Patents by Inventor Craig H. Cooley

Craig H. Cooley has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240011356
    Abstract: Rotary drill bits may include one or more cutting element assemblies which include a cutter and a mounting system. In one embodiment, the mounting system includes a housing, a first bearing component disposed within the housing, and a second bearing component associated with the cutting element. In certain embodiments, the bearing components may comprise a table of superhard material bonded with a substrate. In one or more embodiments, the bearing components may include bearing surfaces that are arcuate. For example, the bearing surfaces may be substantially spherical (a portion of a sphere). The bearing components may be arranged to act as a radial bearing as well as a thrust bearing for the cutting element, enabling the cutting element to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the cutter, relative to the housing, while also enabling the longitudinal axis of the cutter to be displaced (change angles) relative to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Craig H. Cooley, Keith Baskett
  • Patent number: 11767717
    Abstract: Rotary drill bits may include on or more cutting element assemblies which include a cutter and a mounting system. In one embodiment, the mounting system includes a housing, a first bearing component disposed within the housing, and a second bearing component associated with the cutting element. In certain embodiments, the bearing components may comprise a table of superhard material bonded with a substrate. In one or more embodiments, the bearing components may include bearing surfaces that are arcuate. For example, the bearing surfaces may be substantially spherical (a portion of a sphere). The bearing components may be arranged to act as a radial bearing as well as a thrust bearing for the cutting element, enabling the cutting element to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the cutter, relative to the housing, while also enabling the longitudinal axis of the cutter to be displaced (change angles) relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: Craig H. Cooley, Keith Baskett
  • Patent number: 11649682
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a superabrasive compact including one or more superabrasive cutting portions or segments, rotary drill bits including one or more superabrasive compacts, and related methods (e.g., methods of fabricating and/or operating the superabrasive compacts). For example, the superabrasive compact may include polycrystalline diamond that may form at least a portion of a working surface of the superabrasive compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: David P. Miess, Craig H. Cooley, Brian M. Shuey
  • Patent number: 11180961
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a superabrasive compact including one or more superabrasive cutting portions or segments, rotary drill bits including one or more superabrasive compacts, and related methods (e.g., methods of fabricating and/or operating the superabrasive compacts). For example, the superabrasive compact may include polycrystalline diamond that may form at least a portion of a working surface of the superabrasive compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: David P. Miess, Craig H. Cooley, Brian M. Shuey
  • Publication number: 20210355991
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to tilting pad bearing assemblies and apparatuses. The disclosed tilting pad bearing assemblies and apparatuses may be employed in downhole motors of a subterranean drilling system or other mechanical systems. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly or apparatus includes a support ring and a plurality of tilting pads. Each tilting pad is tilted and/or tiltably secured relative to the support ring. In some embodiments, one or more of the tilting pads include a plurality of superhard bearing segments assembled to form a superhard bearing surface. One or more seams may be positioned between adjacent superhard bearing segments of the superhard bearing segments. In other embodiments, one or more of the tilting pads may include at least one or only one superhard bearing segment, such as a polycrystalline diamond bearing segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Craig H. Cooley, Timothy N. Sexton
  • Patent number: 11078728
    Abstract: Rotary drill bits may include on or more cutting element assemblies which include a cutter and a mounting system. In one embodiment, the mounting system includes a housing, a first bearing component disposed within the housing, and a second bearing component associated with the cutting element. In certain embodiments, the bearing components may comprise a table of superhard material bonded with a substrate. In one or more embodiments, the bearing components may include bearing surfaces that are arcuate. For example, the bearing surfaces may be substantially spherical (a portion of a sphere). The bearing components may be arranged to act as a radial bearing as well as a thrust bearing for the cutting element, enabling the cutting element to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the cutter, relative to the housing, while also enabling the longitudinal axis of the cutter to be displaced (change angles) relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: Craig H. Cooley, Keith Baskett
  • Patent number: 11015646
