Abstract: A drill bit for drilling through an earthen formation to form a borehole includes a bit body having a central axis, an internal plenum, and an underside. The underside includes an annular outer region. The bit body includes an outer receptacle extending from the plenum to the outer region. In addition, the drill bit comprises a first and a second cone cutter. Each cone cutter comprises an outer region distal the bit axis. Further the drill bit comprises an outer sleeve having an upstream end received by the outer sleeve receptacle and a through passage. The through passage includes an upstream section having an upstream axis and a downstream section having a downstream axis that is skewed at an angle ? relative to the upstream axis. A projection of the downstream axis passes between the outer regions of the first and second cone cutters.

Abstract: A drill bit for drilling through an earthen formation to form a borehole with a radius R. In an embodiment, the drill bit comprises a bit body having a central bit axis and including a pin end, an internal plenum, and a dome side. The dome side includes a central dome region extending from the bit axis to about 10% of the radius R and an intermediate dome region extending from the central region to about 50% of the radius R. In addition, the drill bit comprises an intermediate receptacle having a central axis and extending through the intermediate dome region. Further, the drill bit comprises a first and a second rolling cone, each including an intermediate cone region. A projection of the central axis of the intermediate receptacle passes between the intermediate regions of the first cone and the second cone.

Abstract: A two-cone drill bit with a hydraulic arrangement that can be used for one or more of the following: cleaning roller cones, impinging on a hole bottom, or inducing a helical flow field. A two-cone drill bit having a bit body formed from two leg sections and two spacing members. Methods of manufacturing a two-cone drill bit. Methods of improving hydraulics of a two-cone drill bit.

Abstract: A method for forming a nozzle retention body suitable for engagement to a drill bit includes manufacturing an unfinished nozzle retention body which includes an upper end and a lower end. The upper end forms an inlet that transitions into a flowbore. The lower end has a nozzle receptacle passage machined therein toward the flowbore at an angle with respect to the lower end of the flowbore.

Abstract: A two-cone drill bit with a hydraulic arrangement that can be used for one or more of the following: cleaning roller cones, impinging on a hole bottom, or inducing a helical flow field. A two-cone drill bit having a bit body formed from two leg sections and two spacing members; methods of manufacturing a two-cone drill bit; and methods of improving hydraulics of a two-cone drill bit are disclosed.

Abstract: A drill bit for drilling through an earthen formation to form a borehole. In an embodiment, the drill bit comprises a bit body having a central axis, an internal plenum, and an underside. The underside includes an annular outer region. The bit body includes an outer receptacle extending from the plenum to the outer region. In addition, the drill bit comprises a first and a second cone cutter. Each cone cutter comprises an outer region distal the bit axis. Further the drill bit comprises an outer sleeve having an upstream end received by the outer sleeve receptacle and a through passage. The through passage includes an upstream section having an upstream axis and a downstream section having a downstream axis that is skewed at an angle ? relative to the upstream axis. A projection of the downstream axis passes between the outer regions of the first and second cone cutters.

Abstract: A drill bit for drilling through an earthen formation to form a borehole with a radius R. In an embodiment, the drill bit comprises a bit body having a central bit axis and including a pin end, an internal plenum, and a dome side. The dome side includes a central dome region extending from the bit axis to about 10% of the radius R and an intermediate dome region extending from the central region to about 50% of the radius R. In addition, the drill bit comprises an intermediate receptacle having a central axis and extending through the intermediate dome region. Further, the drill bit comprises a first and a second rolling cone, each including an intermediate cone region. A projection of the central axis of the intermediate receptacle passes between the intermediate regions of the first cone and the second cone.

Abstract: Self relieving seals of this invention comprise an elastomeric seal body having a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface for contact with respective drill bit sealing surfaces. The seal includes a pair of external surfaces that each extend along the seal body between the first and second sealing surfaces. The seal includes one or more relief ports that are disposed through the seal body and that have openings through each of the seal body external surfaces. The relief port can be specially configured, e.g., have different diameter sections of constant or variable dimensions, to provide a degree of control over pressure equalization through the seal body when the seal is loaded within the drill bit. The seal may include an element, e.g., solid, tubular, or porous, disposed within the relief port to provide a further desired degree of control over pressure equalization through the seal when the seal is loaded within the drill bit.

Abstract: A drill bit configures hydraulic streams from the bit nozzles for the particular cutting structure to be cleaned based on the cutting structure location and geometry. The projected impingement location for each hydraulic stream projected fluid path is customized for a corresponding roller cone, with each nozzle or nozzle receptacle being individually positioned according to improve cone cleaning. At least two nozzles or nozzle receptacles should differ on the drill bit.

Abstract: A rotary cone rock bit includes one or more hole cleaning nozzles and one or more bit cleaning nozzles. The hole cleaning nozzles of one drill bit define a projected fluid path disposed at a lateral angle of less than six degrees in order to achieve a large impingement pressure on the hole bottom. The bit cleaning nozzles of the same drill bit define a projected fluid path disposed at a lateral angle of at least six degrees in order to pass within 0.5 inches of the teeth on leading edge of the lagging roller cone. This results in a drill bit that both cleans the bottom hole and cleans cone inserts.

Abstract: Self relieving seals of this invention comprise an elastomeric seal body having a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface for contact with respective drill bit sealing surfaces. The seal includes a pair of external surfaces that each extend along the seal body between the first and second sealing surfaces. The seal includes one or more relief ports that are disposed through the seal body and that have openings through each of the seal body external surfaces. The relief port can be specially configured, e.g., have different diameter sections of constant or variable dimensions, to provide a degree of control over pressure equalization through the seal body when the seal is loaded within the drill bit. The seal may include an element, e.g., solid, tubular, or porous, disposed within the relief port to provide a further desired degree of control over pressure equalization through the seal when the seal is loaded within the drill bit.

