Abstract:
Disclosed herein are treatments for the manufacture of earth boring drill bits having abrasive wear resistant seal surfaces The external surface of the bearing pin is surface treated, as by carburizing, in one region and simultaneously boronized over the remaining friction bearing region in a one step operation.
Abstract:
A method of assembling sections of an earth boring bit for welding has features to assure precise bit geometry. The method includes a step of providing a hole (41) in each bit section at the centerline (35) of the 120 degree faces on the interiors of the sections. A triad (45) is constructed for use in assembly and consists of three pins (47) joined together on one end, each having an axis 120 degrees apart from the other axes of the pins. The triad (45) is positioned in the holes in the 120 degree faces when the three sections of the bit are brought together. The shank ends of the sections have holes (29) for receiving dowels located in the welding fixture. Once the sections are positioned and pinned against movement at the shank ends and at the triad, the sections are clamped, then welded.
Abstract:
A method for shanking a rock bit (15) utilizing a shank locator (21) and a cone locator (23), each with tapered surfaces to engage respectively the tail stock of a lathe and the cones (17) of a rock bit (15), to accurately align the body and the cones (17) of the bit (15) concentric with the design centerline of the bit. The lathe and cone locators each have interior conical surfaces to assure accurate, coaxial alignment of the shank end (13) and the cone end of the bit (15). A compensating chuck is used to grip the cone end of the bit body and firmly hold the normally uneven surfaces while the threads are being machined.
Abstract:
A pre-set torque limiter sub having a pin member and a box member. The pin member is connected to a section of drill pipe and has a pin connection at one end. The box member is connected to a second section of drill pipe. The pin connection and box connection are connected together. Whenever the torque on the sub exceeds a selected amount, the pin member and the box member can rotate with respect to one another. However, whenever the torque on the sub is below the selected amount, the pin member and the box member are held rigidly together.
Abstract:
An earth boring bit has thrust surfaces (43, 45) with enhanced cooling features. The bit has a body with three depending bearing pins (13). A cutter (37) having an axial cavity (39) is mounted on each bearing pin (15). The bearing pin (15) and the cavity (39) have one or more mating thrust surfaces (21, 23, 43, 45) that are perpendicular to the axis of the bearing pin (15). These thrust surfaces absorb outward forces that the cutter (39) imposes on the bearing pin (15). At least one of the thrust surfaces consists of a series of tungsten carbide buttons (25, 27) spaced in a circular array. These buttons have flat ends for engaging the opposite thrust surfaces (43, 45) The buttons protrude from the supporting metal, allowing cooling fluid to be circulated past to cool the thrust surfaces.
Abstract:
A pre-set torque limiter sub having a pin member and a box member. The pin member is connected to a section of drill pipe and has a pin connection at one end. The box member is connected to a second section of drill pipe. The pin connection and box connection are connected together. Whenever the torque on the sub exceeds a selected amount, the pin member and the box member can rotate with respect to one another. However, whenever the torque on the sub is below the selected amount, the pin member and the box member are held rigidly together.
Abstract:
An earth boring bit (11) having a cantilevered bearing shaft (15) and a compensator system to equalize the pressure of the lubricant with the hydrostatic pressure of the drilling fluid surrounding the bit. A rigid face seal assembly (23), positioned between the cutter (17) and bearing shaft (15) of the bit (11), moves axially in response to, and to compensate for, dynamic pressure changes in the lubricant adjacent the seal. This is accomplished by the positioning and sizing of resilient energizer rings in relationship to the geometries of the mating grooves between the cutter (17) and shaft (15) and the rigid sealing rings of the face seal assembly (23).