Abstract: Hardfacing materials include a polymer matrix material and particles of hard material embedded within and dispersed throughout the polymer matrix material. Earth-boring tools include a tool body and a hardfacing material on at least a portion of a surface of the body, wherein the hardfacing material includes a polymer matrix material and particles of hard material embedded within and dispersed throughout the polymer matrix material. Methods of applying hardfacing material to an earth-boring tool comprise mixing hard particles with a polymer precursor material to form a paste, applying the paste to a surface of an earth-boring tool, and curing the polymer precursor material to form a hardfacing material on the surface of the earth-boring tool.

Abstract: Pumping and foaming device (100) comprising a container compartment (20) where a foamable fluid (1) is stored, an air entry (13) through which air is provided into the device (100) and a processing compartment (10) where fluid is pumped and foamed with air, the processing compartment (10) comprising at least one movable part and a static part, movable with respect to each other; said parts being arranged in such a way that their relative movement pumps fluid by suction from the container compartment (20) respectively into the processing compartment (10), and also drives the mixture of air and fluid through a thin gap providing a certain level of shear stress which allows this mixture to foam.

Abstract: A transfer coupling includes a static component and a rotatable component arranged concentrically, the static component including a first number of radially extending ports and the rotatable component having a second number of radially extending ports the radially extending ports arranged in a common circumferential plane wherein the ports are configured and arranged, in use, to homogenize a flow area for a fluid being transferred through the ports and thereby create a homogenous volume flow.

Abstract: A mechanical face seal includes a seal ring, the seal ring including an inner circumferential surface, an outer circumferential surface, and a generally annular body extending between the inner and outer circumferential surfaces. An annular flange projects radially from the annular body to an outer perimeter of the flange and a sealing band is on the annular flange. A slot may extend radially into the seal ring from the inner circumferential surface of the seal ring. A cooling channel may be in and extend generally circumferentially through at least one of the annular body and annular flange.

Abstract: A method of improving the service life of a drill bit comprises creating a weldment between load bearing portions of the drill bit where the weldment has a preselected root gap greater than about 25 mils and a preselected root face greater than about 25 mils, and where the weldment has a material property greater than the materials being joined.

Abstract: The roller cone is retained to the head with axial play taken out of the bearings with a tension rod that is tensioned from the rear of the head and away from the nose bearing region of the head allowing greater resistance to loading in the region of the nose bearing and a reduction in critical stresses. The tension rod has a flat and is oriented for tightening so that the flat faces grease passages to allow grease to gain access to the bearings through the bore for the tension rod and otherwise fill the bore so the tension rod actively supports loading in the head bearing. The nose bearing can be separately supported to the cone directly with a retainer threaded to the cone or a spacer between the bearings can be used so that tensioning of the rod takes out the axial play in both bearings with force transmitted to a retainer at the back of the cone.

Abstract: The roller cone is retained to the head with axial play taken out of the bearings with a tension rod tensioned from the rear of the head and away from the nose bearing region of the head allowing greater resistance to loading in the region of the nose bearing and a reduction in critical stresses. The tension rod has a flat oriented for tightening and facing grease passages to allow grease to gain access to the bearings through the bore for the tension rod and otherwise fill the bore so the tension rod actively supports loading in the head bearing. The nose bearing is separately directly cone supported with a retainer threaded to the cone or a spacer between bearings can be used so that tensioning of the rod takes out the axial play in both bearings with force transmitted to a retainer at the back of the cone.

Abstract: A drill tool includes a bit body, at least one bearing shaft extending from the bit body and a cone mounted for rotation on the bearing shaft. A mechanical seal is disposed between the bearing shaft and the cone in a seal gland. The mechanical seal includes a rigid seal ring having a dynamic sealing surface with the cone and another non-sealing surface exposed to an aperture in the seal gland. The mechanical seal further includes at least one cooling channel formed in the another non-sealing surface of the rigid seal ring, the cooling channel having an open end in fluid communication with the aperture in the seal gland.

Abstract: A drill tool comprises includes a bit body, at least one bearing shaft extending from the bit body and a cone mounted for rotation on the bearing shaft. The bearing system for the tool includes a radial thrust bearing from which cone pumping pressure pulsation originates. A lubricant sealing system including an annular seal gland and a seal ring retained within the annular seal gland functions to retain lubricant in the bearing system. The tool further includes a lubricant cone pumping pressure restrictor system formed by an annular gland (separate from the annular seal gland) and a pressure restricting ring retained within the annular gland. The lubricant cone pumping pressure restrictor system is positioned between the radial thrust bearing system and the lubricant sealing system and is adapted to attenuate cone pumping lubricant pressure pulsation from acting on the seal ring retained within the annular seal gland.

Abstract: A rotary cutter mount for an earth-boring cutter is provided which includes a ball bearing journal [100] adapted to be coupled to a cutter body [210], having a minimum [110] and a maximum [120] cylindrical diameter, and a first [115] and second [116] mounting ends. The maximum diameter [120] defines a journal body [122] which includes an exterior surface adapted to be rotationally coupled to the interior surface of the cutter body [210] so as to allow the cutter body [210] to rotate freely with respect to the bearing journal [110]. The minimum [110] diameter defines a shaft portion having sealing surfaces. The first [115] and a second [116] mounting ends are shaped to enable a rotationally fixed positioning of the bearing journal [100] in a yoke of a corresponding cutter head-plate support bracket. A row of ball-bearing races [126] is recessed to extend circumferentially about the exterior surface of the journal body [122].

Abstract: A drill bit includes a bit body comprising at its upper end a connection adapted to connect to a drill string and 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 are rotatably mounted on the plurality of journals and at least three rows of cutting elements are disposed on each of the plurality of roller cones. The outermost row of the at least three rows of cutting elements has an extension height to diameter ratio greater than a mid row, and the mid row has an extension height to diameter ratio greater than an innermost row.

Abstract: The roller cone is retained to the head with axial play taken out of the bearings with a tension rod tensioned from the rear of the head and away from the nose bearing region of the head allowing greater resistance to loading in the region of the nose bearing and a reduction in critical stresses. The tension rod has a flat oriented for tightening and facing grease passages to allow grease to gain access to the bearings through the bore for the tension rod and otherwise fill the bore so the tension rod actively supports loading in the head bearing. The nose bearing is separately directly cone supported with a retainer threaded to the cone or a spacer between bearings can be used so that tensioning of the rod takes out the axial play in both bearings with force transmitted to a retainer at the back of the cone.

Abstract: A drill tool comprises includes a bit body, at least one bearing shaft extending from the bit body and a cone mounted for rotation on the bearing shaft. The bearing system for the tool includes a radial thrust bearing from which cone pumping pressure pulsation originates. A lubricant sealing system including an annular seal gland and a seal ring retained within the annular seal gland functions to retain lubricant in the bearing system. The tool further includes a lubricant cone pumping pressure restrictor system formed by an annular gland (separate from the annular seal gland) and a pressure restricting ring retained within the annular gland. The lubricant cone pumping pressure restrictor system is positioned between the radial thrust bearing system and the lubricant sealing system and is adapted to attenuate cone pumping lubricant pressure pulsation from acting on the seal ring retained within the annular seal gland.

Abstract: A drill tool includes a bit body, at least one bearing shaft extending from the bit body and a cone mounted for rotation on the bearing shaft. An outer bearing surface of the bearing shaft includes a non-loading zone. A first groove and a second groove are formed in the outer bearing surface at the non-loading zone. The first and second grooves are both circumferentially offset from each other and axially offset from each other. One or more of the grooves includes an opening for making a fluid connection to an internal lubricant channel within this bearing shaft. The circumferential and axial offsetting of the first and second grooves define a plurality of attenuation zones that function to restrict propagation of a cone pumping pressure pulse towards a sealing system of the drill tool.

Abstract: A roller cone bit is provided that includes a wear resistant coating applied to a bearing shaft, which is attached to a roller cone. The wear resistant coating can be a tungsten/tungsten carbide composite applied by chemical vapor deposition.

Abstract: A downhole drilling apparatus for measure while drilling including a housing defining a longitudinal housing axis, wherein the housing has an upper end and a lower end. A motor includes a rotor, wherein the rotor is adapted to be driven by drilling fluids. A first drive coupling is coupled between the rotor and a first driven rod. A second drive coupling is coupled between the driven rod an a connecting shaft. A third drive coupling is coupled between the connecting shaft and a second driven rod. A fourth drive coupling is coupled between the second driven rod and a motor bearing section, wherein the connecting shaft extends through an offset bore in the housing and transmits power from the motor to the drill bit.

Abstract: A roller cone bit having a sealed lubricant reservoir between a roller cone and a head section. A journal sleeve is included on the head section that circumscribes the journal bearing surface of the head section. The sleeve can axially pivot on the head section, but does not rotate thereon. The reservoir is formed into a journal bearing surface of the head section body and may be sealed by placing a seal around its periphery that extends between the journal bearing surface and journal sleeve. Sealing the reservoir results in a hydrostatic condition therein and substantially equalized pressures.

