US 6,202,771 B1 · Cutting element with controlled superabrasive contact area, drill bits so equipped

Abstract

Cutting elements providing a relatively constant superabrasive area in contact with the formation responsive to weight on bit during a substantial portion of the useful life of a circular cutting face cutting element or other cutting element exhibiting a non-linear cutting edge, for example, from about 5% diametrical wear to in excess of about 30% diametrical wear in the case of a circular cutting element, measured across the cutting face. The superabrasive table of the cutting element is configured, internally, externally, or both, to vary in depth radially and laterally, as required, so that an increase in width of the contact or wear flat area with the formation and the variation in table depth as the cutting element wears, are substantially offsetting. The rate of penetration of a drill bit so equipped may thus be maintained at a desirable magnitude without a substantial increase in weight on bit as the cutting element wears, since the superabrasive contact area is maintained relatively constant.

Claims67

Dependent claims

A cutting element for use on a drill bit for drilling a subterranean formation, comprising:

a superabrasive table having an imperforate cutting face extending in two dimensions and to be oriented on said drill bit generally transverse to an intended direction of cutting element travel under rotation of said drill bit, said superabrasive table exhibiting an arcuate, peripheral cutting edge between said imperforate cutting face and a side portion of said superabrasive table;
and
wherein said superabrasive table includes at least one integral, superabrasive projection comprising a substantially triangular shape extending transverse to said imperforate cutting face between a location adjacent said cutting edge and a location adjacent an inner region of said superabrasive table, said at least one integral, superabrasive projection being laterally bounded by two substantially linear side surfaces converging toward said inner region, an arcuate inner boundary surface adjacent said inner region and connecting inner ends of said two substantially linear side surfaces, and a peripherally outer, arcuate base.

A cutting element for use on a drill bit for drilling a subterranean formation, comprising:

a superabrasive table having a cutting face extending generally in a two-dimensional plane and to be oriented on said drill bit generally transverse to an intended direction of cutting element travel, said superabrasive table exhibiting an arcuate, peripheral cutting edge between said cutting face and a side portion of said superabrasive table;
and
a supporting substrate having an end adjacent a face of said superabrasive table opposite said cutting face, a side portion substantially coincident with said side portion of said superabrasive table and including a plurality of indentations on said end located between a like plurality of substantially radially-extending ridges, each ridge of said plurality of substantially radially-extending ridges extending from said side portion of said supporting substrate to a mutually proximate location in an inner portion of said superabrasive table, said plurality of substantially radially-extending ridges each being of substantially constant transverse cross section and defined by downwardly sloping side surfaces extending to floors of said plurality indentations;
said superabrasive table extending over said supporting substrate end, including a plurality of superabrasive projections integral therewith and extending transverse to the two-dimensional plane of said cutting face into said plurality of indentations on said supporting substrate end.

1 more element

A rotary drag bit for drilling a subterranean formation, comprising:

a bit body;
at least one cutting element mounted on said bit body and comprising:
a substantially circular superabrasive table having a cutting face and an opposing rear face extending in two dimensions generally transverse to an intended direction of cutting element travel, a side between said cutting face and said rear face, and a cutting edge defined between said cutting face and said side along a peripheral portion of said substantially circular superabrasive table;
and
a supporting substrate having an end adjacent a face of said superabrasive table opposite said cutting face, a side portion substantially coincident with said side along a peripheral portion of said superabrasive table and including a plurality of indentations on said end located between a like plurality of substantially radially-extending ridges, each ridge of the plurality of substantially radially extending ridges extending from said side portion of said suporting substrate to a location adjacent a center of said superabrasive table, said plurality of substantially radially-extending ridges each being of substantially constant transverse cross section and defined by downwardly sloping side surfaces extending to floors of said plurality of indentations;
said superabrasive table extending over said supporting substrate end, including a plurality of superabrasive projections integral therewith and extending transverse to a plane of said cutting face into said plurality of indentations on said supporting substrate end.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Cutting element with controlled superabrasive contact area, drill bits so equipped

Life of this patent

Cutting element with controlled superabrasive contact area, drill bits so equipped

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims67