Abstract: A fully infiltrated rotary drill bit having a bit body that includes at least one particle-matrix composite material having a particle material composition and a binder material having a binder material composition that differs from the particle material composition. The particle material composition has a particle material melting temperature and the binder material composition has a binder melting temperature that is lower than the particle material melting temperature.

Abstract: Drilling tools having axially-tapered waterways that can increase flushing and bit life, while also decreasing clogging. According to some implementations of the present invention, the waterways can be radially tapered in addition to being axially tapered. The axially-tapered waterways can include notches extending into the cutting face of the drilling tools and/or slots enclosed within the crown of the drilling tools. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling systems including drilling tools having axially-tapered waterways, and methods of forming drilling tools having axially-tapered waterways.

Abstract: Drilling tools include a bit crown and an integrated reamer. The bit crown and integrated reamer can be configured with approximately equal drilling lives. The bit crown can be impregnated with abrasive cutting media and include one or more external flutes. The integrated reamer can be positioned at the base the bit crown and include one or more channels that align with one or more of the outer flutes. The channels can taper such that they increase in width as they extend away from the bit crown.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention include drilling tools having axially-tapered waterways that can increase flushing and bit life, while also decreasing clogging. According to some implementations of the present invention, the waterways can be radially tapered in addition to being axially tapered. The axially-tapered waterways can include notches extending into the cutting face of the drilling tools and/or slots enclosed within the crown of the drilling tools. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling systems including drilling tools having axially-tapered waterways, and methods of forming drilling tools having axially-tapered waterways.

Abstract: A drill bit for forming a hole in a formation. The drill bit has a shank and an annular crown that cooperate to define an interior space that receives water or other drilling fluid. The annular crown defines inner channels spaced circumferentially about an inner surface of the crown and outer channels spaced circumferentially about an outer surface of the crown. The annular crown can completely circumferentially enclose the interior space of the drill bit, or the annular crown can be provided with a single waterway extending between the inner and outer surfaces of the crown.

Abstract: A drill bit for forming a hole in a formation. The drill bit has a shank and a full face crown that cooperate to define an interior space that receives water or other drilling fluid. The full face crown defines a plurality of bores that extend from a cutting face of the full face crown to the interior space. The full face crown completely circumferentially encloses the interior space of the drill bit. A wedge shaped slot is defined therein the full face crown that extends longitudinally therein a portion of the cutting face and the circumferential outer surface of the full face crown. The slot further defines an apex that is positioned beyond the center of the cutting face of the drill bit such that the longitudinal axis of the drill bit extends through the bottom surface of the slot and into an interior void area of the slot. Further, a conduit is defined in the drill bit that is in communication with the interior space and with a portion of the defined slot.

Abstract: A drill bit for forming a hole in a formation. The drill bit has a shank and a full face crown that cooperate to define an interior space that receives water or other drilling fluid. The full face crown defines a plurality of bores that extend from a cutting face of the full face crown to the interior space. The full face crown completely circumferentially encloses the interior space of the drill bit.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention include a binder with high hardness and tensile strength that allows for the creation of drilling tools with increased wear resistance. In particular, one or more implementations include a binder having about 5 to about 50 weight % of nickel, about 35 to about 60 weight % of zinc, and about 0.5 to about 35 weight % of tin. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling tools, such as reamers and drill bits, formed from such binders.

Abstract: Drilling tools include a bit crown and an integrated reamer. The bit crown and the integrated reamer can be configured with approximately equal drilling lives. The bit crown can be impregnated with abrasive cutting media and include one or more external flutes. The integrated reamer can be positioned at the base the bit crown and include one or more channels that align with one or more of the outer flutes. The channels can taper such that they increase in width as they extend away from the bit crown.

Abstract: Fibers for diamond-impregnated cutting tools and their associated methods for manufacture and use are described. A matrix is formed that contains fibers made from carbon, glass, ceramic, polymer, and the like. The matrix is then sintered to form a cutting portion of a drill bit. The type and concentration of the fibers can be modified to control the tensile strength and the erosion rate of the matrix to optimize the cutting performance of the tools. Additionally, the fibers may be added to the cutting section to weaken the structure and allow higher modulus binders to be used for the cutting tools at a lower cost, allowing the amount of fibers to be tailored to retain the diamonds in the cutting portion for the desired amount. As the cutting portion erodes, the fibers may also increase the lubricity at the face of the cutting portion.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention include drilling tools having axially-tapered waterways that can increase flushing and bit life, while also decreasing clogging. According to some implementations of the present invention, the drilling tool can have a single notch extending into the cutting face and a plurality of bores extending from the cutting face to an interior space of the drilling tool. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling systems including drilling tools having a single notch and a plurality of bores.

Abstract: In one example, a method for producing a cutting device matrix includes mixing a plurality of constituent matrix materials using a resonant acoustic mixing process until the constituent matrix materials are substantially homogeneously distributed throughout the matrix.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention include drilling tools having axially-tapered waterways that can increase flushing and bit life, while also decreasing clogging. According to some implementations of the present invention, the waterways can be radially tapered in addition to being axially tapered. The axially-tapered waterways can include notches extending into the cutting face of the drilling tools and/or slots enclosed within the crown of the drilling tools. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling systems including drilling tools having axially-tapered waterways, and methods of forming drilling tools having axially-tapered waterways.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention include drilling tools having axially-tapered waterways that can increase flushing and bit life, while also decreasing clogging. According to some implementations of the present invention, the waterways can be radially tapered in addition to being axially tapered. The axially-tapered waterways can include notches extending into the cutting face of the drilling tools and/or slots enclosed within the crown of the drilling tools. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling systems including drilling tools having axially-tapered waterways, and methods of forming drilling tools having axially-tapered waterways.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention include a binder with high hardness and tensile strength that allows for the creation of drilling tools with increased wear resistance. In particular, one or more implementations include a binder having about 5 to about 50 weight % of nickel, about 35 to about 60 weight % of zinc, and about 0.5 to about 35 weight % of tin. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling tools, such as reamers and drill bits, formed from such binders.

Abstract: In one example, a method for producing a cutting device matrix includes mixing a plurality of constituent matrix materials using a resonant acoustic mixing process until the constituent matrix materials are substantially homogeneously distributed throughout the matrix.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention include infiltrated diamond tools with increased wear resistance. In particular, one or more implementations of the present invention include a body comprising at least 10% by volume diamond particles that are infiltrated with a binder. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling systems including such infiltrated diamond tool, and methods of forming and using such infiltrated diamond tools.

Abstract: Drilling tools include a bit crown and an integrated reamer. The bit crown and the integrated reamer can be configured with approximately equal drilling lives. The bit crown can be impregnated with abrasive cutting media and include one or more external flutes. The integrated reamer can be positioned at the base the bit crown and include one or more channels that align with one or more of the outer flutes. The channels can taper such that they increase in width as they extend away from the bit crown.

Abstract: Impregnated drilling tools include elongated structures that provide enhanced properties. The drilling tools contain a diamond-impregnated cutting section that contains elongated structures made from carbon, glass, ceramic, and the like. The elongated structures can comprise tubes, fibers, or rods. In one or more implementations the elongated structures are nano-sized. The elongated structures can control the tensile strength and/or the erosion rate of the drilling tools to optimize the cutting performance of the tools. Additionally, the elongated structures may also weaken the cutting section in one or more implementations; thereby, allowing higher strength binders to be used. Such higher modulus binders can cost less and allow for tailoring of the cutting section to retain the diamonds for the desired amount of time. As the cutting section erodes, the elongated structures may also increase the lubricity at the face of the cutting section.