Dynamic seal for rolling cutter drill bit
AssigneeReed Rock Bit Company
InventorsJohn D. Deane, Robert J. Kotch
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A dynamic seal is disclosed for sealing between a rotating cutter and a drill bit journal in an underground formation drilling bit, which seal utilizes a static elastomeric seal ring abutting a metal seal ring having a dynamic sealing face.
Claims10
In a rolling cutter drill bit of the type having a plurality of downwardly extending legs, each leg having a cylindrical journal extending therefrom, with a cutter body rotatably mounted on each said journal by bearing means, and a seal between said cutter and said journal outwardly of said bearing means, the improvement comprising:
- said seal comprising a compound seal assembly having a rigid circular ring with a generally L-shaped cross-sectional configuration and having a relatively smooth, flat sealing surface formed externally thereon;
- and a generally frusto-conical resilient ring adapted for snugfitting relationship on said journal and against said rigid ring;
- shoulder means on said rigid ring and said journal arranged to prevent rotation of said rigid ring on said resilient ring;
- and,
- said cutter having a smooth flat counterbore surface therein arranged to rotatingly and sealingly engage said smooth flat surface on said rigid ring.
A compound static-dynamic circular seal assembly for sealing the bearing structure of a rolling cutter drill bit against intrusion of foreign detritus from outside the drill bit, said seal assembly adapted for placement between the cutter and bearing journal of a rolling cutter drill bit, and said assembly comprising:
- a hard, rigid dynamic seal ring having a generally L-shaped cross-sectional configuration, a smooth flat external sealing surface, and means thereon for locking engagement on a bearing journal;
- and,
- a resilient static seal ring adapted for static peripheral sealing abutment between a bearing shaft and said rigid ring, and further adapted to provide resilient biasing of said rigid ring axially on a bearing shaft against a cutter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.