Abstract: Embodiments of a reamer of the present invention generally include a substantially tubular body sub, a substantially planar base plate having one or more receiving cavities disposed therein, one or more gussets, a fluid chamber, and a plurality of leg/cone assemblies having a leg end and a cone end; wherein the base plate is disposed around the body sub and stabilized by the gussets, and each leg end comprises an exterior surface geometry complementary to the interior surface geometry of a base plate receiving cavity and is insertable into and affixable therein. The receiving cavities are constructed in defined locations and orientations in the base plate and the leg/cone assemblies are precisely formed such that insertion of the leg end into the receiving cavity accurately and precisely disposes the cutting component about the reamer. Embodiments of methods of providing and using an apparatus of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: A hybrid earth-boring bit comprising a bit body having a central axis, at least one, preferably three fixed blades, depending downwardly from the bit body, each fixed blade having a leading edge, and at least one rolling cutter, preferably three rolling cutters, mounted for rotation on the bit body. A rolling cutter is located between two fixed blades.

Abstract: A scraping-wheel drill bit with a bit body configured at its upper extend for connection into a drillstring, comprising: a bit body (1) with at least one bit leg (3), and at least one scraping-wheel (2) set with a cutter-row (4). The scraping-wheel (2) is mounted for rotation on the corresponding bit leg (3) with a large angular deflection ? which lies in the range of 20°?|?|?90°. The cutters on the scraping-wheel break rocks by means of successive scraping, forming a spiral-like tracks on the bottomhole, thus achieving high rock-breaking efficiency, even wear, high cooling performance, and a longer service life for the cutters, bearings and the drill bit.

Abstract: A method including of manufacturing a drill bit includes inputting bit characteristics into a simulator. The bit characteristics may include a drill bit mass, coordinates of the bit center of gravity, and an inertia tensor of the bit. The bit center of gravity and a vector of the inertia tensor may be aligned with a bit axis in the simulator. Based on the alignment of the center of gravity and the inertia tensor with the bit axis, new bit characteristics may be determined. A drill bit with the new bit characteristics may be produced.

Abstract: A composite drill bit with a bit body configured at its upper extend for connection into a drillstring, comprising: a bit body (1) with at least one bit leg (3), at least one scraping-wheel (2) set with a cutter-row (4), and a set of cutters fixed thereon. The scraping-wheel (2) is mounted for rotation on the corresponding bit leg (3) with a large angular deflection ? in the range of 20°?|?|?90°. The cutters on the scraping-wheel break rock by means of successive scraping, forming a cross-cutting area on the bottomhole accompanied by the cutters on the fixed cutting unit, thus achieving high rock-breaking efficiency, even wear, high cooling performance, and a longer service life for the cutters, bearings and the drill bit.

Abstract: A drilling apparatus including a rotary cutting tool having a proximal end and a distal end and further defining a rotary axis generally extending between the proximal and distal ends. The rotary cutting tool includes a proximally directed face located between the proximal and distal ends that face mainly in a proximal direction. The rotary cutting tool also includes an angled mounting face that extends between the proximally directed face and the proximal end. The angled mounting face is angled relative to the proximally directed face and the rotary axis where one of a mounting aperture and a mounting protrusion are provided at the proximally directed face. The one of the mounting aperture and the mounting protrusion have a mounting depth that extends generally in the direction of the rotary axis. The distal end includes a feature that is configured for at least one of cutting and grinding.

Abstract: A drill bit may include a bit body, comprising: at its upper end, a connection adapted to connect to a drill string; at its lower end, a plurality of journals extending downwardly and radially outward from a longitudinal axis of the bit; a plurality of roller cones rotatable mounted on the plurality of journals; and at least three rows of cutting elements disposed on each of the plurality of roller cones, wherein an outermost row has an extension height to diameter ratio greater than a mid row, and the mid has an extension height to diameter ratio greater than an innermost row.

Abstract: An earth boring bit has cutting elements arranged to avoid tracking. The bit has a bit body having a bit axis of rotation. First, second and third cones are rotatably mounted to the bit body, each of the cones having a plurality of rows of cutting elements including a heel row and an adjacent row. The heel row of the first cone has at least equal the number of cutting elements as the heel rows of the other cones. The adjacent row of the second cone has at least 90 percent as many cutting elements as the heel row of the first cone. The heel row of the third cone has a pitch that is in the range from 20-50% greater than the heel rows of the first cone.

