EP0350045A2 - Drill bit with composite cutting members - Google Patents

Drill bit with composite cutting members Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0350045A2
EP0350045A2 EP89112388A EP89112388A EP0350045A2 EP 0350045 A2 EP0350045 A2 EP 0350045A2 EP 89112388 A EP89112388 A EP 89112388A EP 89112388 A EP89112388 A EP 89112388A EP 0350045 A2 EP0350045 A2 EP 0350045A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cutting
segments
face
drill bit
cutting member
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP89112388A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0350045A3 (en
EP0350045B1 (en
Inventor
Rainer Dr. Jürgens
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Baker Hughes Holdings LLC
Original Assignee
Eastman Christensen Co
Baker Hughes Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Eastman Christensen Co, Baker Hughes Inc filed Critical Eastman Christensen Co
Publication of EP0350045A2 publication Critical patent/EP0350045A2/en
Publication of EP0350045A3 publication Critical patent/EP0350045A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0350045B1 publication Critical patent/EP0350045B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B10/00—Drill bits
    • E21B10/46—Drill bits characterised by wear resisting parts, e.g. diamond inserts
    • E21B10/56—Button-type inserts
    • E21B10/567—Button-type inserts with preformed cutting elements mounted on a distinct support, e.g. polycrystalline inserts
    • E21B10/5676—Button-type inserts with preformed cutting elements mounted on a distinct support, e.g. polycrystalline inserts having a cutting face with different segments, e.g. mosaic-type inserts

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to drill bits, and, more specifically, relates to drill bits having improved cutter configurations.
  • Drill bits presently known to the industry which utilize stationary cutting members typically use either natural or synthetic diamonds as cutting elements, and are conventionally known as “diamond bits”. References herein to "diamond bits” or “diamond drill bits” refer to all bits, for either drilling or coring, having primarily stationary cutting members.
  • Conventional diamond drill bits may have a variety of different types of cutting surfaces, such as, for example polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) cutters, thermally stable diamond product (TSP) cutters, mosaic-type cutters and diamond impregnated stud cutters.
  • Mosaic cutters are typically formed of a plurality of geometrically-shaped thermally stable diamond elements cooperatively arranged and bonded in a desired shape, to form a unitary cutting surface.
  • the diamond cutting surface is typically bonded to a supporting member, which is then secured to a carrier member which facilitates attachment to the drill bit.
  • the cutting surface layer is preferably connected to the supporting member such as through use of brazing or sintering.
  • the supporting member and the carrier member will both be formed of a suitable hard or sintered metal, such as, for example, tungsten carbide.
  • the supporting member can be soldered or otherwise connected, such as by form sintering or hot isostatic pressing, to the carrier member.
  • drill bits may include more than one type of cutting member on a single bit.
  • Some types of cutting surfaces are better adapted to cut specific formations than are others. For example, while large PDC-type cutters are extremely efficient at cutting shales and other similarly soft formations, they are quickly broken or abraded in hard formations. Other cutting surfaces, however, such as mosaic surfaces, will cut through the harder formations satisfactorily. Accordingly, some relatively recent diamond drill bit designs have included dual sets of cutting members, with each set composed of cutting members having different types of cutting surfaces.
  • bits of that type for example, a first set of cutters is arranged on the bit to provide essentially full face coverage across the face of the bit, and a second set of cutters, of a different type, is arranged to provide coverage across at least a portion of the bit face.
  • An example of a bit of this type is disclosed in U.S. Patent applications serial no. 173,943 filed March 28, 1988, in the names of Mark Jones and Mark Clench, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.
  • bits with dual cutter sets while performing exceptionally well in some applications, may not be feasible for use with all types of bits.
  • bits having cutting members with large cutting surfaces, such as one inch or greater in diameter it may not be feasible to include two sets of cutters on a single bit.
  • the extra surface area could interfere with chip removal, or could raise the total bottom hole surface area contacting the formation to a level which would require an unacceptably high weight-­on-bit to cut the formation.
  • the present invention provides a new method and apparatus for including composite cutting surfaces on a single drill bit, whereby the exposed face of the cutting member may be maintained at a desired size, but whereby that face can be composed of different cutting surfaces adapted to perform differently in the earth formations.
  • Drill bits in accordance with the present invention include at least some cutting members which include cutting faces with multiple segments of cutting materials.
  • Each cutting member in accordance with the present invention will include at least two segments, which are formed of at least two materials.
  • the cutting material segments will have exposed faces which cooperatively form the cutting face of the cutting member.
  • the segment faces will preferably lie in generally parallel planes, and most preferably will be generally coplanar.
  • Drill bit 10 includes a body section 12 which carries a plurality of cutting members 16.
  • Body 12 is preferably a molded component fabricated through conventional metal matrix infiltration technology.
  • Body section 12 is coupled to a shank 18 which includes a threaded portion 20.
  • Shank 18 and body 12 are preferably formed to be functionally integral with one another.
  • Drill bit 10 includes an internal recess (not illustrated), through which hydraulic fluid will flow.
  • a plurality of nozzles 22 are placed in body 12 to distribute hydraulic flow proximate the faces of cutting members 16.
  • the cutting face 24 of cutting member 16 includes two segments, 26 and 28.
  • Cutting face segments 26 and 28 will each be formed of a layer of a cutting material, but will be formed of different types of cutting material.
  • segment 26 may be a PDC cutting layer
  • segment 28 may be a TSP cutting layer.
  • Cutting face 24 of cutting member 16 may be formed of segments arranged in any of a variety of conformities, and such face segments may be formed of any of a variety suitable materials.
  • Figures 3A-F therein are depicted exemplary alternative configurations and constructions for the cutting face of a cutting member 16 as depicted in Figures 1 and 2.
  • Figure 3A depicts a cutting face 30 having a PDC face segment 32 and a mosaic face segment 34. The two segments 32 and 34 are symmetrically arranged relative to a vertical axis.
  • Figure 3B depicts a face segment 36 having three generally vertically extending faces 38, 40 and 42, symmetrically arranged about a central vertical diameter.
  • outer face segments 38 and 42 are of a first type of cutting surface, while central face segment 40 is of a second type of cutting surface.
  • Figure 3C depicts a cutting face 44, which is similar in construction to cutting face 36 of Figure 3B, with the exception that the face segments 46, 48 and 50 are symmetrically disposed about a nonvertical diameter.
  • Figure 3D depicts a two segment cutting face 52, with face segments distributed on either side of a horizontal diameter.
  • upper segment 54 may be of a material such as a PDC layer
  • lower segment 56 may be of a different material, such as a TSP or mosaic material.
  • Figure 3E depicts an exemplary embodiment where the cutting face 58 is divided into a plurality of quadrant face segments 60, 62, 64 and 66.
  • These face segments 60, 62, 64 and 66 can be formed, for example, of two alternating cutting layer materials or could all be formed of different cutting layer materials.
  • Figure 3F depicts an embodiment similar to that of Figures 3B and 3C, with the exception that the three face segments of cutting face 68 are disposed symmetrically relative to a horizontal diametrical axis.
  • the multiple material cutting face segments may be formed of virtually any appropriate material, and may be arranged in a variety of patterns in addition to those described and depicted herein. Accordingly, the techniques and structures described and illustrated herein are exemplary only and are not to be considered as limitations on the scope of the present invention.

Abstract

Drill bits may include cutting members which have cutting faces formed of segments of differing cutting materials. The faces of the cutting members may include two or more segments, with the segments formed from at least two different materials. For example, a first segment could be formed of a polycrystalline diamond compact surface while a second segment could be formed of a thermally stable diamond product material.

