Tools having a structural metal-matrix composite portion
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsGarrett T. Olsen, Grant O. Cook, III, Matthew Steven Farny
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Structural metal-matrix composites (MMC) comprising a foam matrix material infiltrated with a binder material, where the binder material binds the foam matrix material to a structural element of a tool, thereby enhancing three-dimensional reinforcement of the tool. In some instances, the structural element is a portion of a wellbore tool or a bit body, such that portions of such tools or bit bodies are composed of the structural MMC. The foam matrix material may be composed of a metallic foam, a ceramic foam, and any combination thereof.
Claims20
A structural metal-matrix composite (MMC) comprising:
- a foam matrix material having a cellular structure, the foam matrix material selected from the group consisting of a metallic foam, a ceramic foam, and any combination thereof;
- a structural element of a tool;
- and
- a binder material infiltrated through the cellular structure of the foam matrix material to bind the foam matrix material and the structural element of the tool.
A method comprising:
- placing a foam matrix material in a region of a mold, the foam matrix material having a cellular structure and selected from the group consisting of a metallic foam, a ceramic foam, and any combination thereof;
- placing a binder material in the mold;
- placing a structural element of a tool in the mold;
- heating the mold, the foam matrix material, the binder material, and the structural element of the tool to a temperature above the melting point of the binder material;
- infiltrating the cellular structure of the foam matrix material with the binder material;
- and
- cooling the mold, the foam matrix material, the binder material, and the structural element of the tool, wherein the infiltrated binder material binds the foam matrix material and the structural element of the tool.
A drilling assembly comprising:
- a drill string extendable from a drilling platform and into a wellbore;
- a drill bit attached to an end of the drill string and including a bit body and a plurality of cutting elements coupled to an exterior portion of the bit body, the bit body composed of a structural metal-matrix composite (MMC) comprising:
- a foam matrix material having a cellular structure, the foam matrix material selected from the group consisting of a metallic foam, a ceramic foam, and any combination thereof;
- the bit body;
- and
- a binder material infiltrated through the cellular structure of the foam matrix material to bind the foam matrix material and the bit body;
- and
- a pump fluidly connected to the drill string and configured to circulate a drilling fluid to the drill bit through the wellbore.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.