Abstract: A drill bit and seal assembly therefor include a seal gland, an elastomeric sealing seal disposed in the seal gland and having a dynamic sealing surface and a static sealing surface, and at least one auxiliary elastomeric annular seal member disposed between the static sealing surface of the sealing seal and the seal gland. The auxiliary annular seal member serves to prevent relative movement of the sealing seal relative to the surfaces of the seal gland and to permit sealing seals of various cross-sections and shapes to adapt to and function with a conventionally sized and shaped gland. The auxiliary annular seal member is sized and configured and its material properties selected so as to impart the appropriate squeeze to the sealing seal to provide the desired contact pressure and footprint. Choice of the appropriate auxiliary seal member may permit the same sized seal to be employed in seal glands of differing sizes.

Abstract: Self relieving seals of this invention comprise an elastomeric seal body having a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface for contact with respective drill bit sealing surfaces. The seal includes a pair of external surfaces that each extend along the seal body between the first and second sealing surfaces. The seal includes one or more relief ports that are disposed through the seal body and that have openings through each of the seal body external surfaces. The relief port can be specially configured, e.g., have different diameter sections of constant or variable dimensions, to provide a degree of control over pressure equalization through the seal body when the seal is loaded within the drill bit. The seal may include an element, e.g., solid, tubular, or porous, disposed within the relief port to provide a further desired degree of control over pressure equalization through the seal when the seal is loaded within the drill bit.

Abstract: Self relieving seals of this invention comprise an elastomeric seal body having a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface for contact with respective drill bit sealing surfaces. The seal includes a pair of external surfaces that each extend along the seal body between the first and second sealing surfaces. The seal includes one or more relief ports that are disposed through the seal body and that have openings through each of the seal body external surfaces. The relief port can be specially configured, e.g., have different diameter sections of constant or variable dimensions, to provide a degree of control over pressure equalization through the seal body when the seal is loaded within the drill bit. The seal may include an element, e.g., solid, tubular, or porous, disposed within the relief port to provide a further desired degree of control over pressure equalization through the seal when the seal is loaded within the drill bit.

Abstract: Self relieving seals of this invention comprise an elastomeric seal body having a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface for contact with respective drill bit sealing surfaces. The seal includes a pair of external surfaces that each extend along the seal body between the first and second sealing surfaces. The seal includes one or more relief ports that are disposed through the seal body and that have openings through each of the seal body external surfaces. The relief port can be specially configured, e.g., have different diameter sections of constant or variable dimensions, to provide a degree of control over pressure equalization through the seal body when the seal is loaded within the drill bit. The seal may include an element, e.g., solid, tubular, or porous, disposed within the relief port to provide a further desired degree of control over pressure equalization through the seal when the seal is loaded within the drill bit.

Abstract: Annular seals of this invention comprise an elastomeric seal body that is configured to fit within a seal gland of a rock bit. The seal comprises a first seal surface, for providing a seal along a dynamic rotary surface formed between the seal body and one portion of the rock bit, and a second seal surface, for providing a seal between the seal body and another portion of the rock bit. The annular seal further comprises an extrusion prevention member that is positioned adjacent a surface of the seal body between the first and second seal surfaces. The extrusion prevention member can be integral, partially-attached, or independent of the seal body. The extrusion prevention member is preferably formed from a material having a hardness that is greater than that of the seal body. The member is positioned along the seal body at a location adjacent a groove, formed between opposed members of the rock bit, to act as a physical barrier to prevent the seal from being extruded therethrough.

Abstract: A roller-cone rock bit in which the compensation reservoir is integrated with a hydrostatically-asymmetric seal, such as a V-seal, which provides pressure relief. This seal not only relieves overpressure during filling, and when the grease thermally expands as the bit first goes downhole, but also compensates transient overpressures during operation.

Abstract: A rock bit seal in which the shape of the retainer lip (which restrains the seal from axial motion in response to pressure differentials) is optimized, with respect to the as-deformed shape of the seal in place, to achieve a preload stress which is everywhere nonzero. Preferably the ratio of maximum to minimum stress in the as-installed condition is kept to a small ratio, e.g. less than 2:1.

Abstract: The invention is a roller cone drill bit including a seal adapted to seal between the bit body and a roller cone on the drill bit. The seal includes a seal body formed from a material that is adapted to energize the seal after compression of the seal. A first dynamic seal surface formed on the seal body and is adapted to seal against the bit body. A second dynamic seal surface is formed the seal body and is adapted to seal against the roller cone. The first and second dynamic seal surfaces are formed from a material adapted to withstand relative motion between the first dynamic seal surface and the bit body and between the second dynamic seal surface and the roller cone.

Abstract: A drilling head with a cone rock bit, each cone having a stationary part and a rotary part which rotates about an axis of rotation. Also included is a dynamic sealing device between the stationary part and the rotary part. The sealing device is borne by the rotary party and has a first sealing lip and a second sealing lip, each of which forms a surface of revolution about the axis of rotation. Further, the first and second lips bear respectively against a first bearing face and a second bearing face secured to the stationary part. The first lip is oriented in such a way that it presses against the first bearing face under the action of the pressure, and the second lip is oriented in such a way that it moves away from the second bearing face under the action of the pressure of the lubricating product, so as to allow this product to fill a cavity and compensate for the pressure in the cavity.

Abstract: A bearing seal for earth boring bits is disclosed. A supporting ring is located in a groove formed in the earth boring bit. An annular cavity between the outer circumference of the supporting ring and the bottom of the groove is connected with the outside. An O-ring made of rubber is provided in an annular space defined by the sidewalls of the groove, the inner circumference of the supporting ring and the cylindrical surface of the bearing shaft of the head section to form a seal comprising a radial and axial seal. Compressive deformation of the O-ring does not depend on the eccentric rotation of the cone. Therefore, the working life of the seal is increased and the compressive deformation is decreased, thus facilitating use at high rotating speeds.

Abstract: This invention consists of a floating spindle cap disposed between a spindle pilot bearing extending from a main journal bearing and a cone bore formed by a rotary rock bit cone secured to the journal bearing. The floating spindle cap is formed from a softer material than both the spindle bearing and the cone to accommodate for slight misalignments and edge loading between the journal bearings and the cone while working in a borehole.

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: A rotatable seal cage assembly for positioning between relatively movable members including a ring with inner and outer circumferential edges, which edges are joined by two flat side surfaces extending therebetween. An annular projecting surface extends from one of the ring side surfaces. A projection extends from the other side surface of the ring to be engaged by rotatable bearings to rotate the ring when relative rotation of the members occurs. Radially spaced seals are provided on each side of the annular projecting surface to seal between the rotatable seal cage assembly and each of the relatively movable members and inhibit damage to the radially spaced seals between the relatively movable members.

Abstract: A sealing relationship between a rotatable and stationary member is formed by a seal arrangement between the rotatable and stationary member wherein a first member engages the seals forming the sealing relationship and a second member is rotatable by the rotatable member to rotate the first member about the stationary member at a substantially reduced rotational speed relative to the rotational speed of the rotatable member to inhibit damage to the sealing relationship.

Abstract: An earth boring bit having a cantilevered bearing shaft and a compensator system to equalize the pressure of the lubricant with the hydrostatic pressure of the drilling fluid surrounding the bit. A rigid face seal assembly, positioned between the cutter and bearing shaft of the bit, moves axially in response to, and to compensate for, dynamic pressure changes in the lubricant adjacent the seal. The positioning and sizing of resilient energizer rings in relationship to the geometries of the mating grooves between the cutter and shaft and the rigid sealing rings of the face seal assembly minimize axial seal movement relative to cutter and shaft during drilling to enhance seal life. A threaded bearing lug receives an internally threaded bearing sleeve. The journal bearing surface is approximately midway between the shaft seal groove, a portion of which is on its bearing sleeve and another portion on the cutter seal groove.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a grit exclusion and oil retention seal for use in extremely hostile environments. These environments include, but are not limited to sealing oil within cavities forming parts of earth drilling bits and the like. Seals such as these, include the ability to seal oil within a cavity in a reliable manner even under extreme conditions of vibration, mechanical shock, and the presence of grit, sand, water, dirt and mixtures thereof. In order to function properly in this environment, the seal must also provide a certain amount of axial end play so that relative movement of the sealed parts will not permit the seal to leak.In this connection, a heavy duty seal of the type with which the invention is concerned must provide not only a primary or relatively moveable seal, but also a secondary seal. The seal assembly must include means for transmitting torque from the housing or carrier to the primary seal rings.

Abstract: A dynamic seal is disclosed for sealing between a rotating cutter and a drill bit journal in an underground formation drilling bit, which seal utilizes a static elastomeric seal ring abutting a metal seal ring having a dynamic sealing face.

Abstract: An invention relating to a rock drill bit assembly primarily adapted for earth boring operations, and more particularly to a rock drill bit assembly having therewithin a temperature-controlled, sealed environ being adapted for the bearing means and the lubricant disposed between the relatively rotatable parts thereof.The rock drill bit assembly includes a rock drill main body having a journal thereon with an internally confined heat exchange means therein which is selectively controlled by a remotely located control system, at least one cone which is relatively rotatably supported from the journal facial surface, a peripheral seal adapted for fully enclosing the clearance space defined between the relatively rotatable opposing facial surfaces of the journal and the cone, and bearing means and lubricant positioned in the enclosed clearance space and adapted for reducing rotational friction between the opposing facial surfaces thereof.