# US 2009/0260877 A1 · Cutting Elements and Earth-Boring Tools Having Grading Features, Methods of Forming Such Elements and Tools, and Methods of Grading Cutting Element Loss in Earth-Boring Tools > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2009/0260877 A1 - Document ID: US20090260877A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/106,979 - Filed: 2008-04-21 - Published: 2009-10-22 - Earliest claimed: 2008-04-21 - Assignees: Baker Hughes Incorporated - Inventors: Sean W. Wirth - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090260877A1 ## CPC - E21B 10/56: Button-type inserts (E21B10/52 takes precedence) - E21B 10/16: characterised by tooth form or arrangement - E21B 10/55: with preformed cutting elements - E21B 10/573: characterised by support details, e.g. the substrate construction or the interface between the substrate and the cutting element - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract Earth-boring tools include one or more cutting elements having at least one grading feature positioned a known distance from an initial working surface of the cutting element. Methods of grading cutting element loss on earth-boring tools include comparing locations of wear surfaces on cutting elements to locations of one or more grading features in or on the cutting elements. In some embodiments, a cutting element may comprise an insert having a generally cylindrical body, a substantially planar cutting face surface, a substantially arcuate side surface, and at least one grading feature. In additional embodiments, a cutting element may comprise a tooth having one or more grading features. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An earth-boring tool, comprising at least one cutting element having at least one grading feature positioned a known distance from an initial working surface of the at least one cutting element. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The earth-boring tool of claim 1, wherein the at least one grading feature comprises at least one indentation in a surface of the at least one cutting element. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The earth-boring tool of claim 2, wherein the at least one indentation in a surface of the at least one cutting element comprises at least one groove formed in a surface of the at least one cutting element. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The earth-boring tool of claim 3, wherein the at least one groove comprises a plurality of substantially straight and substantially parallel grooves formed in a surface of the at least one cutting element. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The earth-boring tool of claim 3, wherein the at least one groove comprises a plurality of substantially concentric rings formed in a surface of the at least one cutting element. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The earth-boring tool of claim 2, wherein the at least one indentation in a surface of the at least one cutting element comprises a plurality of indentations formed in a cutting face of the at least one cutting element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The earth-boring tool of claim 1, wherein the at least one grading feature comprises a first material volume and at least one second material volume adjacent the first material volume, the at least one second material volume being visually distinct from the first material volume. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The earth-boring tool of claim 7, wherein the first material volume and the at least one second material volume each comprise a volume of hardfacing material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The earth-boring tool of claim 7, wherein at least one of the first material volume and the at least one second material volume comprises a film. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The earth-boring tool of claim 7, wherein the at least one second material volume exhibits a color differing from a color exhibited by the first material volume. ### Claim 11 A method of forming a cutting element for an earth-boring tool, comprising: forming at least one grading feature in or on a cutting element; and locating the at least one grading feature at a predetermined distance from an initial working surface of the cutting element. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising forming the at least one grading feature in or on at least one exterior surface of the cutting element. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein forming the at least one grading feature in or on at least one exterior surface of the cutting element comprises etching at least one recess in the at least one exterior surface of the cutting element. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein forming the at least one grading feature in or on the cutting element comprises providing at least two visually distinct material volumes within the cutting element. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising: forming a first material volume using a first powdered material; forming at least one second material volume using a second powdered material visually distinct from the first powdered material; forming a green body comprising the first material volume and the at least one second material volume; and sintering the green body to form the cutting element. ### Claim 16 A method of grading an earth-boring tool, comprising correlating relative locations of at least a portion of a wear surface and at least one grading feature in or on at least one cutting element of the earth-boring tool to an amount of cutting element loss. ### Claim 17 A cutting insert for an earth-boring tool, comprising: a body having a substantially planar cutting face surface and a substantially cylindrical side surface; and at least one grading feature positioned on at least one of the cutting face surface and the side surface at a predetermined distance from an initial working surface of the body. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The cutting insert of claim 17, wherein the at least one grading feature comprises at least one recess formed in the cutting face surface, the at least one recess located at a known distance from the side surface. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The cutting insert of claim 17, wherein the at least one grading feature comprises at least one interface between at least two adjacent and visually distinct material volumes within the cutting insert. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The cutting insert of claim 19, wherein the at least two adjacent and visually distinct material volumes comprise a first substantially planar layer of material and a second substantially planar layer of material disposed adjacent the first substantially planar layer of material ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The cutting insert of claim 17, wherein the at least one grading feature comprises at least one groove in at least one of the cutting face surface and the side surface. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The cutting insert of claim 21, wherein the at least one groove comprises a plurality of parallel grooves formed in the side surface, each groove of the plurality of parallel grooves at least partially circumscribing the body of the cutting insert. ### Claim 23 A cone for an earth-boring bit, comprising: a cone body; a plurality of teeth, each tooth having a base and a tip, the tip of each tooth being located distal to the cone body; and at least one grading feature in or on an exterior surface of at least one tooth of the plurality of teeth, the at least one grading feature being located a known distance from at least one of the tip and the base. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The cone of claim 23, wherein the at least one grading feature comprises an interface between a first volume of hardfacing material and a second volume of hardfacing material. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The cone of claim 23, wherein the at least one grading feature comprises an indentation in a surface of the at least one tooth of the plurality of teeth.