With Bore Wall Engaging Guide Patents (Class 175/399)
  • Patent number: 10526848
    Abstract: A downhole cutting apparatus includes a tubular body and a cutter block extending radially therefrom. The cutter block includes at least one row of cutting elements. The row or cutting elements defines a cutting profile having a first underreaming cutting edge, a second underreaming cutting edge, and a first backreaming cutting edge between the first underreaming cutting edge and the second underreaming cutting edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuanbo Lin, Youhe Zhang
  • Patent number: 10487606
    Abstract: A cutting apparatus and method to facilitate milling of a casing window by improving the interaction between the mill and the casing. The cutting apparatus comprises a whipstock having a plurality of ramp sections that provide a ramp profile arranged and designed to cooperate with the cutting structure of a mill to achieve a desired loading on the mill cutting elements during milling of the casing window. The plurality of ramp sections, having specific lengths and oriented at specific angles, adjust the loading on the mill as the mill cuts through the casing during formation of the casing window. The improved whipstock maintains a more balanced loading across the cutting elements during milling operations. Additional mill cutting structures may also be selected and evaluated to further balance the cutting load during window milling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Shantanu N. Swadi, John E. Campbell, Shelton W. Alsup
  • Patent number: 10119337
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of designing a downhole drilling tool may include generating a three dimensional (3D) downhole drilling tool model including a plurality of cutting elements on a plurality of blades and simulating engagement of the 3D downhole drilling tool model with a 3D model of a borehole bottom. The method may further include calculating a cutting force of a cutting element of the plurality of cutting elements, calculating a wearflat frictional force of the cutting element, and modeling a drilling efficiency of the 3D downhole drilling tool model based on the cutting force of the cutting element and the wearflat friction force of the cutting element. In addition, the method may include determining a design parameter of the 3D downhole drilling tool model based on the drilling efficiency of the 3D downhole drilling tool model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Xianwu Ling
  • Patent number: 9862035
    Abstract: A guide pad for a cutting tool is formed with at least one sliding surface, which is convexly curved in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the guide pad. Each sliding surface includes two convexly curved sliding sub-surfaces separated by a fluid conveying formation having a longitudinal extension in a direction in parallel to the longitudinal axis. The fluid conveying formation is planar or has a convexly curved shape in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis having a larger radius of curvature than the radius of the sliding surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: SANDVIK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AB
    Inventors: Eva Van Doorn, Per Hansson
  • Patent number: 8752649
    Abstract: A well bore reaming device and method are disclosed. The device includes a drill string, a bottom eccentric reamer coupled to the drill string, and a top eccentric reamer coupled to the drill string, wherein the bottom and top eccentric reamers have a prearranged spacing and orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Hard Rock Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: James D. Isenhour
  • Patent number: 8746373
    Abstract: Earth-boring rotary drill bits may include a bit body attached to a shank assembly at a joint. The joint may be configured to carry at least a portion of any tensile longitudinal and rotational load applied to the drill bit by mechanical interference at the joint. The joint may be configured to carry a selected portion of any tensile longitudinal load applied to the drill bit. Methods for attaching a shank assembly to a bit body of an earth-boring rotary drill bit include configuring a joint to carry at least a portion of any tensile longitudinal and rotational load applied to the drill bit by mechanical interference. The joint may be configured to carry a selected portion of any tensile longitudinal load applied to the drill bit by mechanical interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Redd H. Smith, James L. Duggan, Anupam K. Singh
  • Patent number: 8700272
    Abstract: A system for automated control of a machine having a ground engaging work implement includes an implement load sensor system. A controller determines a change in terrain based at least in part upon a change in the load on the ground engaging work implement. If the change in terrain exceeds a threshold, the controller generates an alert command signal. A method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Stratton, Troy K. Becicka, Michael Taylor, Thandava K. Edara
  • Patent number: 7730972
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a drill bit has a jack element that is substantially coaxial with an axis of rotation of the drill bit and the jack element has an asymmetrical distal end that extends beyond a working face of the drill bit. A turbine is located within a bore formed in the drill bit and a flow valve is actuated by the turbine. The flow valve is adapted to route a drilling fluid in the bore into a porting mechanism adapted to extend the jack element farther beyond the working surface of the drill bit. The turbine is also adapted to rotate the jack element at variable speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Scott Dahlgren, Jonathan Marshall
  • Patent number: 7690446
