Claims
- 1. A drill bit for cutting a formation, comprising:a bit body having a bit axis; a plurality of rolling cone cutters rotatable mounted on cantilevered bearing shafts on said bit body, each rolling cone cutter having a generally conical surface; a plurality of gage row primary cutter elements extending from one of said cone cutters in a gage row, said gage row extending to full gage; a first plurality of primary cutter elements extending from a first of said cone cutters in a first row, said first row extending to less than full gage; a second plurality of primary cutter elements extending from a second cone cutter in a second row, said second row extending to less than full gage, said second primary cutter elements overlapping said first primary cutter elements when revolved into a single plane; and at least one ridge-cutting cutter element extending from said first cone cutter and having an elongated crest oriented approximately perpendicular to a projection of the cone axis.
- 2. A drill bit for cutting a formation, comprising:a bit body having a bit axis; a plurality of rolling cone cutters rotatably mounted on cantilevered bearing shafts on said bit body, each rolling cone cutter having a generally conical surface; a plurality of gage row primary cutter elements extending from one of said cone cutters in a gage row, said gage row extending to full gage; a first plurality of primary cutter elements extending from a first of said cone cutters in a first row, said first row extending to less than full gage; a second plurality of primary cutter elements extending from a second cone cutter in a second row, said second row extending to less than full gage, said second primary cutter elements overlapping said first primary cutter elements when revolved into a single plane; and at least one ridge-cutting cutter element extending from said first cone cutter and having an elongated crest oriented at an angle of between 0 and 180 degrees with respect to a projection of the cone axis.
- 3. The drill bit in accordance with claim 2 wherein said first and second rows of primary cutter elements have cutting portions that extend out of said cone cutter and overlap when revolved into a single plane.
- 4. The drill bit in accordance with claim 2, further including at least one second ridge-cutting cutter element extending from said second cone cutter, said second ridge-cutting cutter element being positioned adjacent to said second row of primary cutter elements.
- 5. The drill bit in accordance with claim 2 wherein said ridge-cutting cutter element has a longitudinal axis and extends from said first cone cutter such that said ridge-cutting cutter element axis is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of an adjacent primary cutter element when revolved into a single plane.
- 6. The drill bit in accordance with claim 2 wherein a ridge-cutting cutter element is adjacent to each primary cutter element in said first row.
- 7. The drill bit in accordance with claim 2 wherein said ridge-cutting cutter element is chisel shaped.
- 8. The bit according to claim 2 wherein said ridge-cutting cutter element crest is oriented at an angle of between 20 and 60 degrees with respect to a projection of the cone axis.
- 9. The bit according to claim 2 wherein said primary cutter element has an inner side and an outer side when said primary cutter element is at its closest approach to the borehole side wall and at least one of said ridge-cutting cutter elements is positioned adjacent to the outer side of a row of primary cutter elements on the same cone cutter when revolved into a single plane.
- 10. The bit according to claim 2 wherein said rolling cone cutter includes a land surrounding at least one row of said primary cutter elements and at least one of said ridge-cutting cutter elements is positioned on a land.
- 11. The drill bit in accordance with claim 2 wherein said ridge-cutting cutter element is formed integrally with the cone cutter.
- 12. The drill bit in accordance with claim 2 wherein said primary cutter elements are formed integrally with the cone cutter.
- 13. The drill bit in accordance with claim 2 wherein said first row comprises a nose row, and wherein at least one ridge-cutting cutter element is adjacent to said nose row.
- 14. The drill bit in accordance with claim 2 wherein said first row comprises an inner row of primary cutter elements adjacent to said gage row, and wherein at least one ridge-cutting cutter element is adjacent to said inner row.
- 15. The drill bit in accordance with claim 2 wherein said ridge-cutting cutter element has an extending portion having a height that is less than approximately 80 percent of the height of the extending portion of said primary cutter elements.
- 16. A drill bit for cutting a formation, comprising:a bit body having a bit axis; a plurality of rolling cone cutters rotatably mounted on cantilevered bearing shafts on said bit body, each rolling cone cutter having a generally conical surface; a plurality of gage row primary cutter elements extending from one of said cone cutters in a gage row, said gage row extending to full gage; a first plurality of primary cutter elements extending from a first of said cone cutters in a first row, said first row extending to less than full gage; a second plurality of primary cutter elements extending from a second cone cutter in a second row, said second row extending to less than full gage, said second primary cutter elements overlapping said first primary cutter elements when revolved into a single plane; and at least one ridge-cutting cutter element extending from said first cone cutter; wherein at least one rolling cone cutter includes a land surrounding at least one row of said primary cutter elements and a groove adjacent said land, and at least one of said ridge-cutting cutter elements is completely positioned in said groove.
- 17. A drill bit for cutting a formation, comprising:a bit body having a bit axis; a plurality of rolling cone cutters rotatable mounted on cantilevered bearing shafts on said bit body, each rolling cone cutter having a generally conical surface; a plurality of gage row primary cutter elements extending from one of said cone cutters in a gage row, said gage row extending to full gage; a first plurality of primary cutter elements extending from a first of said cone cutters in a first row, said first row extending to less than full gage; a second plurality of primary cutter elements extending from a second cone cutter in a second row, said second row extending to less than full gage said second primary cutter elements overlapping said first primary cutter elements when revolved into a single plane; and at least one ridge-cutting cutter element extending from said first cone cutter; wherein at least one rolling cone cutter includes a land surrounding at least one row of said primary cutter elements and a groove adjacent said land, and at least one of said ridge-cutting cutter elements is positioned partially in said groove.
- 18. A drill bit for cutting a formation, comprising:a bit body having a bit axis; a plurality of rolling cone cutters rotatable mounted on cantilevered bearing shafts on said bit body each rolling cone cutter having a generally conical surface; a plurality of gage row primary cutter elements extending from one of said cone cutters in a gage row, said gage row extending to full gage; a first plurality of primary cutter elements extending from a first of said cone cutters in a first row, said first row extending to less than full gage; a second plurality of primary cutter elements extending from a second cone cutter in a second row, said second row extending to less than full gage, said second primary cutter elements overlapping said first primary cutter elements when revolved into a single plane; and at least one ridge-cutting cutter element extending from said first cone cutter; wherein said rolling cone cutter includes a land surrounding at least one row of said primary cutter elements, a groove adjacent said land, and a flat between said land and said groove, and at least one of said ridge-cutting cutter elements is positioned at least partially on a flat.
- 19. A drill bit for cutting a borehole, comprising:a bit body having a bit axis; at least two rolling cone cutters rotatably mounted on cantilevered bearing shafts on said bit body, each rolling cone cutter having a generally conical surface; a plurality of gage row primary cutter elements extending from one of said cone cutters in a gage row; at least one primary cutter element extending from one of said cone cutters in an outermost first row, said first row extending to less than gage diameter, said first row primary cutter element having an outer side and an inner side when said primary cutter element is at its closest approach to the borehole side wall; and at least one ridge-cutting cutter element extending from the same cone cutter as said first row, said ridge-cutting cutter element being positioned adjacent to said outer side of said first row when revolved into a single plane.
- 20. The drill bit in accordance with claim 19, said second row being the next row in from said first row as measured from the gage curve, said second row primary cutter element having an outer side and an inner side when said second row primary cutter element is at its closest approach to the borehole side wall, and further including at least a second ridge-cutting cutter element extending from said second cone cutter, said second ridge-cutting cutter element being positioned adjacent to said outer side of said second row primary cutter element when revolved into a single plane.
- 21. The drill bit in accordance with claim 19 wherein said ridge-cutting cutter element has a longitudinal axis and extends from said first cone cutter such that said ridge-cutting cutter element axis is not parallel to the axis of said primary cutter element when revolved into a single plane.
- 22. The bit according to claim 19 wherein said ridge-cutting cutter element has an elongated crest.
- 23. The bit according to claim 22 wherein said ridge-cutting cutter element is chisel shaped.
- 24. The bit according to claim 22 wherein said ridge-cutting cutter element has its crest oriented approximately perpendicular to a projection of the cone axis.
- 25. The bit according to claim 22 wherein said ridge-cutting cutter element has its crest oriented at an angle of between 0 and 180 degrees with respect to a projection of the cone axis.
- 26. The bit according to claim 22 wherein said ridge-cutting cutter element has its crest oriented at an angle of between 20 and 60 degrees with respect to a projection of the cone axis.
- 27. The bit according to claim 19 wherein rolling cone cutter includes a land surrounding at least one row of said primary cutter elements and at least one ridge-cutting cutter element is positioned on a land.
- 28. The bit according to claim 19 wherein said rolling cone cutter includes a land surrounding at least one row of said primary cutter elements, a groove adjacent said land, and a flat between said land and said groove, and at least one ridge-cutting cutter element is positioned at least partially on a flat.
- 29. The bit according to claim 19 wherein said ridge-cutting cutter element is formed integrally with the cone cutter.
- 30. The bit according to claim 19 wherein said primary cutter element is formed integrally with the cone cutter.
