Abstract: A rotary drill bit comprises a bit body carrying a plurality of cutting elements and a main conduit for conducting drilling fluid. A plurality of nozzle bodies is rotatably seated in bores of the bit body. Each nozzle body includes a plurality of passages extending therethrough for conducting drilling fluid in such manner that the exiting fluid causes the nozzle body to rotate about its longitudinal axis. The exiting fluid is thus distributed in a wider pattern.

Abstract: A cutting element includes a stud having an inclined supporting surface. The supporting surface intersects a side surface of the stud to form an edge. A cutting member is bonded to the supporting surface. A reinforcing shoulder projects from the supporting surface adjacent a rear portion of the cutting member. The shoulder includes a side surface, a portion of which intersects the edge along a region of the edge whose forwardmost point is spaced rearwardly from a rearwardmost point of the cutting member. When the cutting element is positioned within a bore of a drill bit, that region of the edge is completely positioned within the bore so as to be reinforced by the bore wall.

Abstract: A drill bit for connection on a drill string has a hollow tubular body with an end cutting face and an exterior peripheral stabilizer surface with cylindrical sintered carbide inserts positioned therein having polycrystalline diamond cutting elements mounted on said inserts. The diamond cutting elements have a novel cutting shape facilitating drilling through hard formations with a minimum of applied weight on the bit. The cutting elements are in the shape of a relatively large disc shaped cutter commonly used for medium and soft formations but have the sides shaped into a cutting edge of substantially smaller radius. The cutting element has the strength and resistance to breakdown of the larger disc but the cutting capacity in hard formations of a smaller diameter cutter. The cutting elements are also disclosed as novel components of the drill.

Abstract: A cutting element for use in rotary drill bits comprises a generally cylindrical stud and a cutting disk bonded to a supporting surface of the stud. The supporting surface intersects a cylindrical side surface of the stud to form an edge. The supporting surface includes a plurality of alternating projections and grooves extending in a front-to-rear direction of a supporting surface. The projections and grooves include rear ends terminating short of the edge to minimize the formation of stress cracks in the edge.

Abstract: A cutting element comprises a stud and a cutting blank bonded to a mounting face of the stud. The stud comprises stiffening elements of a refractory carbide embedded in a body of steel. The mounting surface is formed partially of carbide and partially of steel, and the cutting blank is bonded to the steel and carbide.

Abstract: An abrasive compact is made by a method comprising the steps of providing a circular cylindrical substrate having an upper with a non-circular recess therein defined by non-intersecting side walls. The recess is filled with diamond grains and is positioned in a press. The substrate and diamond grains are subjected to high temperature and pressure conditions in the press to sinter the diamond grains and bond the sintered diamond grains to the substrate in the form of a non-circular diamond layer. The portions of the substrate not covered by the diamond layer are removed.

Abstract: A threaded nozzle is adapted to be screwed into and screwed out of a threaded opening in a drill bit. The nozzle includes a front face having first and second contact surfaces which are adapted to be engaged by a manually actuable tool for screwing-in and screwing-out the nozzle. The first contact surface is inclined toward the direction of rotation in which the member is screwed-in, so that in response to the application of a force to the first contact surface for screwing-in the nozzle, a reaction force is applied against the tool for pushing the tool off the first contact surface when the nozzle has been screwed-in a predetermined extent.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit includes a cutting face having a peripheral edge and a central recess. A plurality of fluid discharge nozzles are mounted in bores in the cutting face. A plurality of cutter elements are mounted in the peripheral edge and in the recess to fracture an earthen core formed as the drill cuts through a formation. A plurality of lateral discharge passages extend radially through the bit body from said recess and extend longitudinally to the peripheral edge to form circumferential interruptions in the peripheral edge. Each passage includes leading and trailing edges at the cutting face. A convex protrusion is disposed centrally at a longitudinally inner end of the recess and includes a convex deflecting surface arranged to contact and fracture the earthen core and deflect the cuttings to the lateral discharge passages. The outer periphery of the cutting face is radially recessed to accommodate the flow of drilling fluid.

Abstract: A drill bit for connection on a drill string has a hollow tubular body with an end cutting face and an exterior peripheral stabilizer surface with cylindrical sintered carbide inserts positioned in recesses therein having polycrystalline diamond cutting elements mounted on said inserts. The inserts each also have a metal reinforcing shroud secured on the supporting face providing a reinforcement for the polycrystalline diamond cutting elements which is not subject to notch fracture. Each shroud is arranged so that a wall of the associated recess reinforces the shroud against shear forces and reinforces the stud against fracture.

Abstract: A cutting blank, preferably for use on a drill bit for cutting through earth formations, comprises a substrate formed of a hard material and including a cutting surface. A plurality of shallow grooves are formed in the cutting surface and each groove includes opposing side and base portions. Strips of a diamond substance are disposed in the grooves and are adhered to the side and base portions and include a cutting face exposed adjacent to the cutting surface of the substrate. The strips may be arranged in various patterns and may be in non-intersecting relationship, or intersecting relationship. The grooves may include undercut portions to more positively anchor the strips to the substrate. The cutting blank is preferably bonded to a stud, with the stud being mounted in a rotary drill bit.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit includes a cutting face having a peripheral edge and a central recess. A plurality of fluid discharge nozzles are mounted in the cutting face. A plurality of cutter elements are mounted in the peripheral edge and in the recess to fracture an earthen core formed as the drill cuts through a formation. A plurality of lateral discharge passages extend radially through the bit body from said recess and extend longitudinally to the peripheral edge to form circumferential interruptions in the peripheral edge. A convex protrusion is disposed centrally at a longitudinally inner end of the recess and includes a convex deflecting surface arranged to contact and fracture the earthen core and deflect the cuttings to the lateral discharge passages.

Abstract: A nozzle includes a tungsten carbide body and threaded steel sleeve. The nozzle body includes a fluid jet opening arranged to be reoriented in response to rotation of the nozzle body. The nozzle body includes a first set of apertures for receiving a turning tool. The sleeve comprises a split sleeve retained longitudinally upon the nozzle body and is rotatable relative thereto. The sleeve threads are protectively disposed behind a flange of the nozzle body. The sleeve includes a second set of apertures which are alignable with the first set of apertures adjacent an inner end of the latter. The turning tool is engageable with (i) both sets of apertures for rotating the nozzle body and sleeve to install the nozzle, or (ii) with only the first set of apertures to rotate the nozzle body relative to the sleeve against the resistance of an O-ring to reorient the jet opening.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the manufacture of a drill bit having a hollow tubular body, or drill bit components, with an exterior tungsten carbide coated surface, and with cutting elements positioned in the cutting surfaces thereof. The drill bit body, or a bit component, such as a cutting blade, is formed by casting in a mold providing the precise dimensions required in the finished bit. The mold is packed or coated over selected portions of the inner surface with particles of sintered tungsten carbide or similar sintered refractory hard metal. The mold has a plurality of soft iron or steel plugs extending from the walls thereof which are of the same diameter as the cutting inserts or passages into the bit body or bit component. A steel alloy, or cast iron, or nodular cast iron, is melted and poured into the mold. The temperature of the molten steel is sufficient to desinter the sintered tungsten carbide particles.

Abstract: A drag blade bit for connection on a drill string has a hollow body on which there are welded a plurality of cutting or drilling blades. The blades extend longitudinally and radially of the bit body and terminate in relatively flat, radially extending cutting edges. A plurality of cutters are positioned in and spaced along the cutting edges and consists of cylindrical sintered carbide inserts with polycrystalline diamond cutting elements mounted thereon. Hardfacing is provided on the cutting edges between the cutters and on the other surfaces of the blades and the bit body subject to abrasive wear. One or more nozzles are positioned in passages from the interior of the bit body for directing flow of drilling fluid for flushing cuttings from the well bore and for cooling the bit.

Abstract: A drill bit for connection on a drill string has a hollow tubular body with an end cutting face and an exterior peripheral stabilizer surface with cylindrical sintered carbide inserts positioned therein. Nozzle passages extend from the interior of the bit body through the cutting face for receiving a removable and interchangeable nozzle member therein. The nozzle has a fluted or non-circular cross-section with grooved portions or out of round portions providing sufficient clearance for drilling fluid to continue to flow through the nozzle even when the main passage thereof is blocked with mud particles or the like. The cutting face has a plurality of recesses therein which receive, by an interference fit, a plurality of cutting elements of the type known as Stratapax, consisting of a cylindrical stud having an angular supporting surface with a cutting disc bonded thereon consisting of sintered carbide having a cutting surface of polycrystalline diamond.

Abstract: A drill bit for connection on a drill string has a hollow tubular body with an end cutting face and an exterior peripheral stabilizer surface with cylindrical sintered carbide inserts positioned therein having polycrystalline diamond cutting elements mounted on said inserts. Said inserts each having a longitudinal recess therein filled with a soft, heat conducting metal operable to facilitate the transfer of heat away from said cutting elements. The drill bit is also provided with removable and replacable nozzles.

Abstract: A drill bit for connection on a drill string has a hollow tubular body with an end cutting face and an exterior peripheral stabilizer surface with cylindrical sintered carbide inserts positioned therein. Nozzle passages extend from the interior of the bit body through the cutting face for receiving a removable and interchangeable nozzle member therein. The cutting face has a plurality of recesses therein which receive, by an interference fit, a plurality of cutting elements of the type known as STRATAPAX, consisting of a cylindrical stud having an angular supporting surface with a cutting disc bonded thereon consisting of sintered carbide having a cutting surface of polycrystalline diamond. The recesses in the cutting face have milled offset recesses adjacent to the edges thereof which are sized and positioned to permit the cutting discs to be partially recessed and to restrain the cutting elements from rotation during use.

Abstract: A drill bit for connection on a drill string has a hollow tubular body with an end cutting face provided with a tungsten carbide coated surface and an exterior peripheral stabilizer surface with cylindrical sintered carbide inserts positioned therein. Nozzle passages extend from the interior of the bit body through the cutting face for receiving a removable and interchangeable nozzle member therein. The cutting face has a plurality of recesses therein which receive, by an interference fit, a plurality of cutting elements of the type known as STRATAPAX, consisting of a cylindrical stud having an angular supporting surface with a cutting disc bonded thereon consisting of sintered carbide having a cutting surface of polycrystalline diamond. The recesses in the cutting face have milled offset recesses adjacent to the edges thereof which are sized and positioned to permit the cutting discs to be partially recessed and to restrain the cutting elements from rotation during use.

Abstract: A drill bit for connection on a drill string has a hollow tubular body with an end cutting face and an exterior peripheral stabilizer surface with cylindrical sintered carbide inserts positioned therein and a novel arrangement for securing replaceable nozzles. Nozzle passages extend from the interior of the bit body through the cutting face for receiving a removable and interchangeable nozzle member therein. A portion of the length of each passage is threaded and the remainder of the passage is enlarged and of a smooth bore. The nozzle member is formed of wear-resistant hard metal, e.g. carbide, and has a metal sleeve brazed thereon with male threads operable to be fitted in the threads in said nozzle passage. The nozzle member is threadedly secured in place during installation and optionally further secured against unscrewing and additionally protected against wear or erosion by a metal or hard metal, e.g. carbide, retaining ring having an interference fit in the smooth portion of the nozzle passage.

Abstract: A new and improved drill bit for connection on a drill string has a hollow tubular body with an end cutting face and an exterior peripheral stabilizer surface with cylindrical sintered carbide inserts positioned therein. Nozzle passages extend from the interior of the bit body through the cutting face, preferably at an angle of about 10.degree.-25.degree. relative to the longitudinal axis of the body, and consist of a passage in the bit body and a removable and interchangeable nozzle member. The nozzle member is secured in place either by peripheral grooves and snap rings or aligned smaller passages in the nozzle member and the bit body having a retaining pin positioned therein.