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: George B. Witman, Peter Wilson, Scott D. McDonough, Michael A. Siracki
  • Publication number: 20100071962
    Abstract: An embodiment according to the disclosure is a drill bit that includes at least one blade profile having a side section and an adjustable pad on the side section that is configured to extend from the side section to cause the drill bit to alter a drilling direction when the drill bit is used to drill a wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Chad J. Beuershausen
  • Publication number: 20100071956
    Abstract: An embodiment according to the disclosure provides a drill bit that includes a pad on a face section thereof, which pad extends from the bottom section upon application of a force thereon and retracts upon the removal of the force to control fluctuations of the drill bit during drilling of a wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Chad J. Beuershausen
  • Patent number: 7506701
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention a drill bit assembly has a body portion intermediate a shank portion and a working portion, the working portion having at least one cutting element. A shaft is supported by the body portion and extends beyond the working portion. The shaft also has a distal end that is rotationally isolated from the body portion. In another aspect of the invention, a method for steering a downhole tool string has the following steps: providing a drill bit assembly attached to an end of the tool string disposed within a bore hole; providing a shaft extending beyond a working portion of the assembly; engaging a subterranean formation with a distal end of the shaft; and angling the drill bit assembly with the shaft along a desired drilling trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Francis E. Leany, Scott Dahlgren, David Lundgreen, Daryl N. Wise
  • Patent number: 7419016
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention a drill bit assembly comprises a working portion opposite a shank of the bit. The working portion has a plurality of cutting elements. The drill bit assembly also has a central axis eccentric to its axis of rotation. A jack element protrudes from an opening formed in the working portion and has a distal end that is adapted to contact a formation at the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Francis Leany, Scott Dahlgren, Tyson J. Wilde
  • Patent number: 7401668
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: George Bodo Witman, Peter Wilson, Scott D. McDonough, Michael A. Siracki
  • Patent number: 7100711
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: George B. Witman, Peter Wilson, Scott D. McDonough, Michael A. Siracki
  • Patent number: 6926099
    Abstract: A drill out bi-center bit and a method for using the same are provided that offer the ability to drill out cement and casing shoes, and increased stability. The bi-center bit includes a bit body having a first end operable to be coupled with a drill string, a second end including a pilot section, and an eccentric reamer section intermediate the first and second ends. A first plurality of cutter assemblies is disposed upon the exterior surface of the pilot section, while a second plurality of cutter assemblies is disposed upon the reamer section. A plurality of recessed cutter assemblies is also disposed upon the pilot section, such that the recessed cutter assemblies are located within a radius beginning at a central axis of the pilot section and terminating at a central axis of the reamer section and are recessed with respect to a lower surface of the pilot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Varel International, L.P.
    Inventors: Gary M. Thigpen, Carl W. Keith
  • Patent number: 6920944
    Abstract: A drilling assembly and an eccentric, adjustable diameter reamer are disclosed. The reamer includes cutter elements mounted on at least a first fixed blade for reaming a previously-formed borehole or for forming a borehole of increased diameter beneath an existing cased borehole. The method and apparatus provide for stabilizing the drilling assembly so that the reamer may be used in back reaming the hole. Retainer means, such as shear pins or spring-biased reciprocating latch members, are provided to prevent premature extension of the reamer's moveable members, including blades and pistons. The shear pins are preferably accessible from the outer surface of the reamer housing so as to expedite field replacement of the shear pins without requiring disassembly of the reamer. The spring-biased latching members repeatedly latch and unlatch so that field replacement is not required, and so that the movable members may be extended and contracted multiple times while the reamer is downhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay M. Eppink, Albert C. Odell, II
  • Patent number: 6827159
    Abstract: Various steerable horizontal subterranean drill bit apparatuses, which may have a drill bit, a housing and a one-bolt attachment system, or other features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Hard Rock Drilling & Fabrication, L.L.C.
    Inventor: John B. Sved
  • Patent number: 6814168
    Abstract: A steerable horizontal subterranean drill bit apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may include a drill bit and a housing. The drill bit may include elevated wear protector receptacles in particular locations and configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Hard Rock Drilling & Fabrication, L.L.C.
    Inventor: John B. Sved
  • Patent number: 6810971
    Abstract: Various steerable horizontal subterranean drill bit apparatuses, which may have a drill bit, a housing and a one-bolt attachment system, or other features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Hard Rock Drilling & Fabrication, L.L.C.
    Inventor: John B. Sved
  • Patent number: 6810973
    Abstract: Various steerable horizontal subterranean drill bit apparatuses, which may have a drill bit, a housing and a one-bolt attachment system, or other features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Hard Rock Drilling & Fabrication, L.L.C.
    Inventor: John B. Sved
  • Patent number: 6810972
    Abstract: Various steerable horizontal subterranean drill bit apparatuses, which may have a drill bit, a housing and a one-bolt attachment system, or other features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Hard Rock Drilling & Fabrication, L.L.C.
    Inventor: John B. Sved
  • Patent number: 6739416
    Abstract: Enhanced stabilization is provided for an eccentric reaming tool when a pilot borehole is undersized with respect to a following pilot stabilization pad (PSP). Alternatively, offset of a rotational axis of at least a portion of the assembly including the reaming tool is employed to accomplish stabilization of the reaming tool. In either case, a reamed diameter larger than a physical diameter of the reaming tool may be drilled. More specifically, an enlarged PSP relative to pilot bit diameter or PSP offset or even pilot bit offset is employed in order to engage a PSP with the wall of a pilot borehole of greater diameter than a physical diameter of the pilot bit. The PSP or pilot drill bit, or both, may be laterally offset, angularly offset, or a combination thereof in order to effect substantially continuous PSP contact with the pilot borehole wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: W. Gregory Presley, Christopher S. Charles, D. Jay Clinkscales, Jeffrey B. Lund, Matthew J. Meiners, Steven R. Radford, Robert A. Laing, Matthew D. Mumma
  • Patent number: 6659207
    Abstract: A bi-center drill bit is disclosed which includes a bit body having pilot blades and reaming blades distributed azimuthally around the body. The blades have cutting elements disposed thereon at selected positions. The body and blades define a longitudinal axis of the bit and a pass-through axis of the bit. In one aspect, selected ones of the pilot blades include thereon, longitudinally between the pilot blades and the reaming blades, a pilot hole conditioning section including gage faces. The gage faces define a diameter intermediate a pilot hole diameter and a pass-through diameter defined, respectively, by the pilot blades and the reaming blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl Hoffmaster, Timothy P. Beaton
  • Patent number: 6602028
    Abstract: An element which defines a support pad and/or a guide bar adapted to be mounted in a seat of a cutter head of a deep hole drill comprises a body which defines a longitudinal direction and a cross-direction. The body includes an inner mounting side and an opposing outer side. The outer side includes a contact surface which is adapted to engage a wall of a hole being drilled. The outer side also includes a countersink extending across the outer side in a direction transversely of the longitudinal direction. An edge of the contact surface facing toward a center of the body forms an angle with the longitudinal direction in the range of 55°±10°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Sandvik Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Stefan Lindblom, Mattias Vanberg
  • Publication number: 20030111270
    Abstract: A stabilizer for a drill string and drill bit is mounted behind the drill bit in the drilling assembly. The stabilizer comprises a tubular body having one or more stabilizer blades mounted thereon. The stabilizer blades extend radially outwardly from the stabilizer body. In a first position, the stabilizer blades are in vertical axial alignment behind the drill bit. Drill string pressure is utilized to release a locking mechanism permitting relative rotation between the stabilizer blades and the stabilizer body thereby rotating the stabilizer blades to a second position providing stabilization for the drill string and drill bit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: Rotary Drilling Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Peter R. Harvey, Michael J. Woods, Steve J. Krase
  • Patent number: 6464024
    Abstract: A bi-center drill bit includes pilot and reaming blades affixed to a body at azimuthally spaced locations. The blades have PDC cutters attached at selected positions. In one aspect, the pilot blades form a section having length along the bit axis less than about 80 percent of a diameter of the section. In another aspect, selected pilot blades and corresponding reaming blades are formed into single spiral structures. In another aspect, shapes and positions of the blades and inserts are selected so that lateral forces exerted by the reaming and the pilot sections are balanced as a single structure. Lateral forces are preferably balanced to within 10 percent of the total axial force on the bit. In another aspect, the center of mass of the bit is located less than about 2.5 percent of the diameter of the bit from the axis of rotation. In another aspect, jets are disposed in the reaming section oriented so that their axes are within about 30 degrees of normal to the axis of the bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy P. Beaton, David Truax
  • Publication number: 20020096367
    Abstract: A drill bit suited for impact-assisted directional boring in rock includes a bit body having a frontwardly facing, circular main cutting surface having a number of main cutting teeth disposed thereon. A gage cutter extends radially outwardly from the main cutting surface, which gage cutter mounts at least one frontwardly facing gage cutting tooth thereon suitable for cutting in a circle during straight boring and over an angle defined by less than a full rotation of the bit in order to steer the bit. A heel on an outer side surface of the bit body at a position opposite to and behind the gage tooth provides a reaction surface for the gage cutter. The bit body and gage cutter have a nearly circular side profile along a front portion thereof such that a maximum radial clearance between the side profile and a side wall of a hole being drilled is not greater than about 10 percent of the radius of a circle cut by the gage tooth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Steven W. Wentworth, Robert F. Crane, Mark D. Randa, Randy R. Runquist, Richard K. Smith