    Abstract: Tilting pad bearing assemblies and apparatuses are disclosed herein. The disclosed tilting pad bearing assemblies and apparatuses may be employed in downhole motors of a subterranean drilling system or other mechanical systems. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly or apparatus includes a support ring and a plurality of tilting pads. Each tilting pad is tilted and/or tiltably secured relative to the support ring. In some embodiments, one or more of the tilting pads include a plurality of superhard bearing segments assembled to form a superhard bearing surface. One or more seams may be positioned between adjacent superhard bearing segments of the superhard bearing segments. In other embodiments, one or more of the tilting pads may include at least one or only one superhard bearing segment, such as a polycrystalline diamond bearing segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corportation
    Inventors: Craig H. Cooley, Timothy N. Sexton
  • Patent number: 10900520
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to bearing assemblies that include integrated lubrication, bearing apparatuses including such bearing assemblies, and related methods. For example, a lubricated bearing assembly may include a lubricant that may lubricate the bearing surface thereof during operation of the lubricated bearing assembly and/or bearing apparatus including the lubricated bearing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jair J. Gonzalez, Craig H. Cooley
  • Publication number: 20200248743
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to tilting pad bearing assemblies and apparatuses. The disclosed tilting pad bearing assemblies and apparatuses may be employed in downhole motors of a subterranean drilling system or other mechanical systems. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly or apparatus includes a support ring and a plurality of tilting pads. Each tilting pad is tilted and/or tiltably secured relative to the support ring. In some embodiments, one or more of the tilting pads include a plurality of superhard bearing segments assembled to form a superhard bearing surface. One or more seams may be positioned between adjacent superhard bearing segments of the superhard bearing segments. In other embodiments, one or more of the tilting pads may include at least one or only one superhard bearing segment, such as a polycrystalline diamond bearing segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Craig H. Cooley, Timothy N. Sexton
  • Publication number: 20200131855
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) including at least one mechanically-stressed polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table having an upper surface that exhibits a compressive stress state. Providing a selected support structure to the mechanically-stressed PCD table and/or generating a favorable stress state in the upper surface of the mechanically-stressed PCD table may improve a toughness and/or a strength of the mechanically-stressed PCD table and the PDC. In an embodiment, a PDC includes a substrate including an interfacial surface and a preformed PCD table attached to the substrate. The preformed PCD table includes an upper surface spaced from a bottom surface that faces the interfacial surface of the substrate. In such an embodiment, the upper surface of the preformed PCD table exhibits a mechanical deflection and a concave curvature induced by deflecting the preformed PCD table toward the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Craig H. Cooley, Paul Douglas Jones, Landry Patten, Carl Wood
  • Patent number: 10590712
    Abstract: Rotary drill bits may include on or more cutting element assemblies which include a cutter and a mounting system. In one embodiment, the mounting system includes a housing, a first bearing component disposed within the housing, and a second bearing component associated with the cutting element. In certain embodiments, the bearing components may comprise a table of superhard material bonded with a substrate. In one or more embodiments, the bearing components may include bearing surfaces that are arcuate. For example, the bearing surfaces may be substantially spherical (a portion of a sphere). The bearing components may be arranged to act as a radial bearing as well as a thrust bearing for the cutting element, enabling the cutting element to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the cutter, relative to the housing, while also enabling the longitudinal axis of the cutter to be displaced (change angles) relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Craig H. Cooley, Keith Baskett
  • Patent number: 10570953
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to tilting pad bearing assemblies and apparatuses. The disclosed tilting pad bearing assemblies and apparatuses may be employed in downhole motors of a subterranean drilling system or other mechanical systems. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly or apparatus includes a support ring and a plurality of tilting pads. Each tilting pad is tilted and/or tiltably secured relative to the support ring. In some embodiments, one or more of the tilting pads include a plurality of superhard bearing segments assembled to form a superhard bearing surface. One or more seams may be positioned between adjacent superhard bearing segments of the superhard bearing segments. In other embodiments, one or more of the tilting pads may include at least one or only one superhard bearing segment, such as a polycrystalline diamond bearing segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Craig H. Cooley, Timothy N. Sexton
  • Patent number: 10450808
