Abstract: A fixed cutting structure-composite cone drill bit includes a drill bit body, a fixed cutting structure, and at least one cone. The cone and the fixed cutting structure are disposed on the drill bit body. The cone is rotatably connected to the drill bit body by means of a bearing structure. The distance from the outermost tooth or back cone of the at least one cone to the front side surface of the fixed cutting structure La??R/3, and the distance from the outermost tooth or back cone of the at least one cone to the rear side surface of the fixed cutting structure Lb??R/3. In the composite drill bit, the distance from the cone to the front/rear side surface of the fixed cutting structure is short, the gap between the cone and the fixed cutting structure is small, transition between cutting structure is smooth.

Abstract: A method of freeing a stuck pipe includes positioning a pipe freeing tool within the wellbore at a location proximate the stuck pipe, the pipe freeing tool including a downhole conveyance; and an arm coupled to the downhole conveyance, and activating the arm of the pipe freeing tool to apply a force to an external surface of the stuck pipe, wherein the force moves the stuck pipe away from a surface of the wellbore and towards a center of the wellbore. Another method of freeing a stuck pipe from a wellbore includes positioning a pipe freeing tool within the wellbore at a location proximate the stuck pipe, the pipe freeing tool including a jack device and a set of wheels coupled to the jack device, and activating the jack device of the pipe freeing tool to apply a force to an external surface of the stuck pipe.

Abstract: A method for determining discharge area in hydraulic stimulation operations is provided that includes obtaining one or more treatment data inputs from a well system, and determining a discharge area by applying the one or more treatment data inputs to a function that determines discharge area in terms of volumetric flow rate of the fracturing fluid, wherein the discharge area is a total area of all downhole exits through which the fracturing fluid exits a wellbore into a subterranean formation.

Abstract: An apparatus to increase a diameter of a well bore includes a drill pipe and a first reamer and at least a second reamer. The second reamer is positioned diametrically opposed to the first reamer. A first plurality of cutting teeth are positioned about each of the first reamer and the at least a second reamer. A top of each successive tooth in a direction counter to a rotation of the apparatus in the well bore extends a radial distance from the longitudinal axis. Each tooth of the first plurality of cutting teeth is positioned at a different circumferential location about each reamer from any adjacent teeth of the first plurality of teeth. At least a second plurality of cutting teeth are positioned about each of the first reamer and the at least a second reamer, the at least a second plurality of cutting teeth being spaced longitudinally apart from the first plurality of cutting teeth.

Abstract: A steerable downhole tool may alter a direction of travel of a drilling operation while drilling into the earth. The tool may accomplish this by extending a rod from openings disposed in a side of the tool. The rod may slide within a cavity passing from one of the openings to another. The rod may degrade material from an internal surface of a borehole in which the tool is traveling, by engaging the surface with cutter elements exposed on opposing tips of the rod. The tool may also push off of the borehole wall opposite from the area of degradation.

Abstract: A control valve assembly includes a body including a mud flow passage having a mud flow inlet and a mud flow outlet, a magnetic plunger slidingly mounted within the body, and a solenoid mounted at the body about the magnetic plunger. The solenoid is selectively activated to shift the magnetic plunger between a first position covering the mud flow outlet and a second position exposing the mud flow outlet allowing a pulse of mud to flow through the mud flow passage.

Abstract: A drill bit comprises a bit body having a body face. A plurality of fixed blades extends from the bit body. Each of the plurality of fixed blades has a leading face and a trailing face. A plurality of nozzles is disposed on the body face to flow drilling fluid out of the bit body. A plurality of flow guides direct a portion of the drilling fluid away from the bit body. Each of the plurality of flow guides extends longitudinally from the body face, and along the leading face of one of the plurality of fixed blades.

Abstract: A drill bit assembly for boring including a drill bit and a bit sub. A front bit end has a plurality cutting elements at a forward face of the front bit end and a first fluid return passage extending through the drill bit to a rear bit end. The bit sub couples to the rear bit end. The bit sub includes a bore disposed at a front sub end sized and shaped to receive the rear bit end of the drill bit. A plurality of legs extends from a mid-sub region toward the front sub end between pairs of cutting elements. The plurality of legs has a fluid delivery passage disposed therein with the fluid delivery passage extending from the plurality of legs to a rear sub bit end. The bit sub has a second fluid return passage connecting the first fluid return passage to the rear sub bit end.

Abstract: Devices and methods for cutting a workpiece. A cutter is provided with a fluid jet generator that creates and projects a jet of fluid proximate the cut being made in a workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for drilling deeper and wider well bores is provided. The apparatus includes a motorized drill head for cutting and shredding ground material; a separate excavation line; a separate fluid delivery line; and a separate close loop engine cooling line. The excavation line consists of multiple connected stationary segments of the main pipe with periodical segments of an in-line excavation pump. Alternatively, in another embodiment, excavation line consists of multiple connected segments of the main stationary pipe with rotating continues screw inside. The close loop cooling line consists of one heat exchanger in the motorized drill head and one on the ground surface in the binary unit where fluid is cooled and in process electricity produced which can be used as a supplement for powering drill head, pumps, equipment, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to subsurface drilling tools, and more specifically, to a drill bit comprising a ball shaped cutting tool. The drill bit is configured so that a plurality of cones, forming the ball shaped cutting tool, rotate in opposite directions around an axle while the drill bit is drilling or cutting through the ground, rock, or other material. The drilling or cutting is accomplished by a plurality of blade inserts that fit inside and protrude therefrom a plurality of holes covering the exterior of the ball shaped cutting tool. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a new and improved subsurface drilling tool that will efficiently drill hard rock formations.

Abstract: Apparatus including a sensor-containing body is disposable within a flowbore of a downhole tool. The apparatus also comprises an adjustable engagement mechanism that is coupled to the body. The engagement mechanism has a first position that allows the body to move longitudinally through the flowbore, and a second position that prevents movement of the body relative to the flowbore.

Abstract: A roller cone drill bit having detachable rotatable arms. The arms are connected at a mounting pad to the bit body. Each arm has its own grease delivery system to provide lubrication to the interface between the arms and rolling elements at an end of each arm. The forward-facing contact surface between the bit body and the arms is at an angle, relative to the central axis of the bit, that is ninety degrees or more.

Abstract: A method and system for cementing a tubular and mud motor in a wellbore utilizing burst disks above the mud motor. The burst disks rupture to permit the cement to flow through the burst disks and bypass the mud motor. All of the burst disks reliably rupture at a predetermined and known threshold pressure so as to permit cement to be pumped at a desired rate through all of the ruptured burst disks. Each burst disk is provided with a cover for maintaining a chamber of a known pressure between the cap and the burst disk. All of the burst disks predictably and reliably rupture at the rated pressure.

Abstract: An earth boring drill bit having an alternate path to allow cuttings to be ejected or evacuated from the drill bit and up the bore hole is disclosed. The evacuation hole of the present disclosure allows larger sized cuttings to evacuate from the bit without having to be continually ground by rolling cone cutters until the cuttings are small enough to follow a path around the edge of the shirttail of the bit and up the borehole. A cuttings restrictor is disposed at the inlet of the evacuation hole. The cuttings restrictor ensures that only cuttings that are sized to move completely through the evacuation hole and exit the drill bit are allowed to enter the evacuation hole.

Abstract: Roller cone drill bits operable to form a borehole. A number of support arms may extend from each drill bit. A cutter cone assembly may be mounted on each support arm. A number of cutting elements or inserts may be disposed on an exterior surface of a cone assembly. A lifting surface may be formed on each support arm extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge of each support arm such that the lifting surfaces directs cuttings upward in a borehole. A wedge shaped portion may be formed on each support arm proximate the lifting surface and the trailing edge. An inlet to each lifting surface may be formed on the leading edge of each support arm.

Abstract: A composite sintered powder metal article including a first region including a cemented hard particle material such as, for example, cemented carbide. The article includes a second region including: a metallic material selected from a steel, nickel, a nickel alloy, titanium, a titanium alloy, molybdenum, a molybdenum alloy, cobalt, a cobalt alloy, tungsten, a tungsten alloy; and from 0 up to 30 percent by volume of hard particles. The first region is metallurgically bonded to the second region, and each of the first region and the second region has a thickness of greater than 100 microns. The second region comprises at least one mechanical attachment feature so that the composite sintered powder metal article can be attached to another article. The article comprises one of an earth boring article, a metalcutting tool, a metalforming tool, a woodworking tool, and a wear article.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit (10) is provided for drilling a hole in a subsurface formation. The bit body (12) includes a plurality of axially extending ribs (16a, b, c and d) and a flow channel between adjacent ribs. A plurality of cutting elements are fixedly mounting on a respective one of the plurality of ribs. A plurality of flow nozzles (20a, b, c and d) direct fluid to a respective one of the plurality of cutting elements to clean and cool the cutting elements.

Abstract: Methods of forming earth-boring tools include assembling a plurality of head sections about a longitudinal axis to form a bit body, rotatably mounting a cutter to a cutter bearing shaft of each head section, and forming at least one groove on an outer surface of a bit leg of at least one head section, causing the at least one groove to extend along a curved path from a leading side of the bit leg to a trailing side of the bit leg between an upper sidewall and a lower sidewall.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a downhole centrifugal drilling fluid separator has a bore within a tubular body comprising a central axis. The bore is formed to receive drilling fluid comprising particulate matter. At least one fin rigidly fixed within the bore and at least one port formed in a wall of the tubular body. As the drilling fluid flows through the tubular body the at least one fin creates a rotary motion within the drilling fluid forcing a portion of the particulate matter away from the central axis and through the at least one port in the tubular body.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a downhole centrifugal drilling fluid separator has a bore within a tubular body comprising a central axis. The bore is formed to receive drilling fluid comprising particulate matter. At least one fin rigidly fixed within the bore and at least one port formed in a wall of the tubular body. As the drilling fluid flows through the tubular body the at least one fin creates a rotary motion within the drilling fluid forcing a portion of the particulate matter away from the central axis and through the at least one port in the tubular body.

Abstract: A drill bit comprising a bit body connectable to a drill string at an first end, which bit body is provided with a longitudinal passageway extending from an opening at the first end to a port at a second end a closure element for closing the passageway, when the closure element is in a closing position, which closure element is removable, and wherein the closure element comprises a first and a second member which are movable relative to each other between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration, in which collapsed configuration, the closure element is retractable through the passageway to the first end.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a downhole centrifugal drilling fluid separator has a bore within a tubular body comprising a central axis. The bore is formed to receive drilling fluid comprising particulate matter. At least one fin rigidly fixed within the bore and at least one port formed in a wall of the tubular body. As the drilling fluid flows through the tubular body the at least one fin creates a rotary motion within the drilling fluid forcing a portion of the particulate matter away from the central axis and through the at least one port in the tubular body.

Abstract: An earth-boring bit has a bit body having a plurality of bit legs extending longitudinally therefrom, each bit leg comprising one or more groove regions formed along a laterally outer surface thereof. Each groove region comprises a fluid course for drilling fluid and cuttings to pass across the outer surface. A ridge may be disposed adjacent a lower edge of one or more of the groove regions. Each groove region may also be positioned at differing heights on the bit legs. Methods of forming earth-boring bits are also disclosed.

Abstract: A drill bit for drilling through an earthen formation to form a borehole with a radius R. In an embodiment, the drill bit comprises a bit body having a central bit axis and including a pin end, an internal plenum, and a dome side. The dome side includes a central dome region extending from the bit axis to about 10% of the radius R and an intermediate dome region extending from the central region to about 50% of the radius R. In addition, the drill bit comprises an intermediate receptacle having a central axis and extending through the intermediate dome region. Further, the drill bit comprises a first and a second rolling cone, each including an intermediate cone region. A projection of the central axis of the intermediate receptacle passes between the intermediate regions of the first cone and the second cone.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an earth-boring bit having a fluid plenum and a plurality of fluid pathways includes modeling flow characteristics of the fluid plenum and the plurality of fluid pathways, optimizing the flow characteristics to minimize fluid separation through each fluid pathway, constructing a plenum blank from the optimized model, and sintering matrix power between the plenum blank and a bit head mold to create the fluid plenum and plurality of fluid pathways.

