Specific Or Diverse Material Patents (Class 175/425)
  • Patent number: 8746375
    Abstract: Wellbore tools include a body and a superhydrophobic surface disposed over at least a portion of the body. The superhydrophobic surface includes a patterned surface of a hydrophobic material exhibiting a higher hydrophobicity than an unpatterned surface of the hydrophobic material. A wellbore tool may include a seal, at least one sensor, and at least one flow line, each having at least one superhydrophobic surface. Methods of forming wellbore tools include forming a body, forming a hydrophobic surface over at least a portion of the body, and forming a pattern in a surface of the body, such that the patterned surface exhibits a higher hydrophobicity than an unpatterned surface of the same material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: John Hendrik, Sunil Kumar
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140151132
    Abstract: Rotary drag bits comprise a body comprising a face at a leading end of the body. An abrasive-impregnated cutting structure is located at the face of the body. The abrasive-impregnated cutting structure comprises abrasive particles dispersed within a matrix material. The abrasive-impregnated cutting structure exhibits an anisotropic wear resistance. The wear resistance varies at least substantially continuously within the abrasive-impregnated cutting structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Van J. Brackin, Jeffrey B. Lund, Danny E. Scott, Marcus R. Skeem, Matthew R. Isbell
  • Publication number: 20140144711
    Abstract: A blank may include a tang section, a base section, and an angled section with a recess. The tang section may have an outer surface with an outer diameter. The base section may have an outer surface with a diameter greater than the outer diameter of the tang section. The angled section may lie between the tang section and the base section and may have an outer surface that transitions in diameter from the outer diameter of the tang section to the outer diameter of the base section. The recess in the angled section may be shaped to engage a tip of a former.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey G. Thomas, Ronald E. Joy
  • Publication number: 20140131115
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a downhole tool that reduces failures occurring along a bondline between a cemented matrix coupled around a blank. The cemented matrix material is formed from a tungsten carbide powder, a shoulder powder, and a binder material, wherein at least one of the tungsten carbide powder or the shoulder powder is absent of any free tungsten. The blank, which optionally may be coated, is substantially cylindrically shaped and defines a channel extending from a top portion and through a bottom portion of the blank. The absence of free tungsten from at least one of the tungsten carbide powder or the shoulder powder reduces the reaction with iron from the blank, thereby allowing the control and reduction of intermetallic compounds thickness within the bondline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: VAREL INTERNATIONAL IND., L.P.
    Inventors: Gary M. Thigpen, Federico Bellin, Marvin Windsor Amundsen, Olivier Ther, Alfazazi Dourfaye, Bruno Cuillier De Maindreville, Williams Gomez
  • Publication number: 20140116782
    Abstract: A method of shaping a wellbore comprising attaching a drilling apparatus to a drill string, which has a side cutting sub-assembly with both cutting and gauging surfaces; a fluid circulating sub-assembly which has nozzles directing fluid up the wellbore and past the cutting surfaces; and a bullnose assembly with forward pointing nozzles and a bullnosed front end to prevent catching in ledges of a rough drilled wellbore. The drilling apparatus is then passed through the wellbore such that the side cutting sub shears arch wellbore walls of dog legs to ease the turns and smooth the bore wall in preparation for running liner/casing or other down hole assemblies which previously may have had difficulty going in hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: William Antonio Bonett Ordaz, Mark Douglas Harbert, Mohamed M. Omar, Nader Alexander Sheshtawy
  • Publication number: 20140102809
    Abstract: A coating that includes a polyisocyanate compound and at least one metal inclusion selected from the group consisting of tungsten and tungsten carbide. The metal inclusions range between about five percent by weight to about fifty percent by weight. A downhole tool that includes a body, a shank positioned at one end of the body, at least one cutter coupled to the body, and a coating coupled to at least a portion of one or more of the body or the shank. The coating includes a polyisocyanate compound and at least one metal inclusion selected from the group consisting of tungsten, tungsten carbide, and aluminum. The metal inclusions range between about five percent by weight to about fifty percent by weight. An intermediate coating is optionally disposed between at least a portion of the coating and at least one of the body or the shank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: William W. King, Vamsee Chintamaneni
  • Patent number: 8697258
    Abstract: An article includes a working portion including cemented carbide, and a heat sink portion in thermal communication with the working portion. The heat sink portion includes a heat sink material having a thermal conductivity greater than a thermal conductivity of the cemented carbide. Also disclosed are methods of making an article including a working portion comprising cemented carbide, and a heat sink portion in thermal communication with the working portion and including a heat sink material having a thermal conductivity that is greater than a thermal conductivity of the cemented carbide. The heat sink portion conducts heat from the working portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Kennametal Inc.
