Abstract: A jet nozzle is provided for drilling holes through the earth, such as drainholes around a well. The nozzle may include orifices for discharging fluid to drive the nozzle forward and includes a disk or other device having orifices to produce a swirling motion to fluid in the body of the nozzle. Swirling fluid is discharged from a front orifice and an extension is placed forward of the front orifice to confine the swirling fluid in a radial direction.

Abstract: The cutting element including a cutting element for a drill bit used in drilling subterranean formations is formed with an internal chamber or passage for the flow of drilling fluid therethrough. A substrate having at least one internal passage, and prior to attaching a superabrasive table thereto, the at least one internal passage is filled with a removable substantially incompressible filler material. Attachment or bonding of the superabrasive table to the substrate under high temperature and high pressure is accomplished without significant distortion of the shape and size of the internal passage. The filler material may be a crystalline salt such as sodium chloride or halite, which is removable by dissolution in water, or may be boron nitride or a volcanic material such as Pyrofolyte material which is mechanically removable.

Abstract: A rolling cone rock bit having one or more nozzle retention bodies attached by a single orientation mounting is disclosed, as is the associated method for its manufacture. The upper end of the nozzle retention body has a fluid inlet in communication with the internal fluid plenum of the drill bit, and the lower end of the nozzle retention body includes a fluid outlet that defines an exit flow angle. The fluid outlet is located between two rolling cones, but is positioned closer to one of the cones than the other. Further, the exit flow angle is preferably within 3 degrees of parallel to the drill bit longitudinal axis and, even more preferably, is parallel with the drill bit longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A drill bit nozzle (1) providing a through bore for the passage of drilling fluid through a drill bit. The nozzle (1) is made of a material or materials which can be drilled through by standard well bore drilling equipment. The material(s) are selected to provide a surface (5) to the through bore which has a relatively high resistance to erosion to withstand the abrasive and corrosive impact of jetted drilling fluid. Embodiments are described using a hard chrome/copper combination and a single rubber material.

Abstract: A three-cone rock bit employing a non-plugging center jet nozzle with a plurality of staggered inlet orifices leading to side passageways to reduce bit balling. The nozzle defines a tapered cavity through which drilling mud flows and exits in streams. Streams are directed from the nozzle through a main exit aperture of sufficient size to avoid plugging and from side passageways boring through a sidewall of the nozzle. Jetting streams promote washing of voids within the bit and of cutting surfaces. The nozzle uses staggered inlet orifices leading to side passageways, in conjunction with a tapering shape of a central passageway to facilitate maintenance of drilling mud velocity within the central passageway and thus of stream velocity to targeted regions of the drill bit.

Abstract: A long lasting rotary drill bit for drilling a hole into variable hardness geological formations that has a self-actuating mechanism responsive to the hardness of the geological formation to minimize the time necessary to drill a borehole. A long lasting rotary drill bit for drilling a hole into variable hardness geological formations that has a mechanism controllable from the surface of the earth to change the mechanical configuration of the bit to minimize the time necessary to drill a borehole. A monolithic long lasting rotary drill bit for drilling a hole into a geological formation having hardened rods composed of hard material such as tungsten carbide that are cast into a relatively soft steel matrix material to make a rotary drill bit that compensates for wear on the bottom of the drill bit and that also compensates for lateral wear of the drill bit using passive, self-actuating mechanisms, triggered by bit wear to drill relatively constant diameter holes.

Abstract: A Down Hole Drilling Assembly (DHDA) is disclosed that induces artificial lift to remove the drilling and production fluid from a well bore during drilling operations by means of a single or multiple hydraulic jet pumps attached to a concentric string of casing. The DHDA includes a drill string and drill bit that passes through the jet pump assembly so that the power fluid is separated from the drilling or production fluid until after it has passed through the nozzle of the jet pump. The jet pump assembly is joined to a concentric casing string. The jet pump also contains a bladder element that inflates or expands to redirect the flow of the drilling and production fluid from the inner or return annulus into the jet pump assembly.

Abstract: A cutting element for a drill bit used in drilling subterranean formations is formed with an internal chamber or passage for the flow of drilling fluid therethrough. A substrate having at least one internal passage, and prior to attaching the table thereto, the at least one passage is filled with a removable substantially incompressible filler material. Attachment or bonding of the table to the substrate under high temperature and high pressure is accomplished without significant distortion of the shape and size of the passage. The filler material may be a crystalline salt such as sodium chloride or halite, which are removable by dissolution in water, or may be boron nitride or a volcanic material such as Pyrofolyte material which are mechanically removable.

Abstract: A drilling assembly for drilling a borehole into an earth formation is disclosed having a drill string extending into the borehole and a jetting device arranged at a lower part of the drill string, the jetting device is provided with a mixing chamber having a first inlet in fluid communication with a drilling fluid supply conduit, a second inlet for abrasive particles and an outlet which is in fluid communication with a jetting nozzle arranged to jet a stream of abrasive particles and drilling fluid against at least one of the borehole bottom and the borehole wall. The jetting device is further provided with an abrasive particles recirculation system for separating the abrasive particles from the drilling fluid at a selected location where the stream flows from the at least one of the borehole bottom and the borehole wall towards the upper end of the borehole and for supplying the separated abrasive particles to the second inlet.

Abstract: A drill bit is disclosed which includes a bit body having a plurality of ports therein arranged to provide a flow path between an interior of a drill string and the exterior of the bit body. At least one flow relief is disposed in one of the ports. The at least one flow relief is adapted to provide an increase in total flow area of the bit upon application to the bit of a selected fluid flow condition. A method for is also disclosed changing a total flow area of a drill bit, which includes pumping drilling fluid through the drill bit and operating a flow relief disposed in the bit to change the total flow area of the bit.

Abstract: A drill bit for drilling a borehole having a bit body with an axis of rotation, a leading face, and a plurality of blades upstanding from the leading face. At least one of the blades terminates in a gauge pad having a gauge surface arranged, in use, to face a wall of the borehole. The gauge surface being devoid of cutting elements and terminating at an end remote from the blade at a junction with a gauge pad end wall. The gauge pad carries a cutter having a face and a cutting edge located radially inward of the gauge surface, and the junction of the gauge surface and the gauge pad end wall crosses, radially, between the face of the cutter and the wall of the borehole. The gauge surface may be a substantially continuous surface, and may have at least one additional cutter located angularly between two adjacent blades of the drill bit.

Abstract: A drill bit sub attachable to a drilling string above the drill bit, the sub having an oscillation chamber with at least two radially and axially spaced, annular impingement surfaces interconnected by an inclined annular surface. The oscillation chamber is preferably coaxially aligned and in fluid communication with upper and tubular bores that each have diameters less than the diameter of the chamber. The oscillation chamber preferably has a diameter from about three to about five times the diameter of the upper tubular bore and a height between 1.6 and 5.6 times the diameter of the upper tubular bore. The diameter of the lower tubular bore is preferably about 1.3 times the diameter of the upper tubular bore.

Abstract: A three-cone rock bit employing a non-plugging center jet nozzle with a plurality of staggered inlet orifices leading to side passageways to reduce bit balling. The nozzle defines a tapered cavity through which drilling mud flows and exits in streams. Streams are directed from the nozzle through a main exit aperture of sufficient size to avoid plugging and from side passageways boring through a sidewall of the nozzle. Jetting streams promote washing of voids within the bit and of cutting surfaces. The nozzle uses staggered inlet orifices leading to side passageways, in conjunction with a tapering shape of a central passageway to facilitate maintenance of drilling mud velocity within the central passageway and thus of stream velocity to targeted regions of the drill bit. The present invention additionally provides a method of using the drill bit and non-plugging nozzle by controlling velocities of drilling mud within the nozzle.

Abstract: A multi-stage diffuser nozzle for use as a drill bit nozzle jet includes a flow restriction portion upstream of a fluidic distributor portion, and also preferably includes a transition region between these two. The flow restrictor communicates with the interior fluid plenum of a drill bit and is used to limit or choke the total flow of drilling fluid by having a relatively small cross-sectional area for fluid flow. The fluidic distributor communicates with the flow restrictor and reduces the exit flow velocities of the drilling fluid as the drilling fluid is ejected from the nozzle by providing a relatively larger cross-sectional area for fluid flow. The fluidic distributor also directs the flow paths of the drilling fluid to advantageous locations such as cone surfaces that are prone to bit balling. The transition region is an area that dampens fluid pressure oscillations in the drilling fluid.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a tire comminution apparatus that is of simple construction and that can be operated without excessive maintenance. According to the present invention, a vehicle tire of any size or composition can be comminuted with essentially the same comminution apparatus. The comminution apparatus includes a freely moving lance with a nozzle for transforming a liquid into a high velocity liquid jet. The lance is positioned and controlled such that the liquid jet impacts the tire thereby separating it into its component parts. The comminution apparatus may be computer controlled.

