Abstract:
Polycrystalline diamond constructions are formed from a mixture of diamond grains including a first volume of fine-sized diamond grains, and a second volume of coarse-sized diamond grains. The fine-sized diamond grains are partially graphitized, and the coarse-sized diamond grains are not graphitized. The mixture of diamond grains is subjected to high pressure/high temperature sintering process conditions in the presence of a sintering aid thereby forming polycrystalline diamond. Contact areas between coarse-sized diamond grains in the polycrystalline diamond construction are substantially free of graphite.
Abstract:
A cutting element may include a substrate; and an ultrahard layer on the substrate, the ultrahard layer including a non-planar working surface that is surrounded by a peripheral edge having a varying height around a circumference of the cutting element, the working surface also having: a plurality of cutting crests extending from an elevated portion of the peripheral edge across at least a portion of the working surface; at least one valley between the plurality of cutting crests; and a canted surface extending laterally from each of the outer plurality of cutting crests towards a depressed portion of the peripheral edge, a height between the depressed portion and the elevated portion being greater than a height between the elevated portion and the valley.
Abstract:
A method for designing a drill bit includes assigning a score to cutting element arrangements that differ based on a design parameter, comparing the scores for different arrangements, and selecting the arrangement having the preferred or optimal score. The parameter may be, for example, the number of cutting elements in an array of cutting elements on a roller cone, the number of spiral sets in an array of a cutting elements, or the pitch between adjacent cutting elements in an array.
Abstract:
Cutting elements include a diamond-bonded body attached with a substrate. The substrate has a coercivity of greater than about 200 Oe, and has a magnetic saturation of from about 73 to 90. The diamond-bonded body has a compressive stress at the surface of greater than about 0.9 GPa after heat treatment, and greater than about 1.2 GPa prior to heat treatment.
Abstract:
A drill bit is used for drilling through earthen formations and forming a wellbore. The drill bit includes a bit body having a bit axis, and at least a first cone and a second cone coupled to the bit body. Each of the first and the second cones has a backface, a nose opposite the backface, and a cone axis of rotation. An array of cutting elements coupled to the first or second cones is in a band that lies between the backface and the nose. The cutting elements in the band are arranged at radial positions with respect to the bit axis and at least two adjacent cutting elements are at a same radial position within the array, and the remaining cutting elements are at different radial positions within the array.
Abstract:
A cutting element assembly for a drill bit includes a housing, an inner rotatable cutting element, and a pre-load assembly. The inner rotatable cutting element has a cutting end and a portion that is retained in the housing. A base of the cutting end and an end of the housing act as radial bearing surfaces. The pre-load assembly is between the radial bearing surfaces.
Abstract:
Roller cutters comprise a diamond-bonded body joined to an infiltration substrate. An extension is joined to the substrate and includes first section having a diameter sized the same as the substrate, and an integral second section having a diameter smaller than the substrate. The extension is joined to the substrate during an HPHT process. The first section has a thickness greater than that of the infiltration substrate. The second section has an axial length greater than the combined thickness of the substrate and the first section. The extension has a strength and/or toughness greater than the substrate as a result of its material composition, e.g., the amount of binder phase material and/or the size of hard phase material. The roller cutter is rotatably disposed within a pocket internal cavity, wherein the pocket is attached to a drill bit.
Abstract:
A downhole cutting tool may include tool body; a first blade extending from the tool body; a plurality of cutting elements attached to the first blade, the plurality of cutting elements comprising at least two types of cutting elements, wherein the first blade extends from the tool body to a first height adjacent a first type of cutting element and a second height, different from the first height, adjacent a second type of cutting element.
Abstract:
A tool with a hydraulic lock mechanism may include a body defining a flow tube and a chamber. An expandable member may be coupled to the body. A first valve may be located between the chamber and the flow tube to control the flow of fluid into the chamber from the flow tube. A second valve may located between the chamber and an external environment to control the flow of fluid from the chamber into the external environment. The first and second valves may trap fluid within the chamber to maintain the tool in an active position. A piston may be connected to the expandable member and may move in response to pressurization of the chamber. At one position, the piston may cause the expandable member to extend to a radially outward position. At another position, the piston may cause the expandable member to retract to a radially inward position.
Abstract:
An expandable tool includes a body and a recess extending at least partially through the body from an outer radial surface of the body. A spline insert may be at least partially positioned in the recess and coupled to the body. The spline insert may include a single spline or multiple splines. A cutter block or other expandable member may be at least partially positioned in the recess. The cutter block or other expandable member may include a spline on a side surface thereof, which spline may be engaged with the one or more splines of the spline insert. Engagement between one or more splines of the spline insert and spline of the cutter block or other expandable member may allow the expandable member to move radially outward from a retracted position to an expanded position, and vice versa.