    Inventors: Prakash K. Mirchandani, Alfred J. Mosco, Eric W. Olsen, Steven G. Caldwell
  • Patent number: 8689910
    Abstract: A rotary drag bit for drilling subterranean formations includes a bit body having a face extending from a centerline to a gage. A plurality of blades may be disposed on the face, and may generally extend radially outwardly toward the gage. The bit may further include a plurality of discrete impregnated cutting posts, each of which may extend outwardly from an associated blade. Each discrete impregnated cutting post angles generally toward a front edge of the associated blade and generally toward the intended direction of rotation of the bit. The rotary drag bit may further include a plurality of matrix pockets disposed on the blades. The discrete impregnated cutting posts may be housed within corresponding matrix pockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Michael L. Doster
  • Patent number: 8689909
    Abstract: An insert for an earth-boring tool includes a body and a coating disposed over at least a portion of the body. The coating comprises a ceramic comprising boron, aluminum, and magnesium. Polycrystalline diamond compact cutting elements may include a hard polycrystalline material, a supporting substrate, and a coating disposed over at least a portion of the hard polycrystalline material. An earth-boring drill bit may include a bit body and at least one polycrystalline diamond compact cutting element secured to the bit body. The polycrystalline diamond compact cutting element may have a coating comprising a ceramic of boron, aluminum, and magnesium, and may be disposed over at least a portion of a hard polycrystalline material. A method of forming an insert for an earth-boring tool may include forming a protective coating including a ceramic of boron, aluminum, and magnesium over a cutting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Anthony A. DiGiovanni
  • Patent number: 8662209
    Abstract: A front face of a diamond table mounted to a substrate is processed, for example through an acid leach, to remove interstitial catalyst binder and form a thermal channel. A material is then introduced to the front face of the diamond table, the introduced material backfilling the front face of the diamond table to fill interstitial voids left by removal of the catalyst binder in the thermal channel to a desired depth. The material is selected to be less thermally expandable than the catalyst binder and/or more thermally conductive than the catalyst binder and/or having a lower heat capacity than the catalyst binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Varel International, Ind., L.P.
    Inventors: Alfazazi Dourfaye, William W. King, Michael R. Reese
  • Patent number: 8662207
    Abstract: Rotary drag bits comprise a body comprising a face at a leading end of the body. An abrasive-impregnated cutting structure is located at the face of the bit body. The abrasive-impregnated cutting structure comprises abrasive particles dispersed within a matrix material. The abrasive-impregnated cutting structure exhibits an anisotropic wear resistance. The wear resistance varies at least substantially continuously within the abrasive-impregnated cutting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Van J. Brackin, Jeffrey B. Lund, Danny E. Scott, Marcus R. Skeem, Matthew R. Isbell
  • Patent number: 8617289
    Abstract: A hardfacing composition essentially consisting of from about 50 to 75 percent by weight of a carbide phase having a particle size distribution of ±20% or less of a median particle size; and from about 25 to 50 percent by weight of binder phase is disclosed. Drill bits having such hardfacing compositions disposed thereon are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan W. Lockstedt, Gregory T. Lockwood
  • Patent number: 8616307
    Abstract: Thermally stable diamond bonded construction comprise a diamond bonded body including a thermally stable region, comprising a plurality of diamond grains bonded together by a reaction product of the diamond grains with a reactant such as Si, and a polycrystalline diamond region, comprising intercrystalline bonded diamond and a catalyst material. The body further comprises a ceramic compound formed by reaction of an Nb, Zr, Ti, or Mo getter material with a gaseous element generated during HPHT sintering of the diamond bonded body. The diamond bonded body may comprise from 0.1 to 15 percent by weight of the ceramic compound. The diamond bonded body can be formed during a single HPHT process operated at different temperatures when the reactant has a melting temperature above the catalyst material. The construction may include a metallic substrate attached to the diamond bonded body to facilitate use as a wear or cutting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Georgiy Voronin, J. Daniel Belnap
  • Publication number: 20130341100