- 31. The drill bit according to claim 19 wherein said first row comprises a nose row, and wherein at least one ridge-cutting cutter element is adjacent to said nose row.
- 32. The drill bit according to claim 19 wherein said first row comprises an inner row of primary cutter elements adjacent to said gage row, and wherein at least one ridge-cutting cutter element is adjacent to said inner row.
- 33. The bit according to claim 19 wherein said ridge-cutting cutter element is at least partially coated with a superabrasive material.
- 34. The bit according to claim 33 wherein said superabrasive material is PCD.
- 35. The bit according to claim 19 wherein said ridge-cutting cutter element and said primary cutter element each have a base diameter and said ridge-cutting base diameter is less than 75 percent of said primary base diameter.
- 36. A drill bit for cutting a borehole, comprising:a bit body having a bit axis; at least two rolling cone cutters rotatable mounted on cantilevered bearing shafts on said bit body, each rolling cone cutter having a generally conical surface; a plurality of gage row primary cutter elements extending from one of said cone cutters in a gage row; at least one primary cutter element extending from one of said cone cutters, in a first row, said first row extending to less than gage diameter, said first row primary cutter element having an outer side and an inner side when said primary cutter element is at its closest approach to the borehole side wall; and at least one ridge-cutting cutter element extending from one of said cone cutters, said ridge-cutting cutter element being positioned adjacent to said outer side of said first row primary cutter element on the same cone cutter when revolved into a single plane; wherein said ridge-cutting cutter element has a flank oriented to reduce recirculation of fluid around said primary cutter element.
- 37. A drill bit for cutting a borehole, comprising:a bit body having a bit axis; at least two rolling cone cutters rotatable mounted on cantilevered bearing shafts on said bit body, each rolling cone cutter having a generally conical surface; a plurality of gage row primary cutter elements extending from one of said cone cutters in a gage row; at least one primary cutter element extending from one of said cone cutters in a first row, said first row extending to less than gage diameter, said first row primary cutter element having an outer side and an inner side when said primary cutter element is at its closest approach to the borehole side wall; and at least one ridge-cutting cutter element extending from one of said cone cutters, said ridge-cutting cutter element being positioned adjacent to said outer side of said first row primary cutter element on the same cone cutter when revolved into a single plane; wherein said ridge-cutting cutter element has an edge oriented to reduce recirculation of fluid around said primary cutter element.
- 38. A drill bit for cutting a borehole, comprising:a bit body having a bit axis; at least two rolling cone cutters rotatable mounted on cantilevered bearing shafts on said bit body, each rolling cone cutter having a generally conical surface; a plurality of gage row primary cutter elements extending from one of said cone cutters in a gage row; at least one primary cutter element extending from one of said cone cutters in a first row, said first row extending to less than gage diameter, said first row primary cutter element having an outer side and an inner side when said primary cutter element is at its closest approach to the borehole side wall; and at least one ridge-cutting cutter element extending from one of said cone cutters, said ridge-cutting cutter element being positioned adjacent to said outer side of said first row primary cutter element on the same cone cutter when revolved into a single plane; wherein said rolling cone cutter includes a land surrounding at least one row of said primary cutter elements and a groove adjacent said land, and at least one ridge-cutting cutter element is positioned completely in said groove.
- 39. A drill bit for cutting a borehole, comprising:a bit body having a bit axis; at least two rolling cone cutters rotatably mounted on cantilevered bearing shafts on said bit body, each rolling cone cutter having a generally conical surface; a plurality of gage row primary cutter elements extending from one of said cone cutters in a gage row; at least one primary cutter element extending from one of said cone cutters in a first row, said first row extending to less than gage diameter, said first row primary cutter element having an outer side and an inner side when said primary cutter element is at its closest approach to the borehole side wall; and at least one ridge-cutting cutter element extending from one of said cone cutters, said ridge-cutting cutter element being positioned adjacent to said outer side of said first row primary cutter element on the same cone cutter when revolved into a single plane; wherein said rolling cone cutter includes a land surrounding at least one row of said primary cutter elements and a groove adjacent said land, and at least one ridge-cutting cutter element is positioned partially in said groove.
- 40. A drill bit for cutting a formation, comprising:a bit body having a bit axis; at least one rolling cone cutter rotatable mounted on cantilevered bearing shafts on said bit body, each rolling cone cutter having a generally conical surface; a plurality of gage row primary cutter elements extending from one of said cone cutters in a gage row; at least one primary cutter element extending from said cone cutter in a first row, said first row extending to less than gage diameter, said primary cutter element having an outer side and an inner side when said primary cutter element is at its closest approach to the borehole side wall; and at least one ridge-cutting cutter element extending from said rolling cone cutter, said ridge-cutting cutter element being positioned adjacent to said outer side of said first row when revolved into a single plane and having an elongated crest oriented approximately perpendicular to a projection of the cone axis.
- 41. A drill bit for cutting a formation, comprising:a bit body having a bit axis; at least one rolling cone cutter rotatable mounted on cantilevered bearing shafts on said bit body, each rolling cone cutter having a generally conical surface; a plurality of gage row primary cutter elements extending from one of said cone cutters in a gage row; at least one primary cutter element extending from said cone cutter in a first row, said first row extending to less than gage diameter, said primary cutter element having an outer side and an inner side when said primary cutter element is at its closest approach to the borehole side wall; and at least one ridge-cutting cutter element extending from said rolling cone cutter, said ridge-cutting cutter element being positioned adjacent to said outer side of said first row when revolved into a single plane and having an elongated crest oriented at an angle of between 0 and 180 degrees with respect to a projection of the cone axis.
- 42. The bit according to claim 41 wherein said ridge-cutting cutter element has its crest oriented at an angle of between 20 and 60 degrees with respect to a projection of the cone axis.
- 43. The bit according to claim 41 wherein said ridge-cutting cutter element is formed integrally with the cone cutter.
- 44. The bit according to claim 41 wherein said primary cutter element is formed integrally with the cone cutter.
- 45. The bit according to claim 41 wherein said ridge-cutting cutter element is at least partially coated with a superabrasive material.
- 46. The bit according to claim 45 wherein said superabrasive material is PCD.
- 47. The bit according to claim 41 wherein said ridge-cutting cutter element and said primary cutter element each have a base diameter and said ridge-cutting base diameter is less than 75 percent of said primary base diameter.
- 48. A drill bit for cutting a formation, comprising:a bit body having a bit axis; a plurality of rolling cone cutters rotatably mounted on cantilevered bearing shafts on said bit body, each rolling cone cutter having a generally conical surface; a plurality of gage row primary cutter elements extending from one of said cone cutters in a gage row, said gage row extending to full gage; a first plurality of primary cutter elements extending from a first of said cone cutters in a first row, said first row extending to less than full gage; and at least one ridge-cutting cutter element extending from said first cone cutter, said ridge-cutting cutter element being positioned such that its extending portion is eclipsed by at least one primary cutter element when revolved into a single plane.
- 49. The drill bit in accordance with claim 48, further including a second plurality of primary cutter elements extending from a second cone cutter in a second row, said second row extending to less than full gage, said second primary cutter elements overlapping said first primary cutter elements when revolved into a single plane.
- 50. The drill bit in accordance with claim 49, further including a second ridge-cutting cutter element extending from said second cone cutter, said second ridge-cutting cutter element being positioned adjacent to said second row of primary cutter elements.
- 51. The drill bit in accordance with claim 49 wherein at least one ridge-cutting cutter element has a longitudinal axis and extends from said first cone cutter such that said ridge-cutting cutter element axis is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of an adjacent primary cutter element when revolved into a single plane.
- 52. The drill bit according to claim 48 wherein a ridge-cutting cutter element is adjacent to each primary cutter element in said first row.
- 53. The bit according to claim 48 wherein said ridge-cutting cutter element has an elongated crest.
- 54. The bit according to claim 48 wherein said primary cutter element has an inner side and an outer side when said primary cutter element is at its closest approach to the borehole side wall and at least one ridge-cutting cutter element is positioned adjacent to the outer side of a row of primary cutter elements on the same cone cutter when revolved into a single plane.
- 55. The bit according to claim 48 wherein said ridge-cutting cutter element is formed integrally with the cone cutter.
- 56. The bit according to claim 48 wherein said primary cutter elements are formed integrally with the cone cutter.
- 57. The drill bit according to claim 48 wherein said first row comprises a nose row, and wherein said ridge-cutting cutter element is adjacent to said nose row primary cutter elements.
- 58. The drill bit according to claim 48 wherein said first row comprises an inner row of primary cutter elements adjacent to said gage row, and wherein said ridge-cutting cutter element is adjacent to said inner row primary cutter elements.
- 59. The drill bit according to claim 48 wherein said ridge-cutting cutter element has an extending portion that is less than approximately 80 percent of the height of the extending portion of said primary cutter elements.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application claims the benefit of 35 U.S.C. 111(b) provisional application Ser. No. 60/054,844 filed Aug. 5, 1997, and entitled Kerf Cutter.
US Referenced Citations (14)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
1193717 |
Jun 1970 |
GB |
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60/054844 |
Aug 1997 |
US |