Description

  • The present invention relates generally to drill bits, and, more specifically, relates to drill bits having improved cutter configurations.
  • Drill bits presently known to the industry which utilize stationary cutting members typically use either natural or synthetic diamonds as cutting elements, and are conventionally known as "diamond bits". References herein to "diamond bits" or "diamond drill bits" refer to all bits, for either drilling or coring, having primarily stationary cutting members. Conventional diamond drill bits may have a variety of different types of cutting surfaces, such as, for example polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) cutters, thermally stable diamond product (TSP) cutters, mosaic-type cutters and diamond impregnated stud cutters. Mosaic cutters are typically formed of a plurality of geometrically-shaped thermally stable diamond elements cooperatively arranged and bonded in a desired shape, to form a unitary cutting surface.
  • On conventional bits, the diamond cutting surface is typically bonded to a supporting member, which is then secured to a carrier member which facilitates attachment to the drill bit. The cutting surface layer is preferably connected to the supporting member such as through use of brazing or sintering. Preferably, the supporting member and the carrier member will both be formed of a suitable hard or sintered metal, such as, for example, tungsten carbide. The supporting member can be soldered or otherwise connected, such as by form sintering or hot isostatic pressing, to the carrier member. A discussion of such a conventional structure is found in U.S. Patent No. 4,498,549 issued February 12, 1985 to the inventor of the present application, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. The specification of U.S. Patent No. 4,498,549 is hereby incorporated herein for all purposes.
  • Additionally, drill bits may include more than one type of cutting member on a single bit. Some types of cutting surfaces are better adapted to cut specific formations than are others. For example, while large PDC-type cutters are extremely efficient at cutting shales and other similarly soft formations, they are quickly broken or abraded in hard formations. Other cutting surfaces, however, such as mosaic surfaces, will cut through the harder formations satisfactorily. Accordingly, some relatively recent diamond drill bit designs have included dual sets of cutting members, with each set composed of cutting members having different types of cutting surfaces. With bits of that type, for example, a first set of cutters is arranged on the bit to provide essentially full face coverage across the face of the bit, and a second set of cutters, of a different type, is arranged to provide coverage across at least a portion of the bit face. An example of a bit of this type is disclosed in U.S. Patent applications serial no. 173,943 filed March 28, 1988, in the names of Mark Jones and Mark Clench, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.
  • Such bits with dual cutter sets, while performing exceptionally well in some applications, may not be feasible for use with all types of bits. For example, with bits having cutting members with large cutting surfaces, such as one inch or greater in diameter, it may not be feasible to include two sets of cutters on a single bit. Additionally, even if the additional cutter set could be included on a single bit, the extra surface area could interfere with chip removal, or could raise the total bottom hole surface area contacting the formation to a level which would require an unacceptably high weight-­on-bit to cut the formation.
  • Accordingly, the present invention provides a new method and apparatus for including composite cutting surfaces on a single drill bit, whereby the exposed face of the cutting member may be maintained at a desired size, but whereby that face can be composed of different cutting surfaces adapted to perform differently in the earth formations.
  • Drill bits in accordance with the present invention include at least some cutting members which include cutting faces with multiple segments of cutting materials. Each cutting member in accordance with the present invention will include at least two segments, which are formed of at least two materials. The cutting material segments will have exposed faces which cooperatively form the cutting face of the cutting member. The segment faces will preferably lie in generally parallel planes, and most preferably will be generally coplanar.
    • Figure 1 depicts a diamond drill bit having cutting members in accordance with the present invention.
    • Figure 2 depicts that an isolated cutting member of the drill bit of Figure 1.
    • Figures 3A-F depict exemplary alternative cutting faces for a cutting member in accordance with the present invention.
  • Referring now to the drawings in more detail, and particularly to Figure 1, therein is depicted an exemplary embodiment of a drill bit 10 in accordance with the present invention. Drill bit 10 includes a body section 12 which carries a plurality of cutting members 16. Body 12 is preferably a molded component fabricated through conventional metal matrix infiltration technology. Body section 12 is coupled to a shank 18 which includes a threaded portion 20. Shank 18 and body 12 are preferably formed to be functionally integral with one another. Drill bit 10 includes an internal recess (not illustrated), through which hydraulic fluid will flow. A plurality of nozzles 22 are placed in body 12 to distribute hydraulic flow proximate the faces of cutting members 16.
  • Referring now also to Figure 2, therein is depicted an exemplary cutting member 16 in greater detail. The cutting face 24 of cutting member 16 includes two segments, 26 and 28. Cutting face segments 26 and 28 will each be formed of a layer of a cutting material, but will be formed of different types of cutting material. For example, segment 26 may be a PDC cutting layer, while segment 28 may be a TSP cutting layer. Cutting face 24 of cutting member 16 may be formed of segments arranged in any of a variety of conformities, and such face segments may be formed of any of a variety suitable materials.
  • Referring now to Figures 3A-F, therein are depicted exemplary alternative configurations and constructions for the cutting face of a cutting member 16 as depicted in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 3A depicts a cutting face 30 having a PDC face segment 32 and a mosaic face segment 34. The two segments 32 and 34 are symmetrically arranged relative to a vertical axis. Figure 3B depicts a face segment 36 having three generally vertically extending faces 38, 40 and 42, symmetrically arranged about a central vertical diameter. In the depicted embodiment, outer face segments 38 and 42 are of a first type of cutting surface, while central face segment 40 is of a second type of cutting surface.
  • Figure 3C depicts a cutting face 44, which is similar in construction to cutting face 36 of Figure 3B, with the exception that the face segments 46, 48 and 50 are symmetrically disposed about a nonvertical diameter. Figure 3D depicts a two segment cutting face 52, with face segments distributed on either side of a horizontal diameter. Here again, upper segment 54 may be of a material such as a PDC layer, while lower segment 56 may be of a different material, such as a TSP or mosaic material.
  • Figure 3E depicts an exemplary embodiment where the cutting face 58 is divided into a plurality of quadrant face segments 60, 62, 64 and 66. These face segments 60, 62, 64 and 66 can be formed, for example, of two alternating cutting layer materials or could all be formed of different cutting layer materials.
  • Figure 3F depicts an embodiment similar to that of Figures 3B and 3C, with the exception that the three face segments of cutting face 68 are disposed symmetrically relative to a horizontal diametrical axis.
  • Many modifications and variations may be made in the techniques and structures described and illustrated herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the multiple material cutting face segments may be formed of virtually any appropriate material, and may be arranged in a variety of patterns in addition to those described and depicted herein. Accordingly, the techniques and structures described and illustrated herein are exemplary only and are not to be considered as limitations on the scope of the present invention.

Claims (14)

1. A drill bit, comprising:
a body member, and
a plurality of cutting members disposed on said body member, said cutting members including cutting faces including multiple segments, said multiple cutting face segments formed of at least two different materials.
2. The drill bit of claim 1, wherein said face segments of said cutting member face lie in generally parallel planes.
3. The drill bit of claim 1, wherein said face segments of each cutting member face are generally coplanar.
4. The drill bit of claim 1, wherein said cutting member faces each include at least two face segments.
5. The drill bit of claim 1, wherein at least one of said face segments is formed of a polycrystalline diamond compact surface.
6. The drill bit of claim 1, wherein at least one of said face segments comprises a thermally stable diamond surface.
7. The drill bit of claim 1, wherein at least one of said face segments is formed of a diamond mosaic surface.
8. A cutting member for drill bit, comprising:
a supporting structure; and
a cutting face secured to said supporting structure, said cutting face having at least two segments, said cutting face segments formed of at least two materials.
9. The drill bit of claim 8, wherein said cutting member includes two said face segments.
10. The drill bit of claim 8, wherein said cutting face segments lie in generally parallel planes.
11. The cutting member of claim 10, wherein said cutting face segments are generally coplanar.
12. The cutting member of claim 8, wherein at least one of said segments is formed of a polycrystalline diamond compact surface.
13. The cutting member of claim 8, wherein at least one of said segments is formed of a thermally stable diamond surface.
14. The cutting member of claim 1, wherein at least one of said face segments is formed of a diamond mosaic surface.
EP19890112388 1988-07-06 1989-07-06 Drill bit with composite cutting members Expired - Lifetime EP0350045B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US21549988A 1988-07-06 1988-07-06
US215499 1988-07-06

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0350045A2 true EP0350045A2 (en) 1990-01-10
EP0350045A3 EP0350045A3 (en) 1990-06-06
EP0350045B1 EP0350045B1 (en) 1996-01-17

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Family Applications (1)

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EP19890112388 Expired - Lifetime EP0350045B1 (en) 1988-07-06 1989-07-06 Drill bit with composite cutting members

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EP (1) EP0350045B1 (en)
CA (1) CA1311745C (en)
DE (1) DE68925439T2 (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0554568A2 (en) * 1992-01-06 1993-08-11 Baker Hughes Incorporated Mosaic diamond drag bit cutter having a nonuniform wear pattern
EP0582484A1 (en) * 1992-08-06 1994-02-09 De Beers Industrial Diamond Division (Proprietary) Limited Tool insert
WO2000036264A1 (en) * 1998-12-15 2000-06-22 De Beers Industrial Diamond Division (Proprietary) Limited Tool component
GB2353810A (en) * 1999-09-03 2001-03-07 Camco Internat Polycrystalline diamond insert including carbonate as a sintering binder catalyst
EP2844819A1 (en) * 2012-05-01 2015-03-11 Baker Hughes Incorporated Earth-boring tools having cutting elements with cutting faces exhibiting multiple coefficients of friction, and related methods

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4498549A (en) * 1981-03-21 1985-02-12 Norton Christensen, Inc. Cutting member for rotary drill bit
EP0157278A2 (en) * 1984-03-26 1985-10-09 Eastman Christensen Company Multi-component cutting element using polycrystalline diamond disks
EP0246789A2 (en) * 1986-05-16 1987-11-25 Nl Petroleum Products Limited Cutter for a rotary drill bit, rotary drill bit with such a cutter, and method of manufacturing such a cutter

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4498549A (en) * 1981-03-21 1985-02-12 Norton Christensen, Inc. Cutting member for rotary drill bit
EP0157278A2 (en) * 1984-03-26 1985-10-09 Eastman Christensen Company Multi-component cutting element using polycrystalline diamond disks
EP0246789A2 (en) * 1986-05-16 1987-11-25 Nl Petroleum Products Limited Cutter for a rotary drill bit, rotary drill bit with such a cutter, and method of manufacturing such a cutter

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0554568A2 (en) * 1992-01-06 1993-08-11 Baker Hughes Incorporated Mosaic diamond drag bit cutter having a nonuniform wear pattern
EP0554568A3 (en) * 1992-01-06 1993-12-01 Baker Hughes Inc Mosaic diamond drag bit cutter having a nonuniform wear pattern
EP0582484A1 (en) * 1992-08-06 1994-02-09 De Beers Industrial Diamond Division (Proprietary) Limited Tool insert
WO2000036264A1 (en) * 1998-12-15 2000-06-22 De Beers Industrial Diamond Division (Proprietary) Limited Tool component
GB2353810A (en) * 1999-09-03 2001-03-07 Camco Internat Polycrystalline diamond insert including carbonate as a sintering binder catalyst
US6248447B1 (en) 1999-09-03 2001-06-19 Camco International (Uk) Limited Cutting elements and methods of manufacture thereof
GB2353810B (en) * 1999-09-03 2003-10-08 Camco Internat Cutting elements and methods of manufacture thereof
EP2844819A1 (en) * 2012-05-01 2015-03-11 Baker Hughes Incorporated Earth-boring tools having cutting elements with cutting faces exhibiting multiple coefficients of friction, and related methods
EP2844819A4 (en) * 2012-05-01 2016-03-30 Baker Hughes Inc Earth-boring tools having cutting elements with cutting faces exhibiting multiple coefficients of friction, and related methods

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0350045A3 (en) 1990-06-06
EP0350045B1 (en) 1996-01-17
DE68925439T2 (en) 1996-08-22
CA1311745C (en) 1992-12-22
DE68925439D1 (en) 1996-02-29

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