    Abstract: A modular cutting-teeth drill bit with controllable drilling specific pressure comprises a module (1), a modular unit (2), a bit body (3), conventional cutting teeth (4) and a nozzle (5). According to mechanical performance of the rocks in the strata drilled and requirements of drilling well, a combination of shapes, sizes and numbers of the module and the modular unit is optimized; effective abrasion edge length of the cutting element on a certain portion of the bit is controlled; and a constant specific pressure of the cutting element of the bit during the drilling process is maintained. The modular cutting-teeth bit substantially improves the effective abrasion volume of the cutting element, and improves the effective utilization rate of the cutting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Liang Zhang, Shu Li, Jialin Tian, Defa Zeng
  • Patent number: 8602129
    Abstract: A drill bit that includes a bit body having a plurality of blades extending radially therefrom, at least a portion of the plurality of blades comprises a first matrix region comprising a plurality of first carbide particles separated by a first binder phase, each of the first carbide particles comprising a mixture of WC and W2C, and wherein the first matrix region has less than about 5 percent by volume, based on the total volume of the first matrix region, of complex metal carbides dispersed in the first binder phase; and at least one cutting element for engaging a formation disposed on at least one of the plurality of blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory T Lockwood, Youhe Zhang
  • Patent number: 8602133
    Abstract: A wear insert comprised of cemented metal carbide is welded to a workpiece made of steel or cemented metal carbide without causing fracturing of the carbide or creating residual stresses that reduce the impact resistance of the part. The part is fabricated using a microwave sintering process prior to welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Dennis Tool Company
    Inventor: Mahlon D. Dennis
  • Patent number: 8590646
    Abstract: Implementations of the present invention include impregnated drill bits having a plurality of relatively large abrasive cutting media, such as polycrystalline diamonds, embedded therein. According to some implementations of the present invention, the relatively large abrasive cutting media can be dispersed in an unorganized arrangement throughout at least a portion of the crown. Additionally, one or more implementations can include a second plurality of relatively small abrasive cutting media. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling systems including impregnated drill bits having a plurality of relatively large abrasive cutting media embedded therein, methods of using such impregnated drill bits, and methods of forming such impregnated drill bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Longyear TM, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian M. Lambert, Michael D. Rupp
  • Patent number: 8579052
    Abstract: Polycrystalline compacts include hard polycrystalline materials comprising in situ nucleated smaller grains of hard material interspersed and inter-bonded with larger grains of hard material. The average size of the larger grains may be at least about 250 times greater than the average size of the in situ nucleated smaller grains. Methods of forming polycrystalline compacts include nucleating and catalyzing the formation of smaller grains of hard material in the presence of larger grains of hard material, and catalyzing the formation of inter-granular bonds between the grains of hard material. For example, nucleation particles may be mixed with larger diamond grains, a carbon source, and a catalyst. The mixture may be subjected to high temperature and high pressure to form smaller diamond grains using the nucleation particles, the carbon source, and the catalyst, and to catalyze formation of diamond-to-diamond bonds between the smaller and larger diamond grains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Anthony A. DiGiovanni, Danny E. Scott
  • Patent number: 8573332
    Abstract: A polycrystalline diamond compact comprising a diamond table is formed in a high-pressure, high-temperature process using a catalyst, the catalyst being substantially removed from the entirety of the diamond table, and the diamond table attached to a supporting substrate in a subsequent high-pressure, high-temperature process using a binder material differing at least in part from a material of the catalyst. The binder material is permitted to penetrate substantially completely throughout the diamond table from an interface with the substrate to and including a cutting surface, and the binder material is selectively removed from a region or regions of the diamond table by a conventional technique (e.g., acid leaching). Cutting elements so formed and drill bits equipped with such cutting elements are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Danny E. Scott
  • Patent number: 8567531
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to cutting elements incorporating polycrystalline diamond bodies used for subterranean drilling applications, and more particularly, to polycrystalline diamond bodies having a high diamond content which are configured to provide improved properties of thermal stability and wear resistance, while maintaining a desired degree of impact resistance, when compared to prior polycrystalline diamond bodies. In various embodiments disclosed herein, a cutting element with high diamond content includes a modified PCD structure and/or a modified interface (between the PCD body and a substrate), to provide superior performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Daniel Belnap, Georgiy Voronin, Feng Yu, Peter T. Cariveau, Youhe Zhang, Yuelin Shen, Guodong Zhan
  • Publication number: 20130277121
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and compositions for manufacturing downhole tools and downhole tool parts for drilling subterranean material are disclosed. A model having an external peripheral shape of a downhole tool or tool part is fabricated. Mold material is applied to the external periphery of the model. The mold material is permitted to harden to form a mold about the model. The model is eliminated and a composite matrix material is cast within the mold to form a finished downhole tool or tool part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: John H. Stevens, Jimmy W. Eason
  • Patent number: 8561731
    Abstract: A down hole drill bit is disclosed that includes a plurality of cutting elements mounted on a cutting structure. At least one of the plurality of cutting elements comprises a wear resistant material, the wear resistant material comprising coarse grains disposed in a binder matrix phase, wherein the binder matrix phase comprises nanoparticles uniformly dispersed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Madapusi K. Keshavan, Dah-Ben Liang
  • Patent number: 8540036
    Abstract: A hardfacing composition for downhole well tools, such as earth-boring bits, contains sintered ultrahard particles. The ultrahard particles consist of tungsten carbide grains, cobalt and vanadium. The ultrahard particles are dispersed within a matrix metal of iron, nickel or alloys thereof. The composition may also have sintered tungsten carbide particles of a larger size than the ultrahard particles. The ultrahard particles have a greater hardness than the sintered tungsten carbide particles. The ultrahard particles and the sintered tungsten carbide particles may be in a spherical pellet form. Other hard metal particles may be in the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: James L. Overstreet
  • Patent number: 8535408
    Abstract: A hardmetal composition comprises tungsten carbide in an amount greater than 50 weight percent of the hardmetal composition. In addition, the hardmetal composition comprises a binder material consisting of at least 90 weight percent nickel, a binder flux between 3.5 to 10.0 weight percent chosen from the group consisting of boron and silicon, and less than 1.0 weight percent other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Reedhycalog, L.P.
    Inventors: Jiinjen Albert Sue, Harold Sreshta, Rajagopala Pillai
  • Patent number: 8517125
    Abstract: A cutting structure that includes a plurality of encapsulated particles dispersed in a first matrix material, the encapsulated particles comprising: an abrasive grit encapsulated within a shell, wherein the shell comprises a second matrix material different from the first matrix material is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory T. Lockwood
  • Publication number: 20130213719
    Abstract: A thru-tubing mill with an elongate body having an attachment end and a milling end. The attachment end is attached to a tubing string. The milling end has a semi-torroidal surface defined by a two-dimensional curved line rotated about a central point that is spaced from the curve in a direction that is perpendicular to the curved line and a plurality of curved support members attached to the semi-torroidal surface that extend along the semi-torroidal surface, each curved support members having a first curve similar to the two-dimensional curved line in a first dimension and a second curve that is cambered relative to the two-dimensional curved line in a second dimension. A hard coating is installed on at least one side of the curved support members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventor: Frank Clarence PITTMAN
  • Publication number: 20130206483
    Abstract: A method for forming pockets of a drill bit includes inserting a displacement plug in a cutter pocket defined by a substrate of a drill bit. A hardfacing material is applied to the substrate and the displacement plug using a plasma arc welding torch. The heat from the plasma arc welding torch reduces an oxide layer on the outer surface of the displacement plug, and the molten hardfacing material flows over the displacement plug and wets against the displacement plug. The displacement plug is then removed to reveal a final cutter pocket configured to receive a cutter compact. The cutter compact is secured to the final cutter pocket by brazing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: Varel International Ind., L.P.
    Inventor: Varel International Ind., L.P.
