Patents by Inventor Jason Wiggins

Jason Wiggins 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: 20200331811
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) exhibiting enhanced diamond-to-diamond bonding. In an embodiment, PCD includes a plurality of diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions. A metal-solvent catalyst occupies at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions. The plurality of diamond grains and the metal-solvent catalyst collectively exhibit a coercivity of about 115 Oersteds (“Oe”) or more and a specific magnetic saturation of about 15 Gauss·cm3/grams (“G·cm3/g”) or less. Other embodiments are directed to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) employing such PCD, methods of forming PCD and PDCs, and various applications for such PCD and PDCs in rotary drill bits, bearing apparatuses, and wire-drawing dies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Jiang Qian, Jason Wiggins, Michael Vail, Debkumar Mukhopadhyay
  • Patent number: 10703681
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) exhibiting enhanced diamond-to-diamond bonding. In an embodiment, PCD includes a plurality of diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions. A metal-solvent catalyst occupies at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions. The plurality of diamond grains and the metal-solvent catalyst collectively exhibit a coercivity of about 115 Oersteds (“Oe”) or more and a specific magnetic saturation of about 15 Gauss·cm3/grams (“G·cm3/g”) or less. Other embodiments are directed to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) employing such PCD, methods of forming PCD and PDCs, and various applications for such PCD and PDCs in rotary drill bits, bearing apparatuses, and wire-drawing dies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Jiang Qian, Jason Wiggins, Michael Vail, Debkumar Mukhopadhyay
  • Publication number: 20180179114
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) exhibiting enhanced diamond-to-diamond bonding. In an embodiment, PCD includes a plurality of diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions. A metal-solvent catalyst occupies at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions. The plurality of diamond grains and the metal-solvent catalyst collectively exhibit a coercivity of about 115 Oersteds (“Oe”) or more and a specific magnetic saturation of about 15 Gauss·cm3/grams (“G·cm3/g”) or less. Other embodiments are directed to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) employing such PCD, methods of forming PCD and PDCs, and various applications for such PCD and PDCs in rotary drill bits, bearing apparatuses, and wire-drawing dies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Jiang Qian, Jason Wiggins, Michael Vail, Debkumar Mukhopadhyay
  • Patent number: 9932274
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) exhibiting enhanced diamond-to-diamond bonding. In an embodiment, PCD includes a plurality of diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions. A metal-solvent catalyst occupies at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions. The plurality of diamond grains and the metal-solvent catalyst collectively exhibit a coercivity of about 115 Oersteds (“Oe”) or more and a specific magnetic saturation of about 15 Gauss·cm3/grams (“G·cm3/g”) or less. Other embodiments are directed to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) employing such PCD, methods of forming PCD and PDCs, and various applications for such PCD and PDCs in rotary drill bits, bearing apparatuses, and wire-drawing dies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Jiang Qian, Jason Wiggins, Michael Vail, Debkumar Mukhopadhyay
  • Patent number: 9650839
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a superabrasive compact is disclosed in which a heat-absorbing material having a phase-transition temperature lower than a peak operating temperature of a superabrasive table of the superabrasive compact is positioned in the superabrasive compact. In some embodiments, the heat-absorbing material positioned between the substrate and the superabrasive table. In another embodiment, a rotary drill bit is also disclosed including a bit body and at least one cutting element including a substrate and a superabrasive table bonded to the substrate. At least one heat-absorbing material is positioned within the bit body at least proximate to the at least one cutting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Jason Wiggins, Shawn C. Scott
  • Publication number: 20160355440
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) exhibiting enhanced diamond-to-diamond bonding. In an embodiment, PCD includes a plurality of diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions. A metal-solvent catalyst occupies at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions. The plurality of diamond grains and the metal-solvent catalyst collectively exhibit a coercivity of about 115 Oersteds (“Oe”) or more and a specific magnetic saturation of about 15 Gauss·cm3/grams (“G·cm3/g”) or less. Other embodiments are directed to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) employing such PCD, methods of forming PCD and PDCs, and various applications for such PCD and PDCs in rotary drill bits, bearing apparatuses, and wire-drawing dies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Jiang Qian, Jason Wiggins, Michael Vail, Debkumar Mukhopadhyay
  • Patent number: 9459236
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) exhibiting enhanced diamond-to-diamond bonding. In an embodiment, PCD includes a plurality of diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions. A metal-solvent catalyst occupies at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions. The plurality of diamond grains and the metal-solvent catalyst collectively exhibit a coercivity of about 115 Oersteads (“Oe”) or more and a specific magnetic saturation of about 15 Gauss·cm3/grams (“G·cm3/g”) or less. Other embodiments are directed to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) employing such PCD, methods of forming PCD and PDCs, and various applications for such PCD and PDCs in rotary drill bits, bearing apparatuses, and wire-drawing dies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Jiang Qian, Jason Wiggins, Michael A. Vail, Debkumar Mukhopadhyay
  • Patent number: 9404308
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to cutting element assemblies including a superabrasive cutting element that may be axially compressed to enhance the damage tolerance thereof, enclosed in an enclosure that exposes the superabrasive cutting element therethrough, enclosed in an enclosure that restricts rotation of the superabrasive cutting element, or combinations of the foregoing. Additionally, some embodiments relate to cutting element assemblies in which a superabrasive cutting element is mechanically fastened to a base, such as a substrate or directly to a bit body of a rotary drill bit. Some embodiments also relate to cutting element assemblies including one or more superabrasive cutting elements that are rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the cutting element assembly, that may be axially compressed to enhance the damage tolerance thereof, that may be enclosed in an enclosure that exposes the superabrasive cutting element therethrough, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: Jiang Qian, Debkumar Mukhopadhyay, Jason Wiggins, Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Shawn C. Scott, Kevin Duy Nguyen, Michael A. Vail
  • Patent number: 9260923
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a superabrasive compact is disclosed in which a heat-absorbing material having a phase-transition temperature lower than a peak operating temperature of a superabrasive table of the superabrasive compact is positioned in the superabrasive compact. In some embodiments, the heat-absorbing material positioned between the substrate and the superabrasive table. In another embodiment, a rotary drill bit is also disclosed including a bit body and at least one cutting element including a substrate and a superabrasive table bonded to the substrate. At least one heat-absorbing material is positioned within the bit body at least proximate to the at least one cutting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Jason Wiggins, Shawn C. Scott
  • Patent number: 9134275
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) exhibiting enhanced diamond-to-diamond bonding. In an embodiment, PCD includes a plurality of diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions. A metal-solvent catalyst occupies at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions. The plurality of diamond grains and the metal-solvent catalyst collectively exhibit a coercivity of about 115 Oersteads or more and a specific magnetic saturation of about 15 Gauss·cm3/grams or less. Other embodiments are directed to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) employing such PCD, methods of forming PCD and PDCs, and various applications for such PCD and PDCs in rotary drill bits, bearing apparatuses, and wire-drawing dies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Jiang Qian, Jason Wiggins, Michael A. Vail, Debkumar Mukhopadhyay
  • Patent number: 8746376
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to methods of fabricating PCD materials by subjecting a mixture that exhibits a broad diamond particle size distribution to an HPHT process, PCD materials so-formed, and PDCs including a polycrystalline diamond table comprising such PCD materials. In an embodiment, a PCD material includes a plurality of bonded diamond grains that exhibit a substantially unimodal diamond grain size distribution characterized, at least in part, by a parameter ? that is less than about 1.0. ? = x 6 · ? , where x is the average grain size of the substantially unimodal diamond grain size distribution, and ? is the standard deviation of the substantially unimodal diamond grain size distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Vail, Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Jason Wiggins, Jiang Qian, David P. Miess
  • Patent number: 8701798
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to cutting element assemblies including a superabrasive cutting element that may be axially compressed to enhance the damage tolerance thereof, enclosed in an enclosure that exposes the superabrasive cutting element therethrough, enclosed in an enclosure that restricts rotation of the superabrasive cutting element, or combinations of the foregoing. Additionally, some embodiments relate to cutting element assemblies in which a superabrasive cutting element is mechanically fastened to a base, such as a substrate or directly to a bit body of a rotary drill bit. Some embodiments also relate to cutting element assemblies including one or more superabrasive cutting elements that are rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the cutting element assembly, that may be axially compressed to enhance the damage tolerance thereof, that may be enclosed in an enclosure that exposes the superabrasive cutting element therethrough, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: Jiang Qian, Debkumar Mukhopadhyay, Jason Wiggins, Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Shawn C. Scott, Kevin Duy Nguyen, Michael A. Vail
  • Patent number: 8602132
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing sintered superabrasive structures are disclosed. For example, a plurality of agglomerated granules comprising at least one superabrasive material may be provided and exposed to a pressure and a temperature sufficient to sinter the at least one superabrasive material. In another example, a plurality of agglomerated granules comprising diamond may be provided and exposed to a pressure and a temperature sufficient to form polycrystalline diamond. Articles of manufacture including at least one superabrasive material are disclosed. For example, a polycrystalline diamond compact may comprise a volume of polycrystalline diamond bonded to a substrate, wherein the volume of polycrystalline diamond includes a plurality of agglomerated granules which have been sintered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Craig H. Cooley, Jason Wiggins
  • Patent number: 8479845