Abstract: A multi-stage diffuser nozzle for use as a drill bit nozzle jet includes a flow restriction portion upstream of a fluidic distributor portion, and also preferably includes a transition region between these two. The flow restrictor communicates with the interior fluid plenum of a drill bit and is used to limit or restrict the total flow of drilling fluid by having a relatively small cross-sectional area for fluid flow. The fluidic distributor communicates with the flow restrictor and reduces the exit flow velocities of the drilling fluid as the drilling fluid is ejected from the nozzle by providing a relatively larger cross-sectional area for fluid flow. The fluidic distributor also directs the flow paths of the drilling fluid to locations such as cone surfaces that are prone to bit balling. The transition region is an area that dampens fluid pressure oscillations in the drilling fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a roller cone drill bit that has improved flow characteristics. The roller cone drill bit includes forming at least one relief region inside a bit body of the roller cone drill bit on a ledge formed between a fluid plenum and at least one of the fluid orifices. A method of locating the at least one relief region is also disclosed.

Abstract: Self relieving seals of this invention comprise an elastomeric seal body having a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface for contact with respective drill bit sealing surfaces. The seal includes a pair of external surfaces that each extend along the seal body between the first and second sealing surfaces. The seal includes one or more relief ports that are disposed through the seal body and that have openings through each of the seal body external surfaces. The relief port can be specially configured, e.g., have different diameter sections of constant or variable dimensions, to provide a degree of control over pressure equalization through the seal body when the seal is loaded within the drill bit. The seal may include an element, e.g., solid, tubular, or porous, disposed within the relief port to provide a further desired degree of control over pressure equalization through the seal when the seal is loaded within the drill bit.

Abstract: A rolling cone rock bit having one or more nozzle retention bodies attached by a single orientation mounting is disclosed, as is the associated method for its manufacture. The upper end of the nozzle retention body has a fluid inlet in communication with the internal fluid plenum of the drill bit, and the lower end of the nozzle retention body includes a fluid outlet that defines an exit flow angle. The fluid outlet is located between two rolling cones, but is positioned closer to one of the cones than the other. Further, the exit flow angle is preferably within 3 degrees of parallel to the drill bit longitudinal axis and, even more preferably, is parallel with the drill bit longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A rolling cone rock bit having one or more nozzle retention bodies attached by a single orientation mounting is disclosed, as is the associated method for its manufacture. The upper end of the nozzle retention body has a fluid inlet in communication with the internal fluid plenum of the drill bit, and the lower end of the nozzle retention body includes a fluid outlet that defines an exit flow angle. The fluid outlet is located between two rolling cones, but is positioned closer to one of the cones than the other. Further, the exit flow angle is preferably within 3 degrees of parallel to the drill bit longitudinal axis and, even more preferably, is parallel with the drill bit longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A multi-stage diffuser nozzle for use as a drill bit nozzle jet includes a flow restriction portion upstream of a fluidic distributor portion, and also preferably includes a transition region between these two. The flow restrictor communicates with the interior fluid plenum of a drill bit and is used to limit or restrict the total flow of drilling fluid by having a relatively small cross-sectional area for fluid flow. The fluidic distributor communicates with the flow restrictor and reduces the exit flow velocities of the drilling fluid as the drilling fluid is ejected from the nozzle by providing a relatively larger cross-sectional area for fluid flow. The fluidic distributor also directs the flow paths of the drilling fluid to locations such as cone surfaces that are prone to bit balling. The transition region is an area that dampens fluid pressure oscillations in the drilling fluid.

Abstract: Self relieving seals of this invention comprise an elastomeric seal body having a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface for contact with respective drill bit sealing surfaces. The seal includes a pair of external surfaces that each extend along the seal body between the first and second sealing surfaces. The seal includes one or more relief ports that are disposed through the seal body and that have openings through each of the seal body external surfaces. The relief port can be specially configured, e.g., have different diameter sections of constant or variable dimensions, to provide a degree of control over pressure equalization through the seal body when the seal is loaded within the drill bit. The seal may include an element, e.g., solid, tubular, or porous, disposed within the relief port to provide a further desired degree of control over pressure equalization through the seal when the seal is loaded within the drill bit.

Abstract: A rolling cone rock bit having one or more nozzle retention bodies attached by a single orientation mounting is disclosed, as is the associated method for its manufacture. The upper end of the nozzle retention body has a fluid inlet in communication with the internal fluid plenum of the drill bit, and the lower end of the nozzle retention body includes a fluid outlet that defines an exit flow angle. The fluid outlet is located between two rolling cones, but is positioned closer to one of the cones than the other. Further, the exit flow angle is preferably within 3 degrees of parallel to the drill bit longitudinal axis and, even more preferably, is parallel with the drill bit longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A multi-stage diffuser nozzle for use as a drill bit nozzle jet includes a flow restriction portion upstream of a fludic distributor portion, and also preferably includes a transition region between these two. The flow restrictor communicates with the interior fluid plenum of a drill bit and is used to limit or choke the total flow of drilling fluid by having a relatively small cross-sectional area for fluid flow. The fluidic distributor communicates with the flow restrictor and reduces the exit flow velocities of the drilling fluid as the drilling fluid is ejected from the nozzle by providing a relatively larger cross-sectional area for fluid flow. The fluidic distributor also directs the flow paths of the drilling fluid to locations such as cone surfaces that are prone to bit balling. The transition region is an area that dampens fluid pressure oscillations in the drilling fluid.