Earth-boring bit with improved rigid face seal
US6209185A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 14, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 3, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 14, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49984
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A method of constructing an earth-boring bit provides a face seal assembly with a diamond layer having a face with recesses for enhanced lubrication. The earth-boring bit has a bit body, at least one cantilevered bearing shaft, including a base and a cylindrical journal bearing surface extending inwardly and downwardly from the bit body, and at least one cutter mounted for rotation on the cylindrical journal bearing surface of the bearing shaft. The seal assembly is disposed between the cylindrical journal bearing surface and the cutter proximally to the base of the cantilevered bearing shaft. The seal assembly includes at least one rigid seal ring having a seal face in contact with a second seal face. At least one of the seal faces is at least partially formed of a super-hard material having wear-resistance greater than, and a coefficient of sliding friction less than, that of the rigid seal ring material. The super-hard layer is deposited on a substrate that has a face finished with a shape that is the inverse of the desired contour on the seal face. The super-hard layer is then separated from the substrate, resulting in a face with the desired contour. The diamond layer is then …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.