Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080202817 | Hardfacing Around Ball Loading Hole for Earth-Boring Bit - A rotary cone earth boring bit has at least one bit leg with a cone retaining ball passage that intersects an outer surface of the bit leg and is closed by a ball plug. An upwardly curved lower hardfacing bead is on the outer surface of the bit leg at least partially below the ball plug. A downwardly curved upper hardfacing bead is on the outer surface of the bit leg at least partially above the ball plug. The upper hardfacing bead has leading and trailing ends that join the lower hardfacing bead. The upper and lower hardfacing beads define a generally elliptical perimeter surround the ball plug. At least one transverse bead is above the upper hardfacing bead and leads generally upwardly and circumferentially from a leading edge of the bit leg to a trailing edge of the bit leg. | 08-28-2008 |
20090044984 | Corrosion Protection for Head Section of Earth Boring Bit - An earth boring bit has a steel body having at least one leg with a depending bearing pin. A cone having cutting elements is rotatably mounted to the bearing pin. A ball plug weld is on the outer surface of the leg. A layer of hardfacing applied to part of the outer surface of the leg, the hardfacing having carbide particles in a matrix. A corrosion resistant coating containing at least 50% nickel is formed on parts of the outer surface of the leg that are free of the layer of hardfacing both above and below the ball plug weld. | 02-19-2009 |
20100012392 | SHANK STRUCTURE FOR ROTARY DRILL BITS - A shank configuration for rotary drill bits is disclosed for positioning of the shank in relation to the bit body. A tapered surface or feature of the shank may be configured and sized to matingly engage a complementarily shaped surface or feature of the drill bit body and thereby become centered or positioned in relation thereto. A deformable element may be disposed between the shank and bit body. Also, the shank may comprise a material having a carbon equivalent of less than about 0.35%. A multi-pass weld procedure may be employed to affix the shank and bit body to one another wherein welds may be formed so that one weld originates at a circumferential position that differs from the origination circumferential position of its immediately preceding weld by at least about 90°. Further, a stress state may be developed within the multi-pass weld. A method of manufacture is also disclosed. | 01-21-2010 |
20100038146 | Bit Cone With Hardfaced Nose - A drill bit for drilling a wellbore, the drill bit having a cutter which has tungsten carbide inserts and a spear point. The spear point has a neck that joins a smooth portion of the cutter and blades that extend from the neck and converge to an apex. The blades define valleys or spaces between them. A layer of hardfacing is applied to the entire spear point including the interim spaces and the neck. | 02-18-2010 |
20100065337 | Method and Apparatus for the Automated Application of Hardfacing Material to Rolling Cutters of Earth-Boring Drill Bits - The present invention relates to a system and method for automated or “robotic” application of hardfacing to the surface of a steel-toothed cutter of a rock bit. In particular, the system incorporates a grounded adapter plate and chuck mounted to a robotic arm for grasping and manipulating a rock bit cutter beneath an electrical or photonic energy welding source, such as a plasma arc welding torch manipulated by a positioner. In this configuration, the torch is positioned substantially vertically and oscillated along a horizontal axis as the cutter is manipulated relative along a target path for the distribution of hardfacing. Moving the cutter beneath the torch allows more areas of more teeth to be overlayed, and allows superior placement for operational feedback, such as automatic positioning and parameter correction. In the preferred embodiment, sensors provide data to the control system for identification, positioning, welding program selection, and welding program correction. The control system, aided by data from the sensors, manipulates the robotically held cutter while controlling the operation and oscillation of the torch. | 03-18-2010 |
20100104736 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATED APPLICATION OF HARDFACING MATERIAL TO DRILL BITS - A system and method for the automated or “robotic” application of hardfacing to a surface of a drill bit. | 04-29-2010 |
20100106285 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ROBOTIC WELDING OF DRILL BITS - A system and method for the welding of drill bits using an automated robot or robots. | 04-29-2010 |
20100193253 | EARTH-BORING TOOLS AND BODIES OF SUCH TOOLS INCLUDING NOZZLE RECESSES, AND METHODS OF FORMING SAME - Earth-boring tools such as, for example, earth-boring rotary drill bits include erosion-resistant structures disposed proximate areas of intersection between faces of the tools and fluid nozzle recesses or fluid passageways extending through the tools to the face. In some embodiments, such an erosion-resistant structure may comprise a mass of hardfacing material. In additional embodiments, such an erosion-resistant structure comprises an erosion-resistant insert. Methods of forming such earth-boring tools include providing erosion-resistant structures proximate intersections between the faces of the tools and fluid nozzle recesses or fluid passageways extending through the tools. Methods of repairing earth-boring tools include providing an annular-shaped, erosion-resistant structure over an eroded surface of a body of a previously used earth-boring tool proximate an intersection between an outer face of the body and an inner surface of the body. | 08-05-2010 |