Abstract: A rock drill bit comprising a main body arranged to drill at the end of a shaft of the drilling assembly, the main body having a diameter larger than that of the shaft, a front face on the main body arranged to engage an area for drilling and an outer surface extending rearwards from the front face. A flush channel extends through the main body to the front face and at least one open end of the flush channel at the front face is arranged to provide a fluid to an area at the front face. A plurality of contact points on the front face for engaging the area. A flush groove extends from the open end of the flush channel outwards to the outer surface and at least one relief bore extends from the front face rearwards to a relief area behind the outer surface for providing a release for the fluid from the front face to the relief area. The relief bore is located within the flush channel between the open end and the outer surface such that the debris is flushed from the drilling area to an area behind the main body.

Abstract: A drilling tool for drilling bore holes into the ground and for removing the drilled material using an air-lifting process. The drilling tool has a drilling head equipped at its lower surface with curing elements, whose upper surface is connected to hollow drilling rods having an inner conveying channel and from whose lower surface boring material mixed with a rinsing liquid is removed via the conveying channel. At the lower surface of the drilling tool head, inside a radial channel connected to the conveying channel, a cross-flow of the rinsing liquid, flowing radially inwards and having a high flow velocity, is produced for the purpose of carrying along the boring material.

Abstract: A mill is provided for grinding and cutting objects in various wells, such as oil wells, which will typically have a cement plug or a metallic item of debris which must be ground into small enough particles to be circulated out of the hole by circulation fluid pumped through the mill. Helical watercourses have been added to the body of the mill that improves the ability of the circulation fluid to move milled particles beyond the mill. Reverse ports are also provided which divert a portion of the pressurized circulation fluid from the mill interior to the annulus adjacent the mill. The reverse ports are threaded to be closable by a corresponding set screw. An optimized configuration of carbide cutting inserts, attached as part of the mill's grinding tips, is also provided.

Abstract: Drill bit nozzle assemblies and methods of mounting the nozzle assemblies relative to a drill bit for drilling subterranean earth formations are described in which the nozzle assembly provides diverse rotational orientation of the nozzle about at least two axes relative to the drill bit. The nozzle assemblies generally include a nozzle body and an associated, cooperatively-configured nozzle body housing structure to facilitate orientation of the nozzle body within a nozzle orifice of a drill bit body and securement of the nozzle assembly with the nozzle body in a desired orientation.

Abstract: A drill bit for drilling into earth formations comprising a plurality of cutting cones and a connecting device to attach a drill bit to a drill string for drilling bore holes and providing a stabilizer for the drill bit in a drill hole and providing a plurality of passage structures to provide and distribute compressed air through the drill string to the drill bit plenum chamber in proportions needed to properly purge cuttings from the bore hole most effectively and maintain stabilization for the drill bit in the drill hole thus providing for longer life expectancy of the drill bit and cutting cones.

Abstract: A reaming tool for enlarging an earth bore in a subsurface formation in which a sub is connected to a lower end of a drill string and elongated cutter blades are pivotally secured to a lower end of the body which have cutter elements preferably in the form of rotatable cutter disks along their leading edges and a fluid delivery hose leads into fluid passages in each of the cutter blades to supply fluid under pressure to a series of fluid discharge nozzles associated with the cutter elements.

Abstract: A drill bit assembly for earth boring operations in which a sub is connected to a lower end of a drill string and elongated cutter blades are pivotally secured to a lower end of the body which have cutter elements preferably in the form of rotatable cutter disks along their leading edges and a fluid delivery hose leads into fluid passages in each of the cutter blades to supply fluid under pressure to a series of fluid discharge nozzles associated with the cutter disks.

