Abstract: A rotary cone drill bit having a one-piece bit body with a lower portion having a convex exterior surface and an upper portion adapted for connection to a drill string. The drill bit will generally rotate around a central axis of the bit body to form a borehole. A number of support arms are preferably attached to pockets formed in the bit body and depend therefrom. The bit body and support arms cooperate with each other to reduce initial manufacturing costs and to allow rebuilding of a worn drill bit. Each support arm has an inside surface with a spindle connected thereto and an outer shirttail surface. Each spindle projects generally downwardly and inwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the associated support arm and the central axis of the bit body. A number of cone cutter assemblies equal to the number of support arms are mounted respectively on each of the spindles.

Abstract: A rotary cone drill bit having a one-piece bit body with a lower portion having a convex exterior surface and an upper portion adapted for connection to a drill string. The drill bit will generally rotate around a central axis of the bit body to form a borehole. A number of support arms are preferably attached to pockets formed in the bit body and depend therefrom. The bit body and support arms cooperate with each other to reduce initial manufacturing costs and to allow rebuilding of a worn drill bit. Each support arm has an inside surface with a spindle connected thereto and an outer shirttail surface. Each spindle projects generally downwardly and inwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the associated support arm and the central axis of the bit body. A number of cone cutter assemblies equal to the number of support arms are mounted respectively on each of the spindles.

Abstract: A rotary cone drill bit for forming a borehole having a bit body with an upper end portion adapted for connection to a drill string. The drill bit rotates around a central axis of the body. A number of support arms are preferably extend from the bit body. The support arms may either be formed as an integral part of the bit body or attached to the exterior of the bit body in pockets sized to receive the associated support arm. Each support arm has a lower portion with an inside surface and a spindle connected thereto and an outer shirttail surface. Each spindle projects generally downwardly and inwardly with respect to its associated support arm. A number of cutter cone assemblies equal to the number of support arms are mounted respectively on the spindles. A throat relief area is provided on the lower portion of each support arm adjacent to the associated spindle to increase fluid flow between the support arm and the respective cutter cone assembly.

Abstract: A rotary cone drill bit for forming a borehole having a bit body with an upper end portion adapted for connection to a drill string. A number of support arms extend from the bit body. Each support arm has an exterior surface. A number of cutter cone assemblies equal to the number of support arms are mounted respectively on the support arms and project generally downwardly and inwardly with respect to an associated support arm. A ramp is formed on the exterior surface of the support arm and is inclined at an angle from a leading edge of the support arm toward a trailing edge of the support arm such that the ramp directs cuttings upward in the borehole.

Abstract: A rotary cone drill bit for forming a borehole having a one-piece bit body with a lower portion having a convex exterior surface and an upper portion adapted for connection to a drill string. A number of support arms are preferably attached to the bit body and depend therefrom. Each support arm has an inside surface with a spindle connected thereto and an outer surface. Each spindle projects generally downwardly and inwardly with respect to the associated support arm. A number of cone cutter assemblies equal to the number of support arms are mounted on each of the spindles. The support arms are spaced on the exterior of the bit body to provide enhanced fluid flow between the lower portion of the bit body and the support arms. Also, the length of the support arms is selected to provide enhanced fluid flow between the associated cutter cone assembly and the lower portion of the bit body. The same bit body may be used with various rotary cone drill bits having different gauge diameters.

Abstract: A rotary cone drill bit for forming a borehole having a one-piece bit body with a lower portion having a convex exterior surface and an upper portion adapted for connection to a drill string. The drill bit will generally rotate around a central axis of the bit body. A number of support arms are preferably attached to pockets formed in the bit body and depend therefrom. Each support arm has an inside surface with a spindle connected thereto and an outer surface. Each spindle projects generally downwardly and inwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the associated support arm and the central axis of the bit body. A number of cone cutter assemblies equal to the number of support arms are mounted respectively on each of the spindles. The spacing between each of the support arms along with their respective length and width dimensions are selected to enhance fluid flow between the cutter cone assemblies mounted on the respective support arms and the lower portion of the bit body.

Abstract: A cutter insert (34) is designed for mounting within a socket (48) bored in a roller cone cutter (10,12,14). The insert (34) includes a base (52) having a length (L2), a width (W2), and a depth (D), where the length (L2) differs substantially from the width (W2). The base (52) is sized to have an interference fit with the socket (48). A cutting tip (54) is integrally formed with the base (52) and protrudes outwardly from the socket (48) when the base (52) is mounted therein. The noncylindrical base (52) and socket (48) prohibit rotation of the insert (34) within the socket (48). Additionally, more inserts (34) with noncylindrical bases (52) can fit in a row (28-32, 36-46) than can cylindrical inserts having cylindrical bases and cutting tips of similar dimensions.

Abstract: A drill bit including at least one rolling cutter body with rows of relatively hard substantially outwardly projecting and circumferentially spaced cutting inserts projecting from the cutter body and having effective erosion reducing features by application of hardfacing materials placed in oriented regular patterns and shapes on designated critical and vulnerable cutter body areas. The cutter body is produced by a method wherein the body is marked in specific locations of desired patterns, shapes, or boundaries, and, then, hardfacing is applied in these specific boundaries to avoid the insert hole locations. After the hardfacing is permanently bonded to the specified areas, the holes are drilled and the hard cutting inserts are pressed into the holes.

Abstract: A cutter element for a rotary type rock bit used in drilling soft earth formations in which the cutter element includes a base and a generally dual pyramidic cutting tip. The cutting tip extends from the base to a crest and is formed having axially symmetrical opposite flanks that extend longitudinally merging toward a distal end at which a single elongated crest of substantially uniform width is formed about an apex.