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a superabrasive compact including one or more superabrasive cutting portions or segments, rotary drill bits including one or more superabrasive compacts, and related methods (e.g., methods of fabricating and/or operating the superabrasive compacts). For example, the superabrasive compact may include polycrystalline diamond that may form at least a portion of a working surface of the superabrasive compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: David P. Miess, Craig H. Cooley, Brian M. Shuey
  • Patent number: 10371204
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a bearing assembly may include a support ring to which one or more superhard bearing elements may be mounted. The support ring may include one or more relief features configured to reduce residual stresses in the superhard bearing elements that are induced by brazing the superhard bearing elements to the support ring, operational loads, other processes, or combinations of the foregoing. Reducing the residual stresses in the superhard bearing elements may help prevent damage to the superhard bearing elements. The bearing assembly may be used in subterranean drilling systems and/or other types of systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Craig H. Cooley, Timothy N. Sexton
  • Patent number: 10233971
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to bearing assemblies that include integrated lubrication, bearing apparatuses including such bearing assemblies, and related methods. For example, a lubricated bearing assembly may include a lubricant that may lubricate the bearing surface thereof during operation of the lubricated bearing assembly and/or bearing apparatus including the lubricated bearing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jair J. Gonzalez, Craig H. Cooley
  • Publication number: 20180328403
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to tilting pad bearing assemblies and apparatuses. The disclosed tilting pad bearing assemblies and apparatuses may be employed in downhole motors of a subterranean drilling system or other mechanical systems. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly or apparatus includes a support ring and a plurality of tilting pads. Each tilting pad is tilted and/or tiltably secured relative to the support ring. In some embodiments, one or more of the tilting pads include a plurality of superhard bearing segments assembled to form a superhard bearing surface. One or more seams may be positioned between adjacent superhard bearing segments of the superhard bearing segments. In other embodiments, one or more of the tilting pads may include at least one or only one superhard bearing segment, such as a polycrystalline diamond bearing segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Craig H. Cooley, Timothy N. Sexton
  • Patent number: 10087685
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to superabrasive compacts having a metallic member disposed between a superabrasive body and a substrate; and drill bits and methods of making the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Craig H. Cooley, Carl G. Wood
  • Patent number: 10054154
    Abstract: Tilting pad bearing assemblies and apparatuses are disclosed. The disclosed tilting pad bearing assemblies and apparatuses may be employed in downhole motors of a subterranean drilling system or other mechanical systems. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly or apparatus includes a support ring and a plurality of tilting pads. Each tilting pad is tilted and/or tiltably secured relative to the support ring. In some embodiments, one or more of the tilting pads include a plurality of superhard bearing segments assembled to form a superhard bearing surface. One or more seams may be positioned between adjacent superhard bearing segments of the superhard bearing segments. In other embodiments, one or more of the tilting pads may include at least one or only one superhard bearing segment, such as a polycrystalline diamond bearing segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Craig H. Cooley, Timothy N. Sexton
  • Patent number: 9926977
    Abstract: Bearing apparatuses including contacting bearing surfaces comprising superhard materials are disclosed. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to bearings including polycrystalline diamond inserts or compacts defining a plurality of surfaces that move relative to one another and contact one another. For example, apparatuses may include radial bearings, or other bearings including arcuate bearing surfaces that more in relation to one another, without limitation. In one embodiment, a superhard bearing element may comprise a superhard table (e.g., polycrystalline diamond) forming an arcuate bearing surface. Further, such a superhard bearing element may comprise a chamfer formed about at least a portion of a periphery of the arcuate bearing surface. Bearing apparatuses including such bearing elements and various mechanical systems are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: Craig H. Cooley, Timothy N. Sexton
  • Patent number: 9909366
    Abstract: A cutting element assembly for use on a rotary drill bit for forming a borehole in a subterranean formation. A cutting element assembly includes a cutting element having a substrate. The cutting element assembly additionally includes a superabrasive material bonded to the substrate. The substrate extends from an end surface to a back surface. A base member is also coupled to the back surface of the substrate. Additionally, a recess is defined in the base member and a structural element is coupled to the base member. The cutting element assembly also includes a biasing element configured to selectively bias the structural element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: Craig H. Cooley, Timothy N. Sexton, David P. Miess, Jeffrey B. Lund