Drill bit with adjustable inner gauge configuration
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorBradley David Dunbar
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A drill bit can include a bit body having an upper portion, a central bore, and an adjustable inner gauge. The central bore can define a bore surface, and the bit body can include a plurality of fixed cutters formed on the upper portion. The adjustable inner gauge may be movably positioned within the bit body central bore to increase or decrease an exposed area of the bore surface for adjusting stability or steerability of the drill bit while forming the wellbore.
Claims19
A drill bit for forming a wellbore through a geologic formation, the drill bit comprising:
- a connector configured for connection to a drill string;
- a bit body having an upper portion, a connector end portion opposite the upper portion and coupled to the connector, and a central bore, the central bore defining a bore surface, the bit body including a plurality of fixed cutters formed on the upper portion;
- an adjustable inner gauge movably positioned within the bit body central bore to increase or decrease an exposed area of the bore surface for adjusting stability or steerability of the drill bit while forming the wellbore;
- a rolling cutter coupled to the adjustable inner gauge at an orthogonal orientation with respect to the rotational axis of the bit body and disposed within the central bore;
- and
- an adjustment mechanism coupled to the adjustable inner gauge, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises at least one flexible spacer member disposed between the adjustable inner gauge and the bit body.
A method of drilling a wellbore through a geologic formation, the method comprising:
- positioning a drill bit coupled to a drill string in the wellbore, and in contact with the formation, the drill bit including a bit body having an upper portion, and a central bore, the central bore defining a bore surface, the bit body including a plurality of fixed cutters formed on the upper portion;
- positioning an adjustable inner gauge in the bit body central bore, wherein the adjustable inner gauge comprises a rolling cutter disposed in the central bore;
- rotating the drill bit to cut the formation;
- and
- adjusting an axial position of the adjustable inner gauge, via an adjustment mechanism, within the central bore relative to the plurality of fixed cutters to increase or decrease an exposed area of the bore surface, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a stack of flexible spacer members configured to axially compress.
A drill bit for forming a wellbore through a geologic formation, the drill bit comprising:
- a connector configured for connection to a drill string;
- a bit body having an upper portion, a connector end portion opposite the upper portion and coupled to the connector, and a central bore, the central bore defining a bore surface, the bit body including a plurality of fixed cutters formed on the upper portion;
- an adjustable inner gauge movably positioned within the bit body central bore to increase or decrease an exposed area of the bore surface for adjusting stability or steerability of the drill bit while forming the wellbore wherein the adjustable inner gauge comprises a rolling cutter disposed in the central bore;
- and
- an adjustment mechanism coupled to the adjustable inner gauge, the adjustment mechanism configured to dampen axial movement of the adjustable inner gauge along the central bore, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a cavity at least partially filled with a support material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.