Patents by Inventor Thomas W. Oldham
Thomas W. Oldham 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).
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Patent number: 10350731Abstract: Thermally stable diamond constructions comprise a diamond body having a plurality of bonded diamond crystals, a plurality of interstitial regions disposed among the crystals, and a substrate attached to the body. The body includes a working surface and a side surface extending away from the working surface to the substrate. The body comprises a first region adjacent the side surface that is substantially free of a catalyst material and that extends a partial depth into the diamond body. The first region can further extend to at least a portion of the working surface and a partial depth therefrom into the diamond body. The diamond body can be formed from natural diamond grains and/or a mixture of natural and synthetic diamond grains. A surface of the diamond body is treated to provide the first region, and before treatment is finished to an approximate final dimension.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2013Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: Ronald K. Eyre, Anthony Griffo, Thomas W. Oldham
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Patent number: 9145739Abstract: A cutting tool includes a tool body having a longitudinal axis and a cutting face, a plurality of blades spaced azimuthally about the cutting face and extending at least laterally through a gage region, and a plurality of cutters disposed along the blades. At least two different types of back reaming elements may be disposed on a transitional surface between the gage region of at least one blade and a connection end of the cutting tool. Alternatively, at least one back reaming element may be disposed on a transitional surface between the gage region of at least one blade and a connection end of the cutting tool, and a wear resistant material provided on or in the transitional surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2011Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: Carl Hoffmaster, Shelton W Alsup, Michael G. Azar, Thomas W. Oldham, Stuart R. Oliver, Sidney J. Isnor
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Patent number: 8881851Abstract: Thermally-stable polycrystalline diamond materials comprise a first phase including a plurality of bonded together diamond crystals, and a second phase including a reaction product formed between a binder/catalyst material and a material reactive with the binder/catalyst material. The reaction product is disposed within interstitial regions of the polycrystalline diamond material that exists between the bonded diamond crystals. The first and second phases are formed during a single high pressure/high temperature process condition. The reaction product has a coefficient of thermal expansion that is relatively closer to that of the bonded together diamond crystals than that of the binder/catalyst material.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2008Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: John Daniel Belnap, Stewart N. Middlemiss, Anthony Griffo, Thomas W. Oldham, Kumar T. Kembaiyan
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Publication number: 20140182215Abstract: Thermally stable diamond constructions comprise a diamond body having a plurality of bonded diamond crystals, a plurality of interstitial regions disposed among the crystals, and a substrate attached to the body. The body includes a working surface and a side surface extending away from the working surface to the substrate. The body comprises a first region adjacent the side surface that is substantially free of a catalyst material and that extends a partial depth into the diamond body. The first region can further extend to at least a portion of the working surface and a partial depth therefrom into the diamond body. The diamond body can be formed from natural diamond grains and/or a mixture of natural and synthetic diamond grains. A surface of the diamond body is treated to provide the first region, and before treatment is finished to an approximate final dimension.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2013Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Ronald K. Eyre, Anthony Griffo, Thomas W. Oldham
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Patent number: 8562703Abstract: Thermally stable diamond constructions comprise a diamond body having a plurality of bonded diamond crystals and a plurality of interstitial regions disposed among the crystals. A metallic substrate is attached to the diamond body. A working surface is positioned along an outside portion of the diamond body, and the diamond body comprises a first region that is substantially free of a catalyst material, and a second region that includes the catalyst material. The diamond body first region extends from the working surface to depth of at least about 0.02 mm to a depth of less than about 0.09 mm. The diamond body includes diamond crystals having an average diamond grain size of greater than about 0.02 mm, and comprises at least 85 percent by volume diamond based on the total volume of the diamond body.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2012Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: Ronald K. Eyre, Anthony Griffo, Thomas W. Oldham
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Publication number: 20120247029Abstract: Thermally stable diamond constructions comprise a diamond body having a plurality of bonded diamond crystals and a plurality of interstitial regions disposed among the crystals. A metallic substrate is attached to the diamond body. A working surface is positioned along an outside portion of the diamond body, and the diamond body comprises a first region that is substantially free of a catalyst material, and a second region that includes the catalyst material. The diamond body first region extends from the working surface to depth of at least about 0.02 mm to a depth of less than about 0.09 mm. The diamond body includes diamond crystals having an average diamond grain size of greater than about 0.02 mm, and comprises at least 85 percent by volume diamond based on the total volume of the diamond body.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Ronald K. Eyre, Anthony Griffo, Thomas W. Oldham
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Patent number: 8235149Abstract: A drill bit that includes a steel bit body having at least one blade thereon, at least one cutter pocket disposed on the at least one blade; at least one cutter disposed in the at least one cutter pocket; at least one recess formed in at least a portion of the surface of the at least one cutter pocket, wherein the recess is adjacent a leading face of the at least one blade; and an erosion resistant material in the at least one recess is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2009Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: Alan W. Lockstedt, Thomas W. Oldham
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Patent number: 8147572Abstract: Thermally stable diamond constructions comprise a diamond body having a plurality of bonded diamond crystals and a plurality of interstitial regions disposed among the crystals. A metallic substrate is attached to the diamond body. A working surface is positioned along an outside portion of the diamond body, and the diamond body comprises a first region that is substantially free of a catalyst material, and a second region that includes the catalyst material. The diamond body first region extends from the working surface to depth of at least about 0.02 mm to a depth of less than about 0.09 mm. The diamond body includes diamond crystals having an average diamond grain size of greater than about 0.02 mm, and comprises at least 85 percent by volume diamond based on the total volume of the diamond body.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2007Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: Ronald K. Eyre, Anthony Griffo, Thomas W. Oldham
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Publication number: 20120024604Abstract: The invention provides a fixed cutter drill bit for drilling through unconsolidated, highly abrasive formations. The bit includes a bit body having a cutting face and a side portion. The bit body comprising carbide matrix material. A plurality of blades azimuthally spaced about the cutting face and a plurality of cutters disposed along the blades. At least one gage pad is disposed along a side of the bit body and includes wear resistant gage elements formed of a material more wear resistant than the matrix material forming a portion of the gage pad. The wear resistant elements have a rounded surface and are embedded in gage pad material proximal a leading edge of the gage pad to provide a rounded wear-resistant edge or surface proximal the leading edge.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2011Publication date: February 2, 2012Inventors: Carl Hoffmaster, Shelton W. Alsup, Michael G. Azar, Thomas W. Oldham, Stuart R. Oliver, Sidney J. Isnor
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Patent number: 8056650Abstract: Thermally stable ultra-hard compact constructions of this invention comprise an ultra-hard material body that includes a thermally stable region positioned adjacent a surface of the body. The thermally stable region is formed from consolidated materials that are thermally stable at temperatures greater than about 750° C. The thermally stable region can occupy a partial portion of or the entire ultra-hard material body. The ultra-hard material body can comprise a composite of separate ultra-hard material elements that each form different regions of the body, at least one of the regions being thermally stable. The ultra-hard material body is attached to a desired substrate, an intermediate material is interposed between the body and the substrate, and the intermediate material joins the substrate and body together by high pressure/high temperature process.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2010Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: Stewart N. Middlemiss, J. Daniel Belnap, Nephi Mourik, Thomas W. Oldham, Anthony Griffo
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Patent number: 7997358Abstract: A bit body formed of a mixture of matrix material and superabrasive powder and including pockets lined with superabrasive-free matrix material, and a method for forming the same, are provided. The pockets are shaped to receive cutting elements therein. The superabrasive-free matrix material enhances braze strength when a cutting element is brazed to surfaces of the pocket. The method for forming the drill bit body includes providing a mold and displacements. The displacements are coated with a mixture of superabrasive free matrix-material and an organic binder. The mold is packed with a mixture of matrix material and superabrasive powder and the arrangement heated to form a solid drill bit body. When the solid bit body is removed from the mold, pockets are formed by the displacements in the bit body and are lined with the layer of superabrasive-free matrix material. The superabrasive material may be diamond, polycrystalline cubic boron nitride, SiC or TiB2 in exemplary embodiments.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2009Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: Saul N Izaguirre, Thomas W. Oldham, Kumar T Kembaiyan, Gary Chunn, Anthony Griffo, Robert Denton, Brian A White
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Publication number: 20110056753Abstract: Thermally stable ultra-hard compact constructions of this invention comprise an ultra-hard material body that includes a thermally stable region positioned adjacent a surface of the body. The thermally stable region is formed from consolidated materials that are thermally stable at temperatures greater than about 750° C. The thermally stable region can occupy a partial portion of or the entire ultra-hard material body. The ultra-hard material body can comprise a composite of separate ultra-hard material elements that each form different regions of the body, at least one of the regions being thermally stable. The ultra-hard material body is attached to a desired substrate, an intermediate material is interposed between the body and the substrate, and the intermediate material joins the substrate and body together by high pressure/high temperature process.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2010Publication date: March 10, 2011Inventors: Stewart N. Middlemiss, J. Daniel Belnap, Nephi Mourik, Thomas W. Oldham, Anthony Griffo
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Publication number: 20110005837Abstract: The invention provides a fixed cutter drill bit for drilling through unconsolidated, highly abrasive formations. The bit includes a bit body having a cutting face and a side portion. The bit body comprising carbide matrix material. A plurality of blades azimuthally spaced about the cutting face and a plurality of cutters disposed along the blades. At least one gage pad is disposed along a side of the bit body and includes wear resistant gage elements formed of a material more wear resistant than the matrix material forming a portion of the gage pad. The wear resistant elements have a rounded surface and are embedded in gage pad material proximal a leading edge of the gage pad to provide a rounded wear-resistant edge or surface proximal the leading edge.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2010Publication date: January 13, 2011Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Carl Hoffmaster, Shelton W. Alsup, Michael G. Azar, Thomas W. Oldham, Stuart R. Oliver, Sidney J. Isnor
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Patent number: 7845059Abstract: An insert for a drill bit that includes diamond particles disposed in a matrix material, wherein the diamond particles have a contiguity of 15% or less is disclosed. A method of forming a diamond-impregnated cutting structure, that includes loading a plurality of substantially uniformly coated diamond particles into a mold cavity, pre-compacting the substantially uniformly coated diamond particles using a cold-press cycle, and heating the compacted, substantially uniformly coated diamond particles with a matrix material to form the diamond impregnated cutting structure is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2008Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: Gregory T. Lockwood, Thomas W. Oldham, Anthony Griffo, Madapusi K. Keshavan, David A. Conroy
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Patent number: 7828088Abstract: Thermally stable ultra-hard compact constructions of this invention comprise an ultra-hard material body that includes a thermally stable region positioned adjacent a surface of the body. The thermally stable region is formed from consolidated materials that are thermally stable at temperatures greater than about 750° C. The thermally stable region can occupy a partial portion of or the entire ultra-hard material body. The ultra-hard material body can comprise a composite of separate ultra-hard material elements that each form different regions of the body, at least one of the regions being thermally stable. The ultra-hard material body is attached to a desired substrate, an intermediate material is interposed between the body and the substrate, and the intermediate material joins the substrate and body together by high pressure/high temperature process.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2008Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: Stewart N. Middlemiss, J. Daniel Belnap, Nephi Mourik, Thomas W. Oldham, Anthony Griffo
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Patent number: 7798256Abstract: The invention provides a fixed cutter drill bit for drilling through unconsolidated, highly abrasive formations. The bit includes a bit body having a cutting face and a side portion. The bit body comprising carbide matrix material. A plurality of blades azimuthally spaced about the cutting face and a plurality of cutters disposed along the blades. At least one gage pad is disposed along a side of the bit body and includes wear resistant gage elements formed of a material more wear resistant than the matrix material forming a portion of the gage pad. The wear resistant elements have a rounded surface and are embedded in gage pad material proximal a leading edge of the gage pad to provide a rounded wear-resistant edge or surface proximal the leading edge.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2006Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: Carl Hoffmaster, Shelton W Alsup, Michael G. Azar, Thomas W. Oldham, Stuart R. Oliver, Sidney J. Isnor
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Patent number: 7754333Abstract: Thermally stable diamond constructions comprise a diamond body having a plurality of bonded diamond crystals and a plurality of interstitial regions disposed among the crystals. A metallic substrate is attached to the diamond body. A working surface is positioned along an outside portion of the diamond body, and the diamond body comprises a first region that is substantially free of a catalyst material, and a second region that includes the catalyst material. The diamond body first region extends from the working surface to depth of at least about 0.02 mm to a depth of less than about 0.09 mm. The diamond body includes diamond crystals having an average diamond grain size of greater than about 0.02 mm, and comprises at least 85 percent by volume diamond based on the total volume of the diamond body.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2004Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: Ronald K. Eyre, Anthony Griffo, Thomas W. Oldham
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Publication number: 20100101868Abstract: A bit body formed of a mixture of matrix material and superabrasive powder and including pockets lined with superabrasive-free matrix material, and a method for forming the same, are provided. The pockets are shaped to receive cutting elements therein. The superabrasive-free matrix material enhances braze strength when a cutting element is brazed to surfaces of the pocket. The method for forming the drill bit body includes providing a mold and displacements. The displacements are coated with a mixture of superabrasive free matrix-material and an organic binder. The mold is packed with a mixture of matrix material and superabrasive powder and the arrangement heated to form a solid drill bit body. When the solid bit body is removed from the mold, pockets are formed by the displacements in the bit body and are lined with the layer of superabrasive-free matrix material. The superabrasive material may be diamond, polycrystalline cubic boron nitride, SiC or TiB2 in exemplary embodiments.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2009Publication date: April 29, 2010Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Saul N. Izaguirre, Thomas W. Oldham, Kumar T. Kembaiyan, Gary R. Chunn, Anthony Griffo, Robert Denton, Brian White
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Publication number: 20100101869Abstract: A drill bit that includes a steel bit body having at least one blade thereon, at least one cutter pocket disposed on the at least one blade; at least one cutter disposed in the at least one cutter pocket; at least one recess formed in at least a portion of the surface of the at least one cutter pocket, wherein the recess is adjacent a leading face of the at least one blade; and an erosion resistant material in the at least one recess is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2009Publication date: April 29, 2010Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Alan W. Lockstedt, Thomas W. Oldham
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Patent number: 7661491Abstract: A new composition for forming a matrix body which includes spherical sintered tungsten carbide and an infiltration binder including one or more metals or alloys is disclosed. In some embodiments, the composition may include a Group VIIIB metal selected from one of Ni, Co, Fe, and alloys thereof. Moreover, the composition may also include cast tungsten carbide. In addition, the composition may also include carburized tungsten carbide.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2007Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: Kumar T. Kembaiyan, Thomas W. Oldham