Drill bit cutter element having multiple cusps
AssigneeSmith International, Inc.
InventorsScott McDonough, Vincent W. Shotton, Zhou Yong
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Cutter elements for use in rolling cones rock bits are disclosed having a crown that includes multiple, spaced-apart cusps for enhancing formation removal by creating overlapping Hertzian contact zones. The cusps may be partially dome-shaped, berm shaped or otherwise. The cutter elements provide multiple cutting edges for engaging the formation and may have differing radii and extension length as suitable for particular applications.
Claims58
A cutter element for use in a drill bit for drilling a borehole through earthen formation comprising:
- a base portion;
- a cutting portion extending from said base portion, said cutting portion including a crown and sides extending from said base to said crown;
- wherein said crown includes a plurality of spaced apart cusps with valleys between said cusps.
A cutter element for a rolling cone cutter of a drill bit, comprising:
- a base portion extending into the rolling cone cutter;
- a cutting portion extending from said base portion and including a cutter axis and a cutting surface, said cutting surface having a crown spaced apart from said base and a side surface extending from said base to said crown;
- wherein said crown includes a plurality of cusps extending beyond one or more recesses in said crown such that a planar cross-section of said crown taken perpendicular to said cutter axis at at least one axial position intersects said crown in a plurality of spaced apart closed figures.
A drill bit for cutting through earthen formations and creating a borehole comprising:
- a bit body having a bit axis;
- at least one rolling cone cutter rotatably mounted on said bit body, said cone cutter including a back face, a heel surface adjacent to said back face, and a generally conical surface adjacent to said heel surface;
- a plurality of heel row cutter elements mounted in said cone cutter in a circumferential row in said heel surface, said heel row cutter elements comprising a base portion secured within said heel surface and a cutting portion extending therefrom, said cutting portion having a cutting surface including a crown;
- wherein said crown includes a plurality of cusps circumferentially spaced about said crown and separated by valleys between said cusps.
An insert for use in a rolling cone of a drill bit comprising:
- a base portion;
- a cutting portion extending from said base portion having an insert axis and a continuously contoured cutting surface, said cutting surface including a plurality of cusps disposed about said insert axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.