Abstract: A drill bit 1 has a drill head 3 and a shank 4. The shank 4 has a body 20, an add-on part 40 and an internal channel 50. The drill head 3 is attached to the body 20. The add-on part 40 is attached to a lateral surface 21 of the body 20 and arranged completely within a cylindrical envelope 29 that circumscribes the body 20. The internal channel is configured within the add-on part and/or between the add-on part 40 and the lateral surface 21.

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: An optical inspection instrument includes a housing configured to move along the interior of a pipe string in a wellbore. The pipe has a cutting structure at its bottom end. The instrument includes a probe extending from a bottom end of the housing. The probe has an output from a light source and a light input to a video camera. The probe has a diameter selected to enable extension through an opening in the cutting structure. A method for inspecting a wellbore includes moving an instrument through an interior of a pipe string in the wellbore. The pipe has a cutting tool at its lower end. At least part of the instrument is moved outside the bottom end of the pipe through a port in the cutting tool. Optically transparent fluid is moved into the wellbore proximate an end of the instrument outside the pipe string. Objects proximate the fluid are inspected.

Abstract: A distance holder for connection to, and rotation with, a drill string in an earth formation drilling device arranged to supply a jet of abrasive fluid for the purpose of providing a borehole by removing earth formation material through abrasion, comprises a housing with a chamber which is essentially rotational symmetric and which is to face the earth formation material, and a jet nozzle which arranged for discharging a jet of the abrasive fluid in the chamber, the housing comprising at least one slot for allowing the abrasive fluid to leave the chamber. The slot is continued over the housing outer surface so as to counteract rolling motions of the particles which are comprised in the abrasive fluid.

Abstract: Earth-boring drill bits include a bit body including a blockage-resistant internal fluid passageway. The blockage-resistant internal fluid passageway includes at least one internal fluid passageway formed in the bit body and a cuttings filtering feature formed in the at least one internal fluid passageway configured to prevent at least some cuttings from flowing through the at least one internal fluid passageway. In one embodiment, the cuttings filtering feature includes at least one lateral member extending transversely across the at least one internal fluid passageway. In another embodiment, the cuttings filtering feature includes forming a central portion of the at least one internal fluid passageway with a width along a lateral axis thereof less than an average width of a fluid path extending through a nozzle disposed at least partially within the at least one internal fluid passageway. Methods of forming the blockage-resistant internal fluid passageway are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention recites a method, system and apparatus, wherein said method, system and apparatus comprises a gauge pad for a rotary component received within a borehole, the gauge pad comprising an exterior surface dimensioned for rotation in close proximity to the borehole, a pocket extending through the exterior surface, the pocket in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source, and wherein the exterior surface is dimensioned such that when a pressurized fluid is discharged through the pocket, the velocity of the fluid through a gap between the exterior surface and borehole creates a pressure drop sufficient to pull the rotary component toward the gauge pad.

Abstract: The present invention relates methods and apparatus for lining a wellbore. In one aspect, a drilling assembly having an earth removal member and a wellbore lining conduit is manipulated to advance into the earth. The drilling assembly includes a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path. Fluid is flowed through the first fluid flow path, and at least a portion of which may return through the second fluid flow path. In one embodiment, the drilling assembly is provided with a third fluid flow path. After drilling has been completed, wellbore lining conduit may be cemented in the wellbore.

Abstract: An earth removal member for drilling a wellbore with casing or liner includes a tubular body and a head. The head is fastened to or formed with an end of the body, has a face and a side, is made from a high strength material, and has a port formed through the face. The earth removal member further includes a blade. The blade is formed on the head, extends from the side and along the face, and is made from the high strength material. The earth removal member further includes cutters disposed along the blade; and a nozzle adapter. The nozzle adapter has a port formed therethrough, is longitudinally and rotationally coupled to the head, and is made from a drillable material. The earth removal member further includes a nozzle disposed in the adapter port and fastened to the nozzle adapter.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for drilling with casing. In an embodiment, methods and apparatus for deflecting casing using a diverter apparatus are disclosed. In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a motor operating system disposed in a motor system housing, a shaft operatively connected to the motor operating system, the shaft having a passageway, and a divert assembly disposed to direct fluid flow selectively to the motor operating system and the passageway in the shaft. In another aspect, methods and apparatus for directionally drilling a casing into the formation are disclosed. Methods and apparatus for measuring the trajectory of a wellbore while directionally drilling a casing into the formation are also described.

Abstract: An underreamer for earth boring operations has a tubular body with a passage extending through it. Arms are pivotally mounted to the body and movable between retracted and extended positions. An actuator mandrel, located within the passage in the body, pushes the arms outward when drilling fluid is pumped downward in the drill string. Ports are located in the sidewall of the body and in the actuator mandrel. The ports align with each other when the mandrel moves to its downstream position. The ports divert a portion of the drilling fluid out to jet it across the cutting elements on the arms. The remaining portion of the drilling fluid passes downward to the drill bit and out nozzles of the drill bit.

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: A drill bit for drilling through an earthen formation to form a borehole includes a bit body having a central axis, an internal plenum, and an underside. The underside includes an annular outer region. The bit body includes an outer receptacle extending from the plenum to the outer region. In addition, the drill bit comprises a first and a second cone cutter. Each cone cutter comprises an outer region distal the bit axis. Further the drill bit comprises an outer sleeve having an upstream end received by the outer sleeve receptacle and a through passage. The through passage includes an upstream section having an upstream axis and a downstream section having a downstream axis that is skewed at an angle ? relative to the upstream axis. A projection of the downstream axis passes between the outer regions of the first and second cone cutters.

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: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an earth removal member with features for facilitating drill-through. In one embodiment, an earth removal member for drilling a wellbore with casing or liner includes a tubular body and a head. The head is fastened to or formed with an end of the body, has a face and a side, is made from a high strength material, and has a port formed through the face. The earth removal member further includes a blade. The blade is formed on the head, extends from the side and along the face, and is made from the high strength material. The earth removal member further includes cutters disposed along the blade; and a nozzle adapter. The nozzle adapter has a port formed therethrough, is longitudinally and rotationally coupled to the head, and is made from a drillable material. The earth removal member further includes a nozzle disposed in the adapter port and fastened to the nozzle adapter.

Abstract: A rotary drag bit for use in subterranean earth boring operations, the drag bit having blades, rows of cutters on the blades, and nozzles disposed within the rows. The nozzles are configured to discharge fluid during drilling.

Abstract: The blades of a PDC bit have a nozzle between them preferably oriented laterally across the plane of the cutters on the blade and more preferably in a trough disposed adjacent the row of cutters. The cutting is less likely to adhere to the bit surface because the trough abruptly spaces back the bit surface and the spray being oriented radially preferably into the trough gets between the bit surface and the cutting before it can adhere to the bit surface using the fluid energy to drive the cutting into the junk slot.

Abstract: A drill bit assembly comprises a bit body intermediate a shank and a working face. The shank is adapted for connection to a drill string. The drill string comprising a fluid passage at least partially disposed within the body. A hammer assembly is movably disposed within the fluid passage along it central axis, the hammer assembly comprises a proximal end stabilized by a centralized upper bearing and a distal end stabilized by centralized a lower bearing. The distal end protrudes out of the working face and the hammer assembly comprises a carrier between the upper and lower bearings. Wherein, under normal drilling operations the carrier is adapted to resist a fluid pressure within the fluid passageway such that the fluid pressure will further extend the distal end of the hammer assembly from the working face by pushing on the carrier.

