Patents by Inventor D. Estes

D. Estes 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).

  • Patent number: 5244050
    Abstract: An earth boring drill bit having a relatively large tool passage port offset to one side of the bit centerline. The port is offset to permit substantially full bottom hole coverage of the cutting structure. The port permits various logging and sampling tools to pass through the bit to allow sampling and testing to be performed without tripping out the drill string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Rock Bit International, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy D. Estes
  • Patent number: 5197555
    Abstract: An improved rotary cone cutter for rock drill bits having circumferential rows of wear resistant inserts. Inserts on the two outermost rows are oriented at an angle in relationship to the axis of the cone to either the leading side or trailing side of the cone. Such orientation will achieve either increased resistance to insert breakage and/or increased rate of penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Rock Bit International, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy D. Estes
  • Patent number: 5189416
    Abstract: A chordal keyboard method and apparatus for generating a key code using a plurality of keys coupled to a controller with a first set of registers and a second set of registers. A user depresses at least one of the plurality of keys. The controller detects, which of the plurality of keys are in a depressed position and which of the plurality of keys are released from the depressed position. The controller sets in the first set of registers and sets in the second set of registers, bit locations of respective depressed keys, and clears in the second set of registers bit locations of respective released keys. When the controller detects that all of the plurality of keys are in a released position, a key code is generated which corresponds to bit locations set in the first set of registers. After generating the key code, the controller clears the first set of registers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Walker-Estes Corporation
    Inventor: Mark D. Estes
  • Patent number: 5145016
    Abstract: An improved rotary rock bit having a circumferential row of wear resistant inserts protruding from the gage surface of each rolling cone cutter. The inserts are designed to efficiently break and remove earth formations. Adequate clearance is provided around the gage inserts for chip formation, chip removal, and insert cooling. These rows of inserts provide reaming action to maintain borehole gage diameter after the primary gage cutting structure has worn or failed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Rock Bit International, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy D. Estes
  • Patent number: 5145017
    Abstract: An improved earth drilling bit and method that cuts at least one annular kerf ahead of at least one rolling cutter and provides for rock chip removal and bit cooling thereby increasing drilling rate and bit performance. One embodiment of the invention includes a bit body having a lower end forming an annular kerf cutter for cutting an outer annular kerf, an inner drill member positioned concentrically within the bit body having a lower end forming an annular kerf cutter for cutting an inner annular kerf, and at least one rolling cutter mounted to the bit body and extending from the interior of the outer kerf cutter to the longitudinal axis of the drill bit. Other embodiments include a chipway port defined by the drill bit for channeling rock chips away from beneath the bit; baffles for directing and accelerating drilling fluid flow; cutting edges having connecting webbs providing egress for rock chip and drilling fluid; and slots extending along the bit body for reducing surge and swab pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventors: Jesse L. Holster, Roy D. Estes, Jack Castle, Paul G. Parys
  • Patent number: 5074367
    Abstract: An improved rotary rock bit is described having a plurality of wear resistant inserts protruding along the leading edge of the bearing segment shanks. These inserts break up large chunks of formation which protrude inward from the borehole wall while drilling fractured or broken hard formations. Thereby protecting the bit from damage and excessive erosion often incurred while drilling hard fractured and broken formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: Rock Bit Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy D. Estes
  • Patent number: 4911252
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for detecting excessive displacement of rotating cutter cones on rotary rock bits used in earth boring. The apparatus causes a detectable pressure change in the pressurized drilling fluid system triggered by a pre-determined displacement of a cone from its normal position. This is accomplished by penetration of a sensor by the displaced cone. In the simplest form the penetrated sensor forms an additional exit port for the drilling fluid thereby reducing pressure. In another embodiment the intact sensor maintains a nozzle restricting object in position within the bit body by a hydraulically actuated retainer penetration of the sensor permits loss of the hydraulic fluid and release of the restricting object which then restricts an exit port causing an immediate pressure increase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Inventor: Roy D. Estes
  • Patent number: 4730681
    Abstract: A cutting cone on a rotary rock bit is captively retained on a journal pin by an annular array of ball bearings disposed in laterally facing annular races formed in the cone and pin. When a predetermined amount of surface wear has occurred between the cone and pin as the bit is operated, one or more of the balls is caused to axially shift into and become trapped in a small lockup grooved formed in the journal pin and communicating with its race. Other balls become wedged between the trapped balls and the cone, thereby rotationally locking the cone on its pin and preventing further pin-cone surface wear which might otherwise cause cone loss. During operation of the bit, the locked cone produces a readily detectable increase in rotary table torque, and a decrease in bit penetration rate, thereby signalling the driller that the bit needs replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: Rock Bit Industries U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Roy D. Estes
  • Patent number: 4707953
    Abstract: A lightweight, free-standing, expandable shelter (10) providing protection against chemical and biological agents and against nuclear fallout. The shelter (10) has a frame comprising a series of U-shaped ribs (12) spaced and held parallel by a series of reinforcing members (16) connecting each adjacent pair of ribs (12) on each side of the shelter (10). A cover (11) made of flexible material which is resistant to chemical and biological agents is attached to the frame. An airtight floor (18) is attached to the cover material (11) so that the shelter (10) can be pressurized to a pressure of about one inch water gauge above ambient pressure, to prevent reverse air flow of contaminated air into the shelter (10). A blower (20) for pressurizing the shelter (10) and a filter (22) capable of filtering out chemical and biological agents are connected to the shelter (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Robert D. Anderson, John D. Estes, John Carta, Gilbert J. Page
  • Patent number: 4637832
    Abstract: A process for purifying aqueous solutions of zinc sulphate removed from leaching processes and containing metals such as Cu, Cd, Ti, Ni, Co, Ge, As, Sb which consists in cementing said metals with zinc dust and with a couple of activators chosen between Cu-As and Cu-Sb in one or more reaction vessels having a bottom portion of cylindrical shape, an intermediate portion of cone frustum shape, and a top portion having an enlarged section thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1987
    Assignee: SAMIM Societa Azionaria Minero-Mettallurgica, S.p.A.
    Inventors: Sergio Cammi, Arturo D'Este, Alessandro Pescetelli
  • Patent number: 4537409
    Abstract: An improved radial rock bit seal for utilization with earth boring drill bits which employ rolling cutters mounted on shafts extending from face surfaces on the drill bit body. The improved seal includes a cylindrical body which is disposed around each shaft and which has two axially displaced seal portions. The first seal portion includes an elastomeric sealing surface which is disposed in sealing and sliding engagement with the shaft. The second seal portion includes an elastomeric sealing surface which is disposed in sealing and sliding engagement with the rolling cutter. A flexible juncture between each of the two seal portions permits the seal portions to move somewhat independently in response to loading of the rolling cutter and this permits both seals to maintain substantially the same seal compression in spite of such loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: Rock Bit Industries U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Roy D. Estes, Beaumont B. Wright
  • Patent number: 4051907
    Abstract: Selective firing system for gun perforating comprising in combination a surface control, and a subsurface master sub together with a multiplicity of identical slave subs each operatively connected with a perforating charge and so interconnected that any of the slave subs may be armed and fired in any order under the control of the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1977
    Assignee: N L Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James D. Estes
  • Patent number: H339
    Abstract: A snap slit door having at least one panel and a flat closure means used to reate tension in the door panel or panels, such tension acting as the closure force generated by the closure means for the door panel or panels. The flat closure means may be adjustable such that the tension and resulting resistance to opening is variable. Said door panel or panels may be of any pliable material to enable use of the panel or panels without hinges, and further to render the flat closure means operational. The panel or panels may be held in the closed position by any means which will self-release upon the exertion of a requisite pressure differential between the inside and outside of the panel or panels, effectively relieving the pressure differential. One such effective self-releasing closure means is a hook and pile patch arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Robert D. Anderson, John Carta, John D. Estes
  • Patent number: H1072
    Abstract: A gas particulate filter system is provided for supplying clean heated air o an operator subjected to ambient environments containing nuclear, biological or chemical contaminants. The filter unit includes replaceable radial flow canister means, centrifugal blower/heater means, continuously variable electronic control means for regulating air temperature and air flow, and clamping means for easy assembly of the components under adverse field conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: John D. Estes, John E. Lambright, Keith J. Conklin