  • Patent number: 8505654
    Abstract: A PCD composite compact comprising a PCD structure bonded at an interface to a substrate comprising cemented carbide material; the PCD structure comprising a mass of directly inter-bonded diamond grains having a mean size of at most about 4 microns, and the PCD structure comprising at least about 0.05 weight percent refractory metal or carbide of a refractory metal selected from the group comprising W, Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf and Ta; and at least the cemented carbide material proximate the interface having a content of metallic binder material of at most about 6 weight percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Element Six Limited
    Inventors: Gustav Johnny Israelsson, Karolina Elisabet Hannersjö, Pär Erik Håkan Schelin
  • Patent number: 8501144
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing polycrystalline diamond are disclosed. More particularly, a mixture including diamond and fullerenes may be provided. Further, the mixture may be exposed to a high pressure, high temperature sintering process. In addition, a volume of polycrystalline diamond bonded to a substrate may be formed by providing a mixture including diamond and fullerenes and exposing the mixture to a high pressure, high temperature sintering process. A drill bit for drilling a subterranean formation is disclosed. Further, polycrystalline diamond compacts are disclosed including polycrystalline diamond bonded to a substrate, wherein the polycrystalline diamond includes less than about 1% by weight or is substantially free of non-fullerenes, non-diamond carbon. Polycrystalline diamond exhibiting an increased diamond volume fraction due to the presence of fullerenes during manufacture relative to polycrystalline diamond formed without fullerenes is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli
  • Publication number: 20130180786
    Abstract: A composite may generally include a substantially continuous binder phase and a first reinforcing agent cluster infiltrated by the binder phase, the first reinforcing agent cluster comprising a plurality of first reinforcing agent particles. A drill bit may include at least one cutting element for engaging a formation and a bit body, at least a portion of said drill bit being a composite that includes a substantially continuous binder phase and a first reinforcing agent cluster infiltrated by the binder phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Gerard Thomas, Brian Atkins
  • Publication number: 20130180781
    Abstract: A reaming bit designed to operate with low torque fluctuation when driven with a turbine at speeds in the order of 300-600 RPM and above features a profile that is arcuate from the gauge dimension to the nose area or alternatively has a blunt straight taper section but with a ratio of profile length (PL) to bit size (BS) of under 0.75. The blades extend into a concave cone and the cutting structure continues along the blades towards the center. The blades have a step near the gauge section to increase the exposure of the blade cutting structure. An array of protrusions are disposed parallel to and behind the cutting structure to increase high speed stability and adjacent the blade step transition to protect outer casing on run in.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Silvino M. Ersan, Anthony Phillips, Maurilio V. Solano, Rudolf C. Pessier, Thorsten Schwefe
  • Patent number: 8479846
    Abstract: Earth-boring tools comprise a face and a plurality of cutting elements disposed on at least a portion of the face. An impact material is positioned on at least one portion of a body and has a relative exposure equal to or greater than at least some of the cutting elements of the plurality of cutting elements. The impact material comprises a material having a lower abrasion resistance than the body. Methods of making and methods of using such earth-boring tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Trung Quoc Huynh, Calvin J. Stowe, Andrew D. Ponder, James S. Trahan
  • Patent number: 8464814
    Abstract: Methods, systems and compositions for manufacturing downhole tools and downhole tool parts for drilling subterranean material are disclosed. A model having an external peripheral shape of a downhole tool or tool part is fabricated. Mold material is applied to the external periphery of the model. The mold material is permitted to harden to form a mold about the model. The model is eliminated and a composite matrix material is cast within the mold to form a finished downhole tool or tool part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: John H. Stevens, Jimmy W. Eason
  • Patent number: 8459380
    Abstract: An article of manufacture includes a cemented carbide piece, and a joining phase that binds the cemented carbide piece into the article. The joining phase comprises a eutectic alloy material. The article of manufacture further includes a non-cemented carbide piece bound into the article of manufacture by the joining phase. An article of manufacture includes a fixed-cutter earth-boring bit body, a roller cone, and a part for an earth-boring bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: TDY Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Prakash K. Mirchandani, Michale E. Waller, Morris E. Chandler, Heath C. Coleman
  • Publication number: 20130112486
    Abstract: A drill bit for subsurface drilling includes a body, a blade extending from the body, and a flex cut behind the front side of the blade to allow at least a portion of the blade to flex. The drill bit may include a void cut disposed behind the front side of the blade and intersecting the flex cut. A void cut is larger in one dimension than is the flex cut in that dimension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventor: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
  • Publication number: 20130105230
    Abstract: An abrasive-impregnated cutting structure for use in drilling a subterranean formation is disclosed. The abrasive-impregnated cutting structure may comprise a plurality of abrasive particles dispersed within a substantially continuous matrix, wherein the abrasive-impregnated cutting structure exhibits an anisotropic wear resistance. One or more of the amount, average size, composition, properties, shape, quality, strength, and concentration of the abrasive particles may vary within the abrasive-impregnated cutting structure. Anisotropic wear resistance may relate to a selected direction, such as, for example, one or more of an expected direction of engagement of the abrasive-impregnated cutting structure with the subterranean formation and an anticipated wear direction. Anisotropic wear resistance of an abrasive-impregnated cutting structure may be configured for forming or retaining a formation-engaging leading edge thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
  • Publication number: 20130098691
    Abstract: Implementations of the present invention include a binder with high hardness and tensile strength that allows for the creation of drilling tools with increased wear resistance. In particular, one or more implementations include a binder having about 5 to about 50 weight % of nickel, about 35 to about 60 weight % of zinc, and about 0.5 to about 35 weight % of tin. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling tools, such as reamers and drill bits, formed from such binders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
    Inventors: Cody A. Pearce, Christian M. Lambert
  • Publication number: 20130092450
    Abstract: Composite materials for use with a drill bit for drilling a borehole in earthen formations. The composite material comprises a first pre-infiltrated hardphase constituent and a second pre-infiltrated hardphase constituent. The second pre-infiltrated hardphase constituent is a carbide which comprises at least 0.5 weight % of a binder and at least about 1% porosity. The composite material further comprises an infiltrant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: NATIONAL OILWELL DHT, L.P.
    Inventor: Harold A. SRESHTA
  • Publication number: 20130092453
    Abstract: A hardfaced infiltrated matrix downhole tool and a method for hardfacing such items. The hardfaced infiltrated matrix downhole tool includes a body, an intermediate base coat coupled to at least a portion of the surface of the body, and a hardfacing material coupled to at least a portion of the intermediate base coat. The body is composed of at least a carbide material and an infiltrating binder material. The intermediate base coat bonds to the surface of the body and to the hardfacing material. The method includes obtaining an infiltrated matrix downhole tool, applying and bonding the intermediate base coat to at least a portion of the surface of the infiltrated matrix downhole tool, and applying and bonding the hardfacing material to at least a portion of the intermediate base coat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventor: Charles Daniel Johnson
  • Publication number: 20130092449
    Abstract: Low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) cermet compositions of this invention generally comprise a hard phase material and a ductile phase formed from a binder alloy, wherein the binder alloy is specially designed having a CTE that is closely matched to the hard phase material. Hard phase materials used to form low CTE compositions of this invention are selected from the group of carbides consisting of W, Ti, Mo, Nb, V, Si, Hf, Ta, and Cr carbides. The binder alloy is formed from a mixture of metals selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni, Fe, W, Mo, Ti, Ta, V, Nb, C, B, Cr, and Mn. In a preferred embodiment, low CTE compositions comprises WC as the hard phase material, and a ductile phase binder alloy formed from a mixture of Fe, Co, and Ni.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
  • Publication number: 20130088364
    Abstract: During drilling of an earth borehole, resistance measurements may be made at the drill bit through use of a bottom hole assembly that includes a drill bit having a sensor, such as an electrode, located generally at an exterior surface of the drill bit. The current will be induced in the formation from multiple transmitters, at least one of which will be supported on, or very close to the drill bit. Connection mechanisms are described that enable the releasable engagement of electrical conductors to circuitry within the drill bits. The obtained resistivity measurements at the drill bit can be used for many purposes, including formation imaging and geosteering of the drilling operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Bittar, Gary Weaver, Vadim Minosvan
  • Patent number: 8408338
