US4200343A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sealing system for a rotary rock bit
Assignee: Dresser Industries Inc
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Filing: 1978-12-21
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Granted: 1980-04-29
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Expires: 1998-12-21
Abstract
Abstract A sealing system for a rotary rock bit retains lubricant inside the bit and acts as a barrier to the pulverized cuttings and other materials in the borehole to prevent the materials from entering the bearing area through the cone mouth opening of the rolling cone cutter. A protecting ring is positioned outside of an elastomer seal element. Both the protecting ring and the elastomer seal element are positioned in the cone mouth opening. The protecting ring is positioned in the cone mouth opening with a slight interference fit. This allows the elastomer seal element to be protected from the hostile drilling environment and increases seal life. The protecting ring retards materials in the borehole from contacting the seal element. The sealing system is provided without reducing the bearing capacity of the bit's bearing system.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert E. Highsmith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:21
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B10/00; E21B10/08; E21B10/22; E21B10/25; F; F16; F16J; F16J15/00; F16J15/16; F16J15/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A rotary rock bit for forming a borehole wherein materials are encountered in the borehole, comprising: a rock bit body; at least one arm projecting from said rock bit body; a bearing pin extending from said arm; a rolling cone cutter adapted to be mounted on said bearing pin, said cone cutter having a base abutting said arm and a concave cavity projecting from a cone mouth, said cavity and cone mouth positioned over said bearing pin; bearing and cutter retaining means in said cavity between said bearing pin and said cone cutter; an annular seal space in said cone cutter located in said cone mouth; a tough, resilient and abrasion-resistant three sided protecting ring in said annular seal space located in said cone mouth adjacent said base between said arm and said cone cutter, said protecting ring having a curved side facing away from said arm and two sides meeting at an angle adjacent said base; and a compressed elastomer O-ring positioned between said cutter and said bearing pin and located in said cavity inside said protecting ring and contacting said curved side of said protecting ring for preventing entry of materials in the borehole into said cavity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
A rotary rock bit for forming a borehole wherein materials are encountered in the borehole, comprising: a rock bit body; at least one arm projecting from said rock bit body; a bearing pin extending from said arm; a rolling cone cutter adapted to be mounted on said bearing pin, said cone cutter having a base abutting said arm and a concave cavity projecting from a cone mouth, said cavity and cone mouth positioned over said bearing pin; bearing and cutter retaining means in said cavity between said bearing pin and said cone cutter; an annular seal space in said cone cutter located in said cone mouth; a tough, resilient and abrasion-resistant three sided protecting ring in said annular seal space located in said cone mouth adjacent said base between said arm and said cone cutter, said protecting ring having a curved side facing away from said arm and two sides meeting at an angle adjacent said base; and a compressed elastomer O-ring positioned between said cutter and said bearing pin and located in said cavity inside said protecting ring and contacting said curved side of said protecting ring for preventing entry of materials in the borehole into said cavity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The rotary rock bit of claim 1 wherein said curved side of said protecting ring has a radius that is equal to the radius of said elastomer O-ring in the compressed condition and said two sides are equal to said radius.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR1260080A
Cited
US3397928A
Cited
US3467448A
Cited
US3604523A
Cited
US3656764A
Cited
US3761145A
Cited
US3944306A
Cited
US4168868A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-04-29 | 1983-10-29 | 1984-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-04-29 | 1987-10-29 | 1988-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-04-29 | 1991-10-29 | 1992-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |