Patent · US Expired

Rotary drill bit with improved cutter and method of manufacturing same

US5644956A · kind A · utility

88Cited by
29References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 31, 1995
Grant dateJul 8, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 31, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B10/50
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A rotary cone drill bit for forming a borehole having a body with an underside and an upper end portion adapted for connection to a drill string. The drill bit rotates around a central axis of the body. A number of angularly-spaced arms are integrally formed with the body and depend therefrom. Each arm has an inside surface with a spindle connected thereto and an outer shirttail surface. Each spindle projects generally downwardly and inwardly with respect to its associated arm, has a generally cylindrical upper end portion connected to the associated inside surface, and has an inner sealing surface on the upper end portion. A number of rotary cone cutters equal to the number of arms are each mounted on respective spindles. Each of the cutters includes an internal generally cylindrical wall defining a cavity for receiving the respective spindle, a gap with a generally cylindrical portion defined between the spindle and cavity wall, an outer sealing surface in the cavity wall concentric with the inner sealing surface, and a seal element spanning the gap and sealing between the inner and outer sealing surfaces. The gap includes an opening contiguous with and directed outwardly from th…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.