Rotationally indexable cutting elements and drill bits therefor
AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorWilliam H. Sherwood, JR.
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Abstract
A cutting element for use with a drill bit includes a substrate having a longitudinal axis, a lateral surface substantially symmetric about the longitudinal axis and one or more key elements coupled to the lateral surface. The lateral surface lies between an insertion end and a cutting end of the substrate. The one or more key elements are substantially axially aligned with the longitudinal axis and configured to selectively rotationally locate the substrate in a pocket. A drill bit configured for retaining a cutting element having one or more key elements is also disclosed.
Claims22
A cutting element for subterranean drilling, comprising:
- a substrate having a longitudinal axis, a lateral surface substantially symmetric about the longitudinal axis and extending between an insertion end and a cutting end thereof;
- and
- at least one key element on the lateral surface and substantially axially aligned with the longitudinal axis.
A rotary drill bit for subterranean drilling, comprising:
- a bit body with at least one cutter pocket having at least one key element on an interior lateral surface thereof;
- and
- a cutting element with at least one key element on a lateral surface thereof coupled to a key element of the at least one cutter pocket.
A cutting element comprising:
- a substrate having a longitudinal axis, a lateral frustoconical surface substantially symmetric about the longitudinal axis and extending between an insertion end and a cutting end thereof;
- a fastening structure associated with the insertion end;
- a superabrasive table coupled to the cutting end;
- and
- one or more key elements on the lateral frustoconical surface and substantially axially aligned with the longitudinal axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.