Abstract:
An earth-boring bit has a bit body and at least one bearing shaft depending inwardly and downwardly from the bit body. The bearing shaft has a base where it joins the bit body. At least one cutter is mounted for rotation on the bearing shaft and has radial and axial surfaces that cooperate with the base of the bearing shaft to define a bearing seal gland. A bearing is defined between the cutter and bearing shaft. A seal element is disposed in the seal gland. A secondary seal is disposed in the seal gland opposite the cutter axial surface and cooperates with the seal element to at least partially seal the gland against entry of debris from the exterior of the bit.
Abstract:
An earth-boring bit comprises a bit body, at least one bearing shaft (30) depending inwardly and downwardly from the bit body, a cutter (33) mounted for rotation on each shaft, a bearing seal gland (37) cooperating with the base of the bearing shaft, a seal element (49,51) and a secondary static resilient seal element (55) disposed in the gland and cooperating with each other to at least partially seal the gland against entry of matter. The seal element may include a resilient energiser ring (51) and a rigid seal ring (49) which cooperates with a seal surface (41) on the cutter (33). The secondary seal element (55) may be made from an elastomeric material and may be formed as a ring. It may be attached or adjacent to a surface (39) of the bit body. It may contact and seal on at least the rigid part of the seal element. A mineral oil may be disposed between the bit body surface and the secondary seal element.
Abstract:
A backup ring for a face seal in a roller cone bit is configured to resist wear from drilling fluids present adjacent exposed faces of the backup ring. Portions are removed from an exposed end face in a variety of shapes while the hardness of the material is increased. The removal of material offsets an increase in force that would be transmitted through the backup ring on face seal assembly due to flexing. A spring can optionally be included in the removed material location. Another way is to increase the edge density of all or part of the exposed edges while leaving the interior portions unaffected by using electron beam radiation to increase the crosslink density or by other techniques that allow a unitary structure with a more durable edge region.
Abstract:
A downhole tool may comprise a mechanical joint and a diamond-like coating over at least a portion of a surface of at least one component of the mechanical joint, the diamond-like coating having a thickness greater than 10 micrometers. Methods of manufacturing a mechanical joint of a downhole tool may comprise disposing a diamond-like coating on at least a portion of a surface of a component of the mechanical joint of the downhole tool to a thickness of at least 10 microns and at a temperature less than about 200°C.
Abstract:
Bearings for downhole tools including a first bearing member and a second bearing member, at least one of the first and second bearing members having a channel formed therein. Methods of cooling bearings of downhole tools comprise flowing a fluid within a channel formed in at least one bearing member. Heat is transferred from at least the at least one bearing member to the fluid. The fluid is flowed away from the at least one bearing member.
Abstract:
An earth boring bit has sliding engaging surfaces between a cone assembly and a bearing pin. Micropores (57) are formed in at least one of the engaging surfaces (53). Each of the micropores (57) has a leading portion (61) and a trailing portion (63). The leading portion is at a more gradual slope than the trailing portion. The micropores are located in a pattern of a greater density in a region of the engaging surfaces that operate at higher pressures than in other regions.
Abstract:
A backup ring for a face seal in a roller cone bit is configured to resist wear from drilling fluids present adjacent exposed faces of the backup ring, Portions are removed from an exposed end face in a variety of shapes while the hardness of the material is increased. The removal of material offsets an increase in force that would be transmitted through the backup ring on face seal assembly due to flexing. A spring can optionally be included in the removed material location. Another way is to increase the edge density of all or part of the exposed edges while leaving the interior portions unaffected by using electron beam radiation to increase the crosslink density or by other techniques that allow a unitary structure with a more durable edge region.
Abstract:
In aspects, the disclosure provides a drilling motor that includes a stator and a rotor disposed in the stator, wherein the inner surface of the stator and/or outer surface of the stator includes a coating of a diamond-like carbon material.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming a dynamic seal between two surfaces (136, 140). More specifically, the invention relates to creating a textured surface (166) with a thin, hard coating (176) on a metallic annular sealing ring (170) such as the sealing ring used in an earth boring drill bit (100).
Abstract:
A drill bit bearing having a treated surface and method for preparing the same is provided. The method includes the steps of polishing at least one contacting surface of the bearing with an abrasive paste to a finish of less than about 10 µin Ra. The surface of the polishing instrument has a coating that includes a mixture of an epoxy cement and a polymer.