Abstract: A drill bit assembly has a bit head and a pin body. The bit head comprises a cutting end, an opposite connecting end with an engagement section, and a feature facing the connecting end. The pin body comprises a tubular body with an axial bore therethrough, a connecting end with an engagement section and a feature facing the connecting end. The drill bit assembly is manufactured by positioning the pin body connecting end with the bit head connecting end such that the pin body and bit head engagement sections overlap with a gap therebetween, and the pin body and bit head features are aligned; injecting a thermoplastic or other connecting material in liquid form between the bit head and pin body engagement sections and into the gap; and solidifying the thermoplastic or other connecting material such that the bit head and pin body are mechanically coupled together at their connecting ends and their features are securely aligned.

Abstract: A cutter assembly may include a sleeve having at least one passageway extending through the sleeve from a outer surface thereof into an inner surface thereof; at least one rotatable cutting element disposed in the sleeve, wherein the at least one rotatable cutting element has a circumferential groove formed in a side surface thereof, wherein when the inner rotatable cutting element is disposed in the sleeve, the circumferential groove is aligned with the passageway; and a retention element disposed in at least a portion of the passageway and the circumferential groove to retain the at least one rotatable cutting element in the sleeve, wherein the retention element has an axis that is parallel to a tangent of the rotatable cutting element side surface at least one point of contact with the rotatable cutting element.

Abstract: An earth-boring bit comprising a bit body is configured at its upper end for connection into a drillstring. A fixed blade depends axially downwardly from the bit body. An axially extending slot is formed in the bit body adjacent the fixed blade. A bit leg is received and retained in the slot by engagement between the slot and correspondingly shaped bit leg, wherein the bit leg cannot be removed from the slot except by axial movement relative to the bit body. A rolling cutter is secured to the bit leg at its lower extent. A fastener secures the bit leg against movement relative to the bit body and extends through oblong apertures in the bit leg and into the bit body, the bit leg can be moved axially relative to the bit body to adjust the projection of the rolling cutter relative to the fixed blade.

Abstract: A rotating cone drill bit includes a plurality of mud nozzles extending from the bit body, which are thermally fitted by controlling the temperature differential of 300° F.-900° F. depending on the corresponding materials of the elements to be fitted, the amount of fit desired, and the diameters of the elements to be fitted and which provide substantially obstruction-free mud paths toward the wellbore bottom. The bit has a plurality of reduced diameter cutter assemblies, each having a journal projecting from a corresponding leg. The journal has at least two cylindrical bearing surfaces and an annular groove formed therebetween and a spindle. An annular retention segment is rotatably mounted in the groove. The retention segment has an outer radial surface engaging a portion of one of the bearing surfaces of the cone, and an energy beam welding area fusing substantially the entire engaging surfaces of the retention segment and the cone.

Abstract: A rock head for use with an auger borer to bore a passageway through a body of soil and rock and simultaneously laying a pipe in that bored passageway. The rock head has a base connectable to the leading end of the auger. A plurality of movable mounts are provided on the base and a roller cone is secured to each movable mount. A spring is disposed between the movable mount and the base. The spring is compressed as the movable mount pivots the roller cones inwardly toward a central region of the base. This reduces the diameter of the rock head so that it can travel through the bore. Each movable mount is provided with at least one wheel so that it can ride smoothly through the bore. When the rock head exits the pipe, the springs automatically pivots each roller cone outwardly so that at least a portion thereof is disposed beyond the outermost edge of the base. In this second position, the rock head has a greater diameter than the pipe bore and therefore it cannot travel therethrough.

Abstract: A well drilling bit having a bit body attachable to a tubular drill string, which bit body is internally provided with a passageway providing fluid communication, when the drill string is attached to the bit body, between the interior of the drill string and the exterior of the bit body; a closure element for selectively closing the passageway; and one or more chip-making elements, wherein the chip-making elements has one or more roller-cones, wherein the closure element is releasably connectable to the bit body, and outwardly movable from a closing position to an opening position, and wherein the closure element includes at least one of the roller-cones.

Abstract: A rotary mine drilling bit for making blast holes having a connection at one end of the body for attachment to a drill string and the second end of the body having a plurality of longitudinally extending slots. A thrust shoulder is provided between the ends of the body and longitudinally extending supporting legs are positioned in each of the slots and are releasably connected to the body. One end of the supporting legs are positioned the adjacent the shoulders for receiving longitudinal thrust and for avoiding thrust on the connecting means. A roller bit is connected to the end of each supporting leg.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing drill bits in segments, using a single key which is nowhere concave in its axial profile to position all three segments together for welding; and drill bits so made.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for use in fabricating rotary cone drill bits from multiple drill bit segments. Each drill bit segment (40) preferably includes a first portion (50) with mating surfaces (61, 62) designed to be aligned with mating surfaces (61, 62) of other drill bit segments (40) and a second portion (80) which includes a support arm (90) with a cutter cone assembly (100) rotatably mounted thereon. A recess (70) having a generally spherical surface is formed within the first portion (50) of each drill bit segment (40) such that when the respective drill bit segments (40) are aligned with each other, the spherical recesses (70) cooperate with each other to define a generally spherical cavity. A ball (72) is disposed within the resulting spherical cavity when the drill bit segments are joined with each other to form the bit body (42) for the resulting rotary cone drill bit (20).

Abstract: A drill bit (20) for a modular arm (70) is provided. The modular arm (70) includes an inside surface (76) having first (144) and second (146) angled surfaces whose lower portions form an inwardly projecting wedge (125). A curved throat relief area (87) connects to a lower edge (152) of the wedge (125). A pocket (54) in the drill bit (20) is sized to receive the support arm (70). The pocket (54) includes a wedge-shaped recess (121) sized to receive the wedge (125) of the support arm (70). A triangular weld groove (126) is provided in the convex surface of the bit body (40). A length of weld (128) is applied in the weld groove (126) for firmly securing the support arm (70) to the bit body (40).

Abstract: A rotary cone drill bit having a one-piece bit body with a lower portion having a convex exterior surface and an upper portion adapted for connection to a drill string. The drill bit will generally rotate around a central axis of the bit body to form a borehole. A number of support arms are preferably attached to pockets formed in the bit body and depend therefrom. The bit body and support arms cooperate with each other to reduce initial manufacturing costs and to allow rebuilding of a worn drill bit. Each support 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 longitudinal axis of the associated support arm and the central axis of the bit body. A number of cone cutter assemblies equal to the number of support arms are mounted respectively on each of the spindles.

Abstract: A rotary bit for drilling subterranean formations. The bit includes a separately-fabricated bit body and cutter support structures, the latter of which may be designed as blades, ribs, pads or otherwise, depending upon the bit style. The body and one or more cutter support structures are assembled and secured together after fabrication. Separate fabrication of the cutter support structures permits more precise cutter positioning, as well as orientation, and promotes the use of stronger and more diverse cutter affixation means. The cutter support structures may be adjustably radially movable with respect to the bit body, so as to provide the ability to fabricate bits of various gage sizes within a range using a single bit body and single size of cutter support structure.

Abstract: A modular drill bit mounts legs within recesses in a body which are parallel to the central axis of the body using threaded studs with tapered outer portions, in conjuction with an attached pin having recesses therein receiving the upper ends of the legs. The lower ends of the legs terminate in spindles of open face configuration rotatably receiving cones thereon for rotation via a arrangement of bushings, roller bearings and thrust bearings, and a plurality of seals which slide and therefore rotate relative to both the leg spindle and the cone with the help of pressure compensating apparatus. A bushing disposed in the cone-leg spindle interface has oil-lubricated rubber rods disposed in apertures therein to prevent lock-up on an adjacent bearing surface. The cone is held on the leg spindle by a lock nut forming one end of a race for receiving rollers of a roller bearing, in conjunction with a ring-nut secured to an extended portion of the cone protecting the leg from wear and damage.

Abstract: A rotary cutter assembly employs a wear sleeve to improve the durability of the drill head and to seal off a fluid passageway in the shank of a drill bit which is mounted to the drill head. The shank of the drill bit is releasably secured to the drill head by means of lock pins received in intersecting complementary longitudinally and transversely extending grooves. A lock ring is also employed to axially secure the drill bit to the drill head.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a large diameter oil well drilling bit which utilizes a unique cast body upon which are secured a plurality of cutting assemblies comprising a leg, a bearing journal and a rolling cutter mounted on the bearing journal.

Abstract: A raise bit (10) is constructed with a plurality of housings (30) secured to cutter carrier frame (14) and disposed about drive stem (12). Housings (30) include a rectangularly-shaped mounting box (48) for rotatably supporting an outboard roller cutter (28). Each housing (30) also includes an upright wall (34) having an upwardly tapered lug (40) extending along the upper edge portion thereof for seating within a correspondingly shaped groove (82) formed along the underside of shoulder section (78) of an L-shaped hanger bracket (68). A roller shell (72) is antifrictionally mounted on a spindle (70) extending outwardly from an upright section (76) of hanger bracket (68). Bracket (68) is held in hooked relationship over lug (40) by a pair of capscrews (74) extending downwardly through clearance holes formed in upright section (76) and engaging within a lower portion of upright wall (34).

Abstract: A multi-cone roller bit with a central pot member is disclosed, having releasably secured legs carrying rolling cutters mounted on the pot. The legs have an upper portion which can be releasably secured in a recessed central portion of the pot and an abutment region which contacts the pot. A tongue and groove arrangement holds the leg and pot from relative movement with one another, and a central tapered plug is reciprocably movable so as to clamp and unclamp the legs to the pot.

Abstract: A rotary rock bit is described having a one piece bit body with a plurality of legs extending downwardly therefrom. Each leg includes an annular bore extending therethrough for receiving the mounting end of a separate journal pin. Each journal pin also includes a bearing end for rotatively supporting a cone type cutter. Cone retention members are operatively engaged to each journal pin for retaining the cone cutter on each journal pin. In assembly the cone cutters, with the retention members contained therein, are positioned interior of the legs of the one piece bit body in their operative location. The journal pins are then inserted through the leg bores until they extend into the cavities of the respective cone cutters. Each journal pin is then secured to a respective leg and the retention members are secured to the journal pins, preferably by electron beam welding techniques.

Abstract: Rock bit for drilling holes in the earth's crust which can be connected to driving means and being provided with supports or rock bit legs in which rotatable cutting elements or cutter cones are journalled, wherein a rock bit support comprises a removable part to which the bearing outer race ring is connected, the support part being a regularly shaped spatial body having edges which, in the assembled position, are situated in boundary planes of the support or rock bit leg.