US5152353A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High speed rock bit
Assignee: Smith International Inc
•
Filing: 1990-12-21
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Granted: 1992-10-06
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Expires: 2010-12-21
Abstract
Abstract A rock bit for drilling subterranean formations has improved dynamic O-ring seals for retaining lubricant around the rock bit bearings during operation at more than 50 meters per minute surface speed on the O-rings. Such a bit has a plurality of journal pins, each having a bearing surface, and a cutter cone mounted on each journal pin and including a bearing surface. A pressure-compensated grease reservoir is in communication with such bearing surfaces for maintaining a grease adjacent to the bearing surfaces. The grease is sealed in with dynamic O-ring seals comprising a perfluorinated terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, perfluoro(methyl vinyl ether) and a cure site monomer for introducing crosslinking sites. Preferably the cure site monomer is selected from the group consisting of trifluoroethylene, vinyl perfluoroalkyls and monomers including a perfluoroalkyl ether group.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Denton
- 👤 Ernst Gugger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:40
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B10/00; E21B10/08; E21B10/22; E21B10/25
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A high speed rock bit for drilling subterranean formations comprising: a bit body including a plurality of journal pins, each having a bearing surface; a cutter cone mounted on each journal pin and including a bearing surface; a pressure-compensated grease reservoir in communication with such bearing surfaces; a grease in the grease reservoir and adjacent the bearing surfaces; and a dynamic O-ring seal for retaining the grease in the bearing, the O-ring seal comprising a perfluorinated terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, perfluoro(methyl vinyl ether) and a cure site monomer for introducing crosslinking sites, and carbon black.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
A high speed rock bit for drilling subterranean formations comprising: a bit body including a plurality of journal pins, each having a bearing surface; a cutter cone mounted on each journal pin and including a bearing surface; a pressure-compensated grease reservoir in communication with such bearing surfaces; a grease in the grease reservoir and adjacent the bearing surfaces; and a dynamic O-ring seal for retaining the grease in the bearing, the O-ring seal comprising a perfluorinated terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, perfluoro(methyl vinyl ether) and a cure site monomer for introducing crosslinking sites, and carbon black.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A high speed rock bit as recited in claim 1 wherein the cure site monomer is selected from the group consisting of trifluoroethylene, vinyl perfluoroalkyls and monomers including a perfluoroalkyl ether group.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
104 words
A high speed rock bit for drilling subterranean formations comprising: a bit body including a plurality of journal pins, each having a bearing surface; a cutter cone mounted on each journal pin and including a bearing surface; a pressure-compensated grease reservoir in communication with such bearing surfaces; a grease in the grease reservoir and adjacent the bearing surfaces; and a dynamic O-ring seal for retaining the grease in the bearing, the O-ring being formed of a crosslinked terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, perfluoro(methyl vinyl ether) and a cure site monomer selected from the group consisting of trifluoroethylene, vinyl perfluoroalkyls and monomers including a perfluoroalkyl ether group.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
104 words
A high speed rock bit for drilling subterranean formations comprising: a bit body including a plurality of journal pins, each having a bearing surface; a cutter cone mounted on each journal pin and including a bearing surface; a pressure-compensated grease reservoir in communication with such bearing surfaces; a grease in the grease reservoir and adjacent the bearing surfaces; and a dynamic O-ring seal for retaining the grease in the bearing, the O-ring being formed of a crosslinked terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, perfluoro(methyl vinyl ether) and a cure site monomer selected from the group consisting of trifluoroethylene, vinyl perfluoroalkyls and monomers including a perfluoroalkyl ether group.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for lubricating a rock bit for drilling subterranean formations, the rock bit including a bit body and a plurality of cutter cones mounted on the bit body with rotatable bearings, comprising the steps of: evacuating a portion of the rock bit body including the bearings; introducing grease into the evacuated portion of the rock bit body and bearings; and retaining the grease with an O-ring seal comprising a perfluorinated terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, perfluoro(methyl vinyl ether) and a cure site monomer for introducing crosslinking sites.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for lubricating a rock bit for drilling subterranean formations, the rock bit including a bit body and a plurality of cutter cones mounted on the bit body with rotatable bearings, comprising the steps of: evacuating a portion of the rock bit body including the bearings; introducing grease into the evacuated portion of the rock bit body and bearings; and retaining the grease with an O-ring seal comprising a perfluorinated terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, perfluoro(methyl vinyl ether) and a cure site monomer for introducing crosslinking sites.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as recited in claim 4 wherein the cure site monomer is selected from the group consisting of trifluoroethylene, vinyl perfluoroalkyls and monomers including a perfluoroalkyl ether group.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for lubricating a rock bit for drilling subterranean formations, the rock bit including a bit body and a plurality of cutter cones mounted on the bit body with rotatable bearings, comprising the steps of: evacuating a portion of the rock bit body including the bearings; introducing grease into the evacuated portion of the rock bit body and bearings; retaining the grease with an O-ring seal comprising a perfluorinated terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, perfluoro(methyl vinyl ether) and a cure site monomer for introducing crosslinking sites, and carbon black; and rotating the rock bit with a surface speed on the O-ring seal of more than 50 meters per minute.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for lubricating a rock bit for drilling subterranean formations, the rock bit including a bit body and a plurality of cutter cones mounted on the bit body with rotatable bearings, comprising the steps of: evacuating a portion of the rock bit body including the bearings; introducing grease into the evacuated portion of the rock bit body and bearings; retaining the grease with an O-ring seal comprising a perfluorinated terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, perfluoro(methyl vinyl ether) and a cure site monomer for introducing crosslinking sites, and carbon black; and rotating the rock bit with a surface speed on the O-ring seal of more than 50 meters per minute.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as recited in claim 6 wherein the cure site monomer is selected from the group consisting of trifluoroethylene, vinyl perfluoroalkyls and monomers including a perfluoroalkyl ether group.
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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) | 1995-10-06 | 1996-04-06 | 1996-10-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-10-06 | 2000-04-06 | 2000-10-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-10-06 | 2004-04-06 | 2004-10-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |