degree angle; however, this angle is greater or lesser in other exemplary embodiments. For example, this angle ranges from about five degrees to about seventy-five degrees in certain exemplary embodiments. In some alternative exemplary embodiments, this angle, for example, ranges from about fifteen degrees to about forty-five degrees. The nozzle socket 714 extends from an end of a flow tube 750 towards the surface 762 of a bit face 760, which is similar to bit face 111 (FIG. 1). In some exemplary embodiments, at least a portion of the nozzle socket wall 735 includes one or more surface modifications 740, such as spiraled or waved grooves and/or protrusions, which facilitate and accelerate the evacuation of particles 410 (FIG. 4), or cuttings, from the nozzle socket areas 714. Although the nozzle socket 714 is U-shaped in some exemplary embodiments, the nozzle socket 714 is shaped in a different noncylindrical configuration, such as conical-shaped, V-shaped, or a combination of conical-shaped and cylindrical shaped. For example, in some alternative exemplary embodiments, three-fourths of the nozzle socket is cylindrical shaped around the perimeter while one-fourth of the nozzle socket is conical shaped around the perimeter.
The nozzle 710, which is cylindrically shaped according to some exemplary embodiments, is inserted through the nozzle socket 714 and coupled within the flow tube 750, located adjacent the nozzle socket base 730. Although not illustrated, the nozzle 710 is coupled within the flow tube 750 using a snap-fit, threaded connection, or other method and/or device known to people having ordinary skill in the art. Although a top surface 712 of the nozzle 710 is positioned elevationally below the nozzle socket base 730, at least a portion of the nozzle's top surface 712 is positioned elevationally at or above the nozzle socket base 730 in certain alternative exemplary embodiments.
FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a drilling fluid flow pathway 800 formed within a drill bit 905 (FIG. 9) that includes nozzle sockets 714 in accordance with the exemplary embodiment. The drill bit 905 (FIG. 9) is similar to the conventional drill bit 100 (FIG. 1) except that noncylindrical nozzle sockets 714 are formed therein in lieu of the conventional nozzle sockets 114 (FIG. 2A). Referring to FIGS. 7A-8, the drilling fluid flow pathway 800 defines the outer peripheries of a plenum 810 formed within the bit body (not shown), similar to bit body 110 (FIG. 1), one or more nozzle sockets 714, and one or more flow tubes 750 extending from the plenum 810 to a respective nozzle socket 714. The drilling fluid flow pathway 800 is formed using apparatuses and methods known to people having ordinary skill in the art and will not be described in detail herein for the sake of brevity.
As previously mentioned with respect to conventional drill bit 100 (FIG. 1), a bore (not shown) is formed within a shank (not shown) of drill bit 905 (FIG. 9) and extends into the bit body of drill bit 905 (FIG. 9) forming the plenum 810. Although not illustrated, the bore and the shank of drill bit 905 (FIG. 9) is similar to the bore and shank 115 (FIG. 1) of the conventional drill bit 100 (FIG. 1) and will therefore not be repeated again herein. The bore allows for drilling fluid to flow from within the drill string into the drill bit 905 (FIG. 9). The flow tubes 750 allow for drilling fluid to flow from within the plenum 810 to the nozzle sockets 714. The drilling fluid exits the nozzle sockets 714, which are positioned at the drill bit face 907 (FIG. 9), and facilitates removal of the cuttings from the drill bit face 907 (FIG. 9) and move them back towards the surface of the ground. These nozzle sockets 714, as previously mentioned, are noncylindrically shaped, i.e., have the nozzle socket wall 735 that forms a noncylindrical shape. Although four nozzle sockets 714 are illustrated as being formed within the drill bit 905 (FIG. 9), greater or fewer nozzle sockets 714 are formed in other drill bits 905 (FIG. 9).
FIGS. 9-11 illustrate a study performed on the fluid movement, particles movement, and pressure distribution at or immediately surrounding the nozzle sockets 714, or nozzle socket areas 915. FIG. 9 shows a schematic of a drill bit 905 that includes nozzle sockets 714 and the positioning of particles 410, or cuttings 410, after a period of time in accordance with the exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 9, the period of time used in this exemplary embodiment is the same as the period of time used in the prior art as seen in FIG. 4. According to the exemplary embodiment, there are no particles 410 seen to be trapped at or immediately near the nozzle sockets 714. Specifically, as seen in FIG. 9, the particles 410 have evacuated the nozzle socket areas 915 after the period of time.
FIG. 10 shows a schematic of the calculated trajectory of generated particles 410 and the particle recirculation movement lines 1010 with respect to drilling fluid flow and particle properties over a period of time in accordance with the exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 10, the period of time used in this exemplary embodiment is the same as the period of time used in the prior art as seen in FIG. 5. The particle recirculation movement lines 1010 illustrate that the particles 410 are recirculated for a shorter duration at the nozzle socket areas 915, which is at or immediately adjacent the nozzle sockets 714. This phenomenon is determined because the particle trajectories 1012 at the nozzle socket areas 915 are less dense, or thick, and not defined in a thick pattern when compared to the particle trajectories 512 (FIG. 5) at or immediately adjacent the conventional nozzle sockets 114 (FIG. 5). Hence, the particles 410 are evacuated away from the nozzle socket areas 915 over the same measured period of time when compared to the prior art.
FIG. 11 shows a histogram chart 1100 illustrating the residence time 1110 of six hundred particles 410 generated and flowing at or immediately adjacent the nozzle sockets 714 (FIG. 7A) in accordance with the exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 11, the residence time 1110 forms the x-axis, while the number of particles 410 form the y-axis. As shown in FIG. 11, as the residence time 1110 increases, fewer particles 410 remain within the flow ways within the nozzle socket areas 915 (FIG. 9). For example, at a residence time 1110 of 0.3 seconds after particle release, there are about thirty particles that remain at or immediately adjacent the conventional nozzle socket 714 (FIG. 7A), or the nozzle socket areas 915 (FIG. 9). When compared to the prior art of FIG. 6, the nozzle sockets 715 (FIG. 7A) accelerate the evacuation of particles 410 from the nozzle socket areas 915 (FIG. 9) by about seventy-one percent at a 0.3 second residence time 1110 when compared with the evacuation of particles 410 from the conventional nozzle sockets 114 (FIG. 2A).
FIG. 12A shows a first cross-sectional side view of a nozzle 1210 coupled within a nozzle socket 1214 in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment. FIG. 12B shows a second cross-sectional side view of the nozzle 1210 coupled within the nozzle socket 1214 in accordance with the second exemplary embodiment. FIG. 12C shows a top view of the nozzle 1210 coupled within the nozzle socket 1214 in accordance with the second exemplary embodiment. The second cross-sectional side view of FIG. 12B is a ninety degree rotation of the first cross-sectional side view of FIG. 12A. Referring to FIGS. 12A-12C, the nozzle socket 1214 includes a nozzle socket base 1230 and a nozzle socket wall 1235 extending outwardly away from the perimeter of the nozzle socket base 1230, thereby forming a noncylindrically-shaped cavity 1237 therein. Hence, the nozzle socket 1214 also is noncylindrically shaped. According to some exemplary embodiments, the cross-sectional side view of the nozzle socket 1214 is conical-shaped in one side view such that the diameter of the nozzle socket 1214 at the nozzle socket base 1230 is less than the diameter at a distal end 1236 of the nozzle socket wall 1235 while the cross-sectional side view of the nozzle socket 1214 is cylindrical-shaped in a second side view such that the diameter of the nozzle socket 1214 at the nozzle socket base 1230 is about equal to the diameter at a distal end 1236 of the nozzle socket wall 1235. In some examples, a portion of the nozzle socket wall 1235 extends outwardly form the nozzle socket base 1230 at about a fifteen degree angle while another portion of the nozzle socket wall 1235 extends outwardly from the nozzle socket base 1230 in a substantially perpendicular manner. However, this fifteen degree angle is greater or lesser in other exemplary embodiments. Further, in certain exemplary embodiments, this substantially perpendicular manner is a slightly different angle. In some exemplary embodiments, at least a portion of the nozzle socket wall 1235 includes one or more surface modifications (not shown), similar to surface modifications 740 (FIG. 7B), which facilitate and accelerate the evacuation of particles 410 (FIG. 4), or cuttings, from the nozzle sockets 1214. Although one example of the nozzle socket 1214 is illustrated in FIGS. 12A-12C, the nozzle socket 1214 is shaped differently, such as being three-fourths cylindrically shaped around the perimeter and one-fourth conical shaped around the perimeter. In other exemplary embodiments, these portions of cylindrically shaped and conical shaped is different so long as the entire nozzle socket 1214, as a whole, is noncylindrically shaped.
The nozzle 1210, which is cylindrically shaped according to some exemplary embodiments, is inserted through the nozzle socket 1214 and coupled within a flow tube 1250, located adjacent the nozzle socket base 1230. Although not illustrated, the nozzle 1210 is coupled within the flow tube 1250 using a snap-fit, threaded connection, or other method and/or device known to people having ordinary skill in the art.
FIG. 13 shows a schematic of the positioning of a nozzle socket 1314 on a drill bit 1300 in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment. The drill bit 1300 includes blades 130 and is similar to drill bit 100 (FIG. 1) except that nozzle socket 1314 is formed therein in lieu of conventional nozzle socket 214 (FIG. 2A). Referring to FIG. 13, nozzle socket 1314 is similar to nozzle socket 1214 except that nozzle socket 1314 is formed being three-fourths cylindrically shaped and one-fourth conical shaped. The nozzle socket 1314 is positioned between two adjacent blades 130 and is oriented such that at least one conical portion 1315 of the nozzle socket 1314 is located further away form the center of the drill bit 1300 than any of the cylindrical portion 1316 of the nozzle socket 1314.
FIG. 14A shows a cross-sectional side view of a nozzle 1410 coupled within a nozzle socket 1414 in accordance with yet another exemplary embodiment. FIG. 14B shows a top view of the nozzle 1410 coupled within the nozzle socket 1414 in accordance with the exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 14A and 14B, the nozzle socket 1414 includes a nozzle socket base 1430 and a nozzle socket wall 1435 extending outwardly away from the perimeter of the nozzle socket base 1430, thereby forming a noncylindrically-shaped cavity 1437 therein. Hence, the nozzle socket 1414 also is noncylindrically shaped. According to some exemplary embodiments, the nozzle socket 1414 is conical-shaped such that the diameter of the nozzle socket 1414 at the nozzle socket base 1430 is less than the diameter at a distal end 1436 of the nozzle socket wall 1435. In some examples, the nozzle socket wall 1435 extends outwardly form the nozzle socket base 1430 at about a fifteen degree angle; however, this angle is greater or lesser in other exemplary embodiments. For example, this angle ranges from about five degrees to about seventy-five degrees in certain exemplary embodiments. In some alternative exemplary embodiments, this angle, for example, ranges from about fifteen degrees to about forty-five degrees. The nozzle socket 1414 extends from an end of a flow tube 1450 towards the surface 1462 a bit face 1460, similar to bit face 111 (FIG. 1). In some exemplary embodiments, at least a portion of the nozzle socket wall 1435 includes one or more surface modifications 1440, such as spiraled or waved grooves and/or protrusions, which facilitate and accelerate the evacuation of particles 410 (FIG. 4), or cuttings, from the nozzle socket areas 1414. Although the nozzle socket 1414 is conical shaped in some exemplary embodiments, the nozzle socket 1414 is shaped in a different noncylindrical configuration, such as U-shaped, V-shaped, or a combination of conical-shaped and cylindrical shaped.
The nozzle 1410, which is cylindrically shaped according to some exemplary embodiments, is inserted through the nozzle socket 1414 and coupled within the flow tube 1450, located adjacent the nozzle socket base 1430. Although not illustrated, the nozzle 1410 is coupled within the flow tube 1450 using a snap-fit, threaded connection, or other method and/or device known to people having ordinary skill in the art. Although a top surface 1412 of the nozzle 1410 is positioned elevationally below the nozzle socket base 1430, at least a portion of the nozzle's top surface 1412 is positioned elevationally at or above the nozzle socket base 1430 in certain alternative exemplary embodiments.
Although each exemplary embodiment has been described in detailed, it is to be construed that any features and modifications that is applicable to one embodiment is also applicable to the other embodiments.
Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, these descriptions are not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the invention will become apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art upon reference to the description of the exemplary embodiments. It should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the conception and the specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures or methods for carrying out the same purposes of the invention. It should also be realized by those of ordinary skill in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. It is therefore, contemplated that the claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments that fall within the scope of the invention.