Abstract: The invention is embodied in an earth boring tool comprising a bit body having a rotatable working head portion with a cutter element having a wear table of superhard material bonded to a substrate, and wherein the superhard and substrate materials have different coefficient properties creating a stress condition at their interface during bonding and wherein the cutter elements are stress relieved in situ on the bit body by low temperature heat annealing for a preselected time, and in which the cutter elements and bit body head portion are constructed and arranged for heat management in a dry, vacuum drilling operation. The invention further involves the heat management system and method of the stress relief process of heat annealing PCD cutter elements in situ, either alone or with a subsequent cryogenic tempering process.

Abstract: A rotary drag bit suitable for directional drilling. The bit includes a bit body from which extend radially-oriented blades carrying PDC cutters. The blades extend to primary gage pads, above which secondary gage pads are either longitudinally spaced or rotationally spaced, or both, defining a gap or discontinuity between the primary and secondary gage pads through which drilling fluid from adjacent junk slots may communicate laterally or circumferentially. Longitudinally leading edges of the secondary gage pads carry cutters for smoothing the sidewall of the borehole. The cutters are preferably configured and oriented so as to provide a relatively aggressive cutting edge to the formation in both longitudinal and rotational directions of bit movement, the cutting edges lying adjacent cutting surfaces preferably disposed at negative rake angles to the formation material of the borehole wall for enhanced durability.

Abstract: A rock-crushing rotary drill bit includes a body having a rock-crushing roller rotatably mounted thereon by bearings. The body includes a first flushing channel for conducting flushing fluid to flush the bearings, and a second flushing channel for discharging flushing medium outside of the bit body to flush away cuttings. The second flushing channel terminates in a discharge recess which defines a linear center axis. A nozzle is disposed at a downstream end of the discharge recess, and a valve element is disposed at an upstream end of the discharge recess. The valve element is spring-biased for closing the discharge recess, the valve element being openable against the spring bias in response to a sufficient pressure build-up of flushing medium within the second flushing channel. The valve element includes a guide structure for guiding the valve element for linear movement along the center axis of the discharge recess.

Abstract: A nozzle and retainer assembly is provided for use in a rotary cone earth boring bit that allows for a larger internal passage in the nozzle. In one aspect, the assembly has a nozzle seated on a shoulder in a receptacle with a stepped portion extending radially outward with a first nozzle shoulder spaced from and facing toward the shoulder in the receptacle to partially define a seal gland. The stepped portion has a second nozzle shoulder facing toward the open end of the receptacle and the retainer engages the inside surface of the receptacle and the second nozzle shoulder to retain the nozzle in the receptacle.

Abstract: A rotary cone drill bit is provided with enhanced fluid flow near the bottom of an associated borehole resulting in improved removal of cuttings and other debris from the bottom of the borehole. The drill bit includes a plurality of fluid passageways extending from the bit body to the exterior of the drill bit. The bit body may include an enlarged cavity with the fluid passageways extending therefrom. One end of the cavity preferably includes an opening to receive fluid from a drill string attached to the drill bit. The end of the cavity opposite from the opening may have a generally parabolic configuration. For one application, a web member extends from the lower portion of the bit body, occupying a void area between each cutter cone assembly. The web member preferably contains a plurality of fluid passageways which direct drilling fluid from the drill string, through the bit body, through the web member, and exiting at nozzles adjacent to the bottom of the associated borehole.

Abstract: A fixed cutter, or rotary drag, bit for drilling subterranean formations, exhibiting an enhanced resistance to bit balling and an improved rate of penetration. The bit includes an auger-like blade configuration, wherein positively raked, relatively tall blades lean rotationally forward to provide increased clearance and volume between the bit face and the formation to facilitate removal of cuttings coming off the tops of the cutters from the bit face. The blades are each substantially contiguous with an elongated, helical gage pad raked rotationally forwardly in the manner of the blades, the longitudinal lengths of the gage pads and the radially outer edges of the blades in combination with their slope providing a stabilizing structure which substantially completely circumferentially encompasses the bit body. The slope or pitch of the helix angle of the blade edges and gage pads may be varied as desired to optimize hydraulic efficiency, cutter requirements of directional drilling, and stability needs.

Abstract: A roller cone jet-type drill bit with nozzles which direct collimated streams of mud at different angles, to sweep different radii of the hole bottom.

Abstract: A system for drilling and logging of a wellbore formed in an earth formation is provided. The system comprises a logging tool string and a drill string having a longitudinal channel for circulation of drilling fluid, the drill string including a port providing fluid communication between the channel and the exterior of the drill string, the channel and the port being arranged to allow the logging tool string to pass through the channel and from the channel through the port to a position exterior of the drill string. The system further comprises a removable closure element adapted to selectively close the port, wherein the logging tool string may be selectively connected to the closure element.

Abstract: Rotary drag bits with enhanced formation cuttings removal achieved by apportioning drilling fluid flow in relationship to cuttings volume generated by various groups of cutters on the bit, each cutter group being located on a different blade of the bit. The flow apportionment may be effected by selective placement of nozzles on the bit face, employing different sized nozzles, by varying the orientation of similarly-sized nozzles, or by a combination of approaches. In addition, the transverse cross-sectional areas of the junk slots associated with each of the various blades are sized in similar proportion to the formation cuttings volume removed by each of the cutter groups. Finally, cuttings volumes from each blade of a particular type or category, such as primary, secondary, tertiary, are substantially mutually balanced with the volumes of the other blades of the same type or category.

Abstract: Rotary drag bits with enhanced formation cuttings removal achieved by apportioning drilling fluid flow in relationship to cuttings volume generated by various groups of cutters on the bit, each cutter group being located on a different blade of the bit. The flow apportionment may be effected by selective placement of nozzles on the bit face, employing different sized nozzles, by varying the orientation of similarly-sized nozzles, or by a combination of approaches. In addition, the transverse cross-sectional areas of the junk slots associated with each of the various blades are sized in similar proportion to the formation cuttings volume removed by each of the cutter groups. Finally, cuttings volumes from each blade of a particular type or category, such as primary, secondary, tertiary, are substantially mutually balanced with the volumes of the other blades of the same type or category.

Abstract: A nozzle for a drill bit has an adjustable orifice, allowing a single nozzle to change the pressure drop for a given flow rate. This is accomplished by the use of two plates, each having a shaped aperture therein. The degree to which the two apertures are overlapped determines the size of the orifice. The movement of the apertures, and thus the size of the orifice, can be adjusted at the drilling site.

Abstract: A novel nozzle and retainer assembly are used in an earth boring rock bit. A tapered interface between the nozzle and retainer protects the nozzle from impact and breakage downhole. A bushing may also be used in conjunction with an alternative nozzle and retainer assembly.

Abstract: A method of altering the force balance characteristic or moment configuration of an earth-boring rotary-type drill bit by altering the net hydraulic direction vector of drilling fluid exiting from the drill bit and, therefore, the accompanying net hydraulic force exerted on the drill bit. The method includes replacing at least one nozzle of the drill bit with a differently sized nozzle to alter the amount of hydraulic force that is exerted on a particular portion of the drill bit. Alternatively, the orientation of at least one nozzle of the drill bit may be changed to alter the direction in which drilling fluid flows from a particular portion of the drill bit and, thus, alter the direction of the hydraulic force on the drill bit. The method may be employed to counteract a net force imbalance of a drill bit, to alter a direction of net force imbalance, or to vary the magnitude of net force imbalance.

Abstract: A drive steel member for driving engagement with a rotary drilling machine, including a chuck adapter having main body and chuck seating elements and being constructed and arranged in fixed, sealing relation on on one end of the drive steel member.

Abstract: Subterranean drill bits and particularly to nozzle features to be incorporated in subterranean bits. In one embodiment, the nozzle assembly of the invention defines a wear resistant structure which extends upstream from the terminus of the transition area. In another embodiment, nozzle assemblies are arranged about the transition area at low angles so as to minimize flow turbulence.

Abstract: Hydraulic drilling apparatus and method in which a hole is formed with a series of drill heads and strings of successively smaller diameter. After each section of the hole is formed, the drill head is withdrawn back through the string, leaving the string in place in the hole to serve as a casing for the well. The next smaller size drill head and string are then introduced through the strings which have already been placed, and the process is repeated until the hole has reached the desired length. The course of the hole can be changed, e.g. from vertical to horizontal, without interruption of the drilling process by selective application of the drilling fluid to the nozzles in the drill head to steer the advancing string. Multiple laterals are formed by introducing a module having a plurality of extensible drilling tubes with drill heads at the distal ends thereof into the string and applying the pressurized drilling fluid to the module to advance the tubes from the string.

