Earth-boring tools and components thereof including blockage-resistant internal fluid passageways, and methods of forming such tools and components

US8240402B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Baker Hughes Holdings LLC · US

Inventors

• David L. Rickabaugh · Spring, US
• Rudolf Carl Pessier · Houston, US
• Mark E. Anderson · Portland, US
• William A. Moss, Jr. · Conroe, US
• Redd H. Smith · Salt Lake City, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 30, 2009
• Grant date: Aug 14, 2012
• Expiry date: Aug 18, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C22C9/00
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Earth-boring drill bits include a bit body including a blockage-resistant internal fluid passageway. The blockage-resistant internal fluid passageway includes at least one internal fluid passageway formed in the bit body and a cuttings filtering feature formed in the at least one internal fluid passageway configured to prevent at least some cuttings from flowing through the at least one internal fluid passageway. In one embodiment, the cuttings filtering feature includes at least one lateral member extending transversely across the at least one internal fluid passageway. In another embodiment, the cuttings filtering feature includes forming a central portion of the at least one internal fluid passageway with a width along a lateral axis thereof less than an average width of a fluid path extending through a nozzle disposed at least partially within the at least one internal fluid passageway. Methods of forming the blockage-resistant internal fluid passageway are also disclosed.