Diamond Patents (Class 175/434)
  • Patent number: 8657183
    Abstract: A method of bonding poly-crystalline diamonds to a wear surface, using commercially available poly-crystalline diamond cutters having poly-crystalline diamond buttons bonded to a carbide core. The poly-crystalline diamond cutters are cooled with cryogenic liquid. The poly-crystalline diamond cutters are crushed to form poly-crystalline diamond cutter fragments, with each of the fragments having a poly-crystalline diamond button fragment still bonded to a carbide core fragment. The carbide core fragment is then bonded onto the wear surface, such that the wear surface includes poly-crystalline diamond buttons fragments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Inventors: Gary J. Bakken, Mike Zulak
  • Patent number: 8651204
    Abstract: An cutting element incorporates a non-magnetic and electrically conductive substrate on which a layer of polycrystalline diamond particles is sintered to the substrate. An method of forming a cutting element comprises sintering the substrate, a layer of diamond particles and a catalyst source at a pressure greater than 20 kbar and a temperature greater than 1200° C. to form a layer of polycrystalline diamond particles bonded to the substrate. Cutting elements incorporating non-magnetic and electrically conductive substrates can be sectioned using ablation techniques, such as laser cutting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Diamond Innovations, Inc
    Inventor: Steven W. Webb
  • Publication number: 20140034396
    Abstract: A method of re-processing used TSP material layers to form cutting elements, bits with such cutting elements mounted on their bodies, and bits having re-processed TSP material layers attached to their bodies, as well as such cutting elements and bits are provided. The method includes providing a used TSP material cutting element having a TSP material layer and substrate, or a bit having a TSP material layer attached to the bit, removing the used TSP material layer from the cutting element or bit, cutting the used TSP material layer to a new shape, if necessary, optionally re-leaching the used TSP layer and re-using the TSP material layer to form a cutting element, or in forming a bit body. The formed cutting element may be mounted on a bit body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: YOUHE ZHANG, YUELIN SHEN, MADAPUSI K. KESHAVAN
  • Publication number: 20140027183
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward systems and methods for trenchless installation of a conduit. According to the examples herein, a conduit may be installed underground using the conduit itself for the drilling of the bore hole needed to accommodate the conduit. The conduit may be installed after a drill string has been positioned in the ground to define a pilot hole. After the pilot hole is defined and while the drill string used to define the pilot hole remains underground, the conduit may be driven underground following the path defined by the drill string. A driving force may be applied to the conduit and cutting member attached to a leading end of the conduit to cause the conduit to advance underground while the drill string, a portion of which may be interior to the conduit, remains underground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Robert E. Harr, J. Dana Pruhs
  • Patent number: 8631864
    Abstract: An apparatus for downhole operation. The apparatus comprising a support body having a surface located in a borehole and a coating on an at least a portion of the surface of the support body. The coating is an inert material selected for reducing friction and corrosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Saenger, Jean Desroches, Natalia Quisel
  • Patent number: 8622157
    Abstract: A polycrystalline diamond compact useful for wear, cutting, drilling, drawing and like applications is provided with a first diamond region remote from the working surface which has a metallic catalyzing material and a second diamond region adjacent to or including the working surface containing a non-metallic catalyst and the method of making such a compact is provided. This compact is particularly useful in high temperature operations, such as hard rock drilling because of the improved thermal stability at the working surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Michael A. Vail
  • Patent number: 8616307
    Abstract: Thermally stable diamond bonded construction comprise a diamond bonded body including a thermally stable region, comprising a plurality of diamond grains bonded together by a reaction product of the diamond grains with a reactant such as Si, and a polycrystalline diamond region, comprising intercrystalline bonded diamond and a catalyst material. The body further comprises a ceramic compound formed by reaction of an Nb, Zr, Ti, or Mo getter material with a gaseous element generated during HPHT sintering of the diamond bonded body. The diamond bonded body may comprise from 0.1 to 15 percent by weight of the ceramic compound. The diamond bonded body can be formed during a single HPHT process operated at different temperatures when the reactant has a melting temperature above the catalyst material. The construction may include a metallic substrate attached to the diamond bonded body to facilitate use as a wear or cutting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Georgiy Voronin, J. Daniel Belnap
  • Patent number: 8617274
    Abstract: The present invention relates to ultra-hard cutting elements, and in particular cutting elements or compacts formed by a pulsed electrical field assisted HPHT sintering process or a spark plasma HPHT sintering process. In an embodiment, a method of forming a polycrystalline ultra-hard material includes providing a mixture of ultra-hard particles, placing the mixture of ultra-hard particles into an enclosure, placing the enclosure into a press cell assembly having a heater, applying a repeated high-energy pulse of direct current to the heater to heat the ultra-hard particles, and pressing the enclosure at sufficient pressure to form a polycrystalline ultra-hard material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Guodong Zhan, Youhe Zhang, Yuelin Shen
  • Patent number: 8616306
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a polycrystalline diamond compact. In an embodiment, the polycrystalline diamond compact includes a substrate and a polycrystalline diamond table including a first polycrystalline diamond layer bonded to the substrate and at least a second polycrystalline diamond layer. At least an un-leached portion of the polycrystalline diamond table includes a plurality of diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions and a metal-solvent catalyst occupying at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions. The plurality of diamond grains and the metal-solvent catalyst collectively exhibit a coercivity of about 115 Oe or more and a specific magnetic saturation of about 15 G·cm3/g or less. The second polycrystalline diamond layer exhibits a second average diamond grain size that is less than a first average diamond grain size of the first polycrystalline diamond layer and/or the first polycrystalline diamond layer includes a tungsten-containing material therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Michael A. Vail, Jason K. Wiggins, Jiang Qian, David P. Miess, Debkumar Mukhopadhyay
  • Publication number: 20130341100
    Abstract: A modular cutting-teeth drill bit with controllable drilling specific pressure comprises a module (1), a modular unit (2), a bit body (3), conventional cutting teeth (4) and a nozzle (5). According to mechanical performance of the rocks in the strata drilled and requirements of drilling well, a combination of shapes, sizes and numbers of the module and the modular unit is optimized; effective abrasion edge length of the cutting element on a certain portion of the bit is controlled; and a constant specific pressure of the cutting element of the bit during the drilling process is maintained. The modular cutting-teeth bit substantially improves the effective abrasion volume of the cutting element, and improves the effective utilization rate of the cutting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Liang Zhang, Shu Li, Jialin Tian, Defa Zeng
  • Patent number: 8608815
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to methods of manufacturing polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”). In an embodiment, a method of fabricating a PDC includes positioning a plurality of diamond particles adjacent to a cemented carbide material. The cemented carbide material includes one or more types of tungsten-containing eta phases. The method further includes subjecting the plurality of diamond particles and the cemented carbide material to a high-pressure/high-temperature process effective to sinter the plurality of diamond particles so that a polycrystalline diamond table is formed without tungsten carbide grains of the cemented carbide material exhibiting abnormal grain growth that project into the polycrystalline diamond table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: Debkumar Mukhopadhyay, Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Mohammad N. Sani
  • Patent number: 8602132
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing sintered superabrasive structures are disclosed. For example, a plurality of agglomerated granules comprising at least one superabrasive material may be provided and exposed to a pressure and a temperature sufficient to sinter the at least one superabrasive material. In another example, a plurality of agglomerated granules comprising diamond may be provided and exposed to a pressure and a temperature sufficient to form polycrystalline diamond. Articles of manufacture including at least one superabrasive material are disclosed. For example, a polycrystalline diamond compact may comprise a volume of polycrystalline diamond bonded to a substrate, wherein the volume of polycrystalline diamond includes a plurality of agglomerated granules which have been sintered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Craig H. Cooley, Jason Wiggins
  • Patent number: 8596387
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) including a non-uniformly leached polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table, and methods of fabricating such PDCs. In an embodiment, a PDC includes a substrate and a PCD table integrally formed with and bonded to the substrate. The PCD table defines an upper surface and at least one peripheral surface. The PCD table includes a plurality of bonded diamond grains. The PCD table includes a first region adjacent to the substrate that includes metal-solvent catalyst disposed interstitially between the bonded diamond grains thereof, and a leached second region extending inwardly from the upper surface and the at least one peripheral surface that is depleted of the metal-solvent catalyst. The leached second region exhibits a leach depth profile having a maximum leach depth that is measured from the upper surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: Mohammad N. Sani, Andrew E. Dadson
  • Patent number: 8590645
    Abstract: A drill bit has a matrix bit body with a lower end face for engaging a rock formation, wherein the end face has a plurality of raised impregnated ribs extending from the face of the bit body and separated by a plurality of channels therebetween. At least one of the plurality of ribs has a leading or trailing portion thereof comprising the same the matrix material as the bit body forming a continuous body matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory T. Lockwood, Jonan Fulenchek
  • Patent number: 8590643
    Abstract: A PCD structure comprising a first region, in a state of residual compressive stress, and a second region in a state of residual tensile stress adjacent the first region; the first and second regions each formed of respective PCD grades and directly bonded to each other by intergrowth of diamond grains, the PCD grades having transverse rupture strength (TRS) of at least 1,200 MPa. A third region in a state of residual compressive stress may also be provided such that the second region is disposed between the first and third regions and is bonded to the first and third regions by intergrowth of diamond grains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignees: Element Six Limited, Element Six Abrasives S.A.
    Inventors: Clint Guy Smallman, Moosa Mahomed Adia, Lai Hong Lai Sang
  • Patent number: 8590646
    Abstract: Implementations of the present invention include impregnated drill bits having a plurality of relatively large abrasive cutting media, such as polycrystalline diamonds, embedded therein. According to some implementations of the present invention, the relatively large abrasive cutting media can be dispersed in an unorganized arrangement throughout at least a portion of the crown. Additionally, one or more implementations can include a second plurality of relatively small abrasive cutting media. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling systems including impregnated drill bits having a plurality of relatively large abrasive cutting media embedded therein, methods of using such impregnated drill bits, and methods of forming such impregnated drill bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Longyear TM, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian M. Lambert, Michael D. Rupp
  • Patent number: 8579052
    Abstract: Polycrystalline compacts include hard polycrystalline materials comprising in situ nucleated smaller grains of hard material interspersed and inter-bonded with larger grains of hard material. The average size of the larger grains may be at least about 250 times greater than the average size of the in situ nucleated smaller grains. Methods of forming polycrystalline compacts include nucleating and catalyzing the formation of smaller grains of hard material in the presence of larger grains of hard material, and catalyzing the formation of inter-granular bonds between the grains of hard material. For example, nucleation particles may be mixed with larger diamond grains, a carbon source, and a catalyst. The mixture may be subjected to high temperature and high pressure to form smaller diamond grains using the nucleation particles, the carbon source, and the catalyst, and to catalyze formation of diamond-to-diamond bonds between the smaller and larger diamond grains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Anthony A. DiGiovanni, Danny E. Scott
  • Patent number: 8579053
    Abstract: A cutting element that includes a substrate; and an outer layer of polycrystalline diamond material disposed upon the outermost end of the cutting element, wherein the polycrystalline diamond material: a plurality of interconnected diamond particles; and a plurality of interstitial regions disposed among the bonded diamond particles, wherein the plurality of interstitial regions contain a plurality of metal carbide phases and a plurality of metal binder phases together forming a plurality of metallic phases, wherein the plurality of metal carbide phases are formed from a plurality of metal carbide particles; wherein the plurality of interconnected diamond particles form at least about 60 to at most about 80% by weight of the polycrystalline diamond material; and wherein the plurality of metal carbide phases represent at least 50% by weight of the plurality of metallic phases is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Federico Bellin, Yi Fang, Michael Stewart, Nephi M. Mourik, Peter T. Cariveau
  • Patent number: 8573330
    Abstract: An insert for a drill bit may include a metallic carbide body; an outer layer of polycrystalline diamond material on the outermost end of the insert, the polycrystalline diamond material comprising a plurality of interconnected first diamond grains and a first binder material in interstitial regions between the interconnected first diamond grains; and at least one transition layer between the metallic carbide body and the outer layer, the at least one transition layer comprising a composite of second diamond grains, first metal carbide particles, and a second binder material, wherein the second diamond grains have a larger grain size than the first diamond grains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Nephi M. Mourik, Peter T. Cariveau, Federico Bellin, Yi Fang
  • Patent number: 8573333
    Abstract: A cutting element for use with an earth-boring drill bit includes a diamond cutting table that is substantially free of a metallic binder. The cutting table may include polycrystalline diamond and a carbonate binder or polycrystalline diamond with silicon and/or silicon carbide dispersed therethrough. A base of the cutting table is secured to a substrate by way of an adhesion layer. The adhesion layer includes diamond. The adhesion layer may also include cobalt or another suitable binder material, which may be mixed with diamond particles from which the adhesion layer is formed, or may leach from the substrate into the adhesion layer as the cutting element is bonded to the substrate. Alternatively, the cutting table may be formed from and consist essentially of chemical vapor deposited diamond that has been diamond bonded to an underlying polycrystalline diamond compact. Processes may include securing substantially metallic binder-free cutting elements to substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Danny E. Scott
  • Patent number: 8573332
    Abstract: A polycrystalline diamond compact comprising a diamond table is formed in a high-pressure, high-temperature process using a catalyst, the catalyst being substantially removed from the entirety of the diamond table, and the diamond table attached to a supporting substrate in a subsequent high-pressure, high-temperature process using a binder material differing at least in part from a material of the catalyst. The binder material is permitted to penetrate substantially completely throughout the diamond table from an interface with the substrate to and including a cutting surface, and the binder material is selectively removed from a region or regions of the diamond table by a conventional technique (e.g., acid leaching). Cutting elements so formed and drill bits equipped with such cutting elements are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Danny E. Scott
  • Patent number: 8567534
    Abstract: Cutting elements have substrates including end surfaces. TSP material layers extend over only a portion of the end surfaces or extend into the substrates below the end surfaces. Bits incorporate such cutting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Youhe Zhang, Yuelin Shen, Madapusi K. Keshavan, Michael G. Azar
  • Patent number: 8567531
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to cutting elements incorporating polycrystalline diamond bodies used for subterranean drilling applications, and more particularly, to polycrystalline diamond bodies having a high diamond content which are configured to provide improved properties of thermal stability and wear resistance, while maintaining a desired degree of impact resistance, when compared to prior polycrystalline diamond bodies. In various embodiments disclosed herein, a cutting element with high diamond content includes a modified PCD structure and/or a modified interface (between the PCD body and a substrate), to provide superior performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Daniel Belnap, Georgiy Voronin, Feng Yu, Peter T. Cariveau, Youhe Zhang, Yuelin Shen, Guodong Zhan
  • Patent number: 8540037
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a high impact wear resistant tool has a superhard material bonded to a cemented metal carbide substrate at a non-planar interface. The superhard material has a thickness of at least 0.100 inch and forms an included angle of 35 to 55 degrees. The superhard material has a plurality of substantially distinct diamond layers. Each layer of the plurality of layers has a different catalyzing material concentration. A diamond layer adjacent the substrate of the superhard material has a higher catalyzing material concentration than a diamond layer at a distal end of the superhard material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: David R. Hall
  • Patent number: 8534393
    Abstract: Cutting elements for use in earth-boring applications include a substrate, a transition layer, and a working layer. The transition layer and the working layer comprise a continuous matrix phase and a discontinuous diamond phase dispersed throughout the matrix phase. The concentration of diamond in the working layer is higher than in the transition layer. Earth-boring tools include at least one such cutting element. Methods of making cutting elements and earth-boring tools include mixing diamond crystals with matrix particles to form a mixture. The mixture is formulated in such a manner as to cause the diamond crystals to comprise about 50% or more by volume of the solid matter in the mixture. The mixture is sintered to form a working layer of a cutting element that is at least substantially free of polycrystalline diamond material and that includes the diamond crystals dispersed within a continuous matrix phase formed from the matrix particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Danny E. Scott, Nicholas J. Lyons
  • Patent number: 8522900
    Abstract: A mixture for fabricating a cutting table, the cutting table, and a method of fabricating the cutting table. The mixture includes a cutting table powder and a binder. The binder includes at least one carbide formed from an element selected from at least one of Groups IV, V, and VI of the Periodic Table. The carbide is in its non-stoichiometric and/or stoichiometric form. The binder can include the metal element itself. The binder can also include a catalyst. The cutting table is formed by sintering the mixture using a solid phase sintering process or a near solid phase sintering process. When forming or coupling the cutting table to a substrate, a divider is positioned and coupled therebetween to ensure that the sintering process that forms the cutting table occurs using the solid phase sintering process or the near solid phase sintering process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Varel Europe S.A.S.
    Inventor: Federico Bellin
  • Patent number: 8517125
    Abstract: A cutting structure that includes a plurality of encapsulated particles dispersed in a first matrix material, the encapsulated particles comprising: an abrasive grit encapsulated within a shell, wherein the shell comprises a second matrix material different from the first matrix material is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory T. Lockwood
  • Patent number: 8517123
    Abstract: A PDC cutter includes a diamond table layer and an underlying substrate layer. A cap structure for the PDC cutter includes a first portion overlying, but not attached to, a front face of the diamond table layer and a second portion extending perpendicularly from the first portion which is overlying and attached to an outer peripheral surface of the underlying substrate layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Varel International, Ind., L.P.
    Inventor: Michael R. Reese
  • Patent number: 8505654
    Abstract: A PCD composite compact comprising a PCD structure bonded at an interface to a substrate comprising cemented carbide material; the PCD structure comprising a mass of directly inter-bonded diamond grains having a mean size of at most about 4 microns, and the PCD structure comprising at least about 0.05 weight percent refractory metal or carbide of a refractory metal selected from the group comprising W, Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf and Ta; and at least the cemented carbide material proximate the interface having a content of metallic binder material of at most about 6 weight percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Element Six Limited
    Inventors: Gustav Johnny Israelsson, Karolina Elisabet Hannersjö, Pär Erik Håkan Schelin
  • Patent number: 8499861
    Abstract: Ultra-hard composite constructions comprise an ultra-hard body having a plurality of diamond crystals bonded to one another by a carbide reaction product. A reactant material is selected from materials that are strong carbide formers to form a carbide reaction product with diamond at HPHT conditions. The body includes a high-density diamond region positioned along a surface portion of the body and that is substantially exclusively diamond, and that has a diamond volume content of 95 to 99 percent or more. The high-density diamond region can form a working surface of the composite construction. A substrate can be attached to the body, thereby forming a compact, and can include metallic materials, ceramic materials, carbides, nitrides, cermets, and mixtures thereof. An intermediate layer can be interposed between the body and the substrate depending on the substrate and/or method of attaching the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Madapusi K. Keshavan, Anthony Griffo
  • Patent number: 8501144
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing polycrystalline diamond are disclosed. More particularly, a mixture including diamond and fullerenes may be provided. Further, the mixture may be exposed to a high pressure, high temperature sintering process. In addition, a volume of polycrystalline diamond bonded to a substrate may be formed by providing a mixture including diamond and fullerenes and exposing the mixture to a high pressure, high temperature sintering process. A drill bit for drilling a subterranean formation is disclosed. Further, polycrystalline diamond compacts are disclosed including polycrystalline diamond bonded to a substrate, wherein the polycrystalline diamond includes less than about 1% by weight or is substantially free of non-fullerenes, non-diamond carbon. Polycrystalline diamond exhibiting an increased diamond volume fraction due to the presence of fullerenes during manufacture relative to polycrystalline diamond formed without fullerenes is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli
  • Patent number: 8496076
    Abstract: Polycrystalline compacts include non-catalytic nanoparticles in interstitial spaces between interbonded grains of hard material in a polycrystalline hard material. Cutting elements and earth-boring tools include such polycrystalline compacts. Methods of forming polycrystalline compacts include sintering hard particles and non-catalytic nanoparticles to form a polycrystalline material. Methods of forming cutting elements include infiltrating interstitial spaces between interbonded grains of hard material in a polycrystalline material with a plurality of non-catalytic nanoparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Anthony A. DiGiovanni, Danny E. Scott
  • Patent number: 8490721
    Abstract: A polycrystalline diamond (PCD) material 10 comprising at least 88 volume percent and at most 99 volume percent diamond grains 12, the mean diamond grain contiguity being greater than 60.5 percent. The PCD material 10 is particularly but not exclusively for use in boring into the earth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Element Six Abrasives S.A.
    Inventors: Kaveshini Naidoo, Thembinkosi Shabalala
  • Publication number: 20130180786
    Abstract: A composite may generally include a substantially continuous binder phase and a first reinforcing agent cluster infiltrated by the binder phase, the first reinforcing agent cluster comprising a plurality of first reinforcing agent particles. A drill bit may include at least one cutting element for engaging a formation and a bit body, at least a portion of said drill bit being a composite that includes a substantially continuous binder phase and a first reinforcing agent cluster infiltrated by the binder phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Gerard Thomas, Brian Atkins
  • Patent number: 8485609
    Abstract: An impact tool for use with a driving mechanism, the impact tool including an impact tip formed from a super hard material and having an apex and an attachment end, with the attachment end being bonded to a cemented metal carbide substrate at a non-planar interface. The cemented metal carbide substrate is bonded in turn to the front end of a cemented metal carbide bolster. The carbide bolster is securable against an outer surface of a driving mechanism through a press fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Ronald Crockett, Scott Dahlgren, Tyson J. Wilde
  • Patent number: 8485284
    Abstract: A method of producing a composite diamond compact comprising a polycrystalline diamond (PCD) compact bonded to a cemented carbide substrate is provided. The method includes the steps of: providing a PCD table, preferably a PCD table with diamond-to-diamond bonding and a porous microstructure in which the pores are empty of second phase material bringing together the PCD table and a cemented carbide substrate in the presence of a bonding agent to form an unbonded assembly; subjecting the unbonded assembly to an initial compaction at a pressure of at least 4.5 GPa and a temperature below the melting point of the bonding agent for a period of at least 150 seconds; and thereafter subjecting the unbonded assembly to a temperature above the melting point of the bonding agent and a pressure of at least 4.5 GPa for a time sufficient for the bonding agent to become molten and bond the PCD table to the substrate to form a composite diamond compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Element Six Abrasives S.A.
    Inventor: Humphrey Samkelo Lungisani Sithebe
  • Publication number: 20130168159
    Abstract: A method of forming a cutting element may include placing a plurality of diamond particles adjacent to a substrate in a reaction cell; and subjecting the plurality of diamond particles to high pressure high temperature conditions to form a polycrystalline diamond body; wherein the polycrystalline diamond body comprises a cutting face area to thickness ratio ranging from 60:16 to 500:5; and wherein the polycrystalline diamond body has at least one dimension greater than 8 mm
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: Smith International, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8470060
    Abstract: A method of forming a thermally stable cutting element that includes disposing at least a portion of a polycrystalline abrasive body containing a catalyzing material to be leached into a leaching agent; and subjecting the polycrystalline abrasive object to an elevated temperature and pressure is disclosed. Thermally stable cutting elements and systems and other methods for forming thermally stable cutting elements are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Griffo, Madapusi K. Keshavan
  • Patent number: 8469121
    Abstract: A polycrystalline diamond abrasive element, particularly a cutting element, comprises a table of polycrystalline diamond bonded to a substrate, particularly a cemented carbide substrate, along a non-planar interface. The non-planar interface typically has a cruciform configuration. The polycrystalline diamond has a high wear-resistance, and has a region adjacent the working surface lean in catalysing material and a region rich in catalysing material. The region lean in catalysing material extends to a depth of 40 to 90 microns, which is much shallower than in the prior art. Notwithstanding the shallow region lean in catalysing material, the polycrystalline diamond cutters have a wear resistance, impact strength and cutter life comparable to that of prior art cutters, but requiring only 20% of the treatment times of the prior art cutters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Brett Lancaster, Bronwyn A. Roberts, Imraan Parker, Klaus Tank, Roy D. Achilles, Clement D. Van Der Riet
  • Patent number: 8464814
    Abstract: Methods, systems and compositions for manufacturing downhole tools and downhole tool parts for drilling subterranean material are disclosed. A model having an external peripheral shape of a downhole tool or tool part is fabricated. Mold material is applied to the external periphery of the model. The mold material is permitted to harden to form a mold about the model. The model is eliminated and a composite matrix material is cast within the mold to form a finished downhole tool or tool part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: John H. Stevens, Jimmy W. Eason
  • Patent number: 8448727
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to superabrasive materials, superabrasive compacts employing such superabrasive materials, and methods of fabricating such superabrasive materials and compacts. In one embodiment, a superabrasive material includes a matrix comprising a plurality of coarse-sized superabrasive grains, with the coarse-sized superabrasive grains exhibiting a coarse-sized average grain size. The superabrasive material further includes a plurality of superabrasive regions dispersed within the matrix, with each superabrasive region including a plurality of fine-sized superabrasive grains exhibiting a fine-sized average grain size less than the coarse-sized average grain size. In another embodiment, the superabrasive materials may be employed in a superabrasive compact. The superabrasive compact comprises a substrate including a superabrasive table comprising any of the disclosed superabrasive materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventor: David P. Miess
  • Patent number: 8434573
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a tool has a working portion with at least one impact tip brazed to a carbide extension. The carbide extension has a cavity formed in a base end and is adapted to interlock with a shank assembly of the cutting element assembly. The shank assembly has a locking mechanism adapted to interlock a first end of the shank assembly within the cavity. The locking mechanism has a radially extending catch formed in the first end of the shank assembly. The shank assembly has an outer surface at a second end of the shank assembly adapted to be press-fitted within a recess of a driving mechanism. The outer surface of the shank assembly has a coefficient of thermal expansion of 110 percent or more than a coefficient of thermal expansion of a material of the driving mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Ronald B. Crockett, Scott Dahlgren
  • Publication number: 20130105232
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to methods of fabricating PCD materials by subjecting a mixture that exhibits a broad diamond particle size distribution to an HPHT process, PCD materials so-formed, and PDCs including a polycrystalline diamond table comprising such PCD materials. In an embodiment, a PCD material includes a plurality of bonded diamond grains that exhibit a substantially unimodal diamond grain size distribution characterized, at least in part, by a parameter ? that is less than about 1.0. ? = x 6 · ? , where x is the average grain size of the substantially unimodal diamond grain size distribution, and ? is the standard deviation of the substantially unimodal diamond grain size distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION
  • Publication number: 20130092449
    Abstract: Low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) cermet compositions of this invention generally comprise a hard phase material and a ductile phase formed from a binder alloy, wherein the binder alloy is specially designed having a CTE that is closely matched to the hard phase material. Hard phase materials used to form low CTE compositions of this invention are selected from the group of carbides consisting of W, Ti, Mo, Nb, V, Si, Hf, Ta, and Cr carbides. The binder alloy is formed from a mixture of metals selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni, Fe, W, Mo, Ti, Ta, V, Nb, C, B, Cr, and Mn. In a preferred embodiment, low CTE compositions comprises WC as the hard phase material, and a ductile phase binder alloy formed from a mixture of Fe, Co, and Ni.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
  • Patent number: 8419814
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing polycrystalline abrasive elements consisting of micron, sub-micron or nano-sized ultrahard abrasives dispersed in micron, sub-micron or nano-sized matrix materials. A plurality of ultrahard abrasive particles having vitreophilic surfaces are coated with a matrix precursor material in a refined colloidal process and then treated to render them suitable for sintering. The matrix precursor material can be converted to an oxide, nitride, carbide, oxynitride, oxycarbide, or carbonitride, or an elemental form thereof. The coated ultrahard abrasive particles are consolidated and sintered at a pressure and temperature at which they are crystallographically or thermodynamically stable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventors: Antionette Can, Anna Emela Mochubele, Geoffrey John Davies, Johannes Lodewikus Myburgh
  • Publication number: 20130068540
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating polycrystalline diamond include encapsulating diamond particles and a hydrocarbon substance in a canister, and subjecting the encapsulated diamond particles and hydrocarbon substance to a pressure of at least 5.0 GPa and a temperature of at least 1400° C. to form inter-granular bonds between the diamond particles. Cutting elements for use in an earth-boring tool includes a polycrystalline diamond material formed by such processes. Earth-boring tools include such cutting elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Anthony A. DiGiovanni
  • Publication number: 20130068541
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating polycrystalline diamond include functionalizing surfaces of carbon-free nanoparticles with one or more functional groups, combining the functionalized nanoparticles with diamond nanoparticles and diamond grit to form a particle mixture, and subjecting the particle mixture to high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) conditions to form inter-granular bonds between the diamond nanoparticles and the diamond grit. Cutting elements for use in an earth-boring tool includes a polycrystalline diamond material formed by such processes. Earth-boring tools include such cutting elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Anthony A. DiGiovanni, Soma Chakraborty
  • Publication number: 20130068539
    Abstract: Methods of attaching a polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) element to a substrate include maintaining a gap between the PDC element and an adjacent substrate, and at least substantially filling the gap with a deposition process. Methods of forming a cutting element for an earth-boring tool include forming a PDC element by pressing diamond crystals together, forming a substrate including a particulate carbide material and a matrix material, leaving a gap between at least portions of the PDC element and the substrate, masking surfaces of the PDC element and of the substrate that do not face the gap, and forming an adhesion material on surfaces of the PDC element and of the substrate that face the gap. Cutting elements for earth-boring tools include a PDC element attached to a substrate with at least one of diamond, diamond-like carbon, a carbide material, a nitride material, and a cubic boron nitride material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Chaitanya K. Vempati, Suresh G. Patel
  • Patent number: 8365846
    Abstract: A front face of a diamond table mounted to a substrate is processed to introduce a material which comingles with or semi-alloys with or partially displaces interstitial catalyst binder in a thermal channel to a desired depth. The material is selected to be less thermally expandable than the catalyst binder and/or more thermally conductive than the catalyst binder and/or having a lower heat capacity than the catalyst binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Varel International, Ind., L.P.
    Inventors: Alfazazi Dourfaye, Michael R. Reese, William W. King
  • Patent number: 8365845
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a high impact resistant tool comprises a sintered polycrystalline diamond body bonded to a cemented metal carbide substrate at an interface, the body comprising a substantially pointed geometry with an apex, the apex comprising a curved surface that joins a leading side and a trailing side of the body at a first and second transitions respectively, an apex width between the first and second transitions is less than a third of a width of the substrate, and the body also comprises a body thickness from the apex to the interface greater than a third of the width of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Ronald B. Crockett, Casey Webb, Michael Beazer