Abstract: An earth boring bit having a cone rotatably secured to a cantilevered bearing shaft and a nozzle that discharges a jet stream of fluid having a high velocity core and a lower velocity skirt. The high velocity core is fully contained in a space bounded by the backside of the cone, bit leg, borehole wall and a radial plane tangent to the tips of the heel teeth and intermittently strikes the exposed ends of the erosion and wear resistant teeth when the cone rotates the teeth on the trailing side in and out of the jet stream. Less than half of the fluid in the lower velocity skirt strikes the surface of the cone, while the remainder continues on a path toward the wall and the borehole bottom. The centerline of the high velocity core is aimed no lower than the corner of the borehole.

Abstract: A fixed-cutter drill bit for boring through earth has a body made predominately of high strength steel with thin erosion and abrasion resistant surfaces integrally formed in the steel in areas likely to encounter abrasive or erosive conditions. The drill bit may be formed by a rapid solid state densification (RSSDPM) process. The drill bit combines the high strength of conventional steel bits with design freedom and hardness equal to or greater than conventional matrix bits. Due to the manner in which the hard particles, such as tungsten carbide, are integrally held in a steel matrix, aggressive fluid hydraulics may be employed with the drill bit without unduly limiting the performance of the drill bit.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit comprises a bit body having a leading face and a gauge region, cutting elements mounted on the bit body, fluid channels extending outwardly across the leading face towards the gauge region, and nozzles for supplying fluid to the channels. At the outer end of each alternate channel, in the gauge region, is an outwardly facing junk slot which extends across only a part of the width of the channel, and a bearing surface which extends across the other part of the channel and bears against a wall of the borehole being drilled. In the channel, inwardly of the bearing surface, is an opening into an enclosed passage which passes internally through the bit body to an outlet. The bearing surfaces at the end of the channels increase the peripheral bearing surface area of the drill bit, thus improving stability, but fluid can still escape from all parts of each channel.

Abstract: Rotary drag bits with enhanced formation cuttings removal achieved by apportioning drilling fluid flow in relationship to cuttings volume generated by various groups of cutters on the bit, each cutter group being located on a different blade of the bit. The flow apportionment may be effected by selective placement of nozzles on the bit face, employing different sized nozzles, by varying the orientation of similarly-sized nozzles, or by a combination of approaches. In addition, the transverse cross-sectional areas of the junk slots associated with each of the various blades are sized in similar proportion to the formation cuttings volume removed by each of the cutter groups. Finally, cuttings volumes from each blade of a particular type or category, such as primary, secondary, tertiary, are substantially mutually balanced with the volumes of the other blades of the same type or category.

Abstract: A rotary drag bit being suitable for directional drilling. The bit includes a bit body from which extend radially-oriented blades carrying PDC cutters. The blades extend to primary gage pads, above which secondary gage pads are either longitudinally spaced or rotationally spaced, or both, defining a gap or discontinuity between the primary and secondary gage pads through which drilling fluid from adjacent junk slots may communicate laterally or circumferentially. Longitudinally leading edges of the secondary gage pads may carry cutters for smoothing the sidewall of the borehole. The tandem primary and secondary gage pads provide enhanced bit stability and reduced side cutting tendencies. The discontinuities between the primary and secondary gage pads enhance fluid flow from the bit face to the borehole annulus above the bit, promoting formation cuttings removal. The tandem gage arrangement also has utility in conventional bits not designed specifically for directional drilling.

Abstract: The geothermal heat transfer system comprises a plurality of heat exchange loops placed in the ground at an angle of less than a 20 degrees, but greater than a 5 degrees. Each loop has an out flow line and a return line, and a fluid tight, tapered end, U-turn juncture connecting the lines. A pair of distributors connects to inlet and outlet lines at a lower end and a plurality of outlet members at the upper end. A heat exchange device connects to the loops through the inlet and outlet lines. A liquid-oil-gas separator uses cup member and deflector to create a Venturi fluid inlet to separate the oil, returning it to the compressor. A bore hole drilling device comprises an hollow drilling bit with a cutting member at one end, a central fluid passage, and connecting means. The bore hole drilling device has a swivel member with a body portion and housing with a central bore and an inlet, connect to a water line. The body is position within the central bore and mounted for rotational motion within the housing.

Abstract: A drillbit with a flexible nozzle system is provided to address bit- and bottom-balling situations. In one embodiment, a given nozzle can have an mounting member which is oblong or another shape so as to be installable into different positions where, in one position, the bit-balling problem is addressed, while in the other, the bottom-balling problem is addressed. Other shapes that provide this flexibility can also be employed. The nozzle body can also be made with a symmetrical mount, with the outlet askew such that the symmetrical mount, when placed in a strategically located nozzle opening, can address bit- or bottom-balling situations by a simple reversal of the orientation where multiple orientations are available for the base. Alternatively, in the area between adjacent cones, multiple nozzle installations can be provided to independently address the bit-balling and bottom-balling situations between adjacent cones.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit for use in drilling holes in subsurface formations comprises a bit body having a leading face and a gauge region, a number of blades formed on the leading face of the bit and extending outwardly away from the axis of the bit so as to define between the blades a number of fluid channels leading towards the gauge region, a number of cutting elements mounted side-by-side along each blade, and a number of nozzles in the bit body for supplying drilling fluid to the fluid channels for cleaning and cooling the cutting elements. In each of the fluid channels, adjacent the gauge region, is an opening into an enclosed passage which passes internally through the bit body to an outlet which, in use, communicates with the annulus between the drill string and the wall of the borehole being drilled. The gauge region of the drill bit comprises a substantially continuous bearing surface which extends around the whole of the gauge region.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit for use in drilling holes in subsurface formations comprises a bit body having a leading face and a gauge region, a number of blades formed on the leading face of the bit and extending outwardly away from the axis of the bit so as to define between the blades a number of fluid channels leading towards the gauge region, a number of cutting elements mounted side-by-side along each blade, and a number of nozzles in the bit body for supplying drilling fluid to the fluid channels for cleaning and cooling the cutting elements. In each of the fluid channels, adjacent the gauge region, is an opening into an enclosed passage which passes internally through the bit body to an outlet which, in use, communicates with the annulus between the drill string and the wall of the borehole being drilled. The gauge region of the drill bit comprises a substantially continuous bearing surface which extends around the whole of the gauge region.

Abstract: A non-plugging nozzle and self-cleaning drilling tool incorporating the nozzle is provided. The nozzle has a body that defines a central passageway extending axially from the top to the bottom of the body. The central passageway defines an inlet orifice at the top and an exit orifice at the bottom. A side passageway extends through the side wall of the nozzle and communicates with a cylindrical portion of the central passageway, the intersection of which defines a side inlet orifice that is substantially square. Because the intersection is substantially square, particles may not become trapped within the nozzle and plug the side passageway. When incorporated into a drilling tool, particularly a polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bit, the drilling tool becomes self cleaning. The side passageway of the nozzle is directed at the voids formed in the cutting face of the drilling tool creating a cross flow through the voids and preventing accumulation and balling therein.

Abstract: A rotary drag-type drill bit, for drilling holes in subsurface formations, comprises a bit body having a leading face and a gauge region, a number of blades formed on the leading face of the bit and extending outwardly away from the axis of the bit so as to define between the blades fluid channels leading towards junk slots in the gauge region. Cutting elements are mounted along each blade, and nozzles in the bit body supply drilling fluid to the leading face of the bit for cleaning and cooling the cutting elements. At least some of said blades each have a leading edge which is non-linear, or convexly or concavely curved, as viewed axially of the bit, as it extends outwardly away from the axis of the bit. Blades of different shapes may be located alternately around the axis of the bit. The junk slots at the gauge region, and the kickers between which they are formed, may vary in width around the periphery of the bit, and may be inclined to the axis of the bit.

Abstract: A nozzle sleeve for the retention of replaceable fluid nozzles for rock bits is disclosed. The sleeve is secured within the body of the rock bit. A first upstream end of the sleeve communicates with a fluid plenum formed by the bit body. A second downstream end of this sleeve is adapted to receive the fluid nozzles. An elliptical fluid entrance is formed at the first upstream end of the nozzle sleeve. The elliptical fluid inlet formed by the sleeve serves to increase the flow of fluid to the nozzles, reduce turbulence of the fluid and substantially reduce the erosive effects associated with high fluid velocities and turbulent flow.