Abstract: An expandable eccentric reamer for placement in a drill string up-hole of a conventional drill bit. The reamer blade is actuated by drilling fluid pressure to radially extend to a drill out diameter greater than a pass-through diameter. The reamer body is shaped to have an eccentric outer surface configuration to accommodate the reamer blade therein. The reamer blade acts as a piston arm in response to drilling fluid pressure and moves along a shaft anchored in a hump region that forms an eccentricity in the outer surface configuration of the body. The reamer blade has an outer edge configuration that positions the cutters thereon to prevent them from engaging a casing of a well borehole upon deployment.

Abstract: An improved bi-center with improved directional stability and wear resistance is disclosed, said bit optimally utilizing a plurality of shaped PDC cutting elements selectively situated about the cutting surfaces of the pilot and the reamer to produce a minimal force imbalance, where further said pilot bit and the reamer are force balanced to further reduce imbalance in the operation of the tool.

Abstract: An improved bi-center with improved directional stability and wear resistance is disclosed, said bit optimally utilizing a plurality of shaped PDC cutting elements selectively situated about the cutting surfaces of the pilot and the reamer to produce a minimal force imbalance, where further said pilot bit and the reamer are force balanced to further reduce imbalance in the operation of the tool.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a bi-center drilling tool adapted to fit within and drill through a casing shoe without damage to the surrounding casing. In one embodiment, the tool comprises a bit body having a proximal and a distal end where the distal end defines a pilot bit and an intermediate reamer section, where each the pilot and reamer sections define a bit face including primary and secondary cutting blades and cutting elements disposed on said blades. In this embodiment, the cutting or wear elements disposed on the one or more cutting blades which extend to or are proximate to the pass-through gauge define a selected angle between the line of contact on the cutting or wear elements and the material to be drilled.

Abstract: Although particular detailed embodiments of the apparatus and method have been described herein, it should be understood that the invention is not restricted to the details of the preferred embodiment. Many changes in design, composition, configuration and dimensions are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the instant invention.

Abstract: A bi-center downhole drilling bit is disclosed, which bit includes a body defining proximal and distal ends, where said distal end defines a pilot and a reamer where the reamer defines a first cutting face having a selected diameter “d” and the pilot defines a second cutting face having a selected diameter less than “d”, where each the first and second cutting faces includes upsets defining proximal and distal surfaces where the distal surfaces are provided with cutting elements and the proximal surfaces are provided with one or more gauge pads.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved cutting element for use with rotating downhole tools. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a compact cutter which includes unique configurations for the interface regions between the substrate the abrasive element to promote superior impact resistance and adhesion.

Abstract: A bi-center bit adapted to be consecutively used in casing and in formation without the need of removing the bit from the borehole, the bit comprising a bit body defining a proximal end adapted for connection to a drill string, a distal end and a pass-through gauge, where the distal end defines a pilot bit and an intermediate reamer section, where each the pilot and reamer section define a cutting face. A plurality of cutting or wear elements are situated on cutting blades disposed about the cutting face of the pilot and reamer sections. Cutting or wear elements are disposed on one or more of the blades which extend to or are proximate to the pass-through gauge define an angle between the line of contact on the cutting or wear element and the material to be drilled of between 5-45 degrees.

Abstract: A bi-center downhole drilling bit is disclosed, which bit includes a body defining proximal and distal ends, where said distal end defines a pilot and a reamer where the reamer defines a first cutting face having a selected diameter “d” and the pilot defines a second cutting face having a selected diameter less than “d”, where each the first and second cutting faces includes upsets defining proximal and distal surfaces where the distal surfaces are provided with cutting elements and the proximal surfaces are provided with one or more gauge pads.

Abstract: Although particular detailed embodiments of the apparatus and method have been described herein, it should be understood that the invention is not restricted to the details of the preferred embodiment. Many changes in design, composition, configuration and dimensions are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the instant invention.

Abstract: Subterranean drill bits and particularly to nozzle features to be incorporated in subterranean bits. In one embodiment, the nozzle assembly of the invention defines a wear resistant structure which extends upstream from the terminus of the transition area. In another embodiment, nozzle assemblies are arranged about the transition area at low angles so as to minimize flow turbulence.

Abstract: A novel cutting element is disclosed as comprised of at an attachment body and a cutting face, where said attachment body is attached to said cutting face via a high temperature braze joint, the attachment body defining a projection and a grooved area, where said grooved area is disposed between the projection and the cutting face, the resultant cutting element providing both enhanced wear characteristics and stability.

Abstract: An improved disc-shaped cutting element including first and second major flat surfaces and a cutting edge, said element comprised of a hard metal substrate defining an irregular interface bonded to a polycrystalline diamond, where said interface includes a plurality of concentric and redial grooves adapted to receive corresponding protrusions formed on the diamond layer so as to enhance wear like and impact resistance.

Abstract: An improved bi-center bit with improved directional stability and wear resistance is disclosed, which bit optimally utilizing a plurality of shaped PDC cutting elements selectively situated about the cutting surfaces of the pilot and the reamer to produce a minimal force imbalance, where further the pilot bit and the reamer are force balanced to further reduce imbalance in the operation of the tool.

Abstract: A drilling tool operational with a rotational drive source for drilling in a subterranean formation where said tool comprises a body defining a face disposed about a longitudinal axis, a plurality of cutting elements fixedly disposed on and projecting from said tool face and spaced apart from one another, and one or more stabilizing elements disposed on the tool face and defining a beveled surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved, stabilized drill bit including a shank disposed about a longitudinal axis for receiving a rotational drive source, a gauge portion and a face portion which includes a number of symmetrically arranged blades which themselves include radially situated cutting elements disposed at an exaggerated cutting angle.

Abstract: A drag bit having a plurality of blades or ribs on its end face has one or more pockets milled into the top surfaces of said blades. A tungsten carbide button or insert is positioned at the gauge diameter to reduce impact on the gauge diameter cutter in each of the fibs. The tungsten carbide button extends to the borehole gauge diameter to stabilize the bit within the borehole to limit bit whirling. The tungsten carbide button extends just forward of at least the final cutter assembly with respect to the direction of bit rotation to take the impact instead of the cutters. An additional tungsten carbide button or a shaped cutter is used along the blades in line with PDC cutting assemblies for limiting the penetration of the PDC cutting assemblies to thereby limit bit whirling or tilting instabilities.

Abstract: A drag bit having a plurality of blades or ribs on its end face has one or more pockets milled into the top surfaces of said blades using a ball-nosed end mill to create a plurality of pockets, each having a spherical or a semi-spherical first end and a second end having a semicircular configuration that intersects with the leading edge face of the rib. A bullet-shaped cutting structure having a spherical first end is brazed into each of the pockets. During the manufacturing process, a pin is brazed into cooperating first and second semicircular receptacles in the spherical end of the cutter and in the semi-spherical end of the pocket, respectively, to prevent the cutter assembly from being pushed up out of the pocket during the drilling operation. In an alternative embodiment, a slot is milled into the top surface of the rib to allow use of a ball-nosed end mill having a reduced diameter shank sized to pass through the slot.

Abstract: The invention relates to the design of earth bore-hole drill bits embodying shaped preformed cutters containing hard abrasive materials, such as diamonds, the cutters being mounted in companion preformed sockets in the hard metal bit matrix. The extent of penetration of the preformed cutters into the formation being drilled is controlled by providing surface set diamonds embedded in the matrix at or adjacent to its gage portion, the surface set diamonds projecting from the matrix to a much lesser extent than the preformed cutters. As a result, the surface set diamonds can penetrate into the formation only to the extent determined by engagement of the adjacent face of the matrix with the formation. Although the preformed cutters project from the matrix to a greater distance than the surface set diamonds, their extent of penetration into the formation is no greater than that of the surface set diamonds.

Abstract: A strainer is shown for use with a downhole tool through which drilling fluid is circulated during the drilling of deep oil wells and the like. The strainer provides a plurality of narrow slots which prevent the passage of material therethrough that might be entrained with the fluid and which otherwise would plug ports or nozzles or restrict flow passages below the strainer.