Isolated lubrication system for drill bits

An isolated lubrication system for a rotary drill bit, comprising:

• a body having a cutting arm with a journal extending therefrom and a rotary cutter mounted on the journal by means of a plurality of bearings such that a clearance is defined between the rotary cutter and a base surface of the cutting arm from which the journal extends, wherein the body defines:
• a reservoir in the body to contain a fluid lubricant, the fluid lubricant being isolated from communication outside the body,
• a first conduit in the body that is in communication with the reservoir such that the fluid lubricant from the reservoir occupies the first conduit by means of a gravitational force,
• a second conduit in the body that is in communication with the first conduit such that the fluid lubricant from the first conduit occupies the second conduit and lubricates at least one bearing of the plurality of bearings, and
• a third conduit in the body that is in communication with the second conduit and extends to an outlet provided in the journal such that the fluid lubricant from the second conduit occupies the third conduit, exits from the outlet, and lubricates the at least one bearing;
• and
• a sealing system including:
• a sealing cap provided to the reservoir in the body to isolate the reservoir from communication outside the body,
• a pin inserted in the second conduit to retain the at least one bearing in position and the fluid lubricant in the second conduit,
• a seal provided between the journal and the rotary cutter in the clearance, and
• a stepped passageway extending from the seal to an opening provided between the cutting arm and the rotary cutter in the clearance.

A drilling machine, comprising:

• a power source;
• a feed unit in communication with the power source;
• and
• a drill bit connected to the feed unit;
• wherein the drill bit defines:
• a body having a journal extending therefrom and a rotary cutter mounted on the journal such that a clearance is defined between the rotary cutter and a base surface of the body from which the journal extends, and
• an isolated lubrication system including:
• a reservoir in the body to contain a fluid lubricant, the fluid lubricant being isolated from communication outside the body,
• a plurality of conduits in direct or indirect communication with the reservoir and with respect to each other in order to facilitate lubrication to a plurality of moving parts, areas, and couplings between the journal and the rotary cutter, and
• a sealing system including:
• a sealing cap provided to the reservoir in the body to isolate the reservoir from communication outside the body,
• a seal provided between the journal and the rotary cutter in the clearance, and
• a stepped passageway extending from the seal to an opening provided in the clearance.