U.S. patent number 3,825,083 [Application Number 05/222,826] was granted by the patent office on 1974-07-23 for drill bit and stabilizer combination.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Christensen Diamond Products Company. Invention is credited to Waymon Rhea Eustace, Frank O'Dell Flarity.
United States Patent |
3,825,083 |
Flarity , et al. |
July 23, 1974 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
DRILL BIT AND STABILIZER COMBINATION
Abstract
A closely coupled bore hole drill bit and stabilizer combination
includes a body structure adapted to be coupled to a rotary drill
string or downhole motor, the body structure having cutting
elements on its lower portion for drilling the bore hole, the upper
portion of the body structure being surrounded by a separate
stabilizer in juxtaposition to the upper end of the lower portion
of the body structure, the stabilizer being removably coupled to
the body structure, as through the agency of a clutch device, by a
threaded coupling, or by welding, allowing readily uncoupling or
disconnection of the stabilizer from a worn drill bit and its
appropriate association with another operable drill bit.
Inventors: |
Flarity; Frank O'Dell (Salt
Lake City, UT), Eustace; Waymon Rhea (Midland, TX) |
Assignee: |
Christensen Diamond Products
Company (Salt Lake City, UT)
|
Family
ID: |
22833853 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/222,826 |
Filed: |
February 2, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
175/394;
175/325.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B
17/1092 (20130101); E21B 17/1078 (20130101); E21B
10/46 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E21B
10/46 (20060101); E21B 17/00 (20060101); E21B
17/10 (20060101); E21b 009/36 (); E21b
017/10 () |
Field of
Search: |
;175/394,323,325,329,330,327,403,406,412 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Sutherland; Henry C.
Assistant Examiner: Favreau; Richard E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Kriegel; Bernard
Claims
We claim:
1. In a rotary drill bit and stabilizer apparatus for drilling a
bore hole in a formation: a body structure having an upper
connector adapted to secure said structure to a drilling string;
said body structure having a lower cutting portion for drilling the
bore hole to a predetermined diameter and an outer gage portion of
extended length integral with said lower cutting portion and having
an effective diameter conforming to said predetermined bore hole
diameter; a separate elongate stabilizer movable over said
connector and along said body structure toward and into engagement
with said outer gage portion; and means for securing said
stabilizer to said body structure for simultaneous rotation with
said lower cutting portion, said stabilizer having
circumferentially spaced, externally arcuate elongate vertical pads
providing a large bearing area with respect to the wall surface of
the bore hole, said pads having an effective diameter conforming to
the diameter of said hole and outer gage portion, the lower end of
said stabilizer being contiguous the upper end of said gage
portion, said stabilizer constituting an upward continuation of
said gage portion.
2. In apparatus as defined in claim 1; said stabilizer comprising
an elongate sleeve having an effective outside diameter conforming
to the predetermined bore hole diameter; said securing means
securing said sleeve to said body structure for rotation by said
body structure jointly with said lower cutting portion.
3. In apparatus as defined in claim 1; said lower cutting portion
including a fluid passage and spaced waterways in the end face of
said cutting portion communicating with said passage and providing
lands in said end face therebetween; cutting elements on said
lands; said gage portion having spaced vertical waterways in its
periphery communicating with said other waterways and providing
spaced vertical lands therebetween; said stabilizer having spaced
vertical elongate waterways in its periphery aligned with and
communicating with said vertical waterways of said gage portion,
said stabilizer waterways defining said spaced vertical elongate
pads therebetween forming upward continuations of the vertical gage
portion lands; the lower ends of said stabilizer waterways and
stabilizer pads being contiguous the upper ends of said gage
portion vertical waterways and vertical lands, respectively.
4. In apparatus as defined in claim 1; said stabilizer comprising
an elongate sleeve having an effective outside diameter conforming
to the predetermined bore hole diameter; said securing means
securing said sleeve to said body structure for rotation by said
body structure jointly with said lower cutting portion; said lower
cutting portion including a fluid passage and spaced waterways in
the end face of said cutting portion communicating with said
passage and providing lands in said end face therebetween; cutting
elements on said lands; said gage portion having spaced vertical
waterways in its periphery communicating with said other waterways
and providing spaced vertical lands therebetween; said stabilizer
sleeve having spaced vertically elongate waterways in its periphery
aligned with and communicating with said vertical waterways of said
gage portion, said stabilizer sleeve waterways said spaced vertical
elongate pads therebetween forming upward continuations of the
vertical gage portion lands; the lower ends of said stabilizer
sleeve waterways and stabilizer sleeve pads being contiguous the
upper ends of said gage portion vertical waterways and vertical
lands, respectively.
5. In rotary drill bit and stabilizer apparatus for drilling a bore
hole in a formation: a body structure having an upper connector
adapted to secure said structure to a drilling string; said body
structure having a lower cutting portion for drilling the bore hole
to a predetermined diameter and an outer gate portion of extended
length integral with said lower cutting portion and having an
effective diameter conforming to said predetermined bore hole
diameter; a separate elongate stabilizer sleeve movable over said
connector and along the exterior of said body structure above said
outer gage portion toward and into engagement with said outer gate
portion, said sleeve having circumferentially spaced, externally
arcuate elongate vertical pads providing a large bearing area with
respect to the wall surface of the bore hole, said pads having an
effective diameter conforming to the diameter of said hole and
outer gage portion, the lower end of said sleeve being contiguous
the upper end of said gage portion, said sleeve constituting an
upward continuation of said gage portion; and clutching means
securing said sleeve to said body structure, whereby said cutting
portion and sleeve rotate together.
6. In apparatus as defined in claim 5; said clutching means
comprising intermeshing axially extending dogs on the lower portion
of said sleeve and upper portion of said gage portion.
7. In apparatus as defined in claim 5; and means on said body
structure engaging said sleeve for holding said sleeve downwardly
and said clutching means engaged.
8. In apparatus as defined in claim 5; said clutching means
comprising intermeshing axially extending dogs on the lower portion
of said sleeve and upper portion of said gage portion; and means on
said body structure engaging said sleeve for holding said sleeve
downwardly and said dogs intermeshed.
9. In apparatus as defined in claim 5; and means on said body
structure engaging said sleeve for holding said sleeve downwardly
and said clutching means engaged; and means threaded on said body
structure above said sleeve and engaging the upper end of said
sleeve for holding said sleeve downwardly and said dogs
intermeshed.
10. In apparatus as defined in claim 5; said lower cutting portion
including a fluid passage and spaced waterways in the end face of
said cutting portion communicating with said passage and providing
lands in said end face therebetween; cutting elements on said
lands; said gage portion having spaced vertical waterways in its
periphery communicating with said other waterways and providing
spaced vertical lands therebetween; said stabilizer sleeve having
spaced vertical elongate waterways in its periphery aligned with
and communicating with said vertical waterways of said gage
portion, said stabilizer sleeve waterways defining said spaced
vertical elongate pads therebetween forming upward continuations of
the vertical gage portion lands; the lower ends of said stabilizer
sleeve waterways and stabilizer sleeve pads being contiguous the
upper ends of said gage portion vertical waterways and vertical
lands, respectively.
11. In apparatus as defined in claim 5; said lower cutting portion
including a fluid passage and spaced waterways in the end face of
said cutting portion communicating with said passage and providing
lands in said end face therebetween; cutting elements on said
lands; said gage portion having spaced vertical waterways in its
periphery communicating with said other waterways and providing
spaced vertical lands therebetween; said stabilizer sleeve having
spaced vertical elongate waterways in its periphery aligned with
and communicating with said vertical waterways of said gage
portion, said stabilizer sleeve waterways defining said spaced
vertical elongate pads therebetween forming upward continuations of
the vertical gage portion lands; the lower ends of said stabilizer
sleeve waterways and stabilizer sleeve pads being contiguous the
upper ends of said gage portion vertical waterways and vertical
lands, respectively; said clutching means comprising intermeshing
axially extending dogs on the lower portion of said sleeve and
upper portion of said gage portion; and means on said body
structure engaging said sleeve for holding said sleeve downwardly
and said dogs intermeshed.
12. In rotary drill bit and stabilizer apparatus for drilling a
bore hole in a formation: a body structure adapted to be connected
to a drilling string; said body structure having a lower cutting
portion for drilling the bore hole to a predetermined diameter,
said lower cutting portion including an outer gage portion of an
effective diameter conforming to said predetermined bore hole
diameter; a separate stabilizer sleeve encompassing said body
structure above said outer gage portion, said sleeve having an
effective diameter conforming to the diameter of said hole and
outer gage portion, the lower end of said sleeve being contiguous
the upper end of said gage portion, said sleeve constituting an
upward continuation of said gage portion; and clutching means
securing said sleeve to said body structure, whereby said cutting
portion and sleeve rotate together; said lower cutting portion
including a fluid passage and spaced waterways in the end face of
said cutting portion communicating with said passage and providing
lands in said end face therebetween; cutting elements on said
lands; said gage portion having spaced vertical waterways in its
periphery communicating with said other waterways and providing
spaced vertical lands therebetween; said stabilizer sleeve having
spaced vertical elongate waterways in its periphery aligned with
and communicating with said vertical waterways of said gage
portion, said stabilizer sleeve waterways defining spaced vertical
elongate lands therebetween forming upward continuations of the
vertical gage portion lands; the lower ends of said stabilizer
sleeve waterways and stabilizer sleeve lands being contiguous the
upper ends of said gage portion vertical waterways and vertical
lands, respectively; said clutching means comprising intermeshing
axially extending dogs on the lower portion of said sleeve and
upper portion of said gage portion; and means threaded on said body
structure and engaging the upper end of said sleeve for holding
said sleeve downwardly and said dogs intermeshed.
13. In rotary drill bit and stabilizer apparatus for drilling a
bore hole in a formation: a body structure having an upper
connector adapted to secure said structure to a drilling string;
said body structure having a lower cutting portion for drilling the
bore hole to a predetermined diameter and an outer gage portion of
extended length integral with said lower cutting portion and having
an effective diameter conforming to said predetermined bore hole
diameter; a separate stabilizer sleeve movable over said connector
and along the exterior of said body structure above said outer gage
portion toward and into engagement with said outer gage portion,
said sleeve having circumferentially spaced, externally arcuate
elongate vertical pads providing a large bearing area with respect
to the wall surface of the bore hole, said pads having an effective
diameter conforming to the diameter of said hole and outer gage
portion, the lower end of said sleeve being contiguous the upper
end of said gage portion, said sleeve constituting an upward
continuation of said gage portion; and means securing the upper
portion of said sleeve to said body structure, whereby said cutting
portion and sleeve rotate together.
14. In apparatus as defined in claim 13; said securing means
including a threaded connection between said body structure and
upper portion of said stabilizer sleeve.
15. In apparatus as defined in claim 13; said lower cutting portion
including a fluid passage and spaced waterways in the end face of
said cutting portion communicating with said passage and providing
lands in said end face therebetween; cutting elements on said
lands; said gage portion having spaced vertical waterways in its
periphery communicating with said other waterways and providing
spaced vertical lands therebetween; said stabilizer sleeve having
spaced vertical elongate waterways in its periphery aligned with
and communicating with said vertical waterways of said gage
portion, said stabilizer sleeve waterways defining said spaced
vertical elongate pads therebetween forming upward continuations of
the vertical gage portion lands; the lower ends of said stabilizer
sleeve waterways and stabilizer sleeve pads being contiguous the
upper ends of said gage portion vertical waterways and vertical
lands, respectively.
16. In apparatus as defined in claim 13; said lower cutting portion
including a fluid passage and spaced waterways in the end face of
said cutting portion communicating with said passage and providing
lands in said end face therebetween; cutting elements on said
lands; said gage portion having spaced vertical waterways in its
periphery communicating with said other waterways and providing
spaced vertical lands therebetween; said stabilizer sleeve having
spaced vertical elongate waterways in its periphery aligned with
and communicating with said vertical waterways of said gage
portion, said stabilizer sleeve waterways defining said spaced
vertical elongate pads therebetween forming upward continuations of
the vertical gage portion lands; the lower ends of said stabilizer
sleeve waterways and stabilizer sleeve pads being contiguous the
upper ends of said gage portion vertical waterways and vertical
lands, respectively; said securing means including a threaded
connection between said body structure and upper portion of said
stabilizer sleeve.
17. In rotary drill bit and stabilizer apparatus for drilling a
bore hole in a formation: a body structure having an upper
connector adapted to secure said structure to a drilling string;
said body structure having a lower cutting portion for drilling the
bore hole to a predetermined diameter, said lower cutting portion
including an outer gage portion of an effective diameter conforming
to said predetermined bore hole diameter; a separate stabilizer
sleeve movable over said connector and along the exterior of said
body structure above said outer gage portion toward and into
engagement with said outer gage portion, said sleeve having an
effective diameter conforming to the diameter of said hole and
outer gage portion, the lower end of said sleeve being contiguous
the upper end of said gage portion, said sleeve constituting an
upward continuation of said gage portion; and means securing the
upper portion of said sleeve to said body structure, whereby said
cutting portion and sleeve rotate together; said securing means
including a threaded connection between said body structure and
upper portion of said stabilizer sleeve; said securing means
further including a weld integrating said upper portion of said
sleeve to said body structure.
18. In rotary drill bit and stabilizer apparatus for drilling a
bore hole in formation: a body structure having an upper connector
adapted to secure said structure to a drilling string; said body
structure having a lower cutting portion for drilling the bore hole
to a predetermined diameter, said lower cutting portion including
an outer gage portion of an effective diameter conforming to said
predetermined bore hole diameter; a separate stabilizer sleeve
movable over said connector and along the exterior of said body
structure above said outer gage portion toward and into engagement
with said outer gage portion, said sleeve having an effective
diameter conforming to the diameter of said hole and outer gage
portion, the lower end of said sleeve being contiguous the upper
end of said gage portion, said sleeve constituting an upward
continuation of said gage portion; and means securing the upper
portion of said sleeve to said body structure, whereby said cutting
portion and sleeve rotate together; said lower cutting portion
including a fluid passage and spaced waterways in the end face of
said cutting portion communicating with said passage and providing
lands in said end face therebetween; cutting elements on said
lands; said gage portion having spaced vertical waterways in its
periphery communicating with said other waterways and providing
spaced vertical lands therebetween; said stabilizer sleever having
spaced vertical elongate waterways in its periphery aligned with
and communicating with said vertical waterways of said gage
portion, said stabilizer sleeve waterways defining spaced vertical
elongate lands therebetween forming upward continuations of the
vertical gage portion lands; the lower ends of said stabilizer
sleeve waterways and stabilizer sleeve lands being contiguous the
upper ends of said gage portion vertical waterways and vertical
lands, respectively; said securing means including a threaded
connection between said body structure and upper portion of said
stabilizer sleeve; said securing means further including a weld
integrating said upper portion of said sleeve to said body
structure.
Description
The present invention relates to rotary bore hole drilling devices,
and more particularly to combinations of drill bits and stabilizers
used in drilling bore holes, such as stabilizer and diamond bit
combinations.
Rotary drill bit and stabilizer combinations are well known, the
stabilizer having the purpose, as its name implies, of retaining
the bit in a coaxial or centered position in the bore hole being
drilled. Heretofore, the stabilizer has been threadedly connected
to the lower end of a rotary drilling string, or a downhole motor,
the lower end of the stabilizer being threadedly connected to the
upper end of the drill bit that drills the hole. With the prior
stabilizer and bit combinations, the bore hole being drilled by the
bit may tend to deviate from the desired drilling direction; the
bit may wobble, tending to drill a spiraled, oversize hole; it may
form ledges in the hole; and it may cause excessive wear on and
damage to the bit cutting elements, contributing to a slower
drilling rate and to a lesser bit life.
By virtue of the present invention, a bit stabilizer combination is
provided that results in the drilling of a truer and straighter
bore hole. Wobbling of the bit, such as a diamond bit is
eliminated, reducing the tendency of the bit to drill spiraled,
oversized holes. Darting of the bit around the bottom of the bore
hole is also eliminated, preventing ledges from being formed in the
hole. Since the bit is caused to drill a truer size hole, its
penetration rate into the formation is increased, excess wear of
and damage to the diamonds or other cutting elements is avoided,
contributing to a longer life of the bit.
The drill bit and stabilizer are closely coupled to each other,
running truer and providing a longer life to the bearings of a
downhole motor that might be used in rotating the bit and
stabilizer combination, as well as reducing power losses inherent
in the greater overall length of prior drill bit and stabilizer
combinations.
In apparatus embodying the present invention, the stabilizer
portion is rotatably driven directly by the body structure of the
bit, the stabilizer being relatively easily disconnected from a
worn bit and readily reconnectable to the body structure of a new
bit, thereby enabling the stabilizer to outlast several drill bits,
providing ready replacement in the field, if desired, of bits or
stabilizers in the bit-stabilizer combination. With
stabilizer-diamond bit combinations, the stabilizer, in effect,
forms an upward continuation of the bit, the stabilizer pads or
lands being positively alignable with the pads or lands on the
reamer portion of the bit, the waterways or junk slots between the
stabilizer pads also being aligned with the corresponding waterways
or junks slots in the bit reamer portion, the stabilizer pads and
junk slots forming upward continuations of the bit reamer pads and
junk slots, respectively, there being no significant gaps between
the stabilizer and bit reamer portion.
This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other
purposes which may be made more clearly apparent from a
consideration of several forms in which it may be embodied. Such
forms are shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of
the present specification. These forms will now be described in
detail for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of
the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed
description is not to be taken in a limiting sense.
Referring to the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a rotary drill bit and
stabilizer combination embodying the invention;
FIG. 2 is a quarter longitudinal section through the apparatus
illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a cross-section taken along the line 3--3 of FIG. 1;
and
FIG. 4 is a quarter longitudinal section taken through a modified
form of drill bit and stabilizer combination.
As disclosed in the drawings, a combined drill bit and stabilizer
includes a drill bit A for operation upon the bottom of a bore
hole, drilling fluid flushing the cuttings from the bottom upwardly
around the drill bit and a string of drill pipe (not shown) to
which it is secured to the top of the hole. It also includes a
stabilizer B for maintaining the bit coaxial of the bore hole. The
combined drill bit and stabilizer includes a body or shank
structure 10 comprising an upper section 11 having an upper
threaded pin 12 for threadedly attaching the combination to the
string of drill pipe. The upper section is attached by a straight
threaded connection 13 and weld 14 to a lower section 15.
Circulating fluid pumped down through the drill pipe flows into a
central or main passage 16 of the body structure of the tool and
then flows through a plurality of circumferentially spaced
longitudinally extending grooves 17 toward the bottom of the hole.
The lower end of each fluid distribution groove communicates with
one or a plurality of radial waterways 18 extending toward the
outer gage portion 19 of the bit, the fluid flowing through such
waterways and also across the cutting surface or face of the
bit.
The body of the bit has diamonds or similar cutting elements 20
secured in its formation contacting face within a matrix 21, of a
suitable type, forming a portion of the bit body 10 and
appropriately fused to its lower body section 15. The central
portion 22 of the bit illustrated is generally conical in shape
with the side of the cone tapering in an upward and inward
direction. The generally conical portion of the bit merges into a
lower bottom contacting portion 23, which, in turn, merges into an
upwardly diverging conical face 24 terminating at the generally
cylindrical reamer face 25 of the bit.
The drilling portion of the bit A is divided into a plurality of
diamond set sections, lands or pads 26, 26a which extend outwardly
from the region of the distribution grooves 17, and which are
defined by the waterways 18 extending from each groove toward the
gage portion 19 of the bit. Thus, the waterways extend from the
outlets of the distribution grooves 17 generally radially along the
inner conical face portion 22, lowermost face portion 23, and outer
conical face portion 24, merging into vertical waterways or grooves
27, 27b in the reamer portion 19 of the bit body section 15, the
upper portions of some of the vertical waterways running
transversely across the gage portions 19 and opening into
circumferentially spaced vertical junk slots 27b in the reamer
portion that extend upwardly through its upper end.
The inner conical portion 22 of the bit face has diamonds 20 set in
its matrix 21 for operation upon the central portion of the hole.
Similarly, diamonds are set in a predetermined pattern in the faces
of all of the lands, the diamonds 20 terminating at the lowermost
end 30 of the outer gage or vertical reamer portion 19. Such reamer
portion may have diamonds or other suitable cutting elements 20a in
its matrix 21.
In the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the
stabilizer B is mounted on the bit body 10. This stabilizer is in
the form of a sleeve unit 31 that can be slipped downwardly over
the body or shank 10, with its lower end 32 bearing against the
upper end 33 of the outer matrix 21 of the drill bit. The inside
diameter of the stabilizer sleeve 31 conforms closely to the
outside diameter of the upper body section 11 and of the upper
portion of the lower body section 15, leakage of fluid between the
sleeve and body sections being prevented by several elastomer seal
rings 34, such as O-rings, disposed in circumferential grooves 35
in the body sections and bearing against the inner wall 31a of the
sleeve. The sleeve has circumferentially spaced vertical lands or
pads 36 formed thereon which are defined by intervening vertical
waterways 37 and junk slots 37a. The stabilizer lands, waterways
and junk slots conform in spacing and width with the waterways 27,
junk slots 27b and lands 26a in the reamer or gage portion 19 of
the lower drill bit and form upward continuations thereof, the
stabilizer junk slots 37a and waterways 37 opening through the
upper end of the stabilizer sleeve, with the lands 36 terminating
at a tapered guide shoulder 38 inclined in a downward and outward
direction.
Appropriate orienting of the stabilizer sleeve 31 with the lower
drill bit A, to align the stabilizer pads, waterways and junk slots
with the reader pads, waterways and junk slots, is secured through
a clutch or coupling device 40. Thus, the outer part of the gage
portion 19 has axial vertical grooves 41 therein in the vertical
lands 19 that receive downwardly directed clutch dogs or teeth 42
integral with the stabilizer lands 36, the width of the dogs 42 and
grooves 41 closely conforming and providing a rotatable driving
connection between the bit A and the stabilizer sleeve 31. In
effect, the stabilizer teeth or dogs 42 are formed by
circumferentially spaced lower grooves 43 in the stabilizer sleeve
which receive upwardly projecting dogs or teeth 44 of the reamer
portion 19 of the bit, such reamer dogs defining the grooves 41
that receive the stabilizer axial dogs 42. It is to be noted that
the widths of the dogs or teeth 42, 44 closely conform to the
widths of the grooves 41, 43 so that a torque with substantially no
play can be transmitted from the reamer bit dogs 44 to the
stabilizer dogs 42. Not only do the interengaging clutch teeth or
dogs 44, 42 serve to transmit rotation from the bit portion A of
the tool to the stabilizer sleeve 31, but it serves to properly
align the stabilizer pads 36, waterways 37 and junk slots 37a with
the reamer pads 26a, waterways 27, and junk slots 27b, respectively
of the bit. Preferably, the reamer pads and stabilizer pads and the
waterways and junk slots therebetween are inclined so that
360.degree. wall coverage can be obtained by the stabilizer and
reamer portions of the bit combination. The stabilizer pads 36 have
suitable hard material 50 embedded in their outer matrix portion,
which may be diamonds, sintered carbide inserts, or combinations
thereof.
The stabilizer sleeve 31 is rigidly secured to the bit body and
also firmly coupled to the drill bit A by a jam nut 51 threaded
downwardly on an externally threaded portion 52 of the bit body
section 11, this nut being tightened until the inner or lower
stabilizer sleeve portion 32 engages the upwardly facing shoulder
33 on the bit matrix 21, and with the stabilizer dogs 42
interfitting fully with the dogs 44 of the reamer portion 19 of the
drill bit. The nut 51 is prevented from loosening from its tight
position on the body of the bit by a lock nut 53 threaded on the
threaded bit body portion 52 and tightened firmly against the jam
nut 51.
In operation of the drill bit and stabilizer combination, the upper
threaded pin 12 is secured to the lower end of the drill pipe
string or downhole motor and is lowered in the bore hole being
drilled to its bottom. Suitable drilling weight is imposed on the
drilling string and body of the tool while the tool is rotated at
the desired speed and drilling mud is circulated down through the
drill pipe and through the central or main fluid passage 16 of the
bit. The stabilizer pads 36 have the same bearing diameter as the
vertical reamer pads 26a of the drill bit A and serves to center
the drill bit in the hole, the cuttings being flushed by the
drilling fluid toward the outer portion of the bit and through the
waterways 27 and junk slots 27b of the bit, continuing upwardly
through the waterways 37 and junk slots 37a of the stabilizer B,
the drilling fluid also flowing across the several drilling pads
26a and the stabilizer pads 36 to cool them and also to clean them
of cuttings.
The close coupled relationship between the stabilizer sleeve 31 and
the drill bit portion A of the combination results in the drilling
of a true and straight hole, wobbling of the drill bit portion
being eliminated, which reduces the tendency of the bit to drill a
spiraled oversize hole, as well as preventing ledges from being
formed in the hole. Since the bit is drilling the desired size of
hole, its penetration rate is increased, while the life of the bit
is extended by avoiding excessive damage to its cutting elements or
diamonds.
The stabilizer portion of the combination will outlast three to
five diamond bits, enabling it to be used with a plurality of
successive drill bits. Thus, after the apparatus has been withdrawn
from the bore hole the stabilizer sleeve 31 is easily removed by
unscrewing the lock nut 53 and jam nut 51 and slipping the
stabilizer sleeve upwardly off the drill bit body section 11,
enabling it to be slipped over another bit body and placed in
clutched or coupled relation with another drill bit portion of the
bit and stabilizer combination, the sleeve being secured in place
by the jam and lock nuts 51, 53.
In the form of the invention disclosed in FIG. 4, the stabilizer
sleeve 31a is not clutched to the drill bit portion. Instead, the
sleeve has an upper threaded box 70 that is mounted on the external
thread 71 of an intermediate body section 72, the lower end 73 of
which is threaded to the lower body section 15a, also being
attached thereto by a weld 14. The stabilizer sleeve 31a is
threaded downwardly until its lower end 32a engages an upwardly
facing shoulder 33 on the lower body section 15a, at which time the
stabilizer pads 36, waterways 37 and junk slots 37a will be aligned
with the companion pads, waterways and junk slots of the reamer
portion 19 of the drill bit. When so aligned, a downwardly facing
inner shoulder 75 on the stabilizer sleeve will engage an upper
shoulder 76 on the intermediate body section 72.
The stabilizer sleeve 31a is firmly secured to the intermediate
section 72 by threading an upper section 11a to the upper portion
of the intermediate section 72 and then welding the upper section
11a, intermediate section 72 and sleeve 31a together by a
circumferential weld 77, which is then turned off so that its
periphery conforms to the peripheries of the upper section 11a and
stabilizer sleeve 31a. The upper body section has a threaded pin 12
thereon for securing the bit structure to the lower end of a
drilling string or drilling motor, by means of which the entire bit
and stabilizer assembly is rotated.
In drilling the bore hole with the stabilizer and drill bit
combination illustrated in FIG. 4, the torque is transmitted from
the drill string or motor through the upper body section 11a and
intermediate body section 72 to the lower drill bit A. It is also
transmitted from the upper body section through the intermediate
body section and weld 77 to the stabilizer sleeve 31a, such that
the stabilizer sleeve and drill bit rotate as a functionally
integral unit.
The mode of operation and advantages of the assembly illustrated in
FIG. 4 are essentially the same as in the other form of the
invention, including the removability of the stabilizer sleeve 31a
from the body structure and lower drill bit. Thus, the weld 77 can
be cut away and the upper body section 11a unthreaded from the
intermediate body section 72, which then enables the stabilizer
sleeve 31a to be unthreaded from the intermediate body section 72,
for use in combination with another and new drill bit.
* * * * *