Abstract: A shrink-fit sleeve assembly comprising a bit body includes at least one sleeve port with a substantially tubular sleeve disposed therein and interferingly engaged therewith. The sleeve port includes an internal surface of substantially circular cross-section, and the tubular sleeve includes an internal nozzle port and an external surface of substantially circular cross-section. A lateral dimension of an external surface is equal to or greater than a first dimension at ambient temperature. A nozzle assembly and a method of manufacturing or retrofitting a drill bit are also disclosed.

Abstract: A two-cone drill bit with a hydraulic arrangement that can be used for one or more of the following: cleaning roller cones, impinging on a hole bottom, or inducing a helical flow field. A two-cone drill bit having a bit body formed from two leg sections and two spacing members; methods of manufacturing a two-cone drill bit; and methods of improving hydraulics of a two-cone drill bit are disclosed.

Abstract: A reamer bit for use in earth boring operations comprising a body, mounting elements on the bit body having rolling cutters, and nozzles configured to emit a cleaning spray that is angled with respect to the well bottom. The cleaning spray may be angled up to about 20° with respect to the well bottom. The reamer may further include a pilot bit on a drill pipe extending downward from the reamer body.

Abstract: A microtunnelling apparatus and system that includes an external drive system having rotational and linear thrust drive means, a drill head section having drill rotor and drill rod and connecting to intermediate drill rods allowing extension of the boring hole created by the drill head section driven by the drive system. The drill head includes a modular construction having a plurality of circular disc like elements, a bearing module, a steering module, a spacer module, and a mounting module, for axial alignment and abutment and mounting within a cylindrical steering shell. Directional steering of the drill head includes a plurality of substantially radially extending channels in steering module, each with an hydraulically movable protuberance movable by control means to redirect the outer steering casing and thereby redirect the drill head section mounted on the distal end of the drill rods.

Abstract: A roller cone drill bit having a bit body with at least one support arm extending therefrom. Each support arm may have an interior surface and an exterior surface with an associated spindle extending inwardly from the interior surface. A respective cone assembly may be rotatably disposed on each spindle. A gap may be formed between interior portions of each cone assembly and exterior portions of the associated spindle with a fluid seal disposed in the gap to block fluid flow therethrough. Each cone assembly may include a generally circular backface disposed adjacent to the interior surface of the associated support arm. At least one fluid passageway may extend through each support arm to allow communication of fluid from the interior surface to an exterior surface of the support arm. A debris diverter insert having a generally hollow bore may be disposed within each fluid passageway.

Abstract: A shrink-fit sleeve assembly comprising a bit body includes at least one sleeve port with a substantially tubular sleeve disposed therein and interferingly engaged therewith. The sleeve port includes an internal surface of substantially circular cross-section, and the tubular sleeve includes an internal nozzle port and an external surface of substantially circular cross-section. A lateral dimension of the external surface is equal to or greater than the first dimension at ambient temperature. A nozzle assembly and a method of manufacturing or retrofitting a drill bit are also disclosed.

Abstract: An earth bit includes an earth bit body having a bore with a bearing passageway in fluid communication therewith. A screen extends through the bore and is repeatably moveable between rolled and unrolled conditions. The screen is in the rolled condition when extending through the bore. The screen screens a material flowing between the bore and bearing passageway.

Abstract: An earth boring bit includes a bit body including plurality of PDC cutter elements and a fluid plenum connecting a fluid inlet to at least one fluid orifice. Furthermore, a ledge formed between a bottom of the fluid plenum and the at least one fluid orifice includes a relief region formed therein located across a flow change angle. Additionally, a method to improve a polycrystalline diamond compact drill bit body design includes determining flow change angles from a fluid plenum into a fluid orifice and modeling a relief region on a ledge to optimize fluid into the fluid orifice.

Abstract: A roller cone drill bit having a bit body with at least one support arm extending from the bit body. Each support arm may have an interior surface and exterior surface with an associated spindle extending from the interior surface. A respective cone assembly may be rotatably disposed on each spindle. A gap formed between interior portions of each cone assembly and exterior portions of the associated spindle with a fluid seal disposed in the gap to block fluid flow therethrough. Each cone assembly includes a generally circular back surface disposed adjacent to the interior surface of the associated support arm. A flow diverter groove formed in the interior surface of each support arm spaced from the associated spindle. Each diverter groove having a variable geometry to enhance the flow of fluid containing downhole debris away from the associated real assembly, and each diverter groove having a variable geometry.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention a tool string comprises a jack element substantially coaxial with an axis of rotation. The jack element is housed within a bore of the tool string and has a distal end extending beyond a working face of the tool string. A rotary valve is disposed within the bore of the tool string. The rotary valve has a first disc attached to a driving mechanism and a second disc axially aligned with and contacting the first disc along a flat surface. As the discs rotate relative to one another at least one port formed in the first disc aligns with another port in the second disc. Fluid passed through the ports is adapted to displace an element in mechanical communication with the jack element.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a method for drilling a bore hole includes the steps of deploying a drill bit attached to a drill string in a well bore, the drill bit having an axial jack element with a distal end protruding beyond a working face of the drill bit; engaging the distal end of the jack element against the formation such that the formation applies a reaction force on the jack element while the drill string rotates; and applying a force on the jack element that opposes the reaction force such that the jack element vibrates and imposes a resonant frequency into the formation.

Abstract: A rock drilling head (1) with a drilling diameter (D) between 25 mm and 60 mm and formed of no more than five separate parts, has at least one rinsing channel (2) formed in the outer surface (3) of the drilling head and expanding from the outer surface (3) inward in form of a nozzle, the rinsing channel having a diameter (S) amounting to between 1/20 and ? of the drilling diameter (D).

Abstract: A roller cone drill bit having a bit body with at least one support arm extending therefrom. Each support arm may have an interior surface and an exterior surface with an associated spindle extending inwardly from the interior surface. A respective cone assembly may be rotatably disposed on each spindle. A gap may be formed between interior portions of each cone assembly and exterior portions of the associated spindle with a fluid seal disposed in the gap to block fluid flow therethrough. Each cone assembly may include a generally circular backface disposed adjacent to the interior surface of the associated support arm. At least one fluid passageway may extend through each support arm to allow communication of fluid from the interior surface to an exterior surface of the support arm. A debris diverter insert having a generally hollow bore may be disposed within each fluid passageway.

Abstract: A drill bit configures hydraulic streams from the bit nozzles for the particular cutting structure to be cleaned based on the cutting structure location and geometry. The projected impingement location for each hydraulic stream projected fluid path is customized for a corresponding roller cone, with each nozzle or nozzle receptacle being individually positioned according to improve cone cleaning. At least two nozzles or nozzle receptacles should differ on the drill bit.

Abstract: A rotary cone rock bit includes one or more hole cleaning nozzles and one or more bit cleaning nozzles. The hole cleaning nozzles of one drill bit define a projected fluid path disposed at a lateral angle of less than six degrees in order to achieve a large impingement pressure on the hole bottom. The bit cleaning nozzles of the same drill bit define a projected fluid path disposed at a lateral angle of at least six degrees in order to pass within 0.5 inches of the teeth on leading edge of the lagging roller cone. This results in a drill bit that both cleans the bottom hole and cleans cone inserts.

Abstract: A well drilling bit having a bit body attachable to a tubular drill string, which bit body is internally provided with a passageway providing fluid communication, when the drill string is attached to the bit body, between the interior of the drill string and the exterior of the bit body; a closure element for selectively closing the passageway; and one or more chip-making elements, wherein the chip-making elements has one or more roller-cones, wherein the closure element is releasably connectable to the bit body, and outwardly movable from a closing position to an opening position, and wherein the closure element includes at least one of the roller-cones.

Abstract: An extension rod has an interior end and an exterior end. The exterior end is formed with male screw threads. A primary bit has a cylindrical interior end and a conical exterior. Female threads at the interior end releasably couple with the extension rod. A secondary bit has a cylindrical interior end and a conical exterior end. Female threads at the interior end releasably couple with the extension rod. A length of line is coupled to the exterior end of the secondary bit. A coupler has a rearward end couplable to a linear member. A forward end is couplable to the rearward end of the secondary bit. In this manner the line, secondary bit and linear member may be pulled through the bore hole.

Abstract: An earth boring bit has rotating cones with two lubricant passages to increase bearing capacity and cause lubricant circulation. A lubricant reservoir in the body supplies lubricant to passages between the cone and bearing pin. A pressure compensator equalizes lubricant pressure to the exterior of the bit. A first passage leads from the reservoir to the upper side of the bearing pin. A second passage leads from the reservoir to the bearing pin at a point from 185 degrees to 225 degrees as seen from an inner end of the bearing pin. This point is located in a diverging region 51d of an annular clearance surrounding the bearing pin.

Abstract: A novel rolling cone rock bit includes a plurality of PDC or other cutters mounted to the leg of the drill bit and positioned to cut the troublesome corner of the bottomhole. The plurality of cutters may be the primary cutting component at gage diameter, or may be redundant to gage teeth on a rolling cutter that cut to gage diameter. Consequently, the occurrence of undergage drilling from the wear and failure of the gage row on a rolling cutter is lessened. Another inventive feature is the inclusion of a mud ramp that creates a large junk slot from the borehole bottom up the drill bit. The resulting pumping action of the drill bit ramp speeds up the removal of chips or drilling cuttings from the bottom of the borehole, reduces the level of hydrostatic pressure at the bottom of the borehole and minimizes the wearing effect of cone inserts regrinding damaging drill cuttings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a roller cone drill bit that has improved flow characteristics. The roller cone drill bit includes forming at least one relief region inside a bit body of the roller cone drill bit on a ledge formed between a fluid plenum and at least one of the fluid orifices. A method of locating the at least one relief region is also disclosed.

Abstract: A drill bit for drilling a borehole into an earth formation is provided. The drill bit has a central longitudinal axis and a bottom surface facing the borehole bottom during drilling with the drill bit, and comprises primary fluid injection means arranged at the bottom surface and located at a selected radial distance from the central longitudinal axis, the primary fluid injection means being arranged to eject a primary stream of fluid into the borehole, the primary stream having a component in a transverse plane of the drill bit, directed from the fluid injection means to the central longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A well drilling bit having a bit body attachable to a tubular drill string, which bit body is internally provided with a passageway providing fluid communication, when the drill string is attached to the bit body, between the interior of the drill string and the exterior of the bit body; a closure element for selectively closing the passageway; and one or more chip-making elements, wherein the chip-making elements has one or more roller-cones, wherein the closure element is releasably connectable to the bit body, and outwardly movable from a closing position to an opening position, and wherein the closure element includes at least one of the roller-cones.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit includes a bit body that includes a plurality of upright legs that terminate in an exterior bearing surface. At least one roller cutter is affixed to a corresponding exterior bearing surface of one of the plurality of legs. The roller cutter has an exterior cutting surface and a base edge and defines an interior bearing surface that is complementary to a corresponding exterior bearing surface. At least one duct is defined by the lower surface of the lateral wall and is adjacent to at least one exterior bearing surface. A plug is disposed in the duct at a distance from the base edge one of the roller cutters so that if either the interior bearing surface or the exterior bearing surface wears beyond a threshold, the plug will cause a remotely-sensible indication of excessive bearing wear to be asserted.

Abstract: A rotary mine drilling bit for making blast holes having a connection at one end of the body for attachment to a drill string and the second end of the body having a plurality of longitudinally extending slots. A thrust shoulder is provided between the ends of the body and longitudinally extending supporting legs are positioned in each of the slots and are releasably connected to the body. One end of the supporting legs are positioned the adjacent the shoulders for receiving longitudinal thrust and for avoiding thrust on the connecting means. A roller bit is connected to the end of each supporting leg.