US3688853A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for replacing nozzles in erosion bits
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-03-01
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Granted: 1972-09-05
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Expires: 1991-03-01
Abstract
Abstract Worn nozzles of an erosion bit are replaced without removing the drill string from the borehole by passing a holder provided with replacement nozzles through the drill string and orientably lodging the holder in the bit. The replacement nozzles are then transferred from the holder to the bit and thrust into abutting engagement with the bit nozzles. Each of the replacement nozzles is faced with viscoelastic material which upon deforming establishes a pressure seal between the contacting surfaces of the abutting nozzles.
Inventors
- 👤 William C Maurer
- 👤 Everett H Lock
- 👤 Robert L Graham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 01:45
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B10/00; E21B10/64; E21B10/66; E21B10/08; E21B10/18; E21B10/60; E21B23/00; E21B23/08; E21B23/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
An assembly comprising a bit adapted for connection to a tubular drill string, said bit having a plurality of flow courses extending therethrough, each of said flow courses terminating in a flow restriction of reduced cross section; a holder passable through said drill string and into said bit and containing a plurality of replacement nozzles detachably mounted therein, a leading portion of each said replacement nozzles being faced with packing material; means for orienting said holder in said bit body to align each of said nozzles with one of said flow courses; and means for discharging each of said replacement nozzles from said holder into an aligned flow course and into abutting engagement with one of said flow restrictions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
An assembly comprising a bit adapted for connection to a tubular drill string, said bit having a plurality of flow courses extending therethrough, each of said flow courses terminating in a flow restriction of reduced cross section; a holder passable through said drill string and into said bit and containing a plurality of replacement nozzles detachably mounted therein, a leading portion of each said replacement nozzles being faced with packing material; means for orienting said holder in said bit body to align each of said nozzles with one of said flow courses; and means for discharging each of said replacement nozzles from said holder into an aligned flow course and into abutting engagement with one of said flow restrictions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
An assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said packing material is polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
An assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for orienting said nozzle holder in said bit includes a member mounted in said bit and a cooperating surface found on said nozzle holder, said surface adapted to engage said member as said holder enters said bit and to guide said holder to said oriented position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
An assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said replacement nozzles is provided with a plug for sealing the opening thereof, said plug being removable from said replacement nozzle at a predetermined pressure differential across said replacement nozzle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
An assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein said plug mounted in said replacement nozzle extends beyond the leading portion of said replacement nozzle and is sized to enter one of said flow restriction of said bit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
An assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for discharging said replacement nozzles from said nozzle holder includes hydraulical means operative to force said replacement nozzles from said holder and into said bit flow courses.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
An assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein said nozzle holder further includes a sealing element mounted about its outer periphery, said sealing element being sized to engage an interior surface of said bit with said holder lodged therein to establish a pressure seal between said nozzle holder and said bit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
An assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein said nozzle holder further includes a means for establishing a temporary flow restriction above each replacement nozzle carried therein.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
An assembly as defined in claim 1 and further comprising a plurality of cutter cones journaled to said bit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
An assembly as defined in claim 1 and further comprising a plurality of cutter blades mounted on said bit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
A replacement nozzle for inserting into an erosion bit, and adapted to sealingly engage a bit nozzle, said replacement nozzle comprising a hollow ceramic member; and a viscoelastic member mounted on a leading portion of said ceramic member, said viscoelastic member being deformable under stress to establish a pressure seal in the area of contact between the replacement nozzle and bit nozzle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
62 words
A replacement nozzle for inserting into an erosion bit, and adapted to sealingly engage a bit nozzle, said replacement nozzle comprising a hollow ceramic member; and a viscoelastic member mounted on a leading portion of said ceramic member, said viscoelastic member being deformable under stress to establish a pressure seal in the area of contact between the replacement nozzle and bit nozzle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A replacement nozzle as recited in claim 11 wherein said viscoelastic member is composed of polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for inserting a nozzle into an erosion bit attached to a drill string and having at least one flow course extending therethrough, said flow course terminating in a bit nozzle, said method comprising passing a holder through the drill string and into said bit, said holder having a replacement nozzle detachably mounted therein, the leading portion of which is composed of packing material; orienting said holder in said bit to align said nozzle with said flow course; transferring said nozzle from said holder to said flow course; increasing the pressure in said drill string and said bit to force said nozzle into abutting engagement with said bit nozzle and to deform said packing material and thereby effect a pressure seal in the contact area between said replacement nozzle and said bit nozzle.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for inserting a nozzle into an erosion bit attached to a drill string and having at least one flow course extending therethrough, said flow course terminating in a bit nozzle, said method comprising passing a holder through the drill string and into said bit, said holder having a replacement nozzle detachably mounted therein, the leading portion of which is composed of packing material; orienting said holder in said bit to align said nozzle with said flow course; transferring said nozzle from said holder to said flow course; increasing the pressure in said drill string and said bit to force said nozzle into abutting engagement with said bit nozzle and to deform said packing material and thereby effect a pressure seal in the contact area between said replacement nozzle and said bit nozzle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as defined in claim 13 wherein the step of transferring said replacement nozzle includes increasing the pressure in said drill string to forcE said replacement nozzle from said holder and into said aligned flow course.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-05 | 1976-03-06 | 1976-09-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-05 | 1980-03-06 | 1980-09-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-05 | 1984-03-06 | 1984-09-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |