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:
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 tool includes a cutting element having a first volume of polycrystalline material including catalyst material and a second volume free of catalyst material. A boundary between the first volume and the second volume is nonlinear in a cross-sectional plane that includes a centerline of the cutting element and an anticipated point of contact of the cutting element with the surface of the formation to be cut. Each line tangent the boundary in the cross-sectional plane forms an angle with the centerline of the cutting element greater than the contact back rake angle of the cutting element. In some cutting elements, some portions of the boundary may have another selected shape. Some cutting elements have a boundary wherein tangent lines form angles of greater than 20° with the centerline of the cutting element. Methods of forming wellbores are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A cutting element for an earth-boring tool includes a substrate and volume of superabrasive material positioned on the substrate. The volume of superabrasive material includes a cutting face having at least one recess extending into the volume of superabrasive material and/or at least one protrusion extending outward from the volume of superabrasive material. The volume of superabrasive material includes a first chamfer surface having a peripheral edge and a radially innermost edge. The peripheral edge of the first chamfer surface is located proximate a cutting edge of the volume of superabrasive material. A radial width of the first chamfer surface is between about 0.002 inch and about 0.045 inch. The volume of superabrasive material also includes a second chamfer surface having a peripheral edge and a radially innermost edge. The peripheral edge of the second chamfer surface is located adjacent the radially innermost edge of the first chamfer surface.
Abstract:
In one aspect, a drill bit is disclosed that in one embodiment may include a bit body, a rotating cutter on the bit body, and a metallic seal between the bit body and the rotating cutter that includes a first seal member, a second seal member having a first end in sealing contact with the first seal member, a second end fixed relative to the first end and a bias member between the first end and the second end that adjusts the load on the first seal member in response to external load applied on the drill bit.
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 tool includes a cutting element having a first volume of polycrystalline material including catalyst material and a second volume free of catalyst material. A boundary between the first volume and the second volume is nonlinear in a cross-sectional plane that includes a centerline of the cutting element and an anticipated point of contact of the cutting element with the surface of the formation to be cut. Each line tangent the boundary in the cross-sectional plane forms an angle with the centerline of the cutting element greater than the contact back rake angle of the cutting element. In some cutting elements, some portions of the boundary may have another selected shape. Some cutting elements have a boundary wherein tangent lines form angles of greater than 20° with the centerline of the cutting element. Methods of forming wellbores are also disclosed.