Patents by Inventor Youhe Zhang

Youhe Zhang 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).

  • Composite cutter substrate to mitigate residual stress
    Patent number: 8702825
    Abstract: A method of forming a cutting element that includes filling at least one non-planar region on an upper surface of a carbide substrate with a diamond mixture, subjecting the substrate and the diamond mixture to high pressure high temperature sintering conditions to form a reduced-CTE substrate having polycrystalline diamond that extends a depth into the reduced-CTE substrate in an interface region, and an upper surface made of a composite surface of diamond and carbide, and attaching a polycrystalline diamond body to the composite surface of the reduced-CTE substrate is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuelin Shen, Youhe Zhang, Jibin Shi, Yuri Burhan, Gregory T. Lockwood
  • MATRIX BODY FIXED CUTER BITS
    Publication number: 20140083019
    Abstract: A drill bit that includes a bit body having a plurality of blades extending radially therefrom, at least a portion of the plurality of blades comprises a first matrix region comprising a plurality of first carbide particles separated by a first binder phase, each of the first carbide particles comprising a mixture of WC and W2C, and wherein the first matrix region has less than about 5 percent by volume, based on the total volume of the first matrix region, of complex metal carbides dispersed in the first binder phase; and at least one cutting element for engaging a formation disposed on at least one of the plurality of blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory T. Lockwood, Youhe Zhang
  • ROLLING CUTTER WITH CLOSE LOOP RETAINING RING
    Publication number: 20140054094
    Abstract: A cutting element is disclosed that includes a sleeve, a rotatable cutting element, and at least one retaining ring. The sleeve has a first inner diameter and a second inner diameter, wherein the second inner diameter is larger than the first inner diameter and located at a lower axial position than the first inner diameter. The rotatable cutting element has an axis of rotation extending therethrough, a cutting face, a body extending axially downward from the cutting face, wherein the body has a shaft that is disposed within the sleeve, and a circumferential groove formed around an outer surface of the shaft. The at least one retaining ring is disposed in the circumferential groove and extends at least around the entire circumference of the shaft, wherein the at least one retaining ring protrudes from the circumferential groove, thereby retaining the rotatable cutting element within the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuri Burhan, Jibin Shi, Chen Chen, Youhe Zhang
  • CUTTING ELEMENTS HAVING CUTTING EDGES WITH CONTINUOUS VARYING RADII AND BITS INCORPORATING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20140041948
    Abstract: A cutting element is provided having a substrate and an ultra hard material cutting layer over the substrate. The cutting layer includes a surface portion for making contact with a material to be cut by the cutting element. The surface portion in cross-section has a curvature that has a varying radius of curvature. A bit incorporating such a cutting element is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: YUELIN SHEN, YOUHE ZHANG, MICHAEL JANSSEN
  • CUTTING ELEMENTS WITH RE-PROCESSED THERMALLY STABLE POLYCRYSTALLINE DIAMOND CUTTING LAYERS, BITS INCORPORATING THE SAME, AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20140034396
    Abstract: A method of re-processing used TSP material layers to form cutting elements, bits with such cutting elements mounted on their bodies, and bits having re-processed TSP material layers attached to their bodies, as well as such cutting elements and bits are provided. The method includes providing a used TSP material cutting element having a TSP material layer and substrate, or a bit having a TSP material layer attached to the bit, removing the used TSP material layer from the cutting element or bit, cutting the used TSP material layer to a new shape, if necessary, optionally re-leaching the used TSP layer and re-using the TSP material layer to form a cutting element, or in forming a bit body. The formed cutting element may be mounted on a bit body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: YOUHE ZHANG, YUELIN SHEN, MADAPUSI K. KESHAVAN
  • CUTTING ELEMENTS, METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING SUCH CUTTING ELEMENTS, AND TOOLS INCORPORATING SUCH CUTTING ELEMENTS
    Publication number: 20140013671
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to cutting elements incorporating polycrystalline diamond bodies used for subterranean drilling applications, and more particularly, to polycrystalline diamond bodies having a high diamond content which are configured to provide improved properties of thermal stability and wear resistance, while maintaining a desired degree of impact resistance, when compared to prior polycrystalline diamond bodies. In various embodiments disclosed herein, a cutting element with high diamond content includes a modified PCD structure and/or a modified interface (between the PCD body and a substrate), to provide superior performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: J. DANIEL BELNAP, GEORGIY VORONIN, FENG YU, PETER T. CARIVEAU, YOUHE ZHANG, YUELIN SHEN, GUODONG ZHAN
  • Pulsed electrical field assisted or spark plasma sintered polycrystalline ultra hard material and thermally stable ultra hard material cutting elements and compacts and methods of forming the same
    Patent number: 8617274
    Abstract: The present invention relates to ultra-hard cutting elements, and in particular cutting elements or compacts formed by a pulsed electrical field assisted HPHT sintering process or a spark plasma HPHT sintering process. In an embodiment, a method of forming a polycrystalline ultra-hard material includes providing a mixture of ultra-hard particles, placing the mixture of ultra-hard particles into an enclosure, placing the enclosure into a press cell assembly having a heater, applying a repeated high-energy pulse of direct current to the heater to heat the ultra-hard particles, and pressing the enclosure at sufficient pressure to form a polycrystalline ultra-hard material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Guodong Zhan, Youhe Zhang, Yuelin Shen
  • Matrix body fixed cutter bits
    Patent number: 8602129
    Abstract: A drill bit that includes a bit body having a plurality of blades extending radially therefrom, at least a portion of the plurality of blades comprises a first matrix region comprising a plurality of first carbide particles separated by a first binder phase, each of the first carbide particles comprising a mixture of WC and W2C, and wherein the first matrix region has less than about 5 percent by volume, based on the total volume of the first matrix region, of complex metal carbides dispersed in the first binder phase; and at least one cutting element for engaging a formation disposed on at least one of the plurality of blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory T Lockwood, Youhe Zhang
  • Cutting elements with re-processed thermally stable polycrystalline diamond cutting layers, bits incorporating the same, and methods of making the same
    Patent number: 8590130
    Abstract: A method of re-processing used TSP material layers to form cutting elements, bits with such cutting elements mounted on their bodies, and bits having re-processed TSP material layers attached to their bodies, as well as such cutting elements and bits are provided. The method includes providing a used TSP material cutting element having a TSP material layer and substrate, or a bit having a TSP material layer attached to the bit, removing the used TSP material layer from the cutting element or bit, cutting the used TSP material layer to a new shape, if necessary, optionally re-leaching the used TSP layer and re-using the TSP material layer to form a cutting element, or in forming a bit body. The formed cutting element may be mounted on a bit body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Youhe Zhang, Yuelin Shen, Madapusi K. Keshavan
  • METHODS OF FORMING THERMALLY STABLE POLYCRYSTALLINE DIAMOND CUTTERS
    Publication number: 20130291442
    Abstract: A method for forming a thermally stable cutting element that includes forming at least one acid infusion pathway in a polycrystalline abrasive body containing a catalyzing material to be leached; and contacting at least a portion of the at least one acid infusion pathway in the polycrystalline abrasive body with a leaching agent is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Youhe Zhang, Yuelin Shen
  • GAGE CUTTER PROTECTION FOR DRILLING BITS
    Publication number: 20130292186
    Abstract: A downhole cutting tool may include a tool body, a plurality of blades extending azimuthally from the tool body comprising a cone region, a shoulder region, and a gage region, at least one cutting element disposed along the cone region and the shoulder region of the blade, and at least one gage cutting element disposed along the gage region of the blade wherein the at least one gage cutting element has a negative backrake ranging from greater than 70 to about 85 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: YOUHE ZHANG, MICHAEL G. AZAR, CHEN CHEN, YURI BURHAN
  • Thermally stable polycrystalline diamond cutting elements and bits incorporating the same
    Patent number: 8567534
    Abstract: Cutting elements have substrates including end surfaces. TSP material layers extend over only a portion of the end surfaces or extend into the substrates below the end surfaces. Bits incorporate such cutting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Youhe Zhang, Yuelin Shen, Madapusi K. Keshavan, Michael G. Azar
  • Cutting elements, methods for manufacturing such cutting elements, and tools incorporating such cutting elements
    Patent number: 8567531
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to cutting elements incorporating polycrystalline diamond bodies used for subterranean drilling applications, and more particularly, to polycrystalline diamond bodies having a high diamond content which are configured to provide improved properties of thermal stability and wear resistance, while maintaining a desired degree of impact resistance, when compared to prior polycrystalline diamond bodies. In various embodiments disclosed herein, a cutting element with high diamond content includes a modified PCD structure and/or a modified interface (between the PCD body and a substrate), to provide superior performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Daniel Belnap, Georgiy Voronin, Feng Yu, Peter T. Cariveau, Youhe Zhang, Yuelin Shen, Guodong Zhan
  • Rolling cutter
    Patent number: 8413746
    Abstract: A cutting element for a drill bit that includes an outer support element having at least a bottom portion and a side portion; and an inner rotatable cutting element, a portion of which is disposed in the outer support element, wherein the inner rotatable cutting element includes a substrate and a diamond cutting face having a thickness of at least 0.050 inches disposed on an upper surface of the substrate; and wherein a distance from an upper surface of the diamond cutting face to a bearing surface between the inner rotatable cutting element and the outer support element ranges from 0 to about 0.300 inches is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuelin Shen, Youhe Zhang, Zhou Yong, Jiaqing Yu, Madapusi K. Keshavan
  • METHODS OF FORMING THERMALLY STABLE POLYCRYSTALLINE DIAMOND CUTTERS
    Publication number: 20130074420
    Abstract: A method for forming a thermally stable cutting element that includes forming at least one acid infusion pathway in a polycrystalline abrasive body containing a catalyzing material to be leached; and contacting at least a portion of the at least one acid infusion pathway in the polycrystalline abrasive body with a leaching agent is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: Youhe Zhang, Yuelin Shen
  • Brazing methods for PDC cutters
    Patent number: 8360176
    Abstract: A method for a down hole cutting tool is disclosed, wherein the cutting tool includes a cutting element support structure having at least one cutter pocket to support a cutting element comprising a substrate and an ultrahard layer. The method includes inserting a base portion of the cutting element into the cutter pocket; locating a first braze alloy such that when heated the first braze alloy melts and fills a space in the cutter pocket between the cutting element and the cutting element support structure adjacent the ultrahard layer; locating a second braze alloy such that when heated the second braze alloy melts and fills a space in the cutter pocket between the cutting element and the cutting element support structure non-adjacent the ultrahard layer; and heating the first and second braze alloy such that they melt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Youhe Zhang, Yuelin Shen, Hong Deng
  • INNOVATIVE CUTTING ELEMENT AND CUTTING STRUCTURE USING SAME
    Publication number: 20130015000
    Abstract: A cutting tool is disclosed that includes a tool body, a plurality of cutting element support structures extending from the tool body, at least one slot formed in at least one of the cutting element support structures, a cutting element having a diamond shearing element with a plurality of surfaces, and at least one mechanical retention mechanism adjacent to the cutting element. Each cutting element support structure has a leading face, a top side, and a trailing face, and the slot has two side surfaces, each side surface terminating at the leading face and top side of the cutting element support structure. Each surface of the cutting element has two dimensional values, wherein the cutting element is positioned in the at least one slot such that a plane in which the shortest dimensional value lies intersects the slot side surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Youhe Zhang, Jibin Shi, Yuri Burhan
  • Matrix bit bodies with multiple matrix materials
    Patent number: 8347990
    Abstract: A drill bit may include a bit body having a plurality of blades extending radially therefrom, the bit body comprising a first matrix region and a second matrix region, wherein the first matrix region is formed from a moldable matrix material having carbide particles with a unimodal particle size distribution; and at least one cutting element for engaging a formation disposed on at least one of the plurality of blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory T. Lockwood, Youhe Zhang, Yuelin Shen
  • Methods of forming thermally stable polycrystalline diamond cutters
    Patent number: 8328891
    Abstract: A method for forming a thermally stable cutting element that includes forming at least one acid infusion pathway in a polycrystalline abrasive body containing a catalyzing material to be leached; and contacting at least a portion of the at least one acid infusion pathway in the polycrystalline abrasive body with a leaching agent is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Youhe Zhang, Yuelin Shen
  • Cutting element having stress reduced interface
    Patent number: 8322467
    Abstract: Cutting elements include an ultra-hard body, e.g., comprising diamond, that is attached to substrate, e.g., comprising a cermet. An interface exists between the body and the substrate, and an angle of departure as measured between the interface and a free edge of the cutting element within one or both of the body and substrate, is less than about 90 degrees to provide a desired stress reduction along the interface. The angle of departure can be from about 3 to 87 degrees. The desired reduced angle of departure is provided by a surface feature disposed along an outer side surface of the cutting element adjacent a free edge of the interface. The surface feature can in the form of a groove disposed circumferentially around the body and/or substrate outer side surface, that is configured to provide the desired reduced angle of departure within the body and/or substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuelin Shen, John (Youhe) Zhang