Abstract: A radial bearing having a wear surface with improved wear characteristics comprises a steel support, to which is bonded a metal carbide composite wear surface made by first arranging, within a cavity defined between a steel mold and the steel support, tiles made of microwave sintered, cemented metal carbide, closely packing the voids between the tiles with metal carbide powder, and infiltrating the mold cavity with a metal brazing alloy by subjecting the filled mold to rapid heating. The brazing alloy fills voids between the metal carbide particles, the microwave sintered metal carbide tiles, and the metal support, thereby relatively rapidly consolidating the carbide into a wear layer bonded with the steel support without substantially damaging the properties of the microwave-sintered metal carbide tiles.

Abstract: A radial bearing having a wear surface with improved wear characteristics comprises a steel support, to which is bonded a metal carbide composite wear surface made by first arranging, within a cavity defined between a steel mold and the steel support, tiles made of microwave sintered, cemented metal carbide, closely packing the voids between the tiles with metal carbide powder, and infiltrating the mold cavity with a metal brazing alloy by subjecting the filled mold to rapid heating. The brazing alloy fills voids between the metal carbide particles, the microwave sintered metal carbide tiles, and the metal support, thereby relatively rapidly consolidating the carbide into a wear layer bonded with the steel support without substantially damaging the properties of the microwave-sintered metal carbide tiles.

Abstract: A radial bearing having a wear surface with improved wear characteristics comprises a steel support, to which is bonded a metal carbide composite wear surface made by first arranging, within a cavity defined between a steel mold and the steel support, tiles made of microwave sintered, cemented metal carbide, closely packing the voids between the tiles with metal carbide powder, and infiltrating the mold cavity with a metal brazing alloy by subjecting the filled mold to rapid heating. The brazing alloy fills voids between the metal carbide particles, the microwave sintered metal carbide tiles, and the metal support, thereby relatively rapidly consolidating the carbide into a wear layer bonded with the steel support without substantially damaging the properties of the microwave-sintered metal carbide tiles.

Abstract: A radial bearing having a wear surface with improved wear characteristics comprises a steel support, to which is bonded a metal carbide composite wear surface made by first arranging, within a cavity defined between a steel mold and the steel support, tiles made of microwave sintered, cemented metal carbide, closely packing the voids between the tiles with metal carbide powder, and infiltrating the mold cavity with a metal brazing alloy by subjecting the filled mold to rapid heating. The brazing alloy fills voids between the metal carbide particles, the microwave sintered metal carbide tiles, and the metal support, thereby relatively rapidly consolidating the carbide into a wear layer bonded with the steel support without substantially damaging the properties of the microwave-sintered metal carbide tiles.

Abstract: A wear insert comprised of cemented metal carbide is welded to a workpiece made of steel or cemented metal carbide without causing fracturing of the carbide or creating residual stresses that reduce the impact resistance of the part. The part is fabricated using a microwave sintering process prior to welding.

Abstract: A radial bearing having a wear surface with improved wear characteristics comprises a steel support, to which is bonded a metal carbide composite wear surface made by first arranging, within a cavity defined between a steel mold and the steel support, tiles made of microwave sintered, cemented metal carbide, closely packing the voids between the tiles with metal carbide powder, and infiltrating the mold cavity with a metal brazing alloy by subjecting the filled mold to rapid heating. The brazing alloy fills voids between the metal carbide particles, the microwave sintered metal carbide tiles, and the metal support, thereby relatively rapidly consolidating the carbide into a wear layer bonded with the steel support without substantially damaging the properties of the microwave-sintered metal carbide tiles.

Abstract: A downhole tool utilizing microwave energy for stimulating production of hydrocarbons from a drilled well. A microwave generator is disposed within the body of the tool and supplied with power from the surface. Microwaves generated by the tool are applied to a refractory dielectric material disposed at a lower end of the tool or to dielectric material in fluids circulated into the wellbore, or directly to the formation.

Abstract: A wear insert comprised of cemented metal carbide is welded to a workpiece made of steel or cemented metal carbide without causing fracturing of the carbide or creating residual stresses that reduce the impact resistance of the part. The part is fabricated using a microwave sintering process prior to welding.

Abstract: A head for a golf club used for hitting balls long distances, or for putting, has a hitting or contact surface formed by an insert placed within a pocket formed within the club head face. The insert has at least a surface layer made of polycrystalline diamond or cubic boron nitride. The insert may be polished very smooth to place less backspin on the ball and reduce surface flaws. The edges of the insert may also be rounded or chamfered to reduce chipping or cracking of the insert. Furthermore, the pocket into which the insert is set may be reinforced to reduce deformation of the pocket during ball contact that places stress on the insert.

Abstract: This disclosure features a process of making a two part drill bit insert, namely, a body portion of hard particles such as tungsten carbide particles mixed in an alloy binding the particles. The alloy preferably comprises 6% cobalt with amounts up to about 10% permitted. The body is sintered into a solid member, and also joined to a PDC crown covering the end. The crown is essentially free of cobalt. The process sinters the crown and body while preserving the body and crown cobalt differences.

Abstract: A drilling tool having a pilot bit on an end of a main shaft is surrounded by outer shafts having mills on their ends. The bit and mills employ cutters with PDC. The pilot bit rotates in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the mills. A transmission for rotating a main shaft, on which the pilot bit is mounted, and several secondary shafts, on which the mills are respectively mounted, is carried within a housing using diamond thrust and radial bearings. Power is applied to the main shaft and transmitted to the secondary shafts through diamond hardened gears. Drilling fluid is used to cool and lubricate the bearings and gears.

Abstract: A cutting element which has a metal carbide stud having a conic tip formed with a reduced diameter hemispherical outer tip end portion of said metal carbide stud. A layer of polycrystalline material, resistant to corrosive and abrasive materials, is disposed over the outer end portion of the metal carbide stud to form a cap. An alternate conic form has a flat tip face. A chisel insert has a transecting edge and opposing flat faces. It is also covered with a PDC layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to buttons, inserts and bodies for rock drilling, rock cutting, metal cutting and wear part applications. The buttons, inserts and bodies comprise cemented carbide provided with bodies and/or layers of CVD- or PVD-fabricated diamond and then HP/HT treated in the diamond stable area. The bodies of cemented carbide may have a uniform structure or a multi-structure containing eta-phase surrounded by a surface zone of cemented carbide free of eta-phase.

Abstract: A cutting element which has a metal carbide stud having a conic tip formed with a reduced diameter hemispherical outer tip end portion of said metal carbide stud. A layer of polycrystalline material, resistant to corrosive and abrasive materials, is disposed over the outer end portion of the metal carbide stud to form a cap. An alternate conic form has a flat tip face. A chisel insert has a transecting edge and opposing flat faces. It is also covered with a PDC layer.

Abstract: An insert for a drill bit is set forth. The insert is formed with an elongate body, typically having a cylindrical cross section terminating at an exposed outer end. The outer end is covered with a polycrystalline disc. In the present disclosure, the polycrystalline disc is reinforced with an insert which is wholly captured in the polycrystalline material. In one form, a circular disc is set forth. In another aspect, multiple reinforcing members can be incorporated. They have the form of multiple discs. This reduces stress concentration in the polycrystalline clad insert.

Abstract: The present disclosure sets forth various forms of inserts for operating as elements in bearing drill bits and similar devices. A single insert is formed with an external side face of cylindrical construction. One or more strips of hardened materials such as diamond or other hard material are provided along the side face. At the end face, the insert incorporates exposed tungsten carbide, diamond or other hard material. A PDC layer is optionally placed over the end face. The PDC layer has the form of a covering terminating at a radius of curvature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to buttons, inserts and bodies for rock drilling, rock cutting, metal cutting and wear part applications. The buttons, inserts and bodies comprise cemented carbide provided with bodies and/or layers of CVD- or PVD-fabricated diamond and then HP/HT treated in the diamond stable area. The bodies of cemented carbide may have a uniform structure or a multi-structure containing eta-phase surrounded by a surface zone of cemented carbide free of eta-phase.

Abstract: A method of forming a bearing assembly is set forth. A PCD disk typically of circular construction is joined to a cylindrical plug formed of support metal. The plug is registered with respect to an internal shoulder in a passage formed in a ring for the bearing assembly. Multiple PCD disks are installed in the same fashion. In assembly, the disk is attached to the cylinder, the cylinder is wrapped in brazed material, then the cylinder with the brazed material wrapping is registered on an internal shoulder in a drilled passage in the bearing assembly. A brazing temperature which is too low to damage the material is applied to complete joinder. Then, multiple disk faces supported by individual disk in a circle around the bearing assembly can be lapped to assure that they are brought to a common height with respect to a reference plane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rock bit button of cemented carbide for percussive or rotary crushing rock drilling. The button is provided with a layer of diamond produced at high pressure and high temperature in the diamond stable area.The cemented carbide has a multi-phase structure having a core that contains eta-phase surrounded by a surface zone of cemented carbide free of eta-phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to buttons, inserts and bodies for rock drilling, rock cutting, metal cutting and wear part applications. The buttons, inserts and bodies comprise cemented carbide provided with bodies and/or layers of CVD- or PVD-fabricated diamond and then HP/HT treated in the diamond stable area. The bodies of cemented carbide may have a uniform structure or a multi-structure containing eta-phase surrounded by a surface zone of cemented carbide free of eta-phase.