    Abstract: A drill bit employing a plurality of abrasive, particulate-impregnated cutting structures extending upwardly from a bit face and defining a plurality of fluid passages therebetween. The plurality of cutting structures may be configured as spaced posts, or as blades with circumferentially extending grooves at radially spaced intervals. Superabrasive cutting elements in the form of thermally stable diamond are placed between the posts or in the grooves, depending on the cutting structure configuration, and at a reduced exposure. Additional cutting elements may be placed in a cone of the bit surrounding a centerline thereof. The blades may extend generally radially. Additionally, discrete protrusions may extend outwardly from at least some of the plurality of cutting structures. The discrete protrusions may be formed of thermally stable diamond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Volker Richert
  • Patent number: 8403080
    Abstract: Binder compositions for use in forming a bit body of an earth-boring bit includes at least one of cobalt, nickel, and iron, and at least one melting point-reducing constituent selected from at least one of a transition metal carbide up to 60 weight percent, a transition metal boride up to 60 weight percent, and a transition metal silicide up to 60 weight percent, wherein the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the binder. Earth-boring bit bodies include a cemented tungsten carbide material comprising tungsten carbide and a metallic binder, wherein the tungsten carbide comprises greater than 75 volume percent of the cemented tungsten carbide material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Prakash K. Mirchandani, Jimmy W. Eason, James J. Oakes, James C. Westhoff, Gabriel B. Collins
  • Publication number: 20130068449
    Abstract: A hardfacing composition composed of an Fe—Cr alloy. The alloy is comprised of 80 wt % iron, about 2 wt % to about 20 wt % Cr, less than 1 wt % Si and less than 1 wt % C. The alloy's microstructure is at least 80 vol % martensite; and less than 20 vol % austenite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO,LP.
    Inventors: Raju PILLAI, Jiinjen A. SUE, Parul W. DHALL
  • Patent number: 8397841
    Abstract: Drill bits and cutting elements having a functionally-engineered surface comprise a cermet material selected from the group consisting of refractory metal carbides, nitrides, borides, carbonitrides and mixtures thereof. A functionally-engineered material is disposed over a surface portion one of the cutting elements to form a wear resistant surface thereon having a hardness that is different than that of the underlying cutting element. The wear resistant surface is provided by forming a conformable material mixture by combining one or more powders selected from the group consisting of cermets, carbides, borides, nitrides, carbonitrides, refractory metals, diamond particles, cubic boron nitride particles, Co, Fe, Ni, and combinations thereof, with an applying agent. The applied material mixture is pressurized under conditions of elevated temperature to consolidate and sinter the material mixture, thereby forming the wear resistant surface having desired properties of hardness and/or fracture toughness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Griffo, Ahigang Fang, Robert Denton
  • Patent number: 8381844
    Abstract: Earth-boring drill bits include a bit body, an element having an attachment feature bonded to the bit body, and a shank assembly. Methods for assembling an earth-boring rotary drill bit include bonding a threaded element to the bit body of a drill bit and engaging the shank assembly to the threaded element. A nozzle assembly for an earth-boring rotary drill bit may include a cylindrical sleeve having a threaded surface and a threaded nozzle disposed at least partially in the cylindrical sleeve and engaged therewith. Methods of forming an earth-boring drill bit include providing a nozzle assembly including a tubular sleeve and nozzle at least partially within a nozzle port of a bit body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Oliver Matthews, III, David A. Stockey, Redd H. Smith
  • Patent number: 8381845
    Abstract: A matrix powder for forming a matrix bit body, wherein the matrix powder includes: a plurality of carbide particles; and a plurality of first metal binder particles having an aspect ratio of at least about 3. Drill bits formed from metal binder particles having an aspect ratio of at least about 3 and methods of forming such bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory T Lockwood
  • Publication number: 20130032412
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventors: Kjell Haugvaldstad, Derek W. Logan, Garry Holmen, Anthony R. Dopf, Aron Logan, Robert Utter
  • Patent number: 8365845
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a high impact resistant tool comprises a sintered polycrystalline diamond body bonded to a cemented metal carbide substrate at an interface, the body comprising a substantially pointed geometry with an apex, the apex comprising a curved surface that joins a leading side and a trailing side of the body at a first and second transitions respectively, an apex width between the first and second transitions is less than a third of a width of the substrate, and the body also comprises a body thickness from the apex to the interface greater than a third of the width of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Ronald B. Crockett, Casey Webb, Michael Beazer