Abstract: A two-cone drill bit that exhibits improved stability. In one embodiment, the two-cone drill bit has a first and a second roller cone arranged to have a cone separation angle between about 145 degrees and about 166 degrees. In some embodiments, the two-cone drill bit has a plurality of cutting elements arranged on the roller cones such that a bottom hole coverage greater than about 17 percent is achieved per revolution of the two-cone drill bit.

Abstract: A lubricating nutating single cone drill bit 10 includes bit shank 12 with an axially skewed journal 18 rotatably retaining cutter body 22. Bearings (26, 28, 30, 32) enable rotation of the cutter body 22. Lubrication flows 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 communicates with fluid inlet port 88 on the proximal end 16 of the bit shank 12. Fluid passage 90 also communicates 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 roller cone drill bit is disclosed which includes a bit body adapted to be coupled to a drill string. A bearing journal depends from the bit body. A single roller cone is rotatably attached to the bearing journal. The roller cone has a plurality of inserts disposed at selected positions about the cone. The journal defines a rotation angle with respect to an axis of rotation of the bit such that the roller cone includes a wall contact zone and a bottom contact zone. At least one of the inserts disposed in the wall contact zone has an extension portion terminating in a substantially planar upper surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to a single cone bit with offset axis and composite cones for oil and gas drilling, mining and other subterranean drilling operations. The bit consists of a head body and a cone. The cone section has a shape of composite cones. The outer circumference of the cone is composed of from back face of the cone to top of the cone an extended gage surface, an outer cone surface and a main cone surface. A plurality of cutting elements is mounted onto each cone surface. A head journal at lower end of the head body is for rotatablely connection with the cone. Between the axis of head journal and the axis of the bit, there is an offset value d along rotating direction of the cone. A gage pad is arranged on head body at a location opposite to the offset direction of the head journal. The gage pad is fitted with inserts or hardfaced with wear resistant alloy to prevent bit from whirling and prevent head body from being worn out and to ensure gage protection.

Abstract: An expandable drill bit comprises a body for mounting on a support string and two roller cutters mounted on the body. The cutters are movable between a smaller diameter first configuration and a larger diameter second configuration. In one embodiment the bit is adapted to drill with the cutters in both the first and second configurations.

Abstract: A roller cone bi-center bit for economically drilling an enlarged borehole below casing in earth formation is provided. The bi-center bit includes a rolling cone cutter or other appropriate cutter to enlarge a pilot bore also made by rolling cone or other type of cutters. The bit comprises a single-diameter body with a recess to accommodate the trailing cutter which enlarges the pilot bore. The bi-center bit may also provide the ability to change out the cutters efficiently in the field. The cutters are oriented to enhance drilling out the cement plug at the bottom of the casing. The cone cutter may be also be mounted on segments which are designed to be easily removed for replacement or adjustment in position in the field.

Abstract: A roller bit is provided having super-abrasive inserts on cutting portions to assure that the bit will maintain cutting efficiency. In the described exemplary bits, the axes of the roller cones are also offset by a significant or “high offset” amount from the central longitudinal axis of the bit, thereby providing for increased shearing and grinding action by the bit. The use of high offset in combination with super-abrasive inserts provides for optimal bit cutting designs which provide increases in ROP while preserving the bit's ability to hold gage and remain durable to achieve acceptable footage. Minimum high offsets and preferred high offsets are described for various bit sizes, designs and nomenclatures, including milled tooth bits and insert-type bits designed for use in soft-through-medium formation hardnesses as well as formations with greater hardnesses.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a roller cone drill for drilling earth formations and a method of using the same. The drill bit includes a bit body and a plurality of roller cones attached to the bit body and able to rotate with respect to the bit body. The drill bit further includes a plurality of cutting elements disposed on each of the roller cones, an offset of at least about 0.375 inches; and a journal angle less than about thirty degrees. In one embodiment, the drill bit includes three roller cones. In another embodiment, the cutting elements of the bit are arranged on each cone so that cutting elements on adjacent cones intermesh between the cones.

Abstract: A roller bit is provided having super-abrasive inserts on cutting portions to assure that the bit will maintain cutting efficiency. In the described exemplary bits, the axes of the roller cones are also offset by a significant or “high offset” amount from the central longitudinal axis of the bit, thereby providing for increased shearing and grinding action by the bit. The use of high offset in combination with super-abrasive inserts provides for optimal bit cutting designs which provide increases in ROP while preserving the bit's ability to hold gage and remain durable to achieve acceptable footage. Minimum high offsets and preferred high offsets are described for various bit sizes, designs and nomenclatures, including milled tooth bits and insert-type bits designed for use in soft-through-medium formation hardnesses as well as formations with greater hardnesses.

Abstract: An earth-boring bit has a body with a threaded pin on the upper end for connecting to a drill string. Bit legs are formed symmetrically on the exterior of the body and extend downward. The lower portion of each bit leg is inclined and offset circumferentially from the upper portion. A cutter is mounted to the lower portion of each bit leg for rotation about a cutter axis. Nozzle bosses are located between each bit leg. A flow channel exists on both sides of each nozzle boss. The nozzle boss is inclined in a similar direction to the bit leg.

Abstract: A rotary drill arrangement comprising a combination spade drill body having a rotational axis, a shank portion, and a generally planar spade cutter portion with a pair of oppositely directed cutting edges extending radially of the axis, and a rotatable frusto conical cutter mounted on the spade cutter portion adjacent the maximum radial extent of each cutting edge.

Abstract: A rock bit has a body and three cutters that include generally conical surfaces, at least one of which contains an outermost, circumferential row of heel teeth that dislodge cuttings from the borehole wall and bottom. The heel teeth form a corner with the borehole wall with successive contact points defined by the path of outer edges of the heel teeth while rotating into, and prescribing, the corner as it spirals downwardly during drilling. The rotational axis of the cutter is offset from the geometric centerline or intended rotational axis of the bit. Stabilizing pads extend outwardly from the body, each concluding in a surface that contains a low-friction, wear-resistant surface that engage the wall of the borehole. The center of each surface is located directly across from the contact point of an opposed cutter.

Abstract: A boring head is provided for use in mounting to a drill pipe of a drilling rig for enlarging a pilot bore in horizontal boring operations. The boring head has an axial member positioned along a central axis of the boring head for connecting the boring head to the drill pipe of the drilling rig. A plurality of internally tapered longitudinal pockets around the periphery of the axial member each receive an externally tapered body mounting an independently rotatable cutter bit which rotates about a rolling axis inclined at an angle in the range between ten and eighty degrees with respect to the central axis of the boring head. The tapered body is drawn into the tapered pocket by a threaded retainer and forced into the pocket when boring by the force of the boring head against the bore face.

Abstract: An earth-boring bit has a bit body and at least one cantilevered bearing shaft depending inwardly and downwardly from the bit body. A cutter is mounted for rotation on the bearing shaft and includes a gage surface and an adjacent cutter backface. The cutter has negative offset with respect to the axis and direction of rotation of the bit. A plurality of cutting elements are arranged on the cutter including a plurality of gage cutting elements on the gage surface of the cutter. At least one of the gage cutting elements projects beyond the gage surface and defines a cutting surface facing the backface of the cutter for engaging the sidewall of the borehole being drilled as the gage cutting element moves up the sidewall.

Abstract: An earth-boring bit has a bit body and at least a pair of cantilevered bearing shafts depending downwardly and inwardly therefrom. A first cutter is mounted for rotation on one of the bearing shafts and has a region of contact with the sidewall of the borehole. A second cutter is mounted for rotation on another of the bearing shafts and has a region of contact with the sidewall of the borehole that is non-opposite that of the first cutter. Stabilization is provided by a stabilizer pad carried on the bit body and arranged to be opposite the contact regions of the first and second cutters.

Abstract: A rotary cone drill bit for forming a borehole having a body with an underside and an upper end portion adapted for connection to a drill string. The drill bit rotates around a central axis of the body. A number of angularly-spaced arms are integrally formed with the body and depend therefrom. Each arm has an inside surface with a spindle connected thereto and an outer shirttail surface. Each spindle projects generally downwardly and inwardly with respect to the central axis, has a generally cylindrical upper end portion connected to the inside surface, and has an inner sealing surface within the upper end portion. A number of rotary cone cutters equal to the number of arms are each mounted on one of the spindles.

Abstract: A rotary cone drill bit for forming a borehole having a body with an underside and an upper end portion adapted for connection to a drill string. The drill bit rotates around a central axis of the body. A number of angularly-spaced arms are integrally formed with the body and depend therefrom. Each arm has an inside surface with a spindle connected thereto and an outer shirttail surface. Each spindle projects generally downwardly and inwardly with respect to the central axis, has a generally cylindrical upper end portion connected to the inside surface, and has an inner sealing surface within the upper end portion. A number of rotary cone cutters equal to the number of arms are each mounted on one of the spindles.

Abstract: The inserts for a roller cone of a multiple cone rock bit are positioned or angled in the cone to attack an earthen formation such that the inserts are subjected to more compressive forces and the formation is subjected to more shear forces as the roller cutters roll over the bottom of the formation.

Abstract: An earth boring bit of the type having three rotary cone cutters carried on bearing pins depending from respective head sections is disclosed. Adjacent the rear face of a cutter is located a portion of the respective head section commonly known as the shirttail. The invention discourages the intrusion of cuttings into the bearing surfaces or seals and reduces the likelihood of fracture of the shirttail. This is achieved by forming the coacting faces as truncated conical surfaces instead of the usual configuration of the prior art which is arranged substantially perpendicular to the bearing pin axis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cutting head for use in a rotary drill bit in which the cutting head comprises a stem and a base integrally formed with the stem. The base has a first cutting surface defined by a frustrum of a cone or other shape and a second cutting surface defined a cone or other shape, wherein the first and second cutting surfaces are coaxial with the axis of the cutting head. The cutting head is adapted to be attached to a drill bit such that the axis of the cutting head is oriented at an angle with respect to the axis of the drill bit.

Abstract: A two-cone earth boring bit having non-opposite cones that minimize the tendency for off-center rotation or rough running. The bit is composed of two cones, each having a cantilevered bearing shaft with an axis extending inwardly and downwardly. A rotatable, generally conical cutter is mounted on each bearing shaft, each cutter having a conical gage surface to engage and define a borehole with a wall of select gage diameter. The axis of one cutter is skewed relative to the other to cause the conical gage surface of the two cones to engage the wall of the hole at points that are other than 180 degrees apart as compared to nonskewed cutters. These points are separated by a distance less than the selected gage diameter. A line between these points is separated from a line extending from one point through the rotatable axis on the bit by a selected angle. The body of the bit and/or stabilizers are separated from the wall of the hole by a distance less than the selected gage diameter.

Abstract: A drill bit for earth boring purposes includes a drill bit body which is rotatable about a drilling axis, a single cutting member mounted rotatably on the body and a counter-reaction member also mounted on the body. The counter-reaction member extends partially downwardly from the body and includes first and second outwardly exposed surfaces. The first surface has a greater surface area than the second surface and is at least partially formed with a circumferentially disposed curvature and a longitudinally disposed curvature with respect to the drilling axis so that it can closely conform to and contact the curvature of the bottom of the hole formed by the drill bit. The first surface of the counter-reaction member acts as a friction pad to counteract the torque effects of rotating the drill bit about the drilling axis and the cutting member engaging in the ground.

Abstract: A drilling member for use in a drilling system, such as for drilling a large diameter subterranean hole or for removing rock at the earth's surface, in which the system employs a cutting head rotated about an axis and mounted for movement into a rock face, the cutting head having a plurality of drilling members, each of which has a truncated conical external surface rotated about the conical axis thereof, and a plurality of spaced-apart rows of indentors secured to the drilling member conical surface, the indentors being adapted to penetrate into the rock face a distance P, and wherein the indentors are spaced a distance not greater than 7 P apart.

Abstract: Improvement in the drilling of vertical bore holes is achieved by an asymmetrical rotary cone bit having a substantially cylindrical body with a shank formed on the body and extending therefrom along a vertical axis for connection to a drill string. Projecting from the cylindrical body are three journal pins, which pins extend from the end of the body opposite from the shank. These three journal pins are circumferentially displaced such that the rotational axis of the first and second pins are displaced more than 120 degrees and less than 180 degrees. The axis of the third journal pin is circumferentially displaced equidistant from the axis of the other two journal pins. Journaled on the first and second journal pins are first and second roller cutter cones having substantially the same based diameter. Each of these cutter cones has cutting teeth extending from the surface thereof and includes a row of gage cutting teeth.

Abstract: This invention discloses a rolling cone drilling bit having a plurality of cutters which have inserted therein hard metal cutting elements preferably formed of tungsten carbide alloy; and in which bit the rolling cone cutters are located in such a manner that their rotational axes are greatly offset from the rotational axis of the drill bit. In addition, a fluid jetting system is provided in the invention that directs a pressurized fluid spray across the main cutting inserts and against the formation face so that when the drill bit is used in its most advantageous areas, such as the soft, medium-soft and plastic formations, the jetting system prevents "balling up" of the cutters and greatly increases the drilling efficiency of the bit.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit comprising a cutter bit (10) having a plurality of mutually displaced rows (12-17) of cutting means (11) extending in the circumferential direction of the cutter bit (10). The included cone angle (.alpha.) of the cutter bit (10) is larger than 90.degree. and adapted to the mutual positioning of the cutting means (11) on the cutter bit (10) in such a way that it is ensured that repetition of the pattern of the cutting means is avoided.

