Abstract: A drill bit for drilling a subterranean formation includes a plurality of cutting elements and a shank extending from a bit body. A set of accelerometers disposed in the drill bit include a radial accelerometer and a tangential accelerometer. An annular chamber is formed within the shank. A data evaluation module is disposed in the annular chamber and includes a processor, a memory, and a communication port. The data evaluation module is configured for performing a bit acceleration analysis. The analysis includes sampling acceleration information from the radial accelerometer and the tangential accelerometer over an analysis period and storing the acceleration information in the memory to generate an acceleration history. The acceleration history is analyzed to determine a cutting effectiveness of the cutting elements responsive to changes in the acceleration history. The cutting effectiveness is reported through the communication port.

Abstract: The present invention relates to drill bits and methods of making drill bits. In one embodiment, a drill bit includes a bit body having at least one independent blade, in which the blade is attached to the bit body by way of a piece that is attached to a force absorbing material. In another embodiment, a drill bit includes an integrated blade, in which the blade is cut into segments allowing the segments of the blade to independently flex.

Abstract: A drill bit assembly comprising a bit body connectable to a tubular drill string, and provided with a longitudinal passageway for an operating tool; an externally removable closure element for closing the passageway for the operating tool; and a passage tool attached to or connectable to the closure element in its closing position, wherein the passage tool comprises a lower part to which the closure element is attached or connectable, which lower part is arranged so that it can be moved out of the bit body together with the closure element, and an upper tubular part which is arranged so that it can be moved along the passageway in the bit body, the upper tubular part forming a passage with a downstream opening for the operating tool when the lower part of the passage tool has been moved out of the bit body.

Abstract: A drill bit for drilling a borehole comprises a bit body having a bit face. In addition, the drill bit comprises a plurality of primary blades. Further, the drill bit comprises a plurality of primary cutter elements mounted to each primary blade and at least one backup cutter element mounted to each primary blade. Still further, the drill bit comprises a plurality of secondary blades. Moreover, the drill bit comprises a plurality of primary cutter elements mounted to each secondary blade. The ratio of the total number of backup cutter elements mounted to the plurality of primary blades to the total number of backup cutter elements mounted to the plurality of secondary blades is greater than 2.0. Each backup cutter element on each primary blade has substantially the same radial position as one of the primary cutter elements on the same primary blade.

Abstract: Earth-boring rotary drill bits including a bit body attached to a shank assembly at a joint. In some embodiments, the joint may be configured to carry at least a portion of any tensile longitudinal and rotational load applied to the drill bit by mechanical interference at the joint. In additional embodiments, the joint may be configured to carry a selected portion of any tensile longitudinal load applied to the drill bit. Methods for attaching a shank assembly to a bit body of an earth-boring rotary drill bit include configuring a joint to carry at least a portion of any tensile longitudinal and rotational load applied to the drill bit by mechanical interference. Additional embodiments include configuring a joint to carry a selected portion of any tensile longitudinal load applied to the drill bit by mechanical interference.

Abstract: A drilling tool (10) incorporating first and second ends, a shaft (13, 90) extending between the ends. The first end has a drill bit (15) to penetrate rock. The drill hit and the shaft have complementary threads. The drill bit and the shaft comprise a relative rotation stop means (82, 83) that ensures that the drill bit remains loose during drilling in a first direction. The invention further relates to a self drilling rock bolt (10), a drill bit (15), drill shaft (13,90) and shaft coupling (94), an anchoring device (23), and an end coupling (95) per se.

Abstract: An article of manufacture includes a cemented carbide piece, and a joining phase that binds the cemented carbide piece into the article. The joining phase includes inorganic particles and a matrix material. The matrix material is a metal and a metallic alloy. The melting temperature of the inorganic particles is higher than the melting temperature of the matrix material. A method includes infiltrating the space between the inorganic particles and the cemented carbide piece with a molten metal or metal alloy followed by solidification of the metal or metal alloy to form an article of manufacture.

Abstract: A wear-resistant cutting bit for use on a mining or excavating cutting tool is disclosed. The cutting bit utilizes a hardened insert having a narrow base attached to the remainder of the cutting bit. An extended collar of the hardened insert projects from the cutting bit and ends with a generally conical section. The extended collar and narrow base of the hardened insert enable the cutting bits of the present invention to be more wear-resistant and cost-effective than other cutting bits used on mining and excavating equipment.

Abstract: Core drill bits with long crown heights are described herein. The core drill bits have a series of slots or openings that are not located at the tip of the crown and are therefore enclosed in the body of the crown. The slots may be staggered and/or stepped throughout the crown. As the cutting portion of the drill bit erodes through normal use, the fluid/debris notches at the tip of the bit are eliminated. As the erosion progresses, the slots become exposed and then they function as fluid/debris ways. This configuration allows the crown height to be extended and lengthened without substantially reducing the structural integrity of the drill bit.

Abstract: Core drill bits with long crown heights are described herein. The core drill bits have a series of slots or openings that are not located at the tip of the crown and are therefore enclosed in the body of the crown. The slots may be staggered and/or stepped throughout the crown. As the cutting portion of the drill bit erodes through normal use, the fluid/debris notches at the tip of the bit are eliminated. As the erosion progresses, the slots become exposed and then they function as fluid/debris ways. This configuration allows the crown height to be extended and lengthened without substantially reducing the structural integrity of the drill bit.

Abstract: A method for conducting nondestructive internal inspection of a rotary drill bit used for drilling subterranean formations comprises communicating ultrasonic waves into a drill bit and detecting ultrasonic waves that are reflected by at least a portion of the drill bit. In some embodiments, the waves may be directed into the drill bit from within a longitudinal bore thereof. Reflected waves also may be detected from within the bore. The methods may be used to develop threshold acceptance criteria for classifying drill bits as acceptable or unacceptable to prevent catastrophic failures of drill bits during use. Systems and apparatuses are disclosed for conducting nondestructive ultrasonic inspection of a drill bit used for drilling subterranean formations. The systems and apparatuses may comprise an ultrasonic probe configured for insertion within an internal longitudinal bore of a drill bit. Drill bits are disclosed that are configured to facilitate nondestructive ultrasonic inspection thereof.

Abstract: Geometric compensation techniques are used to improve the accuracy by which features may be located on drill bits formed using particle compaction and sintering processes. In some embodiments, a positional error to be exhibited by at least one feature in a less than fully sintered bit body upon fully sintering the bit body is predicted and the at least one feature is formed on the less than fully sintered bit body at a location at least partially determined by the predicted positional error. In other embodiments, bit bodies of earth-boring rotary drill bits are designed to include a design drilling profile and a less than fully sintered bit body is formed including a drilling profile having a shape differing from a shape of the design drilling profile. Less than fully sintered bit bodies of earth-boring rotary drill bits are formed using such methods.

Abstract: Earth-boring rotary drill bits including a bit body attached to a shank assembly at a joint. In some embodiments, the joint may be configured to carry at least a portion of any tensile longitudinal and rotational load applied to the drill bit by mechanical interference at the joint. In additional embodiments, the joint may be configured to carry a selected portion of any tensile longitudinal load applied to the drill bit. Methods for attaching a shank assembly to a bit body of an earth-boring rotary drill bit include configuring a joint to carry at least a portion of any tensile longitudinal and rotational load applied to the drill bit by mechanical interference. Additional embodiments include configuring a joint to carry a selected portion of any tensile longitudinal load applied to the drill bit by mechanical interference.

Abstract: A rotary drag bit for use in subterranean earth boring operations, the drag bit having blades, rows of cutters on the blades, and nozzles disposed within the rows. The nozzles are configured to discharge fluid during drilling. The nozzle placement enhances bit cooling and detritus removal, thereby reducing the likelihood of bit balling.

Abstract: A drill bit that includes a body having a lower end face for engaging a rock formation, the end face having a plurality of raised ribs extending from the face of the bit body and separated by a plurality of channels therebetween; at least one of the plurality of ribs having a varying width along at least a portion of a rib height is disclosed.

Abstract: The steel drill string attached to a drilling bit during typical rotary drilling operations used to drill oil and gas wells is used for a second purpose as the casing that is cemented in place during typical oil and gas well completions. Methods of operation are described that provide for the efficient installation a cemented steel cased well wherein the drill string and the drill bit are cemented into place during one single drilling pass down into the earth. The normal mud passages or watercourses present in the rotary drill bit are used for the second independent purpose of passing cement into the annulus between the casing and the well while cementing the drill string into place during one single pass into the earth. A one-way cement valve is installed near the drill bit of the drill string that allows the cement to set up efficiently under ambiently hydrostatic conditions while the drill string and drill bit are cemented into place during one single drilling pass into the earth.

Abstract: A design process and resulting bit structure is provided for drill bits wherein cutter geometries on the face of the bit are tailored to optimize the distribution of one or more of forces, torque, work, or power of each cutter relative to other cutters. Balanced are the forces, torque, work, or power generated by each cutter in respect to other cutters that are working within the same region of cut, so that all cutters within the same region of cut are generating sufficiently comparable forces, torque, work, or power. In this manner all of the cutters on the bit may share as closely as possible the work and loads required to penetrate the subterranean rock. The design process produces a bit structure in which each cutter is doing similar levels of work or creating similar levels of force, torque, or power relative to other cutters within the same region of cut on the bit, within specified ranges of design criteria.

Abstract: A drill bit assembly has a bit body intermediate a shank and a working face. At least one wear resistant insert is press-fitted within a pocket formed in an outer surface of the bit. An urging element is disposed between the outer surface and a bore of the bit and the urging element is adapted to push the insert away from the bore.

Abstract: Earth-boring tools comprise a body including a face at a leading end thereof and a shank at a trailing end. At least one primary blade may extend radially outward over the face and may comprise a plurality of cutting elements disposed thereon. At least one secondary blade may also extend radially outward over a portion of the face and the at least one secondary blade may comprise a plurality of cutting elements disposed thereon only over at least a portion of an area of greatest work rate per cutting element. Methods of forming earth-boring tools and methods of designing earth-boring tools are also disclosed.

Abstract: A drill bit having a bit body includes a blade face surface on at least one blade extending longitudinally and radially outward over a face of the bit body. The blade face surface of the at least one blade includes a contact zone and a sweep zone. The sweep zone rotationally trails the contact zone with respect to a direction of intended bit rotation about a longitudinal axis of the bit body provides reduce rubbing contact when engaging with a subterranean formation.

Abstract: Methods and systems may be provided to simulate forming a wide variety of directional wellbores including wellbores with variable tilt rates, relatively constant tilt rates, wellbores with uniform generally circular cross-sections and wellbores with non-circular cross-sections. The methods and systems may also be used to simulate forming a wellbore in subterranean formations having a combination of soft, medium and hard formation materials, multiple layers of formation materials, relatively hard stringers disposed throughout one or more layers of formation material, and/or concretions (very hard stones) disposed in one or more layers of formation material. Values of bit walk rate from such simulations may be used to design and/or select drilling equipment for use in forming a directional wellbore.

Abstract: A drill bit that includes a boss extending rotationally forward of at least one blade thereof in a gage region of a bit body for increasing stability and reducing impact shock caused by a lateral imbalance force acting on the bit while drilling a subterranean formation is disclosed. The boss includes a circumferential bearing surface that rotationally precedes a circumferential bearing surface of the at least one blade. A drill bit that includes a boss having a nozzle port extending therein is also disclosed.

Abstract: A drill bit having a bit body intermediate a shank and a working face having at least one cutting insert. A bore is formed in the working face co-axial within an axis of rotation of the drill bit. A jack element is retained within the bore by a retaining element that intrudes a diameter of the bore.

Abstract: The present invention provides for pulsed powered drilling apparatuses and methods. A drilling apparatus is provided comprising a bit having one or more sets of electrodes through which a pulsed voltage is passed through a mineral substrate to create a crushing or drilling action. The electrocrushing drilling process may have, but does not require, rotation of the bit. The electrocrushing drilling process is capable of excavating the hole out beyond the edges of the bit with or without the need of mechanical teeth.

Abstract: A drill bit has a body intermediate a shank and a working face and has an axis of rotation. The working face has at least one cutting element and the body has at least a portion of a jack assembly. The jack assembly has at least a portion of a shaft disposed within a cavity formed in the body of the drill bit, the shaft having a distal end extending from an opening of the cavity formed in the working face. The jack assembly also has an electric motor and/or generator.

Abstract: A mine roof support includes a plate having a raised portion with an opening, and a mine and roof bolt, e.g. a barrel having a drive end and an opposite second end, and wedge assembly. The plate mates with a recess in a mine roof. In one embodiment, the second end of the barrel extends through the opening in the dome into a bore hole in the mine roof. In another embodiment, a second end of the mine bolt is contoured to match and fill the inner contour of the dome. A drill bit tool used to shape the recess includes a first bit, a second bit, and a third bit between the first and second bits to drill a bore hole, enlarge the end of the bore hole to receive the second end of the mine bolt, and to drill the recess.

Abstract: An earth boring bit has thrust faces with one of the thrust faces being at least partially tilted relative to the other. The bit has a cone rotatably mounted to a bearing pin of the bit body. The thrust faces are in the cone and on an end of the bearing pin. One of the thrust faces is completely flat and perpendicular to the axis of the bearing pin. The other thrust face has a tilted portion that is at a skewed angle relative to the axis. The tilted portion creates converging and diverging zones between the thrust faces.

Abstract: A drill bit for drilling a borehole comprises a bit body having a bit face. In addition, the drill bit comprises a plurality of primary blades. Further, the drill bit comprises a plurality of primary cutter elements mounted to each primary blade and at least one backup cutter element mounted to each primary blade. Still further, the drill bit comprises a plurality of secondary blades. Moreover, the drill bit comprises a plurality of primary cutter elements mounted to each secondary blade. The ratio of the total number of backup cutter elements mounted to the plurality of primary blades to the total number of backup cutter elements mounted to the plurality of secondary blades is greater than 2.0. Each backup cutter element on each primary blade has substantially the same radial position as one of the primary cutter elements on the same primary blade.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of comparing the relative lateral stability among drill bits (that is, the tendency for a bit to whirl). This allows improved bit selection in applications where whirl is apparent. Because there will likely be many different acceptable bit designs produced by the above method, the comparison of the regenerative forces among these bits allows a customer to make a more informed choice between stability and other performance features among a range of bit designs.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a downhole cutting tool. The downhole cutting tool including, a cutting member mounted on a rotatable shaft, a shaft-deflecting device in operable communication with the shaft, and a motor in operable communication with the shaft.

Abstract: A method of designing a rotary drill bit includes selecting and positioning a plurality of cutting elements on a rotary drill bit. At least one substantially helically extending feature is selected and positioned to rotationally follow at least one of the plurality of cutting elements, the at least one substantially helically extending feature exhibiting a selected maximum Helical Pitch.

Abstract: Rock detritus created by a drag bit cutter shearing subterranean formation material may flow under the cutter and attach itself to the side surface of the cutter barrel by differential pressure-induced sticking, and dilate. This attached material, confined by hydrostatic pressure, can create and strengthen a barrier between the cutter and the virgin rock being cut. The detritus barrier absorbs bit weight and reduces cutter efficiency by impairing contact of the cutter with the virgin rock formation. Increasing the friction between the rock detritus and the side surface of the cutter barrel inhibits detritus flow, reduces build up, and allows hydrostatic pressure to contribute to, rather than inhibit, the cutting process. Similar beneficial results may be obtained when hydrostatic pressure drilling fluid is permitted to communicate through holes in the side surface of the cutter, or through an otherwise permeable side surface alleviating detritus sticking due to differential pressure effects.

Abstract: A steerable drilling system comprises a rotary drill bit 14 secured to a housing 16, a secondary rotary drill component 22 carried by the housing and rotatable therewith, the second rotary drill component 22 having a gauge dimension greater than that of the rotary drill bit 14, and a drive arrangement operable to displace the secondary rotary drill component 22 relative to the housing 16 whilst maintaining an axis 24 of the secondary rotary drill component 22 substantially parallel to an axis 18 of the housing 16.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for drilling a bore in the ground, comprising a drive system with a connecting rod assembly that extends from the drive system into the ground. The end of said assembly pointing towards the face or base of the bore is connected to a tool head (40). The device also comprises several tools (41) that are located on the tool head (40) and work on the face or the base of the bore. The inventive device is characterised in that each tool (41) comprises an excavation disc (45) and elements that cause the excavation disc (45) to oscillate during operation.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a drill string has a drill bit with a body intermediate a shank and a working face. The working face has a plurality of blades converging at a center of the working surface and diverging towards a gauge of the working face. At least one blade has a cutting element with a carbide substrate bonded to a diamond working end with a pointed geometry. The diamond working end also has a central axis which intersects an apex of the pointed geometry. The axis is oriented between a 25 and 85 degree positive rake angle.

Abstract: A method and system that can be used to automatically calculate and generate performance analysis charts, including a reliability curve is disclosed. The method and system may be used to selectively convert performance records data from a database into graphs and charts reflective of a performance analysis. The invention also provides a tool and method that can be used to predict the effective life or run time of a component, such as a drill bit, based calculated reliabilities for similar components.

Abstract: A tool for cleaning and/or forming holes, the tool having a shaft, the shaft having a lower end and at least two buckets attached adjacent to the lower end of the shaft, each bucket having an open mouth which extends radially from the axis of the shaft, consequently rotation of the shaft about its axis causes rotation of the buckets, causing dirt to pass through the mouth of each bucket.

Abstract: A drilling head (1) is disclosed, in particular for introduction into pipelines, with a rear connector piece (2) and a forward cutting body (3) of the size of the diameter, comprising cutting ribs (4), extending in the advancing direction (V), which have a convex arch and have a cutting edge (5) on both sides of the radial end thereof in the direction of the circumference. Conventional drilling heads can be applied only with difficulty in curved pipelines and have a tendency to damage the inner wall of the pipeline. The disclosed drilling head (1) has a cutting body (3) with a conical cutting head tip (7), surrounded by the back-cut tips (6) of the cutting ribs (4) which lie set back along a longitudinal axis (Y).

Abstract: Ordered elastomeric composites comprise an ordered arrangement of a number of first elastomeric phases distributed uniformly within a continuous matrix second elastomeric phase. The second phase can be formed from an elastomeric material that is relatively harder than an elastomeric material that is used to form the first phases. Each first phase can be in the form of a core having a defined length and diameter, and the second phase can be formed from a number of shells that each surround a respective core. In a preferred embodiment, the arrangement of cores and shells are aligned coaxially with one another to provide a cellular structure. Ordered elastomeric composites of this invention can be used to form part of or an entire elastomeric seal, e.g., in the form of an annular ring adapted for use in a rotary cone drill bit.

Abstract: A drill bit configured for use in horizontal directional boring includes a spoon-shaped body with a rearwardly angled or inclined arcuate front end face that widens from a leading edge to a trailing edge in a circumferential direction, the front face sloping rearwardly from a leading side surface to a trailing edge in a circumferential direction, the leading and trailing side surfaces extending rearwardly in from the front end face. The leading side surface is wider than the trailing side surface. In one configuration, the front end surface and leading side face are each provided with a plurality of carbide inserts or studs which may be arranged in a row.

Abstract: A drilling head (1) is disclosed, in particular for introduction into pipelines, with a rear connector piece (2) and a forward cutting body (3) of the size of the diameter, comprising cutting ribs (4), extending in the advancing direction (V), which have a convex arch and have a cutting edge (5) on both sides of the radial end thereof in the direction of the circumference. Conventional drilling heads can be applied only with difficulty in curved pipelines and have a tendency to damage the inner wall of the pipeline. The disclosed drilling head (1) has a cutting body (3) with a conical cutting head tip (7), surrounded by the back-cut tips (6) of the cutting ribs (4) which lie set back along a longitudinal axis (Y).

Abstract: A novel drill bit includes a cutting reamer portion that cuts to gage diameter, and a pilot portion that cuts to a radius about 50%-80% of the reamer portion. The pilot portion extends downward from the reamer portion to create a distinct cutting area including pilot. The torque and weight on bit is evenly distributed between said pilot portion and said reamer portion of said drill bit by iterative adjustment of criteria such as backrake, siderake, cutter height, cutter size, and blade spacing.

Abstract: A drill bit for trenchless drilling includes a bit body defining a longitudinal axis about which the drill bit is rotated during a trenchless drilling operation. Two sets of cutting teeth are mounted at a front end of the bit body, the sets disposed on opposite sides of the axis. The first and second sets are brazed into respective slots formed in the first and second side surfaces of the bit body. The slots on each side surface communicate with a common groove, wherein the groove forms a shoulder against which rear ends of the cutting teeth abut.

Abstract: A drill bit is disclosed which includes a bit body having a plurality of blades thereon. The blades have a plurality of cutting elements affixed thereon at selected positions. The cutting elements are disposed into at least two groups. A first one of the groups has at least 60 percent of the cutting elements therein disposed at a first mean backrake angle. A second group has at least 60 percent of the cutting elements therein disposed at a second mean backrake angle. The second backrake angle is at least about fifteen degrees more than the first backrake angle. A bottom hole coverage of the cutting elements in the second group is at least about eighty percent.

Abstract: A drill bit for trenchless drilling includes a bit body defining a longitudinal axis about which the drill bit is rotated during a trenchless drilling operation. Two sets of cutting teeth are mounted at a front end of the bit body, the sets disposed on opposite sides of the axis. The first and second sets are brazed into respective slots formed in the first and second side surfaces of the bit body. The slots on each side surface communicate with a common groove, wherein the groove forms a shoulder against which rear ends of the cutting teeth abut.

Abstract: The present invention provides an earth boring drill bit with a superhard polycrystalline diamond or diamond-like element with greatly improved resistance to thermal degradation without loss of impact strength. Collectively called PCD elements, these elements are formed with a binder-catalyzing material in a high-temperature, high-pressure process. The PCD element has a plurality of partially bonded diamond or diamond-like crystals forming at least one continuous diamond matrix, and the interstices among the diamond crystals forming at least one continuous interstitial matrix containing a catalyzing material. The element has a working surface and a body, where a portion of the interstitial matrix in the body adjacent to the working surface is substantially free of the catalyzing material, and the remaining interstitial matrix contains the catalyzing material. This translates to higher wear resistance in cutting applications and has advantages in numerous other applications.

Abstract: A drill bit assembly having a housing that has an outer diameter, an inner diameter and a distal radial shoulder extending therebetween at a distal end of the housing. A first drill bit has an outer diameter and an inner diameter, wherein the first drill bit outer diameter is less than the housing inner diameter. The first drill bit includes a shank portion that is mounted within the housing inner diameter and a drill portion that extends from the shank portion and axially protrudes from the distal radial shoulder of the housing. A second drill bit has an outer diameter that is less than the first drill bit inner diameter. The second drill bit includes a shank portion that is mounted within the first drill bit inner diameter and a drill portion that extends from the shank portion and axially protrudes from a distal end of the first drill bit. The first drill bit outer diameter is larger than the second drill bit outer diameter.

Abstract: A rock drill including a drilling rod (2), a cup-shaped drilling head (5) secured to the drilling rod (2) at one of its ends, and connection elements including at least one radially projecting, entraining web (8) associated with the drilling rod (2) and received in at least one axially extending entrain slot (9) which is formed in an entrain surface of the cup-shaped drilling head (5) for securing the drilling head (5) to the drilling rod (2) for joint rotation therewith and for a limited axial displacement relative thereto.

Abstract: An automated hardfacing system useful for hardfacing roller cones is disclosed. The automated system includes a robot with an arm, a positioner, and a controller which co-ordinates the alignment of the robot and the positioner. The robot holds a hardfacing torch and is capable of movement in three axes of movement. These axes are the x, y, and z axes of the Cartesian co-ordinate system. The positioner holds a roller cone and is capable of movement in at least two axes of movement. The movement includes tilting and rotation about a Cartesian axis. The hardfacing coating produced by the automated system has improved quality and consistency as compared to the one obtained by a manual process.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides a system and method for stiffening a cutting tool assembly used in cutting laterally relative to a wellbore axis to reduce stresses and cyclical bending of the cutting tool assembly during cutting. The system includes a cutting tool attached to a shaft such as an output shaft of a motor or a drill string. A sleeve is disposed in an annular space, known as a box relief, defined between the shaft and a peripheral wall of the cutting tool. The sleeve is preferably fixed in the annular space by a sleeve ring surrounding a recess in the shaft, but can be coupled to the peripheral wall and/or shaft by, for example, a threaded engagement.