US5456327A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
O-ring seal for rock bit bearings
Assignee: Smith International Inc
•
Filing: 1994-03-08
•
Granted: 1995-10-10
•
Expires: 2014-03-08
Abstract
Abstract An improved O-ring seal for rock bit bearings comprises a body formed from a resilient elastomeric composition and a modified surface comprising a surface enhancing material integral with the body. The surface comprises a layer of surface enhancing material that encapsulates and is molecularly bonded to an underlying surface of an elastomeric seal body. The surface enhancing material selected may include metal disulfides, fluoropolymers, ethylene polymers, silicone polymers, and urethane polymers. The O-ring surface displays enhanced properties of reduced break-off friction, increased lubricity and wettablity, and increased thermal resistance. These enhanced surface properties serve to minimize stick-slip and material loss from the O-ring surface resulting from stick-slip, thereby increasing the service life of the O-ring seal and rock bit.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Denton
- 👤 Madapusi K. Keshavan
- 👤 Steven W. Peterson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 00:54
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B10/00; E21B10/08; E21B10/22; E21B10/25; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S277/00; Y10S277/91
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A rotary cone rock bit for drilling subterranean formations comprising; a bit body including a plurality of journal pins each extending from a leg portion of the bit and having a bearing surface; a cutter cone rotatably 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 comprising: a body formed from a resilient elastomeric composition; and a surface portion integral with the body forming a permanent surface on the body for engaging a journal pin and a cone and having properties different from the properties of the body, wherein the surface portion comprises a material different from the elastomeric composition, and wherein the surface portion is molecularly bonded to the elastomeric composition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
A rotary cone rock bit for drilling subterranean formations comprising; a bit body including a plurality of journal pins each extending from a leg portion of the bit and having a bearing surface; a cutter cone rotatably 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 comprising: a body formed from a resilient elastomeric composition; and a surface portion integral with the body forming a permanent surface on the body for engaging a journal pin and a cone and having properties different from the properties of the body, wherein the surface portion comprises a material different from the elastomeric composition, and wherein the surface portion is molecularly bonded to the elastomeric composition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The rotary cone rock bit as recited in claim 1 wherein the surface portion is integral with the elastomeric body and comprises enhanced properties of reduced break-away friction, increased lubricity and wettablity, and increased thermal resistance as compared to the elastomeric body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The rotary cone rock bit as recited in claim 1 wherein the body comprises a nitrile rubber and the surface portion comprises at least a portion of nitrile rubber having a molecular structure different from the molecular structure of the nitrile rubber of the body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The rotary cone rock bit as recited in claim 3 wherein the nitrile rubber of the surface portion is halogenated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The rotary cone rock bit as recited in claim 4 wherein the nitrile rubber of the surface portion is fluorinated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The rotary cone rock bit as recited in claim 5 wherein the nitrile rubber of the surface portion is treated with sulfur.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The rotary cone rock bit as recited in claim 6 wherein the nitrile rubber of the surface portion is molecularly bonded to an organic molecule that is not a nitrile rubber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The rotary cone rock bit as recited in claim 7 wherein the organic molecule comprises a fluorinated compound.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The rotary cone rock bit as recited in claim 8 wherein the fluorinated compound is selected from the group consisting of fluoropolymers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The rotary cone rock bit as recited in claim 1 wherein the surface material comprises a metal sulfide selected from the group consisting of tungsten disulfide and molybdenum disulfide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
158 words
A rotary cone rock bit for drilling subterranean formations comprising; a bit body including a plurality of journal pins each extending from a leg portion of the bit and having a bearing surface; a cutter cone rotatably 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 comprising: a body formed from a resilient elastomeric composition; and a surface portion integral with the body for engaging a journal pin and a cone and having a surface with properties different from the properties of the body, wherein the surface portion comprises a material different from the elastomeric composition that is molecularly bonded to the elastomeric composition, and wherein the surface material comprises a metal sulfide selected from the group consisting of tungsten disulfide and molybdenum disulfide.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
158 words
A rotary cone rock bit for drilling subterranean formations comprising; a bit body including a plurality of journal pins each extending from a leg portion of the bit and having a bearing surface; a cutter cone rotatably 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 comprising: a body formed from a resilient elastomeric composition; and a surface portion integral with the body for engaging a journal pin and a cone and having a surface with properties different from the properties of the body, wherein the surface portion comprises a material different from the elastomeric composition that is molecularly bonded to the elastomeric composition, and wherein the surface material comprises a metal sulfide selected from the group consisting of tungsten disulfide and molybdenum disulfide.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
164 words
A rotary cone rock bit for drilling subterranean formations comprising; a bit body including a plurality of journal pins each extending from a leg portion of the bit and having a bearing surface; a cutter cone rotatably 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 comprising: a body formed from a resilient elastomeric composition; and a surface portion integral with the body for engaging a journal pin and a cone and having a surface with properties different from the properties of the body, wherein the body comprises a nitrile rubber, wherein the surface portion comprises nitrile rubber treated by the group consisting of halogenation, fluorination, and sulfur treatment, and wherein the surface portion has a molecular structure different from the molecular structure of the nitrile rubber of the body.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
164 words
A rotary cone rock bit for drilling subterranean formations comprising; a bit body including a plurality of journal pins each extending from a leg portion of the bit and having a bearing surface; a cutter cone rotatably 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 comprising: a body formed from a resilient elastomeric composition; and a surface portion integral with the body for engaging a journal pin and a cone and having a surface with properties different from the properties of the body, wherein the body comprises a nitrile rubber, wherein the surface portion comprises nitrile rubber treated by the group consisting of halogenation, fluorination, and sulfur treatment, and wherein the surface portion has a molecular structure different from the molecular structure of the nitrile rubber of the body.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
186 words
A rotary cone rock bit for drilling subterranean formations comprising; a bit body including a plurality of journal pins each extending from a leg portion of the bit and having a bearing surface; a cutter cone rotatably 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 comprising: a body formed from a resilient elastomeric composition; and a surface portion integral with the body for engaging a journal pin and a cone and having a surface with properties different from the properties of the body, wherein the body comprises a nitrile rubber, wherein the surface portion comprises nitrile rubber treated by the group consisting of halogenation, fluorination, and sulfur treatment, wherein the surface portion has a molecular structure different from the molecular structure of the nitrile rubber of the body, and wherein the nitrile rubber of the surface portion is molecularly bonded to an organic molecule that is not a nitrile rubber molecule.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
186 words
A rotary cone rock bit for drilling subterranean formations comprising; a bit body including a plurality of journal pins each extending from a leg portion of the bit and having a bearing surface; a cutter cone rotatably 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 comprising: a body formed from a resilient elastomeric composition; and a surface portion integral with the body for engaging a journal pin and a cone and having a surface with properties different from the properties of the body, wherein the body comprises a nitrile rubber, wherein the surface portion comprises nitrile rubber treated by the group consisting of halogenation, fluorination, and sulfur treatment, wherein the surface portion has a molecular structure different from the molecular structure of the nitrile rubber of the body, and wherein the nitrile rubber of the surface portion is molecularly bonded to an organic molecule that is not a nitrile rubber molecule.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
183 words
A rotary cone rock bit for drilling subterranean formations comprising; a bit body including a plurality of journal pins each extending from a leg portion of the bit and having a bearing surface; a cutter cone rotatably 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 comprising: a body formed from a resilient elastomeric composition; and a surface portion integral with the body for engaging a journal pin and a cone and having a surface with properties different from the properties of the body, wherein the body comprises a nitrile rubber, wherein the surface portion comprises nitrile rubber treated by the group consisting of halogenation, fluorination, and sulfur treatment, wherein the surface portion has a molecular structure different from the molecular structure of the nitrile rubber of the body, and wherein the nitrile rubber of the surface portion is molecularly bonded to an organic molecule comprising a fluorinated compound.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
183 words
A rotary cone rock bit for drilling subterranean formations comprising; a bit body including a plurality of journal pins each extending from a leg portion of the bit and having a bearing surface; a cutter cone rotatably 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 comprising: a body formed from a resilient elastomeric composition; and a surface portion integral with the body for engaging a journal pin and a cone and having a surface with properties different from the properties of the body, wherein the body comprises a nitrile rubber, wherein the surface portion comprises nitrile rubber treated by the group consisting of halogenation, fluorination, and sulfur treatment, wherein the surface portion has a molecular structure different from the molecular structure of the nitrile rubber of the body, and wherein the nitrile rubber of the surface portion is molecularly bonded to an organic molecule comprising a fluorinated compound.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
190 words
A rotary cone rock bit for drilling subterranean formations comprising; a bit body including a plurality of journal pins each extending from a leg portion of the bit and having a bearing surface; a cutter cone rotatably 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 comprising: a body formed from a resilient elastomeric composition; and a surface portion integral with the body for engaging a journal pin and a cone and having a surface with properties different from the properties of the body, wherein the body comprises a nitrile rubber, wherein the surface portion comprises nitrile rubber treated by the group consisting of halogenation, fluorination, and sulfur treatment, wherein the surface portion has a molecular structure different from the molecular structure of the nitrile rubber of the body, and wherein the nitrile rubber of the surface portion is molecularly bonded to an organic molecule comprising a fluorinated compound selected from the group consisting of fluoropolymers.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
190 words
A rotary cone rock bit for drilling subterranean formations comprising; a bit body including a plurality of journal pins each extending from a leg portion of the bit and having a bearing surface; a cutter cone rotatably 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 comprising: a body formed from a resilient elastomeric composition; and a surface portion integral with the body for engaging a journal pin and a cone and having a surface with properties different from the properties of the body, wherein the body comprises a nitrile rubber, wherein the surface portion comprises nitrile rubber treated by the group consisting of halogenation, fluorination, and sulfur treatment, wherein the surface portion has a molecular structure different from the molecular structure of the nitrile rubber of the body, and wherein the nitrile rubber of the surface portion is molecularly bonded to an organic molecule comprising a fluorinated compound selected from the group consisting of fluoropolymers.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
140 words
A rotary cone rock bit for drilling subterranean formations comprising; a bit body including a plurality of journal pins each extending from a leg portion of the bit and having a bearing surface; a cutter cone rotatably 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 comprising: a body formed from a resilient elastomeric composition; and a permanent surface portion integral with and enclosing the body formed from a surface enhancing material having a molecular makeup different from the molecular makeup of the body, wherein the surface portion comprises a uniform layer of surface enhancing material that is molecularly bonded with the body of the seal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
140 words
A rotary cone rock bit for drilling subterranean formations comprising; a bit body including a plurality of journal pins each extending from a leg portion of the bit and having a bearing surface; a cutter cone rotatably 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 comprising: a body formed from a resilient elastomeric composition; and a permanent surface portion integral with and enclosing the body formed from a surface enhancing material having a molecular makeup different from the molecular makeup of the body, wherein the surface portion comprises a uniform layer of surface enhancing material that is molecularly bonded with the body of the seal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
The rotary cone rock bit as recited in claim 16 wherein the resilient elastomeric composition is selected from the group of materials consisting of fluoroelastomers, carboxylated elastomers, and HSN elastomers.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
The rotary cone rock bit as recited in claim 16 wherein the uniform layer of surface enhancing material has a thickness in the range of from 100 to 500 Angstroms.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
The rotary cone rock bit as recited in claim 18 wherein the surface enhancing material is selected from the group of materials consisting of fluoropolymers, polyethylene polymers, tungsten disulfide, molybdenum disulfide, silicone polymers, and urethane polymers.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The rotary cone rock bit as recited in claim 19 wherein the surface enhancing material is polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
The rotary cone rock bit as recited in claim 20 wherein the surface enhancing material is applied by plasma polymerization.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The rotary cone rock bit as recited in claim 19 wherein the surface enhancing material is tungsten disulfide.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
189 words
A rotary cone rock bit for drilling subterranean formations comprising; a bit body including a plurality of journal pins each extending from a leg portion of the bit and having a bearing surface; a cutter cone rotatably 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 comprising: a body formed from a resilient elastomeric composition selected from the group of materials consisting of fluoroelastomers, carboxylated elastomers, and HSN elastomers; and a surface comprising an integral surface enhancing material having a molecular makeup different from the molecular makeup of the body, wherein the surface comprises a uniform layer of surface enhancing material different from the material makeup of the elastomeric composition, wherein the layer of surface enhancing material encloses and molecularly bonds with the body of the seal, wherein the uniform layer of surface enhancing material has a thickness in the range of from 100 to 500 Angstroms, wherein the surface enhancing material is tungsten disulfide.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
189 words
A rotary cone rock bit for drilling subterranean formations comprising; a bit body including a plurality of journal pins each extending from a leg portion of the bit and having a bearing surface; a cutter cone rotatably 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 comprising: a body formed from a resilient elastomeric composition selected from the group of materials consisting of fluoroelastomers, carboxylated elastomers, and HSN elastomers; and a surface comprising an integral surface enhancing material having a molecular makeup different from the molecular makeup of the body, wherein the surface comprises a uniform layer of surface enhancing material different from the material makeup of the elastomeric composition, wherein the layer of surface enhancing material encloses and molecularly bonds with the body of the seal, wherein the uniform layer of surface enhancing material has a thickness in the range of from 100 to 500 Angstroms, wherein the surface enhancing material is tungsten disulfide.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
173 words
A rotary cone rock bit for drilling subterranean formations comprising; a bit body including a plurality of journal pins each extending from a leg portion of the bit and having a bearing surface; a cutter cone rotatably 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 comprising: a body formed from a resilient elastomeric material selected from the group consisting of fluoroelastomers, carboxylated elastomers, and HSN elastomers; and a surface comprising a uniform layer of surface enhancing material having a molecular makeup different than the molecular makeup of the elastomeric composition, the material enclosing and being molecularly bonded to the body to form a permanent enhanced surface for contacting adjacent surfaces of the journal pin and the cone, the material being selected from the group of materials consisting of metal sulfides, fluoropolymers, polyethylene polymers, silicone polymers, and urethane polymers.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
173 words
A rotary cone rock bit for drilling subterranean formations comprising; a bit body including a plurality of journal pins each extending from a leg portion of the bit and having a bearing surface; a cutter cone rotatably 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 comprising: a body formed from a resilient elastomeric material selected from the group consisting of fluoroelastomers, carboxylated elastomers, and HSN elastomers; and a surface comprising a uniform layer of surface enhancing material having a molecular makeup different than the molecular makeup of the elastomeric composition, the material enclosing and being molecularly bonded to the body to form a permanent enhanced surface for contacting adjacent surfaces of the journal pin and the cone, the material being selected from the group of materials consisting of metal sulfides, fluoropolymers, polyethylene polymers, silicone polymers, and urethane polymers.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
The rotary cone rock bit as recited in claim 24 wherein the layer of surface enhancing material has a thickness in the range of from 100 to 500 Angstroms.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
The rotary cone rock bit as recited in claim 25 wherein the surface enhancing material comprises polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
The rotary cone rock bit as recited in claim 26 wherein the layer surface enhancing material is applied to the body of the O-ring seal by plasma polymerization.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
18 words
The rotary cone rock bit as recited in claim 25 wherein the surface enhancing material comprises tungsten disulfide.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
179 words
A rotary cone rock bit for drilling subterranean formations comprising; a bit body including a plurality of journal pins each extending from a leg portion of the bit and having a bearing surface; a cutter cone rotatably 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 comprising: a body formed from a resilient elastomeric material selected from the group consisting of fluoroelastomers, carboxylated elastomers, and HSN elastomers; and a surface comprising a uniform layer of surface enhancing material having a molecular makeup different than the molecular makeup of the elastomeric composition, the material enclosing and being molecularly bonded to the body to form an enhanced surface for contacting adjacent surfaces of the journal pin and the cone, wherein the layer of surface enhancing material has a thickness in the range of from 100 to 500 Angstroms, and wherein the surface enhancing material comprises tungsten disulfide.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
179 words
A rotary cone rock bit for drilling subterranean formations comprising; a bit body including a plurality of journal pins each extending from a leg portion of the bit and having a bearing surface; a cutter cone rotatably 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 comprising: a body formed from a resilient elastomeric material selected from the group consisting of fluoroelastomers, carboxylated elastomers, and HSN elastomers; and a surface comprising a uniform layer of surface enhancing material having a molecular makeup different than the molecular makeup of the elastomeric composition, the material enclosing and being molecularly bonded to the body to form an enhanced surface for contacting adjacent surfaces of the journal pin and the cone, wherein the layer of surface enhancing material has a thickness in the range of from 100 to 500 Angstroms, and wherein the surface enhancing material comprises tungsten disulfide.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-10-09 | 1999-04-10 | 1999-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-10-09 | 2003-04-10 | 2003-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-10-09 | 2007-04-10 | 2007-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |