Abstract: A shaft boring bit has a bit body with at least one saddle member secured to the bit body. The saddle receives and supports the ends of a journal member. A cutter is mounted for rotation on the journal member and an anti-friction bearing is disposed between the cutter and the journal and secures the cutter on the journal member. Seal means are provided between the cutter and the journal member to retain lubricant in the anti-friction bearing. A bearing loading passage is formed in the journal member for loading at least a portion of the anti-friction bearing between the cutter and the journal member. A lubricant compensator assembly is removably disposed in a lubricant compensator recess formed at one end of the journal. The lubricant compensator is in fluid communication with the anti-friction bearing and includes a rigid ball plug member, which obstructs the bearing loading passage and abuts the portion of the anti-friction bearing to retain the bearing between the cutter and journal.

Abstract: A cutter mounted on a boring head includes a shaft and a roller body rotatably mounted thereon The greasing of bearings disposed between the roller body and shaft is achieved through an axial bore formed in the shaft and into which a filling plug is inserted. Grease is pumped through the filling plug and into channels in which the bearings are disposed. The filling plug is then removed, leaving the bore essentially grease-free. To prevent the escape of grease from the passage during a cutting operation, while accommodating thermal expansion of the grease, a grease retainer plug is secured in the passage. The retainer plug forms a space which communicates with the bearings for receiving thermally expanding grease. If the volume of expanded grease exceeds the volume of that space, the grease passes through a pressure relief valve and displaces a cover of the valve to create another space of gradually expanding volume for receiving the grease.

Abstract: A rotary cone drill bit for forming a borehole having a one-piece bit body with a lower portion having a convex exterior surface and an upper portion adapted for connection to a drill string. The drill bit will generally rotate around a central axis of the bit body. A number of support arms are preferably attached to pockets formed in the bit body and depend therefrom. Each support arm has an inside surface with a spindle connected thereto and an outer surface. Each spindle projects generally downwardly and inwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the associated support arm and the central axis of the bit body. A number of cone cutter assemblies equal to the number of support arms are mounted respectively on each of the spindles. The spacing between each of the support arms along with their respective length and width dimensions are selected to enhance fluid flow between the cutter cone assemblies mounted on the respective support arms and the lower portion of the bit body.

Abstract: A heavy duty lubricating grease as shown which includes a multi-purpose heavy duty hydrocarbonaceous lubricant thickened by an alkaline soap to form a lubricating grease, molybdenum disulfide and powdered calcium fluoride. The heavy duty grease can be used in a journal bearing of a drill bit in heavy duty, high temperature applications, such as journal bearings on its used to drill hot subterranean formations.

Abstract: A sealed rotary drill bit has a plurality of leg members, with each leg member having a projecting conical cutter receiving journal. A conical cutter has friction reducing bearings interior to the conical cutter for rotatably mounting the cutter on the respective journal. A sealing arrangement retains lubricant for the bearings. A circumferential porous gas restrictor is positioned concentric with and spaced outwardly from the sealing arrangement to form an annular gas chamber therebetween. Pressurized gas is carried by passageways into the annular gas chamber. The porous gas restrictor, which can be formed of metal particles bonded together, prevents drilling debris from getting past it, but the porosity of the restrictor allows pressurized gas to pass therethrough as a controlled dissipation and wash away drilling debris, thereby shielding the sealing arrangement from debris that might otherwise reach the sealing arrangement.

Abstract: A one-way pressure relief valve assembly is provided for venting the lubricant reservoir of a roller-type well drilling bit. The valve assembly is mounted in the cap of the lubricant reservoir, to open outwardly, and is adapted to provide hydrostatic loading of the valve element to its closed position.

Abstract: A roller cutter drill bit adapted to drill bores in the earth comprising a bit body of steel having a plurality of bearing journals at its lower end, and a plurality of roller cutters, each having a recess therein receiving one of the journals. A radial bearing asembly for each roller cutter rotatably mounts the roller cutter on the journal, and an axial or thrust bearing assembly at the free end of each journal carries axial forces applied to the roller cutter during drilling, with the thrust bearing assembly thus being subject to rotary frictional forces and heating upon rotation of the drill bit during drilling. According to this invention, a heat dissipation member formed of material having higher thermal conductivity than steel is incorporated into the bit body. This material extends from the free end toward the attached end of the journal for conducting heat away from the thrust bearing assembly, thereby reducing bearing temperatures and providing longer bearing life.

Abstract: A drill string is made flexible near the lower marginal end thereof, and a pneumatic turbine motor is located at the lower terminal end thereof. The pneumatic turbine is connected to a planetary gear reduction system for rotating a drill bit. The diameter and the length of the pneumatic turbine motor, gear reduction system, and bit is of a size which enables the entire assembly to negotiate a sharp bend in the borehole, so that the borehole can be formed to extend downwardly along a relatively straight vertical line towards a payzone, where the borehole then sharply bends laterally towards the payzone, and then continues in another relatively straight line horizontally through the payzone. The pneumatic turbine motor includes reaction ports arranged to force the drill bit against the formation being penetrated, and to counteract the bit torque.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method to protect the lubrication reservoir system for sealed bearing rotary cone rock bits. A multiplicity of flush-type tungsten carbide inserts are positioned in each leg of the rock bit surrounding the lubrication reservoir cover cap. The inserts prevent erosion of the leg around the cover cap, thus protecting the snap ring that secures the cover cap within the reservoir chamber.

Abstract: A seal assembly particularly adapted for sealing rock bit bearings is disclosed. The seal comprises an O-ring made of a resilient material which swells substantially when effectively exposed to a lubricant used for lubricating the bearing. The O-ring seal is mounted into the rock bit in a relatively low state of compression or squeeze between the surfaces to be sealed. During operation of the bit, the O-ring seal swells due to exposure to the lubricant, and consequently compression or squeeze of the seal increases substantially. The novel seal assembly compensates for undesirable compression set and wear of the O-ring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved rotary drill bit having a bit body with at least one bearing pin attached thereto for rotatably carrying a roller cutter over a bearing system. The bearing system includes at least a forward bearing and a rear bearing with at least one inflow passage provided in the bit body for supplying fluid through the passage to the rear bearing during operation of the bit for flushing and for cooling of the rear bearing. The passage terminates in the bearing system ahead of a forward end of the rear bearing between an intermediate sealing arrangement and an annular outlet gap provided between the bit body and the roller cutter. The bearing pin includes a flange for axially fixing a forward end of the rear roller bearings with the inflow passage preferably terminating on the periphery of the flange. The sealing arrangement preferably engages a forward radial surface of the flange on the bearing pin.

Abstract: A compressible pressure compensating member is disposed within a sealed lubricant volume enclosing a bearing and seal system of an earth boring apparatus. Lubricant is maintained within the volume by metal face seals so that both the bearing and the seal structure are lubricated thereby. As the lubricant expands, due to thermal expansion under use, the increased pressure is accommodated by compression of the compressible member so that no lubricant is expelled through the seals. When the lubricant cools and contracts, the compensator expands to maintain the lubricant volume at the initially filled level.

Abstract: The turbodrill disclosed consists of a shell (1) attached to the drilling string and provided with an opening (3) in the side surface, a multistage turbine and a hollow shaft (6) supported in the shell (1) by radial bearings (10) and a thrust bearing (11). The bore (7) of the shaft (6) is hydraulically linked up with the drilling string (2) and with a space (15) provided above the nozzles of the bit (13). Seals (16, 17) keeping the drilling fluid out of the space (12) contained where the thrust bearings (11) are provided in an annular space between the shell (1) and the shaft (6).The present invention can be used to advantage in turbodrills employed for the drilling of deep oil and natural gas wells under difficult geological conditions.

Abstract: A rolling cutter drill bit with at least one downwardly extending leg which supports a cantilevered bearing shaft thereon is disclosed. A cutter cone is rotatably mounted on the bearing shaft by radial bearing means and by axial bearing means. A radially disposed thrust washer is positioned between the journal and the cone, the washer further defining a lubricant transferring means in each radially disposed side of the thrust washer to assure adequate lubrication of the roller cone on the journal bearing.

Abstract: A device for lubricating rotary drill bits of the type comprising a roller cutter (14) which is rotatably carried by means of a bearing system (15, 16, 17, 18). Fluid is supplied to the bearing system for cooling and/or cleaning thereof through a passage (31, 32, 33; 51, 61), and a lubricant is delivered to said passage from a body (31; 39) of porous material, which is soaked in lubricating means. For purposes of controlling the supply of lubricating means the porous member forms a fraction of the inner wall of said passage.

Abstract: A roller reamer assembly for mounting in a longitudinally extending undercut groove in a reamer body and having longitudinally slidable bearing blocks with cooperating locking members for securing the bearing blocks in the groove upon longitudinal movement of the bearing blocks to prevent undesired longitudinal and radial movement of the bearing blocks and an automatic lubricating system for the bearing blocks.

Abstract: A direct drive for a drill bit in a drill string has a fluid-operated motor within a drive section connected by a gear section to a bearing section whose inner tube is coupled to the drill bit to accommodate axial displacement of the drill bit within the outer tube, spring elements are braced against a radial bearing for the inner tube which has at least one axially defined race. The coupling between the inner tube and the gearing also accommodates such axial displacement and a reservoir for oil is located between the drive and gear sections so that oil can be fed to the gearing, the bearings and to an axial bearing in an annular oil-filled space between the drive and gear sections.

Abstract: An earth boring drill bit has a lubricant pressure compensator that includes a plunger that moves slidingly in the reservoir to reduce pressure differential, and also allows lubricant to bleed past to relieve excess lubricant pressure. The plunger is carried slidingly in the reservoir. The plunger has a convex end in contact with the lubricant and a concave end in contact with the borehole fluid. The plunger has a rod that contacts a stop in the reservoir when the lubricant pressure is greater than the borehole pressure. Once stopped, the configuration of the plunger allows lubricant to bleed past the plunger to relieve excess lubricant pressure.

Abstract: An earth boring bit has a friction or journal bearing with features that allow cooling fluid to be circulated near the bearing. The bit is of the type having rotatable cutters carried by depending bearing pins. A bushing is stationarily mounted on the bearing pin, with the bushing's inner surface in contact with the outer surface of the bearing pin. One of the surfaces has a plurality of grooves that extend at least partially around the bearing pin. Passages are formed in the bearing pin and bit for circulating cooling fluid through the grooves. The cutter is mounted on the bushing in rotating and sliding contact to form a journal bearing.

Abstract: A self compensating seal apparatus is provided for forming a seal between two rotary members such as the body and cutting head of a rotary drill bit to seal the space between the members from an external environment. The seal apparatus comprises a first sealing device mounted in a first of the members and a second sealing device mounted in the second of the members, the first and second sealing devices being positioned opposite to and in contact with each other along a contact plane and forming a seal therebetween. A Belleville spring is fixedly mounted in the first member for producing a force on the first sealing device in a direction perpendicular to the contact plane such that the first sealing device is biased and held in contact with the second sealing device. A third sealing device seals the Belleville spring and the space between the first and second members from the external environment.

Abstract: A rock bit for drilling subterranean formations is lubricated with a grease composition comprising molybdenum disulfide particles in the range of from 6 to 14% by weight, copper particles in the range of from 3 to 9% by weight, a metal soap thickener in the range of from 4 to 10% by weight, and a balance of primarily hydrocarbon oil.

Abstract: A rolling cone cutter earth boring bit is provided having a pair of facing thrust bearing surfaces, one such surface on the rolling cone and the other surface on the journal pin. The latter surface defines an annular groove which has separate arcuate segments thereof filled with a hardfacing material and machined to provide a complimentary engaging surface with the cone thrust bearing surface. The spaces in the groove between the hardfacing segments define pockets providing lubricant reservoirs and debris traps for the immediately adjacent thrust bearing surfaces.

Abstract: A flow stream of drilling gas in a gaseous drilling fluid circulation drilling system is separated from that drilling gas supplied to the drill string, and the flow stream is reduced in temperature prior to supplying the flow stream to a drilling tool component to be cooled. A heat exchanger is employed to remove heat from the flow stream, and a second separate flow stream of drilling gas is directed over the heat exchanger to remove the heat. The temperature of the second cooling stream is reduced by thermodynamic effects. Various drilling tool components may be cooled, including bearing means operative between two relatively movable parts, a seal assembly operative to seal lubricant between two relatively moving parts, and cutter elements of a drag-type drill bit. The seal assembly includes a flange-like projection member and a fluid conducting conduit in thermal transferring relationship with the projection member.

Abstract: A device for lubricating rotary drill bits of the type comprising a roller cutter (14) which is rotatably carried by means of a bearing system (15, 16, 17, 18). Fluid is supplied to the bearing system for cooling thereof through a cooling passage (31, 32, 33; 51, 61), and a lubricant is delivered to the cooling passage from a lubricant reservoir (36; 46) through a lubricating passage (40; 54). For purposes of controlling the supply of lubricant the outlet of the lubricating passage into the cooling passage is arranged axially behind the inlet of the lubricating passage in the lubricant reservoir.

Abstract: An improved lubrication and seal system for a rock bit that includes a bit body arranged to be connected to a drilling string or the like and having an axle portion thereon. A cutting member is journaled on the axle portion and provides a cavity between the axle portion and cutting member in which there are disposed a bearings for rotatably supporting the loads on the cutting member on the axle portion. A pressurized fluid passageway extends through the bit body to the cavity for transmitting bearing conditioning fluid to the bearings. A permeable material having a lubricant in the pores in the material is disposed in the available space between bearings in the cavity in contact with the load carrying bearing and in the fluid passageway whereby the lubricant in the pores is gradually deposited on the bearing to provide a generally continuous in situ lubrication thereof.

Abstract: A drill string reamer-stabilizer includes a main body adapted to be connected as an element of a rotary drill string. Individual bearing shafts are mounted axially along the exterior of the main body supporting roller cutters that engage the wall of the borehole. Seal units are positioned around each bearing shaft between each roller cutter and bearing shaft to define a lubricant space. The seal units retain lubricant in the lubricant space and prevent contaminating fluid and materials in the borehole from entering the lubricant space. At least one seal unit comprises an annular cup-shaped elastomer seal member with an annular lip mounted in an annular seal gland in the roller cutter. The seal gland has an inner side adjacent the lubricant space and an outer side exposed to the fluid and materials in the borehole.

Abstract: A roller cone drill bit which is supported for rotation on a bearing pin by means of a journal bearing is sonically driven, preferably by means of a resonant vibration system formed in an elastic column which receives vibratory energy from an orbiting mass oscillator. The roller cone also is mechanically rotated by virtue of conventional rotary motion of the drilling string. Enough clearance is provided at the journal bearing between the bearing pin and the roller cone to provide a thick film of lubricating oil at this bearing.

Abstract: A rolling cone cutter earth boring bit is provided with a floating seal for sealing the bearings of the bit from the abrasive materials in the borehole and retaining lubricant within the bearing area. At least one cantilevered bearing pin extends from the arm of the bit. A cutter receiving surface is located on the arm. A first shallow annular groove is located in said cutter receiving surface. A rolling cone cutter is adapted to be rotatably mounted on the bearing pin with said rolling cone cutter having a cone mouth. A second shallow annular groove is located within said cone mouth. Bearing and cutter retaining means are located between the bearing pin and the cone cutter. A first seal unit is positioned around the bearing pin between the cutter receiving surface and the rolling cone cutter.

Abstract: A rotary drilling bit with conically shaped rotary cutters which are supported in bearings on the drilling bit body by a plurality of bearings. At least one seal is provided in each rotary cutter for separating the bearing cavities of the bearings.

Abstract: A rock bit segment has a cutter rotatably mounted on a journal. Loads radially of the axis of the journal are largely taken by a friction bearing pad of hard material. Ball bearings track in circular races on the journal and cutter and retain the cutter on the journal. A seal at the junction of the journal and the balance of the segment keep lubricant from escaping from the interface between the cutter and the journal and formation material from entering this interface. To provide hardened wear surfaces for the seal on the journal and segment in the ball race on the journal, on radial surfaces of the journal adjacent the pad, and at the nose of the journal, the entire rock bit segment is subjected to a carbon enrichment of the surface after the segment has been machined. Thereafter, the segment is quenched to effect a hardened case, and then the segment is tempered. Carbon in the case varies from 0.5% to 0.9% at the surface-to-base metal concentrations at depth, and the case is 0.010 to 0.015 inches thick.

Abstract: The rotary-shaft bit (7) inserted in a bushing (3) fixedly mounted, encloses by means of a hollow-cylindrical extension (9) an annular extension (5) of the bushing (3) and projecting in axial direction of said bushing (3), and in this manner is supported closer to the tip of the bit (8) in order to absorb transverse forces, noting that the front surface (14) of the hollow-cylindrical extension (9) of the bit (7) can be supported on the flange (4) of the bushing (3) (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A rolling cone cutter earth boring bit is provided with an improved lubrication system including an eccentric bearing surface and spaces for lubricant. At least one cantilevered bearing pin extends from the arm of the bit. A rolling cone cutter is rotatably mounted on the bearing pin. The outer bearing surface of the bearing pin is provided with a pair of grooves. The unloaded side surface of the outer bearing surface is formed by eccentric machining. Reduced clearance is provided between the rolling cone cutter and the load side surface and increased clearance is provided between the rolling cone cutter and the unloaded side surface. The pair of grooves and the increased clearance serve as a lubricant reservoir in close proximity to the load side of the bearing pin.

Abstract: A drilling bit for drilling earthen material such as an oil well rotary cone drilling bit, which includes means for preventing foreign particles such as sand, rock cuttings, etc., from reaching the rotational bearings of the bit cones. This end result is principally achieved by means of a centrifugal slinger disc or wall which is positioned in external concentricity with the drill bit cone bearing, and operates to drive granular particles away from the bearings, thereby preventing such particles from reaching these bearing surfaces. The granular particles are driven by the slinger action through a series of apertures forming a channel running out to a peripheral region of the bit cones. A channel continuation is also provided for lubricating fluid, which may comprise ambient water or oil placed in chambers surrounding the bearings, this channel providing access for such lubricating fluid inwardly to the bit cone bearings.

Abstract: A telescopic shock absorber for incorporation in a drill string connected to a rotary bit for drilling a bore hole in earth formations, the shock absorber including a single spring assembly which is compressed downwardly when sufficient downwardly directed drilling weight is transmitted from the drill string through the shock absorber to the drill bit, and which is compressed upwardly when the internal drilling fluid pressure in the shock absorber fully overcomes the downwardly directed drilling weight, assuring that the spring assembly is in its compressed condition when the shock absorber is telescoped or extended, enabling it to absorb shocks and vibrations incident to the drilling operation and under both conditions.

Abstract: A self-advancing conical boring tool with a tapered frame for supporting roller cutters, each of which has a frusto-conical body with a plurality of teeth randomly disposed about its periphery. Each roller cutter is constrained within a pair of thrust bearings and a pair of self-aligning spherical roller bearings for free rotation about an axis that is both oblique and skewed relative to a longitudinal axis of the tool. A flexible diaphragm is captively held to the frame proximate each roller cutter and forms a pressure compensated chamber for a bearing lubricant, one face of the diaphragm being adjacent a thrust bearing and the other face of the diaphragm being exposed to the environment through a vent.

Abstract: A boring apparatus having a working member mounted for rotation on a lubricated bearing about a shaft member, the apparatus being of the type in which substantial radial and axial relative motion between said members occurs in response to radial and axial loading conditions encountered by the working member during operation in an abrasive laden external environment, including an improved seal assembly between the members for sealing the bearing from the environment while accommodating the radial and axial relative motion, the seal assembly comprising a seal carrier mounted in a space between the members, a dynamic seal element supported between the carrier and one of the members to form a dynamic seal therebetween, and a static seal element supported between the carrier and a radially extending surface of the other of the members, the dynamic seal element being axially slidable along the one member to accommodate the axial relative motion, the static seal element being deformable and radially slidable along t

Abstract: Disclosed herein for use with earth penetrating tools is an improved lubricant pressure relief system that utilizes a housing adapted for retention within a lubricant containing passage. An interior surface or opening of the housing is exposed to the lubricant in the passage and includes an outlet port which has an elastic pressure responsive valve covering the opening. The valve releases lubricant when a selected pressure is exceeded while excluding the entrance of exterior matter. The valve functions as a secondary pressure relief valve when used in combination with a spring biased pressure relief valve located within the opening of the housing, which is thereby protected from exterior matter and its successful operation assured.