Jack Element for a Drill Bit

• US 20090260894A1
• Filed: 05/29/2009
• Published: 10/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Wilde, Tyson J., Hall, David R., Fox, Joe, Leany, Francis E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,281,882 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 175/426
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/46 characterised by wear resisting parts, e.g. diamond inserts
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/54 the bit being of the rotary drag type, e.g. fork-type bits
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/62 characterised by parts, e.g. cutting elements, which are detachable or adjustable E21B10/64 takes precedence; for roller bits E21B10/20; for augers E21B10/44

Abstract

In one aspect of the present invention, a drill bit has an axis of rotation and a working face with a plurality of blades extending outwardly from a bit body. The blades form in part an inverted conical region, and a plurality of cutters with a cutting surface is arrayed along the blades. A jack element is coaxial with the axis of rotation and extends within the conical region within a range defined by the cutting surface of at least one cutter.

Claims

1. A drill bit, comprising:

an axis of rotation and a working face comprising a plurality of blades extending outwardly from a bit body;

the blades forming in part an inverted conical region;

a cutter attached to the nose of at least one of the plurality of blades; and

a jack element coaxial with the axis of rotation and extending within the conical region within a range defined by the cutting surface of the cutter.

2. The bit of claim 1, wherein the jack element comprises a distal end with a surface comprising a material with a hardness of at least 63 HRc.

3. The bit of claim 1, wherein a distal end of the jack element comprises a blunt geometry.

4. The bit of claim 3, wherein the blunt geometry comprises a surface area greater than an area of the cutting surface.

5. The bit of claim 3, wherein the blunt geometry comprises a surface area at least twice as great as an area of the cutting surface.

6. The bit of claim 1, wherein the working face comprises a cross sectional thickness 6 to 12 times a primary diameter of the jack element.

7. The bit of claim 1, wherein the working face comprises a cross sectional area 6 to 12 times the cross sectional area of the jack element.

8. The bit of claim 1, wherein a cutter attached to a gauge of the bit comprises a cutting surface with a smaller diameter than a cutter attached within the conical region.

9. The bit of claim 1, wherein a cutter attached to the conical region comprises a cutting surface with a smaller diameter than a cutter attached to a gauge of the bit.

10. The bit of claim 1, wherein the jack element extends 0.100 to 3 inches.

11. The bit of claim 1, wherein at least one of the blades comprises a back-up cutter.

12. The bit of claim 1, wherein the jack element is tapered.

13. The bit of claim 1, wherein a channel connects a pocket to a bore of the drill bit and a portion of the jack element is disposed within the pocket.

14. The bit of claim 1, wherein the jack element comprises the characteristic of reducing the torque required to rotate the drill bit while downhole and in operation.

15. The bit of claim 1, wherein the jack element comprises the characteristic of reducing wear on cutters attached to the gauge of the bit while downhole and in operation.

16. A drill bit, comprising:

an axis of rotation and a working face comprising a plurality of blades extending outwardly from a bit body;

the blades forming in part an inverted conical region;

a cutter comprising a cutting surface is attached to a nose of at least one of the blades; and

wherein the jack element comprises the characteristic of reducing the torque required to rotate the drill bit while downhole and in operation.