U.S. patent application number 12/341739 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-25 for reamer with balanced cutting structures for use in a wellbore.
This patent application is currently assigned to Baker Hughes Incorporated. Invention is credited to Mark Phillip Blackman, Robert J. Buske, Rudolf Carl Pessier, Gregory L. Ricks, Scott Allan Young.
Application Number | 20090159341 12/341739 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40787259 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090159341 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pessier; Rudolf Carl ; et
al. |
June 25, 2009 |
Reamer with balanced cutting structures for use in a wellbore
Abstract
An earth boring drill bit comprising cones, each cone having
rows of inserts, where the inserts are in the form of a pyramid
with four sides. The insert includes ridges at the juncture of each
adjacent side. The ridges extend to the top of the insert and meet
at a crest. Oppositely disposed ridges on the insert lie
substantially in the same plane, thereby forming two planes
intersecting on the crest. The two planes are substantially
perpendicular. The inserts are arranged on the cone such that one
plane is substantially parallel with the insert row, and the other
is substantially parallel with the cone axis.
Inventors: |
Pessier; Rudolf Carl;
(Galveston, TX) ; Young; Scott Allan; (Montgomery,
TX) ; Buske; Robert J.; (The Woodlands, TX) ;
Blackman; Mark Phillip; (Conroe, TX) ; Ricks; Gregory
L.; (Spring, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Bracewell & Giuliani LLP
P.O. Box 61389
Houston
TX
77208-1389
US
|
Assignee: |
Baker Hughes Incorporated
Houston
TX
|
Family ID: |
40787259 |
Appl. No.: |
12/341739 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61016234 |
Dec 21, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
175/341 ;
175/374 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 10/52 20130101;
E21B 10/56 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
175/341 ;
175/374 |
International
Class: |
E21B 10/52 20060101
E21B010/52; E21B 10/08 20060101 E21B010/08; E21B 10/50 20060101
E21B010/50 |
Claims
1. An earth boring bit comprising: a bit body: a cutter cone
rotatingly mounted on the bit body; a row of inserts arranged on
the cutter cone along a ringlike path; a first ridge on the upper
surface of each insert and oriented generally parallel with the
cone axis; and a second ridge on the upper surface of each insert
oriented generally parallel with the path and intersecting the
first ridge.
2. The earth boring bit of claim 1, further comprising a crest on
upper surface of each insert defined where the first and second
ridges intersect on the insert and a base on the end of the insert
that attaches to the cutter cone, wherein the ridges extend from
the crest to the base.
3. The earth boring bit of claim 2 wherein the crest is proximate
the midpoints of the first and second ridges.
4. The earth boring bit of claim 2, wherein planar faces are formed
on each insert surface in the area between where the first and
second ridges extend from the crest to the base.
5. The earth boring bit of claim 4 wherein the ridge is defined by
the border of adjacent faces.
6. The earth boring bit of claim 5, wherein the ridge is an angle
defined by the intersection of adjacent faces.
7. The earth boring bit of claim 5, wherein the ridge is a curved
section defined by the intersection of adjacent faces.
8. The earth boring bit of claim 1, wherein the first and second
ridges have a substantially equal length.
9. The earth boring bit of claim 1, wherein the first and second
ridges have an unequal length.
10. An earth boring bit comprising: a bit body; roller cones
rotatingly attached to the bit body; and a row of inserts arranged
in a substantially circular path on each roller cone outer surface;
each insert having; a base on the end where it attaches to the
roller cone cutter, a first ridge on its upper surface extending
along a line generally parallel with the cone axis, a second ridge
on its upper surface extending along a line generally parallel with
the circular path and intersecting the first ridge, and faces on
the upper surface provided between the first and second ridges
extending from where the first and second ridges intersect to the
base, the faces joining at an angle, so that material displaced
during boring operations is directed by the angled faces to open
spaces on the bit and not trapped between inserts.
11. The earth boring bit of claim 10, wherein the first and second
ridges intersect proximate to their respective midpoints.
12. The earth boring bit of claim 10, wherein the first and second
ridges have substantially the same length.
13. The earth boring bit of claim 10, wherein the first and second
ridges are unequal in length.
14. The earth boring bit of claim 10, wherein at least one of the
ridges on an insert has a cross section that includes an edge and
the other ridge on the insert has a rounded cross section.
15. An earth boring bit comprising: a bit body; a roller cone
rotatingly attached to the bit body; inserts on the roller cone
having a leading surface and a trailing surface, the inserts
oriented so that during boring operations the leading surfaces are
in cutting contact with the material being displaced; and ridges
projecting outward from each leading surface to define faces on the
sides of the ridges that lie in a plane oblique to the roller cone
axes, so that material displaced during boring operations is urged
away from the space between adjacent inserts.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of
co-pending U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/016,243, filed
Dec. 21, 2007, the full disclosure of which is hereby incorporated
by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] The disclosure herein relates in general to rolling cone
earth boring bits, and in particular to the shape and orientation
of compacts used on the cones.
[0004] 2. Description of Prior Art
[0005] Drilling systems having earth boring drill bits are used in
the oil and gas industry for creating wells drilled into
hydrocarbon bearing substrata. Drilling systems typically comprise
a drilling rig (not shown) used in conjunction with a rotating
drill string wherein the drill bit is disposed on the terminal end
of the drill string and used for boring through the subterranean
formation.
[0006] Drill bits typically are chosen from one of two types,
either drag bits or roller cone bits. Rotating the bit body with
the cutting elements on the outer surface of the roller cone body
crushes the rock and the cuttings may be washed away with drilling
fluid. A rolling cone earth boring bit has a bit body with
typically three legs. A bearing pin depends from each leg and a
cone mounts rotatably to each bearing pin. The cones have rows of
cutting teeth on the outer surface of the cone. In one type, the
cutting elements comprise teeth machined into the surface of the
cone. In another type, the cutting elements comprise carbide
compacts or inserts that are pressed-fitted into mating holes in
the cone surface.
[0007] Compacts generally have a cylindrical base that is inserted
into a hole and a protruding cutting tip. The cutting tips may have
chisel, hemispherical, ovoid or other shapes. Particularly on the
heel row, which is located near the gage surface of each cone, the
compacts may have asymmetrical shoulder surfaces for engaging the
sidewall of the bore hole. Depending upon the formation being
drilled, different shapes are utilized for aggressiveness of
cutting and durability.
[0008] One example of a roller cone bit is provided in side view in
FIG. 1, which illustrates a bit 11 having a body 13 with a leg 15.
Roller cone bits typically comprise three legs 15. A cone 17
rotatably mounts to a bearing pin (not shown) of each leg 15. Each
cone 17 has a plurality of inserts 19, arranged in at least one
inner row. A plurality of outer or heel row compacts 21 are
adjacent to a gage surface 23 of each cone 17. In the embodiment
shown, heel row compacts 21 are generally ovoid, although different
shapes could be used.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0009] Disclosed herein is an earth boring drill bit having a
roller cone with cutting inserts on the outer surface of the roller
cone. The inserts comprise a generally circular base and a peal.
The sides of the inserts comprise four faces that extend from the
base to the peak. Each face has a generally triangular
configuration wherein a portion of its surface is generally planar.
The region where adjacent sides join is rounded thereby defining
ridges. The four substantially similar sides form four ridges that
meet at the crest. A first set of two ridges form on opposite sides
of the base with respect to one another and are substantially
parallel. A second set of two ridges also form on opposite sides
with respect to one another and are also parallel. The inserts are
oriented on the cone in rows so that the first set of ridges is
aligned with the cone axis and the second set of ridges is aligned
with the row.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] Some of the features and benefits of the present invention
having been stated, others will become apparent as the description
proceeds when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a roller cone bit.
[0012] FIG. 2 provides a bottom view of a roller cone bit having
shaped inserts.