  • Patent number: 6394200
    Abstract: The present invention is a bi-center drill bit designed to drill out the cement and other material in the casing and then proceed to drill out the full gauge drilling diameter borehole with a diameter greater than the inside of the casing. The bi-center drill bit is configured with non-drilling bearing elements that contact with the casing when the bit is drilling the cement without allowing the gauge cutting elements of the bi-center drill bit to contact the casing. The bi-center drill bit also has a cutting element configuration which prevents reverse scraping of the cutting elements when drilling both the cement and the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Camco International (U.K.) Limited
    Inventors: Graham R. Watson, Steven James Hart
  • Patent number: 6321858
    Abstract: An improved drill bit for directional drilling includes a housing or headpiece having means at a rear end thereof for mounting the bit on a trailing component of a drill head, and passages for ejection of drilling fluid into a borehole. A first axle is mounted to extend forwardly from a front end of the housing, and a first roller is rotatably mounted on the first axle. The first roller has cutting projections such as carbide studs thereon and extends outside of the outer diameter of the housing by a distance which defines the size of the borehole when the drill bit is rotated over 360 degrees. A second axle is mounted to extend from the front end of the housing, and a second roller is rotatably mounted on the second axle at a position offset from the first axle. The second roller extends slightly outside of the outer diameter of the housing, but by a distance less than the distance the first roller extends outside of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Earth Tool Company, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Steven W. Wentworth, Robert F. Crane
  • Patent number: 6308789
    Abstract: A drill bit that is arranged to change the direction of drilling. A cone head is rotatably mounted on a shank portion extending from an elongate housing. When the housing is rotated, the cone head generates a concave hole. When a change in direction is required, the housing is rotated a few degrees in one direction and then counter-rotated in the opposite direction. This generates a partial but redirected pilot hole that is also substantially concave in configuration. Continued full rotation causes the drill bit to follow the partial pilot hole in the new direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Inventors: Neal A. Kuenzi, Rodney R. Kuenzi
  • Patent number: 6298929
    Abstract: An improved bi-center drill bit and drill bit assembly includes a cylindrical body having a first diameter section and a smaller second diameter section, each section provided with a threaded end. The cylindrical body includes a longitudinal internal channel with a side channel terminating in a sidewall nozzle. Attached to the external surface of the first diameter section is a rotary cone drill bit with the rotary cone positioned in a trailing position from a stream of drilling fluid from the sidewall nozzle. Two stabilizers are mounted to the cylindrical body substantially opposite from the drill bit to stabilize operation of the bit assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Inventor: Austreberto F. Cobos Rojas
  • Patent number: 6269893
    Abstract: A bi-center drill bit includes pilot and reaming blades affixed to a body at azimuthally spaced locations. The blades have PDC cutters attached at selected positions. In one aspect, the pilot blades form a section having length along the bit axis less than about 80 percent of a diameter of the section. In another aspect, selected pilot blades and corresponding reaming blades are formed into single spiral structures. In another aspect, shapes and positions of the blades and inserts are selected so that lateral forces exerted by the reaming and the pilot sections are balanced as a single structure. Lateral forces are preferably balanced to within 10 percent of the total axial force on the bit. In another aspect, the center of mass of the bit is located less than about 2.5 percent of the diameter of the bit from the axis of rotation. In another aspect, jets are disposed in the reaming section oriented so that their axes are within about 30 degrees of normal to the axis of the bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy P. Beaton, David Truax
  • Patent number: 6213231
    Abstract: A boring tool is provided with first and second rectangular reversing cut plates which have, in each case, two short and two considerably longer cutting edges. One of the reversing cut plates is arranged connecting to or intersecting the axis of rotation of the boring tool, while the other reversing cut plate 12 is arranged connecting to the outer circle defined by the boring tool. The cutting edges active in each case on the face side of the boring tool have a straight construction and they overlap to a greater or lesser extend, in accordance with the bore diameter. The bend-free and jog-free construction of the active cutting edges of the cut plates makes possible the use of the same reversing cut plates on boring tools having different diameters with only the extent of the overlap of the cut plates being changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Walter AG
    Inventor: Rainer von Haas
  • Patent number: 6209660
    Abstract: A drill bit for directional boring of all earth formations such as dirt, sand, rock and/or any type combination of formations, utilizing a bit body containing fixed and semi-floating cutting points and one or more fluid channels for the purpose of lubricating and dispersing cut and/or fractured formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: New Railhead Manufacturing, L.L.C.
    Inventor: David M. Cox
  • Patent number: 6206117
    Abstract: A drill bit and method of drilling a subterranean formation are disclosed in which the drill bit is configured with a non-axial gage portion of a bit body. The non-axial gage portion of the bit body presents a peripheral profile which is not parallel to the centerline of the bit body to provide a contact area for engagement of the sidewall of the borehole by at least one cutting element carried by the non-axial gage portion to enlarge the borehole from a first diameter cut by cutting elements on the bit face. The configuration of the drill bit lessens loading on the cutting elements of the drill bit, facilitates maneuverability of the drill bit downhole and enhances steerability of the drill bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Gordon A. Tibbitts, James A. Norris
  • Patent number: 6202768
    Abstract: A rock drilling tool includes a pilot bit screw threaded into a front end of a drill rod. A reamer is mounted on the outside of the pilot bit. The reamer includes a central opening having a front portion and a rear portion. The front portion is connected to the pilot bit, and the rear portion constitutes a stiffening sleeve which extends around the outside of the drill rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Sandvik AB
    Inventors: Daniel Lindgren, Per-Olof Liljebrand, Håkan Lindström
  • Patent number: 6161636
    Abstract: A protective collar for a boring bit which interfaces with a boring head whereby shear forces developed during a boring operation are transmitted through the collar to the boring head, with minimal shear force being carried by mounting bolts. A collar is connected to a boring bit, wherein a head receptacle formed by the collar seatably receives a boring head with substantially close clearance so that shear forces during boring operations are transmitted from, the boring bit to the boring head through the collar. The preferred collar is fabricated from a pipe section, such as for example steel seamless pipe. In one embodiment, a bit recess is cut for interfacing with a boring bit at the head face connection thereof. A head recess is cut opposite the bit recess for providing an exit for the water spray from the nozzle thereof. In another embodiment, the collar has an inclined face with bores alignable with the bores in the boring head when the head is mounted within a receptacle in the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Inventor: Joseph D. Osborne
  • Patent number: 6119797
    Abstract: The invention discloses a single cone earth boring bit which is adapted to be used for boring in oil fields, mining and geological prospecting. The single cone earth boring bit is composed of a bit body (1), gauge blocks (2), active cutting gauge teeth (4), passive gauge teeth (3) and knobby cone (6) etc. On the knobby cone (6), there are inserted wear-resistant teeth intermittently or successively, so as to make the wear resistance of the bit cutting system to be matched with the service life of the bearing. At the same time, gauge blocks (2) are provided on the bit body which may be directly made on or welded to the bit body. On the gauge blocks (2), there are inserted common carbide or wear-resistant active cutting gauge teeth (4) and the passive gauge teeth (3) to enhance the gauge-protecting effect of the bit. Such a single cone earth boring bit can significantly increase the footage of the bit and reduce the cost for drilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Kingdream Public Ltd. Co.
    Inventors: Chunling Hong, Xuezhong Liu, Hongmei Huang, Heng Du
  • Patent number: 6089336
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Camco International (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Alex Nexton, Michael Tomczak, Steven Taylor, Andrew Murdock, John M. Clegg
  • Patent number: 5992548
    Abstract: An improved bi-center bit with improved directional stability and wear resistance is disclosed, which bit optimally utilizing a plurality of shaped PDC cutting elements selectively situated about the cutting surfaces of the pilot and the reamer to produce a minimal force imbalance, where further the pilot bit and the reamer are force balanced to further reduce imbalance in the operation of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Diamond Products International, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Silva, Brad Weston, Henry Rebollido, Coy M. Fielder
  • Patent number: 5979576
    Abstract: An anti-whirl rotary drag bit including one or more cutters, wear knots or other support structures disposed on the flank of a bit profile in a normally cutter-devoid region of the profile adjacent the gage of the bit in the circumferential segment of the gage used as a bearing zone for the bit to ride against the side of the bore hole. Such flank cutters or other structures reduce wear of the bearing zone but, due to their placement, do not come into play except under certain drilling situations such as reaming or high rates of penetration wherein whirl tendencies resulting from cutting forces are not as pronounced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Wayne R. Hansen, Paul E. Pastusek, Jerry Cerkovnik
  • Patent number: 5967246
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Camco International (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Douglas Caraway, John Hayward, Malcolm R. Taylor, Tom Scott Roberts, Steven Taylor, Graham Watson
  • Patent number: 5957223
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reaming or enlarging a borehole using a bi-center bit with a stability-enhanced design. The cutters on the pilot bit section of the bi-center bit are placed and oriented to generate a lateral force vector longitudinally offset from, but substantially radially aligned with, the much larger lateral force vector generated by the reamer bit section. These two aligned force vectors thus tend to press the bit in the same lateral direction (which moves relative to the borehole sidewall as the bit rotates) along its entire longitudinal extent so that a single circumferential area of the pilot bit section gage rides against the sidewall of the pilot borehole, resulting in a reduced tendency for the bit to cock or tilt with respect to the axis of the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael L. Doster, Jack T. Oldham
  • Patent number: 5873422
    Abstract: An anti-whirl rotary drag bit including one or more cutters, wear knots or other support structures disposed on the flank of a bit profile in a normally cutter-devoid region of the profile adjacent the gage of the bit in the circumferential segment of the gage used as a bearing zone for the bit to ride against the side of the bore hole. Such flank cutters or other structures reduce wear of the bearing zone but, due to their placement, do not come into play except under certain drilling situations such as reaming or high rates of penetration wherein whirl tendencies resulting from cutting forces are not as pronounced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Wayne R. Hansen, Paul E. Pastusek, Jerry Cerkovnik
  • Patent number: 5820316
    Abstract: Guide element for a cutting tool having a location hole (20) in the tool shank (4) having an internal thread (16, 10), which has a threaded bolt (14) having an external thread that can be screwed into the internal thread (16, 10) and is spring mounted in the screw-in direction when screwed in, and a guide head (13) fixed to a free end of the threaded bolt (14) and operating in the manner of a sliding rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Kennametal Hertel AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Krenzer, Wolfgang Hitz
  • Patent number: 5819860
    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 at least one 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 portion of the gauge region outwardly of the opening comprises a bearing surface which, in use bears against the wall of the bore hole and extends across the width of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Camco International Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Newton, Steven Taylor, Andrew Murdock, John M. Clegg
  • Patent number: 5678644
    Abstract: An improved bi-center with improved directional stability and wear resistance is disclosed, said bit optimally utilizing a plurality of shaped PDC cutting elements selectively situated about the cutting surfaces of the pilot and the reamer to produce a minimal force imbalance, where further said pilot bit and the reamer are force balanced to further reduce imbalance in the operation of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Diamond Products International, Inc.
    Inventor: Coy Fielder
  • Patent number: 5402856
    Abstract: An anti-whirl underreamer comprising a body configured for connection to a drillstring, at least two arms carried by the body which are extendable between a retracted position and a projected position, a movable piston and biased spring assembly for moving the arms, a plurality of cutting elements carried by one of the arms for cutting an axially extending cylindrical sidewall of the borehole within a subterranean formation and for applying a resultant radial force to the body as it rotates, and a low friction bearing region carried by another arm for transmitting the resultant radial force from the body to the sidewall of the borehole during rotation of the underreamer within the borehole. The cutting elements are positioned so that the resultant radial force developed is of sufficient magnitude and direction to substantially maintain the low friction bearing region in contact with the sidewall of the borehole as the underreamer is rotated within the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Tommy M. Warren, Lawrence A. Sinor
  • Patent number: 5328304
    Abstract: A reamer includes a cutting tip mounted in the circumferential wall of the base body of the cutting head of the reamer, and at least one guide bead located in a groove formed in the base body and extending in the longitudinal direction of the base body. The guide bead has a contact surface containing at least regionwise a diamond material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Mapal Fabrik fur Prazisionswerkzeuge Dr. Kress KG
    Inventors: Dieter Kress, Friedrich Haberle