US4207658A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Journal and pilot bearings with alternating surface areas of wear resistant and anti-galling materials
Assignee: Dresser Industries Inc
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Filing: 1978-05-22
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Granted: 1980-06-17
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Expires: 1998-05-22
Abstract
Abstract The journal and/or pilot bearings of a rotary cone earth boring bit are constructed to include alternating areas of wear resistant materials and anti-galling materials. The bearing matrix is formed by compressing a powdered alloy in the shape of the desired bearing element. The bearing matrix is sintered, thereby forming a porous bearing element. An anti-galling material is infiltrated into the porous matrix of the bearing element and the bearing element is hardened. The resulting bearing element includes areas of water resistant materials and areas of anti-galling materials.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert K. Sorenson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 16:50
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B10/00; E21B10/08; E21B10/22; B; B22; B22F; B22F3/00; B22F3/24; B22F3/26; F; F16; F16C; F16C33/00; F16C33/02; F16C33/04; F16C33/06; F16C33/12; F16C33/14; F16C2220/00; F16C2220/20; F16C2220/60; F16C2226/00; F16C2226/10; F16C2226/12; F16C2226/30; F16C2226/36; F16C2352/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of providing an improved bearing system in an earth boring bit, said bearing system including a journal and a rotatable cutter positioned to rotate about said journal with a bearing element between said rotatable cutter and said journal, comprising the steps of: pressing an alloy powder into the general shape of said bearing element, thereby producing a porous matrix element, sintering said porous matrix element, infiltrating an anti-galling material into said porous matrix element substantially throughout said porous matrix element, hardening said porous matrix element, and machining said porous matrix element into the specific shape of said bearing element assembling said bearing element between said rotatable cutter and said journal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of providing an improved bearing system in an earth boring bit, said bearing system including a journal and a rotatable cutter positioned to rotate about said journal with a bearing element between said rotatable cutter and said journal, comprising the steps of: pressing an alloy powder into the general shape of said bearing element, thereby producing a porous matrix element, sintering said porous matrix element, infiltrating an anti-galling material into said porous matrix element substantially throughout said porous matrix element, hardening said porous matrix element, and machining said porous matrix element into the specific shape of said bearing element assembling said bearing element between said rotatable cutter and said journal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of hardening said porous matrix element consists of case hardening said matrix element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said alloy powder is a ferrous alloy powder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said alloy powder is a stainless steel alloy powder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of adding carbon to said alloy powder prior to pressing the alloy powder into the general shape of the desired bearing element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the amount of carbon added to said alloy powder is sufficient to provide the porous matrix element with a carbon content after sintering within the range of 0.04% to 1.5%.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of providing an improved bearing system in an earth boring bit, said bearing system including a journal and a rotatable cutter positioned to rotate about said journal with a bearing element between said rotatable cutter and said journal, comprising the steps of: mixing graphite with a ferrous alloy powder, pressing said mixture of a ferrous alloy powder and graphite into the general shape of said bearing element thereby producing a porous matrix element, sintering said porous matrix element, infiltrating an anti-galling material into said porous matrix element substantially throughout said porous matrix element, hardening said porous matrix element, and machining said porous matrix element into the specific shape of said bearing element assembling said bearing element between said rotatable cutter and said journal.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of providing an improved bearing system in an earth boring bit, said bearing system including a journal and a rotatable cutter positioned to rotate about said journal with a bearing element between said rotatable cutter and said journal, comprising the steps of: mixing graphite with a ferrous alloy powder, pressing said mixture of a ferrous alloy powder and graphite into the general shape of said bearing element thereby producing a porous matrix element, sintering said porous matrix element, infiltrating an anti-galling material into said porous matrix element substantially throughout said porous matrix element, hardening said porous matrix element, and machining said porous matrix element into the specific shape of said bearing element assembling said bearing element between said rotatable cutter and said journal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said step of hardening said porous matrix element consists of case hardening said matrix element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said ferrous alloy powder is a stainless steel alloy powder.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the amount of graphite added to said alloy powder is sufficient to provide the porous matrix element with a carbon content after sintering within the range of 0.04% to 1.5%.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-06-17 | 1983-12-17 | 1984-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-06-17 | 1987-12-17 | 1988-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-06-17 | 1991-12-17 | 1992-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |