Abstract: A cutter for a boring head having a shaft is mountable at a saddle. A roller body is rotatably mounted about the shaft via bearings housed at a cavity located radially between the shaft and the roller body. A lubrication fluid is configured to flow internally within the shaft via a first and second passageway. An elongate overflow chamber is provided in fluid communication with the passageways to receive thermally expanded lubrication fluid from the cavity.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods of supplying a corrosion inhibitor including placing a corrosion inhibitor attached to a nanostructure carrier, placing the nanostructure carrier containing the corrosion inhibitor at a location and the nanostructure carrier is capable of releasing the corrosion inhibitor.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to greases containing metal sulfonate thickeners. In one example the thickener may be a calcium sulfonate thickener. In other examples grease may contain a combination of a metal sulfonate thickener and another thickener, such as a metal complex soap grease, detergent, or non-soap thickener. The grease may be formulated to meet specific performance criteria relevant to lubrication of a roller cone drill bit in downhole conditions. The disclosure also relates to a roller cone drill bit containing a grease of the disclosure.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods of supplying a corrosion inhibitor including placing a corrosion inhibitor attached to a nanostructure carrier, placing the nanostructure carrier containing the corrosion inhibitor at a location and the nanostructure carrier is capable of releasing the corrosion inhibitor.

Abstract: What is claimed is a downhole lubrication system comprising a drill string component comprising an outer diameter and an inner bore. A reservoir may be disposed intermediate the outer diameter and inner bore. A piston may be disposed at least partially within the reservoir. At least one channel may extend from the reservoir to a bearing surface. As drilling fluid is passed through the inner bore, the piston may be pressurized, urging lubricant toward the bearing surface via the at least one channel.

Abstract: Roller cone drill bits may be provided with pressure relief mechanisms operable to control lubricant pressure within respective lubricant systems. Each lubricant system may be enclosed and isolated from downhole well fluids. Portions of each pressure relief mechanism may be completely surrounded by lubricant to increase downhole life of associated operating mechanisms and to produced more repeatable and more reliable opening and closing of the pressure relief mechanism. The downhole drilling life of bearing surfaces, fluid seals and other supporting structures associated with roller cones mounted on support arms of such roller cone drill bits may be substantially increased. Each pressure relief mechanism may be locked in a closed position to assist with filling the respective lubricant system with lubricant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a trench wall cutter comprising a bearing shield, on which at least one cutting wheel is supported in a rotatable manner. Between the cutting wheel and the bearing shield at least one sealing member is provided. For the lubrication of the sealing member a lubricating device is provided, which has a lubricant inlet port arranged above the cutting wheel.

Abstract: A lubricating nutating single cone drill bit 10 is disclosed. Bit 10 includes bit shank 12 with an axially skewed journal 18 rotatably retaining cutter body 22. Bearings (26, 28, 30, 32) can enable rotation of the cutter body 22. Lubricant is dispensed to a gap between the axially skewed journal 18 and cutter body 22 from lubricant chamber 76 having plunger 80 acted on by an annulus fluid, the gap bounded by first 66 and second 68 radial dynamic seals. A fluid passage 90 extending through the bit 10 is in communication with fluid inlet port 88 on the proximal end 16 of the bit shank 12. Fluid passage 90 is in further communication with a first fluid outlet port 98 on the distal end 36 of the axially skewed journal 18 and with a second fluid outlet port 94 formed on a lateral portion of bit shank 12.

Abstract: A load responsive hydrodynamic bearing is provided in the form of a thrust bearing or journal bearing for supporting, guiding and lubricating a relatively rotatable member to minimize wear thereof responsive to relative rotation under severe load. In the space between spaced relatively rotatable members and in the presence of a liquid or grease lubricant, one or more continuous ring shaped integral generally circular bearing bodies each define at least one dynamic surface and a plurality of support regions. Each of the support regions defines a static surface which is oriented in generally opposed relation with the dynamic surface for contact with one of the relatively rotatable members. A plurality of flexing regions are defined by the generally circular body of the bearing and are integral with and located between adjacent support regions.

Abstract: A lubricating sub-assembly for a rock drill, comprising a housing coupled into a drill string carrying a drill bit at its front end, a cavity disposed within the housing for holding a predetermined amount of a bearing lubricant, passages for communicating the interior of the cavity with one or more air circulation passages provided in the bit leading to bearings within the drill bit, and a valve mechanism for dispensing a preset amount of lubricant from the cavity to the communicating means passages.

Abstract: A rolling cutter drill bit comprises a main body and three depending legs, each leg having a cantilevered bearing spindle on which a rolling cutter is rotatably mounted. Bearings located between the cutter and spindle include a radial bearing, and a thrust bearing configured to carry onward thrust loads from the cutter onto the spindle. A bearing seal defines an enclosed region between the cutter and the spindle in which the bearings are located, and a pressure balanced lubricant delivery system within the spindle delivers lubricant to the bearings. The lubricant delivery system includes a non-return valve to allow lubricant to flow into the area of the enclosed region containing the thrust bearing and the area is bounded by a tortuous flow path which allows a more restricted flow of lubricant out of the thrust bearing area and into another area of the enclosed region, without pressurizing the bearing seal.

Abstract: A hole opener used in conjunction with drilling in at least one of boulder and rubble stone formations includes first and second sets of cutters. Each of the cutters of the first and second sets of cutters has cutter teeth thereon and further include a shaft. The hole opener also includes a tubular carrier body, a first device for fixing the first set of cutters to the tubular carrier body so that the first set of cutters is positioned in a common first lateral plane with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tubular carrier body, and second device for fixing the second set of cutters to the tubular carrier body so that the second set of cutters is located in a second lateral plane with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tubular carrier body and at an axial distance from the first set of cutters along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: In order to detect when a lubricant is nearly depleted in a lubricant reservoir provided in a sealed rotary cutter rock drill bit, compressed air used for removal of cuttings is passed through a valve in the reservoir. As the lubricant is used up a compressed spring gradually extends. In one embodiment, eventually a vent hole in the valve is opened causing a large pressure drop signifying an empty condition of the reservoir. In another embodiment, the valve is closed when the lubricant is depleted, giving rise to a sudden rise in pressure also signifying an empty condition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lubricant circulation system for a rock drill bit which circulates a flow of lubricant over the bit bearing surfaces to keep the bearings optimally lubricated and free to particulate contaminants from the drilling process. A lubricant pumping assembly, including a pair of nested gerotor pump elements is attached to either the drill bit cutting element or support structures so that one of the gerotors is driven by rotation of the bit cutting element or related structures and the other gerotor rotates freely. The gerotors have a corresponding tooth and recess configuration that pulls lubricant from the lubricant supply under positive pressure into a variable sized cavity formed as the gerotors rotate relative to each other and then forces lubricant to the bearing surfaces. Lubricant may optionally be pumped back to the lubricant supply with continued rotation of the gerotors or out of the journal area with the drilling cuttings for return to the surface.

Abstract: A method for assembling earth drill bits starts with a hollow shank body with a hollow pin with API regulation threads, for connection to a drill pipe, extending from one side, and hollow nozzle legs extending from the other side cast as a one piece investment casting. Separate leg members are rough formed and machined to shape having a bit body portion, depending leg, and inwardly and downwardly extending bearing journal. Conical roller cutters are supported for rotation on the bearing journals. A passage formed through the bit body portion and depending leg provides for lubrication of the conical roller cutters. The conical roller cutters are secured in place by a liquid lock formed by filling a cavity between the interior of the cutter cone and the journal bearing which is filled with liquid and sealed.

Abstract: A drill bit for drilling into earth formations comprising a plurality of sections having connection means to connect said sections to form a unitary drill bit; means in said plurality of sections for storing and delivering lubricants to the cutting cones; and wear bar segments on said plurality of sections to form continuous wear bars about the periphery of said unitary drill bit thus reducing the wear on said unitary drill bit.

Abstract: There is disclosed a drill bit which is connectable to the lower end of a rotary drill string for use in drilling oil and gas wells as drilling mud is circulated downward through the string, out the bit, and upwardly within the annulus between the string and well bore so as to remove cuttings therefrom. The bit has cones which are mounted for rotation about thrust bearings which extend inwardly from the lower ends of legs which depend from a shank at the upper end of the bit body which is attached to the drill string.

Abstract: A positive displacement grease pump apparatus is disclosed to circulate a lubricating grease from a grease reservoir system, formed within a body of a sealed bearing rotary cone rock bit. The relatively viscous grease is positively circulated to and from the reservoir through bearings defined between a rotary cone and its respective journal bearing extending from the rock bit body.

Abstract: A valve system is disclosed for use in the lubrication passages of a rolling cutter drill bit, which valve assembly utilizes one or more reed valves to maintain flow of lubricant in a desirable direction.

Abstract: A drilling bit for drilling earthen material such as an oilwell rotary cone drilling bit which includes means for centrifugally providing lubricant to the drill bit cone bearing from a storage cavity. A storage cavity is provided for lubricant for the drill bit bearings, means being provided for forcing the lubricant from this cavity through channels to such bearings in response to the centrifugal force generated with the rotation of the bit.

Abstract: A rolling cutter rock drilling bit is disclosed which features an internal lubricant pump utilizing an internal elastomeric member moving across a grooved rigid surface to circulate lubricant in the bit bearings as a result of the shear forces on the lubricant created when the elastomer moves across the grooves.

Abstract: Discloses a lubricant circulating system for a rotary drilling bit including a lubricating space defined between a rotary cone cutter and a journal shaft extending from the bit body, the body defining a lubricant supply passageway connecting the lubricating space with a substantially cylindrical inlet chamber of a lubricant reservoir and with the centerline of the supply passageway being disposed substantially tangential with the cylindrical wall of said inlet chamber to form a restrictive vortex flow passage from the supply passageway into said reservoir and a nonrestrictive return flow passage, the body defining a lubricant exhaust passageway connecting the lubricating space through a substantially cylindrical outlet chamber into a discharge passageway forming part of the reservoir and with the centerline of the discharge passageway being disposed substantially tangential with the cylindrical wall of the outlet chamber to form a restrictive vortex flow passage from the reservoir into the outlet chamber and

Abstract: A rotating head assembly having roller thrust bearings rotatably journaling an inner barrel is provided with pump means for continuous forced circulation of lubricating oil to, and around, the thrust bearings during operation. A lubricating oil chamber substantially surrounds the bearings, which chamber is effectively sealed against leakage of oil fluids, and other debris, into the chamber and lubricating oil out of the chamber. The lower end of the rotatably journaled inner barrel is provided with a stripper rubber structured to enable use of the head with drill pipe of diverse outer diameters.

Abstract: A lubrication system is disclosed for a rolling cutter drill bit, which system utilizes solid or semi-solid sticks of lubricants located in internal channels and continuously biased against rotating surfaces in the bit.

Abstract: Lubricant is circulated from a lubricant reservoir to the bearings of a rotary rock bit and back to the lubricant reservoir by a lubricant circulation system that is operated by rotation of the cone cutter upon the bearing pin of the bit. A seal is positioned between the rolling cone cutter and the arm of the bit to maintain lubricant in the bearing area and to prevent fluid and materials in the borehole from entering the bearing area. A lubricant reservoir is located in the bit body. A first passage connects the lubricant reservoir with the bearing area to channel lubricant from the lubricant reservoir to the bearing area. A second passage extends from the bearing area to the lubricant reservoir to allow lubricant to be channeled back to the lubricant reservoir.

Abstract: Lubricant is circulated from a lubricant reservoir to the bearings of a rotary rock bit and back to the lubricant reservoir by a lubricant circulation system that is operated by rotation of the cone cutter upon the bearing pin of the bit. A seal is positioned between the rolling cone cutter and the arm of the bit to maintain lubricant in the bearing area and to prevent fluid in the borehole from entering the bearing area. A lubricant reservoir is located in the bit body. A first passage connects the lubricant reservoir with the bearing area to channel lubricant from the lubricant reservoir to the bearing area. A second passage extends from the bearing area to the lubricant reservoir to allow lubricant to be channeled back to the lubricant reservoir.

Abstract: A system for continuous lubrication of bearings in a drilling apparatus including a roller bit having at least one pivot and a cutting roller rotatably supported on the pivot by bearings. The system comprises pumping means in the form of spiral or oblique grooves on one of the spaced confronting faces of the roller bit and cutting roller and a flow opening or port arranged to effect flow of a flushing liquid through the bearing upon rotations of the cutting roller. The grooves may be selectively oriented to pump flushing liquid through the annular gap between the roller bit and cutting roller faces radially inwardly or radially outwardly for a given direction of rotation of the cutting roller.

Abstract: Lubricant is circulated from a lubricant reservoir to the bearings of a rotary rock bit and back to the lubricant reservoir by a lubricant circulation system that is operated by rotation of the cone cutter upon the bearing pin of the bit. A spiral groove system in the inner surface of the cone cutter operates as a viscous or ram pump when the cone cutter is rotating against the corresponding bearing surface of the bearing pin and provides the pumping action for circulating the lubricant. A seal is positioned between the rolling cone cutter and the arm of the bit to maintain lubricant in the bearing area and to prevent fluid in the borehole from entering the bearing area. A lubricant reservoir is located in the bit body. A first passage connects the lubricant reservoir with the bearing area to channel lubricant from the lubricant reservoir to the bearing area. A second passage extends from the bearing area to the lubricant reservoir to allow lubricant to be channeled back to the lubricant reservoir.