US5435403A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cutting elements with enhanced stiffness and arrangements thereof on earth boring drill bits
Assignee: Baker Hughes Holdings LLC
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Filing: 1993-12-09
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Granted: 1995-07-25
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Expires: 2013-12-09
Abstract
Abstract A cutting element having a substantially planar table of superhard material mounted on a substrate or backing. The superhard material table, the substrate, or an insert placed between those two components provides additional stiffness to the cutting element and resistance to bending and impact loading experienced by the cutting element when drilling a formation. The additional stiffness reduces fracture of the table of superhard material and, if the reinforcing member or portion is formed of an abrasion and erosion resistant material, the cutting element will wear linearly at a reduced rate due to the enhanced volume of such material. The thicker or reinforced portion of the cutting element extends linearly, and if the cutting element is circular, extends diametrically. Cooperative arrangements of such cutting elements are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Gordon A. Tibbitts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 18:21
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B10/00; E21B10/46; E21B10/56; E21B10/567; E21B10/54; E21B10/55; E21B10/573; E21B10/5735; E21B10/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
44 words
A cutting element for a rotary drag bit for drilling subterranean formations, comprising: a substrate; a substantially planar table of superhard material supported by said substrate; and stiffening means integral with said cutting element for providing enhanced resistance to bending of said cutting element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
44 words
A cutting element for a rotary drag bit for drilling subterranean formations, comprising: a substrate; a substantially planar table of superhard material supported by said substrate; and stiffening means integral with said cutting element for providing enhanced resistance to bending of said cutting element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cutting element of claim 1, wherein said stiffening means is located proximate the interface between said table and said substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The cutting element of claim 1, wherein said stiffening means is integral with said table.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The cutting element of claim 3, wherein said stiffening means comprises a substantially continuous table portion of increased thickness extending transversely on said cutting element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cutting element of claim 4, wherein said transversely-extending table portion is of regular cross-sectional configuration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cutting element of claim 4, wherein said transversely-extending table portion extends completely across said table.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cutting element of claim 6, wherein said cutting element has a circular cutting face, and said transversely-extending table portion extends diametrically.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cutting element of claim 6, wherein said transversely-extending table portion is laterally flanked by skirt portions of said table of relatively lesser thickness.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cutting element of claim 2, wherein said stiffening means is of different material composition than said substrate or said table.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The cutting element of claim 9, wherein said stiffening means comprises a preformed insert.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
132 words
A cutting element arrangement on a rotary drag bit for drilling a subterranean formation, said bit having a longitudinal axis and a bit face defining a profile, and comprising: a first cutting element including a substrate supporting a substantially planar table of superhard material and transversely-extending stiffening means for providing enhanced resistance to bending of said first cutting element; and a second cutting element including a substrate supporting a substantially planar table of superhard material and transversely-extending stiffening means for providing enhanced resistance to bending of said second cutting element; each of said first and said second cutting elements being disposed on said bit face on adjacent radii from the center of said bit face with each of said tables oriented at an acute angle to a radius intersecting that cutting element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
132 words
A cutting element arrangement on a rotary drag bit for drilling a subterranean formation, said bit having a longitudinal axis and a bit face defining a profile, and comprising: a first cutting element including a substrate supporting a substantially planar table of superhard material and transversely-extending stiffening means for providing enhanced resistance to bending of said first cutting element; and a second cutting element including a substrate supporting a substantially planar table of superhard material and transversely-extending stiffening means for providing enhanced resistance to bending of said second cutting element; each of said first and said second cutting elements being disposed on said bit face on adjacent radii from the center of said bit face with each of said tables oriented at an acute angle to a radius intersecting that cutting element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The cutting element arrangement of claim 11, wherein said stiffening means comprise integral table portions of increased thickness.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The cutting element arrangement of claim 11, wherein said tables are placed in overlapping radial locations so that said stiffening means of said cutting elements travel in immediately adjacent arcuate paths upon rotation of said bit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The cutting element arrangement of claim 11, wherein said tables are placed in overlapping radial locations so that said stiffening means of said cutting elements travel in partially overlapping arcuate paths upon rotation of said bit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cutting element arrangement of claim 11, wherein said cutting elements are circular and said stiffening means extend diametrically.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The cutting element arrangement of claim 11, wherein said cutting elements are non-circular and each of said stiffening means is laterally flanked on either side thereof by a portion of said superhard material table.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cutting element arrangement of claim 11, wherein said transversely-extending stiffening means are oriented in substantially perpendicular relationship to said profile.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The cutting element arrangement of claim 11, wherein said stiffening means extend substantially continuously in a transverse direction.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
59 words
A rotary drill bit, comprising: a bit body having a face defining a profile; and at least one cutting element mounted on said bit face, said at least one cutting element including a substrate supporting a substantially planar table of superhard material, and transversely-extending stiffening means for providing enhanced resistance to bending of said at least one cutting element.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
59 words
A rotary drill bit, comprising: a bit body having a face defining a profile; and at least one cutting element mounted on said bit face, said at least one cutting element including a substrate supporting a substantially planar table of superhard material, and transversely-extending stiffening means for providing enhanced resistance to bending of said at least one cutting element.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The drill bit of claim 18, wherein said stiffening means is oriented substantially perpendicular to said profile.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The drill bit of claim 18, wherein said stiffening means is located proximate the interface between said table and said substrate.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The drill bit of claim 18, wherein said stiffening means is integral with said table.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The drill bit of claim 18, wherein said stiffening means extends substantially continuously in a transverse direction.
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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) | 1998-07-24 | 1999-01-23 | 1999-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-07-24 | 2003-01-23 | 2003-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-07-24 | 2007-01-23 | 2007-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |