Abstract: A downhole cutting tool may include a cutting element support, structure having a plurality of cutter pockets formed therein; and a plurality of rotatable cutters disposed in the plurality of cutter pockets, wherein at least one rotatable cutter is spaced from another rotatable cutter on the cutting element support structure by at least one-quarter of the diameter of the at least one rotatable cutter.

Abstract: A downhole cutting tool may include a tool body having at least one cutting element support structure formed thereon, wherein the at least one cutting element support structure comprises at least one cutter pocket formed therein; at least one cutter having at least substantially unobstructed cutting face retained within the at least one cutter pocket, the cutter pocket preventing substantial lateral movement of the at least one cutter; and at least one retention element interfacing a portion of a circumferential surface of the at least one cutter.

Abstract: A drill bit includes a bit body, a plurality of blades extending radially from the bit body, a plurality of cutter pockets disposed on the plurality of blades, at least one rolling cutter disposed in one of the cutter pockets, wherein each rolling cutter has a substrate, a cutting face, a cutting edge, and a side surface, and at least one blocker positioned adjacent to each of the at least one rolling cutters on a leading face of the blade, wherein each blocker has a retention end and an attachment end. The retention end of each blocker is positioned adjacent to a portion of the cutting face of each rolling cutter to retain the rolling cutter in the cutter pocket and the attachment end is attached to a portion of the blade.

Abstract: A downhole cutting tool may include a tool body having at least one cutting element support structure formed thereon, wherein the at least one cutting element support structure comprises at least one cutter pocket formed therein; at least one cutter having at least substantially unobstructed cutting face retained within the at least one cutter pocket, the cutter pocket preventing substantial lateral movement of the at least one cutter; and at least one retention element interfacing a portion of a circumferential surface of the at least one cutter.

Abstract: A downhole cutting tool may include a cutting element support, structure having a plurality of cutter pockets formed therein; and a plurality of rotatable cutters disposed in the plurality of cutter pockets, wherein at least one rotatable cutter is spaced from another rotatable cutter on the cutting element support structure by at least one-quarter of the diameter of the at least one rotatable cutter.

Abstract: A drill bit having a bit body, a plurality of blades extending radially from the bit body, a plurality of cutter pockets disposed on the plurality of blades, at least one rolling cutter disposed in one of the cutter pockets, wherein each rolling cutter has a substrate, a cutting face, a cutting edge, and a side surface, and at least one blocker positioned adjacent to each of the at least one rolling cutters on a leading face of the blade, wherein each blocker has a retention end and an attachment end is disclosed. The retention end of each blocker is positioned adjacent to a portion of the cutting face of each rolling cutter to retain the rolling cutter in the cutter pocket and the attachment end is attached to a portion of the blade.

Abstract: A roller cone drill bit is disclosed which includes a bit body adapted to be coupled to a drill string. A bearing journal depends from the bit body. A single roller cone is rotatably attached to the bearing journal. The roller cone has a plurality of inserts disposed at selected positions about the cone. The journal defines a rotation angle with respect to an axis of rotation of the bit such that the roller cone includes a wall contact zone and a bottom contact zone. At least one of the inserts disposed in the wall contact zone has an extension portion terminating in a substantially planar upper surface.

Abstract: A roller cone drill bit is disclosed which includes a bit body adapted to be coupled to a drill string. A bearing journal depends from the bit body. A single roller cone is rotatably attached to the bearing journal. The roller cone has a plurality of inserts disposed at selected positions about the cone. The journal defines a rotation angle with respect to an axis of rotation of the bit such that the roller cone includes a wall contact zone and a bottom contact zone. At least one of the inserts disposed in the wall contact zone has an extension portion terminating in a substantially planar upper surface.

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 roller cone drill bit is disclosed which includes a bit body adapted to be coupled to a drill string. A bearing journal depends from the bit body. A single roller cone is rotatably attached to the bearing journal. The roller cone has a plurality of inserts disposed at selected positions about the cone. The journal defines a rotation angle with respect to an axis of rotation of the bit such that the roller cone includes a wall contact zone and a bottom contact zone. At least one of the inserts disposed in the wall contact zone has an extension portion terminating in a substantially planar upper surface.

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: Ordered elastomeric composites comprise an ordered arrangement of a number of first elastomeric phases distributed uniformly within a continuous matrix second elastomeric phase. The second phase can be formed from an elastomeric material that is relatively harder than an elastomeric material that is used to form the first phases. Each first phase can be in the form of a core having a defined length and diameter, and the second phase can be formed from a number of shells that each surround a respective core. In a preferred embodiment, the arrangement of cores and shells are aligned coaxially with one another to provide a cellular structure. Ordered elastomeric composites of this invention can be used to form part of or an entire elastomeric seal, e.g., in the form of an annular ring adapted for use in a rotary cone drill bit.

Abstract: A roller cone drill bit is disclosed which includes a bit body adapted to be coupled to a drill string. A bearing journal depends from the bit body. A single roller cone is rotatably attached to the bearing journal. The roller cone has a plurality of inserts disposed at selected positions about the cone. The journal defines a rotation angle with respect to an axis of rotation of the bit such that the roller cone includes a wall contact zone and a bottom contact zone. At least one of the inserts disposed in the wall contact zone has an extension portion terminating in a substantially planar upper surface.

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: A roller cone drill bit is disclosed which includes a bit body adapted to be coupled to a drill string. A bearing journal depends from the bit body. A single roller cone is rotatably attached to the bearing journal. The roller cone has a plurality of inserts disposed at selected positions about the cone. The journal defines a rotation angle with respect to an axis of rotation of the bit such that the roller cone includes a wall contact zone and a bottom contact zone. At least one of the inserts disposed in the wall contact zone has an extension portion terminating in a substantially planar upper surface.

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 method of forming a tooth rock bit is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes attaching the at least one cutting element to a surface of a cone, and depositing a hard facing layer on at least one cutting element prior to the attaching.

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: Ordered elastomeric composites comprise an ordered arrangement of a number of first elastomeric phases distributed uniformly within a continuous matrix second elastomeric phase. The second phase can be formed from an elastomeric material that is relatively harder than an elastomeric material that is used to form the first phases. Each first phase can be in the form of a core having a defined length and diameter, and the second phase can be formed from a number of shells that each surround a respective core. In a preferred embodiment, the arrangement of cores and shells are aligned coaxially with one another to provide a cellular structure. Ordered elastomeric composites of this invention can be used to form part of or an entire elastomeric seal, e.g., in the form of an annular ring adapted for use in a rotary cone drill bit.