Drill Bit With Adjustable Inner Gauge Configuration
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorBradley David Dunbar
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Abstract
A drill bit can include a bit body having an upper portion, a central bore, and an adjustable inner gauge. The central bore can define a bore surface, and the bit body can include a plurality of fixed cutters formed on the upper portion. The adjustable inner gauge may be movably positioned within the bit body central bore to increase or decrease an exposed area of the bore surface for adjusting stability or steerability of the drill bit while forming the wellbore.
Claims20
A drill bit for forming a wellbore through a geologic formation, the drill bit comprising:
- a connector configured for connection to a drillstring;
- a bit body having an upper portion, a connector end portion opposite the upper portion and coupled to the connector, and a central bore, the central bore defining a bore surface, the bit body including a plurality of fixed cutters formed on the upper portion;
- and
- an adjustable inner gauge movably positioned within the bit body central bore to increase or decrease an exposed area of the bore surface for adjusting stability or steerability of the drill bit while forming the wellbore.
A method of drilling a wellbore through a geologic formation, the method comprising:
- positioning a drill bit coupled to a drillstring in the wellbore, and in contact with the formation, the drill bit including a bit body having an upper portion, and a central bore, the central bore defining a bore surface, the bit body including a plurality of fixed cutters formed on the upper portion;
- positioning an adjustable inner gauge in the bit body central bore;
- rotating the drill bit to cut the formation;
- and
- adjusting an axial position of the adjustable inner gauge within the central bore relative to the plurality of fixed cutters to increase or decrease an exposed area of the bore surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.