Abstract: A drill bit has a formation engaging face through which a plurality of counterbores are formed. A stud assembly having a polycrystalline diamond face thereon is forced into the counterbore in a close tolerance relationship therewith thereby providing frictional forces which prevent movement of the stud assembly respective to the drill bit. A passageway leads from the bottom of the counterbore back to a wall surface of the bit and emerges in spaced relationship respective to the entrance of the counterbore. Hydraulic pressure is effected within the passageway, thereby moving the stud assembly with a piston-like action. The stud assembly is next rotated to bring a new cutting face into cutting position. A tool, made in accordance with the present invention, forces the stud assembly back into the counterbore.

Abstract: A drill bit has a formation engaging face from which there extends a plurality of stud assemblies having a diamond cutting face thereon. Each of the stud assemblies are mounted within a socket by a close tolerance press fit. A reduced diameter rearwardly extending passageway leads from the rear of the socket back up to the face of the bit so that when the diamond face of the stud assembly becomes worn, a tool can be extended through the passageway to the rear of the socket and into contact with the stud assembly to force the stud assembly from the socket. The stud assembly is then rotated a few degrees to present a new cutting edge to the formation, and pressed back into the socket, thereby returning the drill bit to like new condition.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for manufacturing polycrystalline diamond stud assemblies for a drill bit. The stud assembly is cylindrical in form and has a truncation at one marginal end thereof. The truncated end includes a shelf which forms a land positioned perpendicular to a back to provide a seat for the polycrystalline diamond cutter element. The land and back lie in perpendicular planes which intersect the longitudinal axial centerline of the stud. The cutter element is semicircular in form and represents a cylinder or wafer which has been bisected by cutting so that the diameter of the cylinder is received against the land while the rear face of the cutter element is received against the back. The cutter element is fabricated in a fixture having a cavity therein which receives the stud and element therewithin, and spaced abutment means so that one abutment means can be moved towards the other to place the elements of the stud assembly in compression.

Abstract: A drill bit having a lower formation engaging face thereon and a plurality of radially spaced apart slots which communicate the face with an upper reduced part of the bit body so that drilling fluid can be returned to the surface of the earth. The bit has an internal counterbore which terminates short of the face and forms a passageway through which drilling fluid can flow. A plurality of radially spaced apart lateral passageways communicate the axial counterbore with the slots. A nozzle passageway communicates the face of the bit with the outer marginal end of the lateral passageways, and the lateral passageways are plugged adjacent to the slots. A nozzle is placed within the outer marginal end of the nozzle passageways. Drilling fluid is forced to flow down through the axial counterbore, and through the nozzles which are affixed to the face of the bit.

Abstract: A bit breaker and handle for use in conjunction with a drill bit. The bit breaker is in the form of a plate member which is provided with an outside edge having a configuration to be drivingly received within the kelly drive of a drilling rig turntable. The plate is apertured to telescopingly receive a marginal length of the main body of the bit therethrough. A plurality of lugs are circumferentially placed about the aperture. The lugs are slidably received within an enlarged marginal length of the external bit passageways, and abuttingly engage a shoulder formed at the outlet end of the passageway. The drill tubing is held while the turntable is rotated in the appropriate direction to "make up" or "break out" the tubing threads respective to the threads of the bit. The external passageways are further provided with radially extending counterbores which receive the marginal end of a handle therewithin so that the bit can be easily lifted respective to the plate member.

Abstract: A non-volatile storage module as utilized in a controller for directing a plurality of control registers of a host machine. The controller includes a central processor that is communicatively coupled through a system bus having control data, and address lines to the module and host machine. The non-volatile storage module includes a data memory operative to interface with the system bus for storing data, and for input-output of the data therefrom through the system bus upon command of the central processor. In addition, the module further includes a power storage unit coupled to the data memory for distributing a plurality of power signals from the host machine through a plurality of critical and non-critical power lines to the data memory for providing a power source that may be utilized therein for a power down condition and for sensing a power down condition on the critical power line from the power storage unit for the switching thereof to the data memory.