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to cutting element assemblies including a superabrasive cutting element that may be axially compressed to enhance the damage tolerance thereof, enclosed in an enclosure that exposes the superabrasive cutting element therethrough, enclosed in an enclosure that restricts rotation of the superabrasive cutting element, or combinations of the foregoing. Additionally, some embodiments relate to cutting element assemblies in which a superabrasive cutting element is mechanically fastened to a base, such as a substrate or directly to a bit body of a rotary drill bit. Some embodiments also relate to cutting element assemblies including one or more superabrasive cutting elements that are rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the cutting element assembly, that may be axially compressed to enhance the damage tolerance thereof, that may be enclosed in an enclosure that exposes the superabrasive cutting element therethrough, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: Jiang Qian, Debkumar Mukhopadhyay, Jason Wiggins, Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Shawn C. Scott, Kevin Duy Nguyen, Michael A. Vail
  • Patent number: 8361429
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to methods of fabricating PCD materials by subjecting a mixture that exhibits a broad diamond particle size distribution to an HPHT process, PCD materials so-formed, and PDCs including a polycrystalline diamond table comprising such PCD materials. In an embodiment, a PCD material includes a plurality of bonded diamond grains that exhibit a substantially unimodal diamond grain size distribution characterized, at least in part, by a parameter ? that is less than about 1.0. ? = x 6 · ? , where x is the average grain size of the substantially unimodal diamond grain size distribution, and ? is the standard deviation of the substantially unimodal diamond grain size distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Vail, Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Jason Wiggins, Jiang Qian, David P. Miess
  • Patent number: 8316969
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing sintered superabrasive structures are disclosed. For example, a plurality of agglomerated granules comprising at least one superabrasive material may be provided and exposed to a pressure and a temperature sufficient to sinter the at least one superabrasive material. In another example, a plurality of agglomerated granules comprising diamond may be provided and exposed to a pressure and a temperature sufficient to form polycrystalline diamond. Articles of manufacture including at least one superabrasive material are disclosed. For example, a polycrystalline diamond compact may comprise a volume of polycrystalline diamond bonded to a substrate, wherein the volume of polycrystalline diamond includes a plurality of agglomerated granules which have been sintered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Craig H. Cooley, Jason Wiggins
  • Patent number: 8276691
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to rotary drill bits that employ superabrasive cutting elements including a diamond-silicon carbide composite table. In an embodiment, a rotary drill bit includes a bit body configured to engage a subterranean formation. The bit body includes a plurality of blades. The rotary drill bit further includes a plurality of superabrasive cutting elements. Each of the superabrasive cutting elements is attached to a corresponding one of the cutting blades. At least one of the superabrasive cutting elements includes a substrate and a superabrasive table bonded to the substrate. The superabrasive table comprises diamond-silicon carbide composite including a matrix comprising nanometer-sized silicon carbide grains and micrometer-sized diamond grains dispersed through the matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: Jiang Qian, Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Michael A. Vail, Jason Wiggins, Jim I. Dewberry, David P. Miess
  • Publication number: 20120181090
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to rotary drill bits that employ superabrasive cutting elements including a diamond-silicon carbide composite table. In an embodiment, a rotary drill bit includes a bit body configured to engage a subterranean formation. The bit body includes a plurality of blades. The rotary drill bit further includes a plurality of superabrasive cutting elements. Each of the superabrasive cutting elements is attached to a corresponding one of the cutting blades. At least one of the superabrasive cutting elements includes a substrate and a superabrasive table bonded to the substrate. The superabrasive table comprises diamond-silicon carbide composite including a matrix comprising nanometer-sized silicon carbide grains and micrometer-sized diamond grains dispersed through the matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jiang Qian, Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Michael A. Vail, Jason Wiggins, Jim I. Dewberry, David P. Miess
  • Patent number: 8168115
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to superabrasive compacts including a diamond-silicon carbide composite table, and methods of fabricating such superabrasive compacts. In an embodiment, a method of fabricating a superabrasive compact is disclosed. An assembly comprising a mixture including diamond particles and silicon is formed. The silicon comprises amorphous silicon, crystalline silicon crystallized from amorphous silicon formed by a milling process, or combinations thereof. A substrate is positioned in proximity to the mixture. The assembly is subjected to a high-pressure/high-temperature process to form a superabrasive compact comprising a superabrasive table bonded to the substrate. The superabrasive table comprises diamond-silicon carbide composite including diamond grains dispersed through a matrix of silicon carbide grains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: Jiang Qian, Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Michael A. Vail, Jason Wiggins, Jim I. Dewberry, David P. Miess
  • Patent number: 8158258
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) exhibiting enhanced diamond-to-diamond bonding. In an embodiment, PCD includes a plurality of diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions. A metal-solvent catalyst occupies at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions. The plurality of diamond grains and the metal-solvent catalyst collectively exhibit a coercivity of about 115 Oersteads (“Oe”) or more and a specific magnetic saturation of about 15 Gauss·cm3/grams (“G·cm3/g”) or less. Other embodiments are directed to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) employing such PCD, methods of forming PCD and PDCs, and various applications for such PCD and PDCs in rotary drill bits, bearing apparatuses, and wire-drawing dies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Jiang Qian, Jason Wiggins, Michael Vail