Patents by Inventor Roy D. Estes

Roy D. Estes 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).

  • Patent number: 7025155
    Abstract: A roller cone body defines a circumferential channel or race into which a plurality of cutter or wear segments are mounted. The wear segments may be of any appropriate contour or shape, such as for example chisel, spherical, or even flat face and are preferably made or carbide. The wear elements may be all the same within a channel or race, or they may be varied within a race as needed for a particular application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Rock Bit International, L.P.
    Inventor: Roy D. Estes
  • Patent number: 6904984
    Abstract: The present invention addresses this need in the art by providing a cutter insert comprising a plug section and a cutter pedestal. The cutter insert is preferably formed of tungsten carbide, except for two exterior surfaces covered with PDC. The plug section may be circular or oval in cross section perpendicular to the axis of the insert. The plug section and the pedestal each defines a shoulder which is coated with a PDC layer. In this way, two cutting surfaces are applied to the formation, enhancing the cutting ability of the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Rock Bit L.P.
    Inventors: Roy D. Estes, Jack Castle
  • Patent number: 6902014
    Abstract: A roller cone bi-center bit for economically drilling an enlarged borehole below casing in earth formation is provided. The bi-center bit includes a rolling cone cutter or other appropriate cutter to enlarge a pilot bore also made by rolling cone or other type of cutters. The bit comprises a single-diameter body with a recess to accommodate the trailing cutter which enlarges the pilot bore. The bi-center bit may also provide the ability to change out the cutters efficiently in the field. The cutters are oriented to enhance drilling out the cement plug at the bottom of the casing. The cone cutter may be also be mounted on segments which are designed to be easily removed for replacement or adjustment in position in the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Rock Bit L.P.
    Inventor: Roy D. Estes
  • Patent number: 6745858
    Abstract: An adjustable earth boring device for provides a strong, easy to use, adjustable mount for cutters on earth boring devices. In a preferred embodiment, the device includes a grooved, wedge-shaped pocket and matching cutter segment with means to secure the cutter segment in the pocket. The wedge shaped pocket in the boring head is axially aligned with the boring device. Each side of the pocket has deep grooves somewhat resembling bolt threads. A slot in the rear of the pocket receives a bolt to secure the segment tightly in place. Threaded holes in the bottom of the pocket receive bolts through the cutter segment for a back up securing means. The cutter segment has a rolling cone cutter or series of blades or picks for cutting earth formations on the head end and a wedge shaped mounting body supporting it. The grooves are constructed such that the segments can be mounted at differing heights from the centerline of the boring head, thus determining the diameter which the boring device will cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Rock Bit International
    Inventor: Roy D. Estes
  • Patent number: 5454437
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved roller cone core bit comprising a plurality of cone cutters facing inboard and a single cone cutter facing outboard. The single outboard facing cone cutter provides additional cutting elements for cutting a core. The single outboard facing cone cutter also creates an unbalanced loading condition on the core bit causing the bit to drill smoother than conventional reversed cone core bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Rock Bit International, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy D. Estes
  • Patent number: 5244050
    Abstract: An earth boring drill bit having a relatively large tool passage port offset to one side of the bit centerline. The port is offset to permit substantially full bottom hole coverage of the cutting structure. The port permits various logging and sampling tools to pass through the bit to allow sampling and testing to be performed without tripping out the drill string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Rock Bit International, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy D. Estes
  • Patent number: 5197555
    Abstract: An improved rotary cone cutter for rock drill bits having circumferential rows of wear resistant inserts. Inserts on the two outermost rows are oriented at an angle in relationship to the axis of the cone to either the leading side or trailing side of the cone. Such orientation will achieve either increased resistance to insert breakage and/or increased rate of penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Rock Bit International, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy D. Estes
  • Patent number: 5145017
    Abstract: An improved earth drilling bit and method that cuts at least one annular kerf ahead of at least one rolling cutter and provides for rock chip removal and bit cooling thereby increasing drilling rate and bit performance. One embodiment of the invention includes a bit body having a lower end forming an annular kerf cutter for cutting an outer annular kerf, an inner drill member positioned concentrically within the bit body having a lower end forming an annular kerf cutter for cutting an inner annular kerf, and at least one rolling cutter mounted to the bit body and extending from the interior of the outer kerf cutter to the longitudinal axis of the drill bit. Other embodiments include a chipway port defined by the drill bit for channeling rock chips away from beneath the bit; baffles for directing and accelerating drilling fluid flow; cutting edges having connecting webbs providing egress for rock chip and drilling fluid; and slots extending along the bit body for reducing surge and swab pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventors: Jesse L. Holster, Roy D. Estes, Jack Castle, Paul G. Parys
  • Patent number: 5145016
    Abstract: An improved rotary rock bit having a circumferential row of wear resistant inserts protruding from the gage surface of each rolling cone cutter. The inserts are designed to efficiently break and remove earth formations. Adequate clearance is provided around the gage inserts for chip formation, chip removal, and insert cooling. These rows of inserts provide reaming action to maintain borehole gage diameter after the primary gage cutting structure has worn or failed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Rock Bit International, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy D. Estes
  • Patent number: 5074367
    Abstract: An improved rotary rock bit is described having a plurality of wear resistant inserts protruding along the leading edge of the bearing segment shanks. These inserts break up large chunks of formation which protrude inward from the borehole wall while drilling fractured or broken hard formations. Thereby protecting the bit from damage and excessive erosion often incurred while drilling hard fractured and broken formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: Rock Bit Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy D. Estes
  • Patent number: 4911252
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for detecting excessive displacement of rotating cutter cones on rotary rock bits used in earth boring. The apparatus causes a detectable pressure change in the pressurized drilling fluid system triggered by a pre-determined displacement of a cone from its normal position. This is accomplished by penetration of a sensor by the displaced cone. In the simplest form the penetrated sensor forms an additional exit port for the drilling fluid thereby reducing pressure. In another embodiment the intact sensor maintains a nozzle restricting object in position within the bit body by a hydraulically actuated retainer penetration of the sensor permits loss of the hydraulic fluid and release of the restricting object which then restricts an exit port causing an immediate pressure increase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Inventor: Roy D. Estes
  • Patent number: 4730681
    Abstract: A cutting cone on a rotary rock bit is captively retained on a journal pin by an annular array of ball bearings disposed in laterally facing annular races formed in the cone and pin. When a predetermined amount of surface wear has occurred between the cone and pin as the bit is operated, one or more of the balls is caused to axially shift into and become trapped in a small lockup grooved formed in the journal pin and communicating with its race. Other balls become wedged between the trapped balls and the cone, thereby rotationally locking the cone on its pin and preventing further pin-cone surface wear which might otherwise cause cone loss. During operation of the bit, the locked cone produces a readily detectable increase in rotary table torque, and a decrease in bit penetration rate, thereby signalling the driller that the bit needs replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: Rock Bit Industries U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Roy D. Estes
  • Patent number: 4537409
    Abstract: An improved radial rock bit seal for utilization with earth boring drill bits which employ rolling cutters mounted on shafts extending from face surfaces on the drill bit body. The improved seal includes a cylindrical body which is disposed around each shaft and which has two axially displaced seal portions. The first seal portion includes an elastomeric sealing surface which is disposed in sealing and sliding engagement with the shaft. The second seal portion includes an elastomeric sealing surface which is disposed in sealing and sliding engagement with the rolling cutter. A flexible juncture between each of the two seal portions permits the seal portions to move somewhat independently in response to loading of the rolling cutter and this permits both seals to maintain substantially the same seal compression in spite of such loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: Rock Bit Industries U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Roy D. Estes, Beaumont B. Wright