Patents by Inventor Gary E. Garcia

Gary E. Garcia 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).

  • Cutter element with non-linear, expanded crest
    Patent number: 6782959
    Abstract: A cutter element for a drill bit has a crest that defines a crest line. The crest can be non-rectilinear. The crest line of each cutter element defines an angle with respect to the axis of the rolling cone on which the cutter element is mounted. The cutter elements define different angles with respect to the cone axis and with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Minikus, Chris E. Cawthorne, Stephen C. Steinke, Gary R. Portwood, Gary E. Garcia, David P. Moran, Quan V. Nguyen
  • Cutter element with non-linear, expanded crest
    Publication number: 20030188896
    Abstract: A cutter element for a drill bit has a non-rectilinear crest. The cutter element has a base portion and an extending portion and the extending portion has either a zero draft or a negative draft with respect to the base portion. The non-positive draft allows more of the borehole bottom to be scraped using fewer cutter elements. The cutter elements having non-positive draft can be either tungsten carbide inserts or steel teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Applicant: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Minikus, Chris E. Cawthorne, Stephen C. Steinke, Gary R. Portwood, Gary E. Garcia, David P. Moran, Quan V. Nguyen
  • Cutter element with non-linear, expanded crest
    Patent number: 6561293
    Abstract: A cutter element for a drill bit has a non-rectilinear crest. The cutter element has a base portion and an extending portion and the extending portion has either a zero draft or a negative draft with respect to the base portion. The non-positive draft allows more of the borehole bottom to be scraped using fewer cutter elements. The cutter elements having non-positive draft can be either tungsten carbide inserts or steel teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Minikus, Chris E. Cawthorne, Stephen C. Steinke, Gary R. Portwood, Gary E. Garcia, David P. Moran, Quan V. Nguyen
  • Steel tooth cutter element with expanded crest
    Patent number: 6367568
    Abstract: A cutter element for a drill bit. The cutter element has a base portion and an extending portion and the extending portion has either a zero draft or a negative draft with respect to the base portion. The non-positive draft allows more of the borehole bottom to be scraped using fewer cutter elements. The cutter elements having non-positive draft can be either tungsten carbide inserts or steel teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Steinke, Gary R. Portwood, Gary E. Garcia, David P. Moran, Quan V. Nguyen
  • Steel tooth cutter element with expanded crest
    Publication number: 20010027881
    Abstract: A cutter element for a drill bit. The cutter element has a base portion and an extending portion and the extending portion has either a zero draft or a negative draft with respect to the base portion. The non-positive draft allows more of the borehole bottom to be scraped using fewer cutter elements. The cutter elements having non-positive draft can be either tungsten carbide inserts or steel teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventors: Stephen C. Steinke, Gary R. Portwood, Gary E. Garcia, David P. Moran
  • Cutter element with non-linear, expanded crest
    Publication number: 20010025728
    Abstract: A cutter element for a drill bit has a non-rectilinear crest. The cutter element has a base portion and an extending portion and the extending portion has either a zero draft or a negative draft with respect to the base portion. The non-positive draft allows more of the borehole bottom to be scraped using fewer cutter elements. The cutter elements having non-positive draft can be either tungsten carbide inserts or steel teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventors: James C. Minikus, Chris E. Cawthorne, Stephen C. Steinke, Gary R. Portwood, Gary E. Garcia, David P. Moran
  • Cutter element with expanded crest geometry
    Patent number: 6241034
    Abstract: A cutter element for a drill bit. The cutter element has a base portion and an extending portion and the extending portion has either a zero draft or a negative draft with respect to the base portion. The non-positive draft allows more of the borehole bottom to be scraped using fewer cutter elements. The cutter elements having non-positive draft can be either tungsten carbide inserts or steel teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Steinke, Gary R. Portwood, Gary E. Garcia, David P. Moran
  • Cutter element with non-rectilinear crest
    Patent number: 6161634
    Abstract: A cutter element for a drill bit. The cutter element has a non-rectilinear crest. The non-rectilinear or curvilinear crest provides an advantageous distribution of the cutting forces across the body of the cutter elements and thus improves bit life. The curvilinear crest also allows the cutter element to more efficiently lift the portion of the formation that is being cut, thereby improving cutting action in certain formations. The cutter elements can have either positive or non-positive draft and can be tungsten carbide inserts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Inventors: James C. Minikus, Chris E. Cawthorne, Stephen C. Steinke, Gary R. Portwood, Gary E. Garcia, David P. Moran