Abstract: This invention discloses a rolling cone drilling bit comprising a plurality of conical roller cutters having hard metal cutting elements thereon and being so positioned relative to each other that their rotational axes are offset from the rotational axis of the drill bit, and a drilling fluid nozzle system for directing a pressurized fluid stream across certain of the cutting elements and thereafter against the formation generally at the bottom of the well bore so that when the drill bit is used in its most advantageous areas, such as the soft, medium-soft and plastic formations, the nozzle system prevents "balling up" of the cutters and greatly increases the drilling efficiency of the bit.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for drilling a straight borehole in all types of geological formations by the provision of a drilling tool that maintains a constant hole angle respective to the vertical as the borehole is formed. The apparatus includes a bit to which there is rotatably secured a plurality of cones. The cones are mounted to a cutterhead, with the cutterhead being attached to the lower marginal end of a shank. The cutterhead is placed at an incline respective to the shank whereby a plane passing through the cones of the bit lies obliquely respective to the axial centerline of the shank. When the bit weight is applied, the oblique angle between the cones and the shank causes the drill string weight to be transferred unevenly to the cones, whereupon a significant radial force is effected on each of the individual cones.

Abstract: A drill bit is disclosed for maintaining a desired direction of drilling or to reduce the deviation already established. The drill bit includes a plurality of legs with each leg having a cone cutter rotatively supported thereon. A plurality of annular rows of cutting inserts are circumferentially mounted on the conical surface of each cutter. Each cone cutter further includes a heel portion adjacent the base of the conical surface. The heel portion is of sufficient mass to support the gage row of cutting elements. The gage row of each cone extends further out from the cone axis than any of the intermediate adjacent rows in such a manner that the annular area of the hole bottom cut by the gage inserts is lower than any other area cut by the intermediate rows of cutting inserts. This extended gage row construction enables the gage inserts to cut into any sloping wall to produce a sharp corner and bring the hole back into line with the drill string.

Abstract: A rotary drill for drilling a well in the surface of the earth the drill comprising a drill bit including an upper portion for connection to a drill string, duct means for carrying fluid to extract detritus and clear the bottom of the well and receiving means; a solid cutting head comprising a conical head portion and a stem portion, the conical head portion including holes therein and cutting elements inserted in the holes, the stem portion being received in the receiving means of the drill bit, wherein the stem and the receiving means include holding means for rotatably holding the cutting head in the drill bit; bearing means between the drill bit and the conical head; and a lubrication system interconnected between the drill bit and the cutting head.

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: Improved cutter elements for drill bits of the type having two to four conical-shaped cutters mounted in a supporting body for rotation about their respective axes with their apices inclined downwardly-inwardly toward the axis of rotation of the body; the cutter elements are spaced apart from one another both axially and circumferentially of the substantially conical exterior of each conical-shaped cutter and, usually, disposed in spaced circumferential rows, each cutter element including a pair of interacting chisel or wedge-shaped teeth intersecting each other--preferably at their medial portions in perpendicular relationship--coextensive from crest to root and having their respective crests extending approximately radially of the axis of rotation of said cutter and generally circumferentially of said cutter axis; the circumferentially--oriented teeth have coextensive cutting edges at their ends and are adapted to cut through ridges created in the formation by the radially-oriented teeth and laterally displ

Abstract: A two-cone earth boring bit having non-opposite cones that minimize the tendency for off-center rotation or rough running. The bit is composed of two cones, each having a cantilevered bearing shaft with an axis extending inwardly and downwardly. A rotatable, generally conical cutter is mounted on each bearing shaft, each cutter having a conical gage surface to engage and define a borehole with a wall of .[.select.]. .Iadd.ed .Iaddend.select gage diameter. The axis of one cutter is skewed relative to the other to cause the conical gauge surface of the two cones to engage the wall of the hole at points that are other than 180 degrees apart as compared to nonskewed cutters. These points are separated by a distance less than the selected gage diameter. A line between these points is separated from a line extending from one point through the .[.rotatable.]. .Iadd.rotational .Iaddend.axis on the bit by a selected angle.

Abstract: An earth boring bit has cutting elements arranged to avoid tracking. The bit has a bit body having a bit axis of rotation. First, second and third cones are rotatably mounted to the bit body, each of the cones having a plurality of rows of cutting elements including a heel row and an adjacent row. The heel row of the first cone has at least equal the number of cutting elements as the heel rows of the other cones. The adjacent row of the second cone has at least 90 percent as many cutting elements as the heel row of the first cone. The heel row of the third cone has a pitch that is in the range from 20-50% greater than the heel rows of the first cone.