Abstract: A steel body bit nozzle assembly comprising a bit body having a port therein with a sleeve disposed adjacent a nozzle in the port and an annular seal disposed between an outer wall, each of the sleeve and the nozzle and a wall of the port, each seal being received and compressed in an annular seal groove located between its respective component and the bit body. A nozzle pocket insert assembly and a method of manufacturing or retrofitting a steel body bit for use of the nozzle pocket insert assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A drill bit is disclosed, comprising: a drill bit head having a cutting face with one or more fixed cutting elements; a flow passage extending from the center towards the gage of the bit which has been designed to increase the velocity across the cutting elements.

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 drill bit comprises a bit body and a plurality of cutting blades extending radially from the bit body, the plurality of cutting blades further comprising cutting elements disposed thereon. The drill bit also comprises a plurality of utility blades extending radially from the bit body, the plurality of utility blades being free of cutting elements.

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: Earth-boring drill bits include a bit body including a blockage-resistant internal fluid passageway. The blockage-resistant internal fluid passageway includes at least one internal fluid passageway formed in the bit body and a cuttings filtering feature formed in the at least one internal fluid passageway configured to prevent at least some cuttings from flowing through the at least one internal fluid passageway. In one embodiment, the cuttings filtering feature includes at least one lateral member extending transversely across the at least one internal fluid passageway. In another embodiment, the cuttings filtering feature includes forming a central portion of the at least one internal fluid passageway with a width along a lateral axis thereof less than an average width of a fluid path extending through a nozzle disposed at least partially within the at least one internal fluid passageway. Methods of forming the blockage-resistant internal fluid passageway are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an earth removal member with features for facilitating drill-through. In one embodiment, an earth removal member for drilling a wellbore with casing or liner includes a tubular body and a head. The head is fastened to or formed with an end of the body, has a face and a side, is made from a high strength material, and has a port formed through the face. The earth removal member further includes a blade. The blade is formed on the head, extends from the side and along the face, and is made from the high strength material. The earth removal member further includes cutters disposed along the blade; and a nozzle adapter. The nozzle adapter has a port formed therethrough, is longitudinally and rotationally coupled to the head, and is made from a drillable material. The earth removal member further includes a nozzle disposed in the adapter port and fastened to the nozzle adapter.

Abstract: Earth-boring drill bits include a bit body, an erosion-resistant extension, and a shank. The erosion-resistant extension includes a generally tubular body, and an erosion-resistant material lining the generally tubular body within a fluid passageway. The erosion-resistant material lining the generally tubular body within the fluid passageway exhibits an erosion resistance greater than an erosion resistance exhibited by a material of the generally tubular body. Methods of forming an erosion-resistant extension include lining at least a portion of a wall of a generally tubular body within a fluid passageway extending through the generally tubular body with an erosion-resistant material.

Abstract: A drill bit is disclosed, comprising: a drill bit head having a cutting face with one or more fixed cutting elements; a flow passage extending through the drill bit head to the cutting face; a flow interrupter within the drill bit head and positioned to interrupt flow of fluid through the flow passage; and a power section connected to drive the flow interrupter and cause, in operation, variable flow of fluid through the flow passage. A method of drilling is also disclosed comprising: flowing fluid through a flow passage extending through a drill bit head to a cutting face of the drill bit head, the cutting face having one or more fixed cutting elements; and driving a flow interrupter within the drill bit head with a power section to interrupt the flow of fluid through the flow passage and cause variable flow of fluid through the flow passage.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit having one or more fluid nozzles is provided. Each nozzle may include interior surfaces designed to optimize hydraulic performance and efficiency of fluid flowing through the nozzle. The interior surfaces cooperate with each other to minimize turbulent fluid flow through the respective nozzle. Each nozzle may also include a discharge port or outlet with at least one Coanda surface operable to direct fluid flow in a direction which optimizes efficiency of transferring fluid energy to adjacent portions of a wellbore. The orientation of fluid flow from each nozzle may be directed to optimize cleaning of associated cutting structures and/or to minimize or prevent balling of formation cuttings.

Abstract: Sleeves, stabilizers and other well tools may be formed with fluid flow paths or channels extending through one or more blades disposed on the exterior portions of such well tools. The blades and associated fluid flow paths extending therethrough may allow optimum fluid flow rates and volumes to enhance lifting of formation cuttings and downhole debris along with cleaning exterior portions of the well tool and an associated rotary drill bit. Location, configuration, orientation and/or dimensions associated with such blades and associated fluid flow paths or channels may also be modified to provide an enlarged pad or contact surface on exterior portions of one or more blades while maintaining desired fluid flow rates and volumes over exterior portions of the well tool. Such pads or contact surfaces may have optimum surface areas for contacting adjacent portions of a wellbore during directional drilling of the wellbore.

Abstract: A component brazed to another, constraining component such as sleeve assembly brazed in a bore of a bit body. The braze joint includes particulate material in the gap between the components.

Abstract: Flow tubes for earth-boring tools include hardfacing material for protecting the tubes from erosion due to the flow of fluid through a fluid passageway extending therethrough. Earth-boring tools include an erosion-resistant material covering a surface of a body of the tools for protecting the bodies from erosion due to the flow of fluid through a fluid passageway extending therethrough. Methods of forming earth-boring tools include forming a body having a fluid passageway extending therethrough and covering a surface of the body with a hardfacing material. The surface of the body may be located in a region susceptible to erosion when fluid is caused to flow through the fluid passageway.

Abstract: Earth-boring drill bits include a bit body, an element having an attachment feature bonded to the bit body, and a shank assembly. Methods for assembling an earth-boring rotary drill bit include bonding a threaded element to the bit body of a drill bit and engaging the shank assembly to the threaded element. In additional embodiments, a nozzle assembly for an earth-boring rotary drill bit may include a cylindrical sleeve having a threaded surface and a threaded nozzle disposed at least partially in the cylindrical sleeve and engaged therewith. Methods of forming an earth-boring drill bit include providing a nozzle assembly including a tubular sleeve and nozzle at least partially within a nozzle port of a bit body.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit having one or more fluid nozzles is provided. Each nozzle may include interior surfaces designed to optimize hydraulic performance and efficiency of fluid flowing through the nozzle. The interior surfaces cooperate with each other to minimize turbulent fluid flow through the respective nozzle. Each nozzle may also include a discharge port or outlet with at least one Coanda surface operable to direct fluid flow in a direction which optimizes efficiency of transferring fluid energy to adjacent portions of a wellbore. The orientation of fluid flow from each nozzle may be directed to optimize cleaning of associated cutting structures and/or to minimize or prevent balling of formation cuttings.

Abstract: The earth boring bit 10 is designed to bore an angular non-vertical hole into underlying strata. The bit 10 includes a plurality of steeply inclined cutting faces or edges 22 that define a relatively narrow included angle A therebetween. The bit's design ensures that the apex of the bit 10 will contact the surface S and/or other hard strata before the radially outwardly disposed gauge portion of the bit 10. This design reduces or obviates drill chattering or “walking” when the bit 10 is used to drill a hole at an angle that is not vertical relative to the surface or strata S. The bit 10 also includes an interchangeable flow control restrictor that optimizes the velocity of fluid pumped through the bit 10 and thus efficiently flushes debris from the hole as the hole is being drilled.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cutting component for a tunneling apparatus. The cutting component includes a cutting unit main body having a front cutting side and a rear side. The cutting unit main body includes a hub portion defining a socket providing a torque transfer interface. The socket extends through the hub portion in a rear-to-front orientation and has an open end at least at the rear side of the cutting unit main body. The cutting unit main body defines an axis about which the cutting unit main body is rotated during cutting. The axis extends through a central region of the socket in the rear-to-front orientation. The cutting unit main body also including a plurality of cutting arms connected to the hub portion. The cutting arms project generally radially outwardly from the axis.

Abstract: Provided is an excavation tool for efficiently taking waste rocks produced during excavation into the inner peripheral side of a casing pipe and discharging the waste rocks to the outside. An excavation tool (10) includes a casing shoe (11), a casing pipe (15), a rod (60), a device (40), and an excavation bit (20). A discharge flute (46) for discharging the waste rocks is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the device (40). The excavation bit (20) has a head portion (22) and a skirt portion (23). The device (40) can be inserted into the inner periphery of the skirt portion (23).

Abstract: An earth boring drill bit having a cleaning nozzle for cleaning cutting elements on the face of the drill bit. A notch is included on the nozzle face for directing an elongated and coherent fluid flow from the nozzle outlet to the cutting element face. The nozzle face may include more than one notch for cleaning elements disposed in locations around the nozzle. The nozzle may be at the ends of a row of cutting elements, or disposed in the middle of a row of cutting elements.

Abstract: Earth-boring tools such as, for example, earth-boring rotary drill bits include erosion-resistant structures disposed proximate areas of intersection between faces of the tools and fluid nozzle recesses or fluid passageways extending through the tools to the face. In some embodiments, such an erosion-resistant structure may comprise a mass of hardfacing material. In additional embodiments, such an erosion-resistant structure comprises an erosion-resistant insert. Methods of forming such earth-boring tools include providing erosion-resistant structures proximate intersections between the faces of the tools and fluid nozzle recesses or fluid passageways extending through the tools. Methods of repairing earth-boring tools include providing an annular-shaped, erosion-resistant structure over an eroded surface of a body of a previously used earth-boring tool proximate an intersection between an outer face of the body and an inner surface of the body.

Abstract: Matrix drill bits and other downhole tools may be formed with one or more layers of hard materials disposed on exterior portions thereof. Exterior portions of used rotary drill bits or other downhole tools may be measured using three dimensional (3D) scanning techniques or other techniques to determine specific locations of undesired abrasion, erosion and/or wear. During the design of a new rotary drill bit or other downhole tool, computational flow analysis techniques may be used to determine potential locations for excessive erosions, abrasion, wear, impact and/or fatigue on exterior portions of the rotary drill bit or other downhole tools. One or more layers of hard material may be disposed at such locations on exterior portions of matrix bit bodies and other matrix bodies based on analyzing exterior portions of used downhole tools and/or computational flow analysis.

Abstract: A drill bit usable with a fluid, the drill bit comprising a body section, the body section defining a body proximal end and a substantially longitudinally opposed body distal end, the body section defining a body passageway extending substantially longitudinally therethrough for receiving the fluid and conveying the fluid through the body section; a substantially annular crown section extending substantially longitudinally from the body section, the crown section defining a crown distal end and a substantially longitudinally opposed crown proximal end, the crown section extending from the body section with the crown proximal end located substantially adjacent to the body distal end, the crown section defining a crown passageway extending substantially longitudinally therethrough, the crown passageway being in fluid communication with the body passageway for receiving the fluid from the body passageway; and a flow directing component cooperating with the crown section to define a fluid flow channel, the fluid

Abstract: A drill bit is disclosed that in one configuration may include at least one cutter on a face section of the bit and at least one opening proximate the at least one cutter configured to discharge fluid under pressure onto the formation to create a fluid cushion between the drill bit and the formation during a drilling operation. An actuation device associated with the drill bit may be utilized to provide fluid under pressure to the at least one opening.

Abstract: A drillable bit nozzle assembly can be used on a casing drilling bit and features a support housing preferably of the same material as the bit crown. The housing is preferably attached by welding and contains a groove for a seal and internal threads for an insert retainer. A landing shoulder for the hardened inserts allows different sizes to be inserted in the housing and retained by a hardened or carbide ring holder that engages the internal threads. The insert and the retainer are sufficiently thin walled to break during mill out while the housing is softer and easily milled out.

Abstract: Insertable devices include a body and at least one substantially circumferential groove in an outer side surface of the body. An aperture in a receiving device comprises at least one annular recess extending radially into a sidewall thereof. At least one resilient split ring fits partially into both the at least one substantially circumferential groove of the insertable device and the at least one annular recess in the aperture. Methods of inserting the insertable device into a receiving device and of removing the insertable device from a receiving device are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention a drill bit has a jack element with a distal end extending beyond a working face. A porting mechanism within the bore comprises first and second discs contacting along a flat interface. The first disc is attached to a turbine which is adapted to rotate the first disc with respect to the second disc. The discs comprise a first set of ports adapted to align and misalign with each other as the first disc rotates. The first set of ports is adapted to route a drilling fluid to extend the jack element.

Abstract: A drill bit may include a bit body having a plurality of blades extending radially therefrom, the bit body comprising a first matrix region and a second matrix region, wherein the first matrix region is formed from a moldable matrix material having carbide particles with a unimodal particle size distribution; and at least one cutting element for engaging a formation disposed on at least one of the plurality of blades.

Abstract: An apparatus for drilling a borehole in an earth formation is disclosed. The apparatus includes: an earth-boring rotary drill bit including a bit body having a plurality of cutters engagable with a subterranean earth formation; a fluid conduit disposed in the bit body, the fluid conduit being in fluid communication with a source of drilling fluid and configured to receive a portion of the drilling fluid; a nozzle extending between the fluid conduit and a surface of the bit body, the nozzle configured to apply a stream of the portion of the drilling fluid to a first location of the surface; and a valve assembly including an actuator and a valve, the actuator configured to move the valve and divert a flow path of the portion of the drilling fluid, thereby diverting at least part of the stream to a second location on the surface.

Abstract: A wellsite system includes a drill string suspended within a borehole, anti-whirl drill bits for use in the system, and methods of drilling a curved borehole in a subsurface formation. The drill bit can have an interior cavity in fluid communication with the drill string and a first gauge pad located on the exterior of the drill bit. The first gauge pad includes a first orifice in fluid communication with the interior cavity, where the first orifice is arranged at an angle relative to cutters fixed to the drill bit. The drill bit is configured such that a fluid continuously flows from the first orifice.

Abstract: A wellsite system includes a drill string suspended within a borehole, and a bottom hole assembly with a drill bit at its lower end, where the drill bit is a self stabilized and anti-whirl drill bit. The drill bit includes an interior cavity in fluid communication with the drill string, and a plurality of gauge pads located on the exterior of the drill bit. One or more of the gauge pads include an orifice in communication with the interior cavity, where the orifice is arranged at an angle relative to cutters fixed to the drill bit. The drill bit is configured such that a fluid continuously flows from each of the orifices.

Abstract: A distance holder for connection to, and rotation with, a drill string in an earth formation drilling device arranged to supply a jet of abrasive fluid for the purpose of providing a borehole by removing earth formation material through abrasion, comprises a chamber that is essentially rotational symmetric and which faces the earth formation material, and a jet nozzle arranged for discharging a jet of the abrasive fluid in the chamber. The chamber comprises a deflector positioned in the path of the fluid jet discharged from the jet nozzle.

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 fluid channeling device (10) is for a down-hole drill assembly (1) having a central axis (1c) and advanceable into a hole in a downward direction (D) along the axis (1c). The assembly (1) includes a drill member (2) with an inner surface (2a) bounding a central bore (2b) and an outer surface (2c). The channeling system includes at least one passage (12) provided within the drill member (2) so as to extend generally between the drill member inner (2a) and outer surfaces (2c). A generally annular channeling member (14) is disposeable about a portion of the drill member (2) and has at least one inlet port (20), at least one discharge port (16), and a passage (12) extending between the inlet (20) and discharge ports (16). The inlet port (20) is fluidly connectable with the drill member passage (12) to fluidly couple the central bore (2b) with the discharge port (16).