Patent US4986668A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5560440A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5560440A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bit for subterranean drilling fabricated from separately-formed major components
Assignee: Baker Hughes Holdings LLC
•
Filing: 1994-11-07
•
Granted: 1996-10-01
•
Expires: 2014-11-07
Abstract
Abstract A rotary bit for drilling subterranean formations. The bit includes a separately-fabricated bit body and cutter support structures, the latter of which may be designed as blades, ribs, pads or otherwise, depending upon the bit style. The body and one or more cutter support structures are assembled and secured together after fabrication. Separate fabrication of the cutter support structures permits more precise cutter positioning, as well as orientation, and promotes the use of stronger and more diverse cutter affixation means. The cutter support structures may be adjustably radially movable with respect to the bit body, so as to provide the ability to fabricate bits of various gage sizes within a range using a single bit body and single size of cutter support structure.
Inventors
- 👤 Gordon A. Tibbitts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:00
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B10/00; E21B10/46; E21B10/54; E21B10/55; E21B10/08; E21B10/20; E21B10/62; E21B10/627; E21B10/64; E21B10/66
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A variable gage size drill bit for drilling subterranean formations, comprising: a body including at least one substantially radially-oriented channel opening onto the exterior thereof; at least one blade carrying cutting structure thereon and having a portion received within and substantially radially inwardly and outwardly slidable within said at least one channel to define a gage size for said bit within a range of gage sizes corresponding to a range of travel of said at least one blade portion within said at least one channel; and structure for securing said at least one blade received within said at least one channel in fixed relationship to said body at a location within said range of travel to define said gage diameter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A variable gage size drill bit for drilling subterranean formations, comprising: a body including at least one substantially radially-oriented channel opening onto the exterior thereof; at least one blade carrying cutting structure thereon and having a portion received within and substantially radially inwardly and outwardly slidable within said at least one channel to define a gage size for said bit within a range of gage sizes corresponding to a range of travel of said at least one blade portion within said at least one channel; and structure for securing said at least one blade received within said at least one channel in fixed relationship to said body at a location within said range of travel to define said gage diameter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The drill bit of claim 1, wherein said structure for securing is adapted to permit selective removal of said at least one blade from said body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The drill bit of claim 1, wherein said cutting structure include diamond cutters.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The drill bit of claim 1, wherein said at least one blade carries a replaceable gage pad thereon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The drill bit of claim 1, wherein at least one of said cutting structure is carried in a pocket on said at least one blade.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The drill bit of claim 1, wherein said cutting structure comprises a rotatable roller cone cutter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
A drill bit for drilling subterranean formations, comprising: a body having a structure for engaging a separately-fabricated cutter support structure within a range of generally radial travel; and at least one separately-fabricated cutter support structure carrying a plurality of cutters on the exterior thereof secured in a fixed position to said body within said range of travel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
A drill bit for drilling subterranean formations, comprising: a body having a structure for engaging a separately-fabricated cutter support structure within a range of generally radial travel; and at least one separately-fabricated cutter support structure carrying a plurality of cutters on the exterior thereof secured in a fixed position to said body within said range of travel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The drill bit of claim 7, wherein said engaging structure of said body comprises a generally radially extending channel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The drill bit of claim 7, wherein said engaging structure comprises a surface on the exterior of said body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The drill bit of claim 9, wherein said surface comprises a flat surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The drill bit of claim 7, wherein said at least one cutter support structure is configured as a blade.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The drill bit of claim 7, wherein said at least one cutter support structure is configured as a rib.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The drill bit of claim 7, wherein said at least one cutter support structure is configured as a pad.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The drill bit of claim 7, wherein said body comprises a tungsten carbide matrix, and said at least one cutter support structure is formed of a ductile metal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The drill bit of claim 7, wherein said body is formed of a ductile metal and said at least one cutting structure comprises a tungsten carbide matrix.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The drill bit of claim 7, wherein said plurality of cutters are received in preformed pockets in said at least one cutter support structure.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The drill bit of claim 16, wherein said pockets are machined in said at least one cutter support structure.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The drill bit of claim 16, wherein said pockets are formed in said at least one cutter support structure during formation of the latter.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The drill bit of claim 7, wherein said plurality of cutters are disposed on a rotatable roller cone.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3106973A
Cited
US3326308A
Cited
US3463256A
Cited
US3672455A
Cited
US3760894A
Cited
US3862665A
Cited
US4252202A
Cited
US4499958A
Cited
US4538928A
Cited
US4733735A
Cited
US4682663A
Cited
US4830123A
Cited
US4858706A
Cited
US5090491A
Cited
US4884477A
Cited
US4838366A
Cited
US4919013A
Cited
US5101692A
Cited
US5099934A
Cited
US5147001A
Cited
US4991671A
Cited
US5150636A
Cited
US5439068A
Cited
US5439068B1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-10-01 | 2000-04-01 | 2000-10-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-10-01 | 2004-04-01 | 2004-10-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-10-01 | 2008-04-01 | 2008-10-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |