Floating plug pressure equalization in oilfield drill bits
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorMicheal B. CRAWFORD
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A drill bit of the type used to drill a wellbore in the earth can comprise a bore formed in the drill bit, and a plug sealingly and reciprocably disposed in the bore, whereby the plug prevents fluid communication between sections of the bore in the drill bit. The plug can comprise a spherically-shaped member. The plug can comprise a floating plug sealingly and reciprocably disposed in the bore, whereby pressure in the different sections of the bore on respective opposite sides of the plug is substantially equalized.
Claims36
1-6. (canceled)
A wellbore drill bit, comprising:
- a bore formed in the drill bit;
- and
- a plug sealingly and reciprocably disposed in the bore, whereby the plug prevents fluid communication between first and second sections of the bore in the drill bit, wherein the first bore section is in fluid communication with an exterior of the drill bit, and wherein the second bore section is in fluid communication with an annular gap between two seals.
A wellbore drill bit, comprising:
- a bore formed in the drill bit;
- a plug sealingly and reciprocably disposed in the bore, whereby the plug prevents fluid communication between first and second sections of the bore in the drill bit;
- and
- a bypass chamber which is enlarged relative to the bore, and which is in communication with the bore, whereby the plug is displaceable into the bypass chamber.
A wellbore drill bit, comprising:
- a bore formed in the drill bit;
- a plug sealingly and reciprocably disposed in the bore, whereby the plug prevents fluid communication between first and second sections of the bore in the drill bit;
- and
- at least two seals which seal off an annular gap, and wherein the first bore section is in fluid communication with the annular gap between the seals.
17-18. (canceled)
A wellbore drill bit, comprising:
- a bore formed in the drill bit;
- and
- a plug sealingly and reciprocably disposed in the bore, whereby the plug prevents fluid communication between first and second sections of the bore in the drill bit, wherein fluid communication between the first and second sections of the bore is permitted when a pressure differential across the plug exceeds a predetermined level.
20-26. (canceled)
A wellbore drill bit, comprising:
- a bore formed in the drill bit;
- and
- a spherically-shaped plug sealingly and slidingly disposed in the bore, whereby the plug prevents fluid communication between first and second sections of the bore in the drill bit, wherein the first bore section is in fluid communication with an exterior of the drill bit, and wherein the second bore section is in fluid communication with an annular gap between two seals.
A wellbore drill bit, comprising:
- a bore formed in the drill bit;
- a spherically-shaped plug sealingly and slidingly disposed in the bore, whereby the plug prevents fluid communication between first and second sections of the bore in the drill bit;
- and
- a bypass chamber which is enlarged relative to the bore, and which is in communication with the bore, whereby the plug is displaceable into the bypass chamber.
A wellbore drill bit, comprising:
- a bore formed in the drill bit;
- a spherically-shaped plug sealingly and slidingly disposed in the bore, whereby the plug prevents fluid communication between first and second sections of the bore in the drill bit;
- and
- at least two seals which seal off an annular gap, and wherein the first bore section is in fluid communication with the annular gap between the seals.
37-48. (canceled)
A wellbore drill bit, comprising:
- a bore formed in a body of the drill bit;
- and
- a floating plug sealingly and reciprocably disposed in the bore, whereby pressure in first and second sections of the bore on respective first and second opposite sides of the plug is substantially equalized, wherein the first bore section is in fluid communication with an exterior of the drill bit, and wherein the second bore section is in fluid communication with an annular gap between two seals.
A wellbore drill bit, comprising:
- a bore formed in a body of the drill bit;
- a floating plug sealingly and reciprocably disposed in the bore, whereby pressure in first and second sections of the bore on respective first and second opposite sides of the plug is substantially equalized;
- and
- a bypass chamber which is enlarged relative to the bore, and which is in communication with the bore, whereby the plug is displaceable into the bypass chamber.
A wellbore drill bit, comprising:
- a bore formed in a body of the drill bit;
- a floating plug sealingly and reciprocably disposed in the bore, whereby pressure in first and second sections of the bore on respective first and second opposite sides of the plug is substantially equalized;
- and
- at least two seals which seal off an annular gap, and wherein the first bore section is in fluid communication with the annular gap between the seals.
59-62. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.