US7331410B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drill bit arcuate-shaped inserts with cutting edges and method of manufacture
Assignee: Smith International Inc
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Filing: 2004-08-20
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Granted: 2008-02-19
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Expires: 2024-08-20
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed are a variety of arcuate-shaped inserts for drill bits, and in particular, for placement in rolling cone cutters of drill bits. The arcuate inserts include 360° or ring-shaped inserts, as well as inserts of smaller arcuate length. The arcuate inserts are suitable for use in all surfaces of the rolling cone cutter, and in other locations in drill bits, and may have specialized cutting surfaces and material enhancements to enhance their cutting duty performance. Certain arcuate inserts may include stress relieving discontinuities such that, upon assembly into the cone or during drilling, the arcuate inserts may fragment in a controlled and predicted manner into shorter arcuate lengths.
Inventors
- 👤 Zhou Yong
- 👤 Jim Minikus
- 👤 Armardeep Singh
- 👤 Quan Nguyen
- 👤 Sharath Kolachalam
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:30
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B10/00; E21B10/46; E21B10/50; E21B10/08; E21B10/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A bit for drilling a borehole into earthen formations, the bit comprising: a bit body; a rolling cone cutter mounted on said bit body and being adapted to rotate about a cone axis; a circumferential groove formed in said cone cutter; a ring-shaped insert having a 360° arcuate length retained by interference fit within said groove, wherein said ring-shaped insert includes a pair of side surfaces and a cutting surface extending between said side surfaces, said cutting surface including cutting edges.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
A bit for drilling a borehole into earthen formations, the bit comprising: a bit body; a rolling cone cutter mounted on said bit body and being adapted to rotate about a cone axis; a circumferential groove formed in said cone cutter; a ring-shaped insert having a 360° arcuate length retained by interference fit within said groove, wherein said ring-shaped insert includes a pair of side surfaces and a cutting surface extending between said side surfaces, said cutting surface including cutting edges.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The drill bit of claim 1 further comprising grooves in said cutting surface, said grooves forming said cutting edges.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The drill bit of claim 2 wherein said cone cutter includes a cone surface, and wherein said circumferential groove extends into said cone surface a predetermined depth; and wherein said insert is retained in said groove such that said cutting surface extends above said cone surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The drill bit of claim 1 wherein said ring-shaped insert comprises at least one stress relief discontinuity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The drill bit of claim 4 wherein said stress relief discontinuity is disposed at least partially in said cutting surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The drill bit of claim 4 wherein said insert includes a bottom surface, and wherein said stress relief discontinuity is disposed at least partially in said bottom surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The drill bit of claim 1 wherein said cutting edges have negative backrake angles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The drill bit of claim 1 wherein a first plurality of said cutting edges have negative backrake angles and a second plurality of said cutting edges have positive backrake angles.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
87 words
A bit for drilling a borehole into earthen formations, the bit comprising; a bit body; a rolling cone cutter rotatably mounted on said bit body and being adapted to rotate about a cone axis; a groove formed in said cone cutter arid extending completely around said cone axis; a ring-shaped insert having a 360° arcuate length, said insert having a radially innermost side surface, a radially outermost side surface, and a cutting surface extending between said side surfaces, said cutting surface including a plurality of cutting edges.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
87 words
A bit for drilling a borehole into earthen formations, the bit comprising; a bit body; a rolling cone cutter rotatably mounted on said bit body and being adapted to rotate about a cone axis; a groove formed in said cone cutter arid extending completely around said cone axis; a ring-shaped insert having a 360° arcuate length, said insert having a radially innermost side surface, a radially outermost side surface, and a cutting surface extending between said side surfaces, said cutting surface including a plurality of cutting edges.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The bit of claim 9 wherein said cutting surface comprises a generally frustoconical surface, and grooves formed in said frustoconical surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The bit of claim 10 wherein said cutting surface comprises a plurality of generally radially aligned grooves.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The bit of claim 10 wherein said cutting surface comprises a plurality of non-radially aligned grooves forming cutting edges having negative backrake angles.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The bit of claim 9 wherein said cutting surface comprises a plurality of protrusions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The bit of claim 9 wherein said cutting surface comprises a plurality of recesses.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The bit of claim 9 wherein said ring-shaped insert includes at least one stress relief discontinuity.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
112 words
A bit for drilling a borehole into earthen formations, the bit comprising; a bit body; a rolling cone cutter rotatably mounted on said bit body and being adapted to rotate about a cone axis; a groove formed in said cone cutter and extending completely around said cone axis; a ring-shaped insert having a 360° arcuate length and a cutting surface, said ring shaped insert retained in said groove; wherein said cutting surface includes a plurality of cutting edges; and wherein said cutting surface comprises a plurality of non-radially aligned grooves forming a first plurality of cutting edges having negative backrake angles and a second plurality of cutting edges having positive backrake angles.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
112 words
A bit for drilling a borehole into earthen formations, the bit comprising; a bit body; a rolling cone cutter rotatably mounted on said bit body and being adapted to rotate about a cone axis; a groove formed in said cone cutter and extending completely around said cone axis; a ring-shaped insert having a 360° arcuate length and a cutting surface, said ring shaped insert retained in said groove; wherein said cutting surface includes a plurality of cutting edges; and wherein said cutting surface comprises a plurality of non-radially aligned grooves forming a first plurality of cutting edges having negative backrake angles and a second plurality of cutting edges having positive backrake angles.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
65 words
A cutter element for insertion into a cone cutter of a rolling cone drill bit, the cutter element comprising: a ring-shaped body having an arcuate length of 360° and extending about a central axis, said body having a radially innermost side surface, a radially outermost side surface, and a cutting surface extending between said side surfaces, said cutting surface including a plurality of cutting edges.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
65 words
A cutter element for insertion into a cone cutter of a rolling cone drill bit, the cutter element comprising: a ring-shaped body having an arcuate length of 360° and extending about a central axis, said body having a radially innermost side surface, a radially outermost side surface, and a cutting surface extending between said side surfaces, said cutting surface including a plurality of cutting edges.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The cutter element of claim 17 wherein said cutting surface comprises a generally frustoconical surface and a plurality of grooves formed in said frustoconical surface.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The cutter element of claim 18 wherein a first plurality of said plurality of grooves are radially aligned.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
The cutter element of claim 18 wherein said grooves form cutting edges and wherein said cutting surface includes a first plurality of cutting edges having negative backrake angles.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cutter element of claim 17 wherein said ring-shaped insert includes at least one stress relief discontinuity.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cutter element of claim 21 wherein said stress relief discontinuity is formed in said cutting surface.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The cutler element of claim 21 further comprising a bottom surface, and wherein said stress relief discontinuity is formed in said bottom surface.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
91 words
A cutler element for insertion into a cone cutter of a rolling cone drill bit, the cutter element comprising: a ring-shaped body having an arcuate length of 360° and extending about a central axis, said body having a radially innermost side surface, a radially outermost side surface, and a cutting surface extending between said side surfaces, said cutting surface including a plurality of cutting edges; wherein said cutting surface includes a first plurality of cutting edges having negative backrake angles and a second plurality of cutting edges having positive backrake angles.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
91 words
A cutler element for insertion into a cone cutter of a rolling cone drill bit, the cutter element comprising: a ring-shaped body having an arcuate length of 360° and extending about a central axis, said body having a radially innermost side surface, a radially outermost side surface, and a cutting surface extending between said side surfaces, said cutting surface including a plurality of cutting edges; wherein said cutting surface includes a first plurality of cutting edges having negative backrake angles and a second plurality of cutting edges having positive backrake angles.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for manufacturing a rolling cone drill bit comprising: providing a rolling cone cutter having a cone axis; forming a groove in said cone cutter; providing a cutter insert having an arcuate-shaped base portion and a cutting portion, said cutter insert having a radially innermost side sur face, a radially outermost side surface, and a cutting surface extending between said side surfaces, said cutting surface including a plurality of cutting edges; after providing said cutter insert having said arcuate-shaped base portion, fixing said insert into said cone cutter by press fitting said base portion into said groove.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for manufacturing a rolling cone drill bit comprising: providing a rolling cone cutter having a cone axis; forming a groove in said cone cutter; providing a cutter insert having an arcuate-shaped base portion and a cutting portion, said cutter insert having a radially innermost side sur face, a radially outermost side surface, and a cutting surface extending between said side surfaces, said cutting surface including a plurality of cutting edges; after providing said cutter insert having said arcuate-shaped base portion, fixing said insert into said cone cutter by press fitting said base portion into said groove.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 25 further comprising: forming a circumferential groove completely around said cone axis; press fitting into said circumferential groove a cutter insert having a 360° arcuate length.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 26 further comprising: forming at least two circumferential grooves completely around said cone axis; and press fitting a cutter insert having a 360° arcuate length into each of said grooves.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said cone cutter includes a backface, and wherein said groove is formed in a surface of said cone cutter other than said backface.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 25 further comprising forming said cutting surface to include a plurality of cutting edges prior to press fitting said insert into said groove.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for manufacturing a drill bit comprising: providing a rolling cone cutter having a cone axis, a backface, a generally frustoconical heel surface adjacent said backface, and a generally conical surface adjacent to said heel surface; forming a cutter insert having a 360° arcuate length and a cutting surface that comprises a plurality of cutting edges disposed along said length; forming a circumferential groove in said cone cutter; and after forming said cutter insert, press fitting said cutter insert into said circumferential groove.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for manufacturing a drill bit comprising: providing a rolling cone cutter having a cone axis, a backface, a generally frustoconical heel surface adjacent said backface, and a generally conical surface adjacent to said heel surface; forming a cutter insert having a 360° arcuate length and a cutting surface that comprises a plurality of cutting edges disposed along said length; forming a circumferential groove in said cone cutter; and after forming said cutter insert, press fitting said cutter insert into said circumferential groove.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
109 words
A bit for drilling a borehole into earthen formations, the bit comprising; a bit body; a rolling cone cutter rotatably mounted on said bit body and being adapted to rotate about a cone axis; a groove formed in said cone cutter and extending completely around said cone axis; a ring-shaped insert having a 360° arcuate length and a cutting surface, said cutting surface including an inner annular surface, an outer annular surface, and a plurality of cutting edges extending at least partially across the inner annular surface and at least partially across the outer annular surface; and wherein the ring-shaped insert is retained by interference fit within said groove.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
109 words
A bit for drilling a borehole into earthen formations, the bit comprising; a bit body; a rolling cone cutter rotatably mounted on said bit body and being adapted to rotate about a cone axis; a groove formed in said cone cutter and extending completely around said cone axis; a ring-shaped insert having a 360° arcuate length and a cutting surface, said cutting surface including an inner annular surface, an outer annular surface, and a plurality of cutting edges extending at least partially across the inner annular surface and at least partially across the outer annular surface; and wherein the ring-shaped insert is retained by interference fit within said groove.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
37 words
The bit of claim 31 wherein the cone cutter includes a backface and a frustoconical heel surface, said groove formed at least partially in each of the backface and the frustoconical heel surface of the cone cutter.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
42 words
The bit of claim 32 wherein the inner annular surface of the ring-shaped insert is substantially co-planar with the backface surface of the cone cutter, and the outer annular surface is substantially co-planar with the frustoconical heel surface of the cone cutter.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
14 words
The drill bit of claim 31 wherein said cutting edges have negative backrake angles.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
30 words
The drill bit of claim 31 wherein a first plurality of said cutting edges have negative backrake angles and a second plurality of said cutting edges have positive backrake angles.
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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) | 2011-02-18 | 2011-08-20 | 2012-02-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2015-02-18 | 2015-08-20 | 2016-02-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2019-02-18 | 2019-08-20 | 2020-02-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |