Earth-boring tools and methods for forming earth-boring tools using shape memory materials

US10280479B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC · US

Inventors

• Bo Yu · Spring, US
• Xu Huang · Beijing, CN
• Juan Miguel Bilen · The Woodlands, US
• John H. Stevens · Palo Alto, US
• Eric C. Sullivan · Houston, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 20, 2016
• Grant date: May 7, 2019
• Expiry date: Jun 6, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C21D2211/008
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

An earth-boring tool includes a tool body, at least one cutting element, and a retaining member comprising a shape memory material (e.g., alloy, polymer, etc.) located between a surface of the tool body and a surface of the cutting element. The shape memory material is configured to transform, responsive to application of a stimulus, from a first solid phase to a second solid phase. The retaining member comprises the shape memory material in the second solid phase, and at least partially retains the at least one cutting element adjacent the tool body. The shape memory material may be trained in a first phase to a first shape, and trained in a second phase to a second shape. The retaining member may be at least partially within a cavity in the first phase, then transformed to the second phase to apply a force securing the cutting element to the tool body.