Abstract: The present disclosure relates to roller cone drill bit journals with asymmetric ball races and extended friction races. The disclosure also relates to methods of forming such journals, and methods of finishing these journals to produce finished journals with symmetric ball races.

Abstract: A seal assembly includes a seal groove defined at least partially between a first member and a second member rotatable relative to the first member, an annular sealing element positioned in the seal groove and providing a mud surface, a lubricant surface axially opposite the mud surface, an inner radial surface, and an outer radial surface radially opposite the inner radial surface. One of the inner and outer radial surfaces is a dynamic surface that seals against the first member when the sealing element rotates with the second member, or seals against the second member when the second member rotates relative to the sealing element. A lubricant channel is defined through the sealing element and extending between the lubricant surface and the dynamic surface to provide a lubricant to the dynamic surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to roller cone drill bit journals with asymmetric ball races and extended friction races. The disclosure also relates to methods of forming such journals, and methods of finishing these journals to produce finished journals with symmetric ball races.

Abstract: A disclosed example embodiment includes a drill bit used to form wellbores in subterranean formations. The drill bit includes a drill bit body for coupling to a lower end of a drill string. The drill bit body includes at least one support arm having an inwardly extending journal with a journal bearing having at least one radially reduced pocket extending at least partially circumferentially around the journal bearing including a load side of the journal bearing. At least one rotary cutter assembly is rotatably mounted to the journal. A plurality of cutting elements is disposed on the at least one rotary cutter assembly. At least two independent hardmetal pads are positioned within the at least one radially reduced pocket such that the hardmetal pads have a gap disposed therebetween.

Abstract: A disclosed embodiment for a drill bit arm for a rotary subterranean drill bit includes a pocket that extends radially inward from an outer surface of the drill bit arm. The pocket may include a void where work piece material has been removed. The pocket may be next to a leading edge of the drill bit arm and may extend to remove at least a portion of a trailing edge of the drill bit arm. When the drill bit arm includes a lifting surface, the pocket may be next to and follow an upward curvature of the lifting sur face. The pocket may reduce wear and tear on the drill bit arm during operation. The pocket may provide a location for placing a desired piece of equipment, such as an instrumentation element and/or a communication element.

Abstract: A seal assembly includes a seal groove defined at least partially between a first member and a second member rotatable relative to the first member, an annular sealing element positioned in the seal groove and providing a mud surface, a lubricant surface axially opposite the mud surface, an inner radial surface, and an outer radial surface radially opposite the inner radial surface. One of the inner and outer radial surfaces is a dynamic surface that seals against the first member when the sealing element rotates with the second member, or seals against the second member when the second member rotates relative to the sealing element. A lubricant channel is defined through the sealing element and extending between the lubricant surface and the dynamic surface to provide a lubricant to the dynamic surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the effectiveness of bearing seals in a roller cone drill bit. The bit includes a sensor in optical communication with the bearing lubricant. The sensor includes a light source, an optical filter, and an optical detector arranged so that light interacts with the lubricant, is filtered, and detected, wherein the detected light is indicative of the amount of contaminant within the lubricant. The optical filter is preferably an integrated computing element that filters preselected orthogonal components from the light.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to roller cone drill bit journals with asymmetric ball races and extended friction races. The disclosure also relates to methods of forming such journals, and methods of finishing these journals to produce finished journals with symmetric ball races.

Abstract: A disclosed example embodiment includes a drill bit used to form wellbores in subterranean formations. The drill bit includes a drill bit body for coupling to a lower end of a drill string. The drill bit body includes at least one support arm having an inwardly extending journal with a journal bearing having at least one radially reduced pocket extending at least partially circumferentially around the journal bearing including a load side of the journal bearing. At least one rotary cutter assembly is rotatably mounted to the journal. A plurality of cutting elements is disposed on the at least one rotary cutter assembly. At least two independent hardmetal pads are positioned within the at least one radially reduced pocket such that the hardmetal pads have a gap disposed therebetween.

Abstract: A disclosed embodiment for a drill bit arm for a rotary subterranean drill bit includes a pocket that extends radially inward from an outer surface of the drill bit arm. The pocket may include a void where work piece material has been removed. The pocket may be next to a leading edge of the drill bit arm and may extend to remove at least a portion of a trailing edge of the drill bit arm. When the drill bit arm includes a lifting surface, the pocket may be next to and follow an upward curvature of the lifting sur face. The pocket may reduce wear and tear on the drill bit arm during operation. The pocket may provide a location for placing a desired piece of equipment, such as an instrumentation element and/or a communication element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the effectiveness of bearing seals in s roller cone drill bit. The bit includes a sensor in optical communication with the bearing lubricant. The sensor includes a light source, an optical filter, and an optical detector arranged so that light interacts with the lubricant, is filtered, and detected, wherein the detected light is indicative of the amount of contaminant within the lubricant. The optical filter is preferably an integrated computing element that filters preselected orthogonal components from the light.

Abstract: A drill bit includes a floating journal bushing, a seal, a cutter having a seal gland for the seal and a cutter bearing surface proximate to the journal bearing, wherein the cutter bearing surface has a first inner diameter, and a journal, wherein the cutter is rotatably coupled about the journal, wherein the journal bearing is rotatably coupled about the journal, wherein the journal has a seal boss having a first diameter, and a journal bearing surface having a second diameter, and wherein the first diameter is less than the first inner diameter.