Fabrication method for rotary bits and bit components
AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorRedd H. Smith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of fabricating rotary bits for subterranean drilling by layering techniques such as are employed in rapid prototyping technology. Thin layers of powder may be sequentially deposited and fused or otherwise bonded to define the bit body, or thin sheets of material may be stacked, bonded and cut. Bit body components may also be formed by the method and subsequently assembled with other components made in like manner or by other methods to produce a bit body. Bits fabricated according to the method are also disclosed.
Claims48
A method of fabricating a rotary bit body component from a three-dimensional, solid model of said bit body component, comprising:
- depositing a first, substantially planar layer of matrix material;
- defining a periphery in said first layer at a first level corresponding to the periphery of said bit body solid model component at said first level;
- depositing a second, substantially planar layer of matrix material on said first layer;
- securing said second layer to said first layer and defining a periphery in said second layer at a second level corresponding to the periphery of said bit body solid model component at said second level;
- depositing third and successive layers of matrix material on said second layer, securing each of said third and successive layers to the next lower matrix material layer prior to applying the next higher matrix material layer and defining a periphery in each of said third and successive layers corresponding to the periphery of said bit body solid model component of a corresponding level until a bit body component of matrix material corresponding in configuration and size to said three-dimensional solid model component is formed.
A method of fabricating a rotary bit body from a three-dimensional solid model of said bit body, comprising:
- depositing a first substantially planar layer of matrix material;
- defining a periphery in said first layer at a first level corresponding to the periphery of a first three-dimensional component of said bit body solid model at said first level;
- depositing a second substantially planar layer of matrix material on said first layer;
- securing said second layer to said first layer and defining a periphery in said second
- layer at a second level corresponding to the periphery of said first three-dimensional component of said bit body model at said second level;
- depositing third and successive layers of matrix material on said second layer, securing each of said third and successive layers to the next lower matrix material layer prior to applying the next higher matrix material layer and defining a periphery in each of said third and successive layers corresponding to the periphery of said first three-dimensional components of said bit body model of a corresponding level until a bit body component corresponding in shape and size to said first three-dimensional component is formed;
- forming at least a second three-dimensional component of said bit body;
- and
- assembling said first bit body component and at least a second three-dimensional component of said bit body to define a larger component of said bit body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.