20100204824 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND DEVICES FOR MANIPULATING CUTTING ELEMENTS FOR EARTH-BORING DRILL BITS AND TOOLS - Methods include one or more of robotically positioning a cutting element on an earth-boring tool, using a power-driven device to move a cutting element on an earth-boring tool, and robotically applying a bonding material for attaching a cutting element to an earth-boring tool. Robotic systems are used to robotically position a cutting element on an earth-boring tool. Systems for orienting a cutting element relative to a tool body include a power-driven device for moving a cutting element on or adjacent the tool body. Systems for positioning and orienting a cutting element on an earth-boring tool include such a power-driven device and a robot for carrying a cutting element. Systems for attaching a cutting element to an earth-boring tool include a robot carrying a torch for heating at least one of a cutting element, a tool body, and a bonding material. | 08-12-2010 |
20100224417 | HYBRID DRILL BIT WITH HIGH BEARING PIN ANGLES - The invention disclosed and taught herein is directed to an improved hybrid drill bit having at least two rolling cutters, each rotatable around an axis of rotation, at least one of the rolling cutters having a high pin angle, and at least one fixed blade. The increase in the pin angle can encompass pin angles above 39 degrees to less than 393 degrees. In at least one embodiment, the improved drill bit expands the capabilities of a hybrid bit to allow the rolling cutters to engage a shoulder portion and/or gage portion of the bit profile and assist the fixed blade(s) in these areas. | 09-09-2010 |
20100282026 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATED EARTH BORING DRILL BIT MANUFACTURING - A method and system for manufacturing a earth boring tool, comprising placing a tool in a positioner of an system which then conforms the tool to a model through the performance of a plurality of processing steps thereon. The positioner may move the tool in two axis. The system may include a manipulator which performs each of the processing steps. Alternatively, the system may include a plurality of manipulators, each performing a different one of the processing steps. The processing steps may include various shaping, cleaning, painting, and packaging steps. The processing steps may be performed without removing the tool from the positioner. The tool may be repositioned in the positioner during or between processing steps. For example, performing the processing steps may comprise performing one or more of the process steps, repositioning the tool in the positioner, and re-performing the one or more of the process steps. | 11-11-2010 |
20120103691 | METHODS OF COUPLING COMPONENTS OF DOWNHOLE TOOLS, DOWNHOLE TOOLS AND COMPONENTS OF DOWNHOLE TOOLS - Methods of coupling a bearing assembly to a downhole tool include forming at least a portion of a downhole component from a diamond-enhanced material, applying a metal material to a surface of the downhole component using an ultrasonic molten metal process, and coupling at least a portion of the surface of the downhole component to at least another component of the downhole tool. Downhole tools include at least one component of a bearing assembly that is configured to move relative to a portion of the downhole tool. The at least one bearing component comprises a diamond-enhanced material and is coupled to a portion of the downhole tool by an ultrasonic molten metal process. | 05-03-2012 |
20130197686 | METHODS FOR MANIPULATING CUTTING ELEMENTS FOR EARTH-BORING DRILL BITS AND TOOLS - Methods include one or more of robotically positioning a cutting element on an earth-boring tool, using a power-driven device to move a cutting element on an earth-boring tool, and robotically applying a bonding material for attaching a cutting element to an earth-boring tool. Robotic systems are used to robotically position a cutting element on an earth-boring tool. Systems for orienting a cutting element relative to a tool body include a power-driven device for moving a cutting element on or adjacent the tool body. Systems for positioning and orienting a cutting element on an earth-boring tool include such a power-driven device and a robot for carrying a cutting element. Systems for attaching a cutting element to an earth-boring tool include a robot carrying a torch for heating at least one of a cutting element, a tool body, and a bonding material. | 08-01-2013 |
20130273258 | METHODS FOR AUTOMATED APPLICATION OF HARDFACING MATERIAL TO DRILL BITS - Methods for depositing hardfacing material on portions of drill bits comprise providing a vertically oriented plasma transfer arc torch secured to a positioner having controllable movement in a substantially vertical plane. A rolling cutter is secured to a chuck mounted on an articulated arm of a robot. A surface of a tooth of the rolling cutter is positioned in a substantially perpendicular relationship beneath the torch. The torch is oscillated along a substantially horizontal axis. The rolling cutter is moved with the articulated arm of the robot in a plane beneath the oscillating torch. A hardfacing material is deposited on the tooth of the rolling cutter. | 10-17-2013 |