[0013] FIG. 3 is an overhead view of an insert for a roller cone
bit.
[0014] FIG. 4 shows a side view of a roller cone bit having an
embodiment of inserts of the present disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates in a perspective view a roller cone bit
having embodiment of an insert of the present disclosure.
[0016] FIGS. 6-8 depict examples of insert embodiments.
[0017] While the invention will be described in connection with the
preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not
intended to limit the invention to that embodiment. On the
contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications,
and equivalents, as may be included within the spirit and scope of
the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0018] The present invention will now be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may,
however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the illustrated embodiments set forth
herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this
disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the
scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers
refer to like elements throughout.
[0019] A bottom view of an embodiment of an earth boring bit 30 is
provided in FIG. 2. The bit 30 comprises three cutter cones 32
wherein each cone includes rows of inserts formed thereon. The
outermost or heel row is formed on the heel surface 34 and includes
heel row teeth 36. As shown, the heel row teeth 36 have a generally
hemispherical configuration. Inner rows 40, 42 are formed on each
cone between the heel row and the nose of each cone 32. The inner
row 40 includes inserts 46 disposed on its outer surface. The inner
row 42 proximate to the nose of the cone 32 also includes inserts
44. In the embodiment shown, the inserts 44, 46 resemble a four
sided pyramid.
[0020] FIG. 3 provides an overhead view of an example of a pyramid
shaped insert 52. As shown, the insert 52 has a generally circular
base 53 with its sides 54 extending upward towards a crest 58. Each
side 54 may have substantially the same dimension. The surface 55
of each side 54 can be generally planar, include contours, or have
both planar and contoured portions. The respective surfaces 55 of
adjacent sides are depicted as being angled roughly 90.degree. to
one another. The sides 54 join each adjacent side along a rounded
ridge 56, the ridge 56 extends from the base 53 and terminates at
the crest 58. Here, the circular base 53 is shown with each side 54
(also referred to herein as a face) extending upward in a generally
triangular fashion and terminating at the crest 58. The insert
surface 55 is curved where the adjacent sides 54 meet thereby
giving the ridge 56 a curved cross section. Other embodiments exist
wherein the ridge 56 cross section is defined by the sides 54
intersecting at an angle.
[0021] FIG. 4, which illustrates a portion of a cone 60 in side
view, provides some examples of the orientation of the inserts on
the face of the cone. The cone 60 also comprises a lower row 67
with inserts 68. The lower row 67 of inserts 68 circumscribes the
axis A of the cone 60 and is disposed proximate to the heel row 62.
With reference now to the inserts 68 in the lower row 67, each
insert 68 has a first set of ridges running parallel to the row 67.
The ridges in this first set are referred to as the linear ridge
70. A reference line L has been provided illustrating the row path.
Similarly, a second set of ridges on the insert 68 extend
substantially parallel with the axis A of the cone 60 and roughly
perpendicular to the reference line L. This second set of ridges is
referred to here as the axial ridge 72. The axis A is provided in
dashed outline for reference. Also in the embodiment of FIG. 4, the
inserts 76 disposed on an upper row 74 also include a first and
second set of ridges, wherein one set of ridges runs generally
parallel with the line defining the path of the upper row 74, and
the other set of ridges on the insert 76 runs generally parallel
with the axis of the cone 60. In an embodiment of a roller cone bit
described herein, the inserts on a cone of a roller cone bit
comprise four sided pyramid shaped inserts with one set of ridges
running generally parallel to its respective row and the other set
of ridges running generally parallel with the axis of the cone. For
the purposes of discussion herein, generally parallel includes an
alignment of up to about 15.degree. from parallel. Additionally,
the line defining the path of the upper row 74 coincides with the
rotational path of the associated roller cone.
[0022] Aligning the ridges as described herein opens the insert
face towards grooves or open space on the cone surface. As the
insert penetrates the displaced material, the material is
mechanically pushed into the open space and not trapped between
adjacent inserts. The material trapped between conventional
inserts, such as axially aligned chisels, may cause balling in
shale thereby impeding its penetration rate. The axially and
circumferentially aligned pyramid inserts also have a more
streamlined shape allowing them to better withstand the sliding
induced by cone offset and non-true-rolling cone geometry.
Additionally, durability is enhanced with the disclosed cutting
structure. Optionally, this advantageous result of the pyramid
shape may be enhanced by strategically placed grooving between
inserts to further enhance material flow. Moreover, inserts
disposed proximate to the heel area may comprise a three sided
pyramid due to the difficulty of displacement of material toward
the gage of the bit.
[0023] A schematic drawing of a side view of an embodiment of a
cone cutter 32a is provided in FIG. 5. The cutter cone 32a includes
an outer heel surface 34a on which are formed heel row teeth 36a.
As shown, the heel row teeth 36a are generally hemispherical in
shape, but can have other shapes as well. Also included is an
adjacent heel row 48 having a pyramid shaped insert 50. The insert
50 also includes an upward and downward ridge substantially aligned
with the adjacent heel row 48 and a corresponding perpendicular
ridge substantially parallel to the axis of the cutter cone 32a.
Inner rows 40a, 42a are shown coaxially disposed between the
adjacent heel row 48 and the nose of the cone 32a. Corresponding
inserts 44a, 46a are provided on these inner rows. As shown, the
inserts 44a, 46a also have ridges that are aligned with their
corresponding row as well as aligned with the axis of the cone
32a.
[0024] Alternative insert embodiments are provided in FIGS. 6
through 8. In FIG. 6, an insert 80 is shown in perspective view
having a first ridge 81 formed on the insert 80 upper surface. A
second ridge 82, also on the insert 80 upper surface, intersects
the first ridge 81 proximate the crest or uppermost portion of the
insert 80. In this embodiment the insert 80 is asymmetric, thus the
first and second ridges have different lengths.
[0025] In FIG. 7, an insert 83 shown in perspective view includes
first and second ridges 84, 85 on its upper surface. Faces 86 are
on the upper surface disposed between adjacent ridges 84, 85
extending between the insert 83 base and its upper crest. The
adjacent faces 86 join at an angle to define a ridges 84, 85 having
a cross section with an angled edge. Although shown as a
rectangular base, circular and rounded base configurations
exist.
[0026] The insert 87 in FIG. 8 includes a leading side 88 and a
trailing side 93. In this embodiment the leading side 88 is
oriented to first contact the excavated material. The insert 87
includes a first ridge 89 aligned generally perpendicular to the
cone direction of rotation. The first ridge 89 extends over a
substantial portion of the insert 87 outer surface. Also included
is a second ridge 90 that is generally aligned with or parallel to
the cone rotational direction. The second ridge 90 is shown
extending from the insert 87 base, along the leading side 88, and
terminating at the first ridge 89. Faces 91, 92 are on the leading
side 88 between the first ridge 89 and second ridge 90. The faces
91, 92 may be planar or have a curved surface. However, the second
ridge 90 should protrude outward from the leading side 88 so as to
first penetrate formation. The sloping surfaces of the faces 91, 92
direct the displaced material outward and away from the next
following insert. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the trailing side 93
is shown having a consistent surface absent ridges or other
contours. Accordingly, the present disclosure includes inserts
whose a shaped surface is only on the leading side that performs a
majority of the cutting or excavating action.
[0027] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to
the exact details of construction, operation, exact materials, or
embodiments shown and described, as modifications and equivalents
will be apparent to one skilled in the art. For example, the scope
of this disclosure includes roller cone bits having different
numbers of roller cones as well as inserts comprising pyramids
having other than four sides. Additionally, the ridges'
intersection is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but can
include intersections on the insert having a large range of radii,
including an intersection forming a point on the insert crest. In
the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed
illustrative embodiments of the invention and, although specific
terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive
sense only and not for the purpose of limitation. Accordingly, the
invention is therefore to be limited only by the scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *