Patents by Inventor Jim Minikus

Jim Minikus 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).

  • Drill bit arcuate-shaped inserts with cutting edges and method of manufacture
    Patent number: 7331410
    Abstract: Disclosed are a variety of arcuate-shaped inserts for drill bits, and in particular, for placement in rolling cone cutters of drill bits. The arcuate inserts include 360° or ring-shaped inserts, as well as inserts of smaller arcuate length. The arcuate inserts are suitable for use in all surfaces of the rolling cone cutter, and in other locations in drill bits, and may have specialized cutting surfaces and material enhancements to enhance their cutting duty performance. Certain arcuate inserts may include stress relieving discontinuities such that, upon assembly into the cone or during drilling, the arcuate inserts may fragment in a controlled and predicted manner into shorter arcuate lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhou Yong, Jim Minikus, Armardeep Singh, Quan Nguyen, Sharath Kolachalam
  • Arcuate-shaped inserts for drill bit
    Publication number: 20050077092
    Abstract: Disclosed are a variety of arcuate-shaped inserts for drill bits, and in particular, for placement in rolling cone cutters of drill bits. The arcuate inserts include 360° or ring-shaped inserts, as well as inserts of smaller arcuate length. The arcuate inserts are suitable for use in all surfaces of the rolling cone cutter, and in other locations in drill bits, and may have specialized cutting surfaces and material enhancements to enhance their cutting duty performance. Certain arcuate inserts may include stress relieving discontinuities such that, upon assembly into the cone or during drilling, the arcuate inserts may fragment in a controlled and predicted manner into shorter arcuate lengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Applicant: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhou Yong, Jim Minikus, Amardeep Singh, Quan Nguyen, Sharath Kolachalam
  • Arcuate-shaped inserts for drill bits
    Patent number: 6823951
    Abstract: Disclosed are a variety of arcuate-shaped inserts for drill bits, and in particular, for placement in rolling cone cutters of drill bits. The arcuate inserts include 360 degree or ring-shaped inserts, as well as inserts of smaller arcuate length. The arcuate inserts may include stress relieving discontinuities such that, upon assembly into the cone, the arcuate inserts fragment in a controlled and predicted manner into shorter arcuate lengths. The arcuate inserts are suitable for use in all surfaces of the rolling cone cutter, and in other locations in drill bits, and may have specialized cutting surfaces and material enhancements to enhance their cutting duty performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhou Yong, Jim Minikus, Amardeep Singh