REAMER WITH POLYCRYSTALLINE DIAMOND COMPACT INSERTS

• US 20090283328A1
• Filed: 01/06/2009
• Published: 11/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Longyear TM Incorporated (Boart Longyear Limited)
• Original Assignee: Longyear TM Incorporated (Boart Longyear Limited)
• Inventors: Gaugh, Erik M., Rupp, Michael D., Drivdahl, Kristian S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,025,107 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 175/58
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/5673 having a non planar or non circular cutting face
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/633 independently detachable

Abstract

Reamers for use in core-sample drilling having PDC inserts and methods for using the reamers with PDC inserts are described. A reamer with PDC inserts may be used to maintain borehole diameters, reduce deviation, and/or stabilize drill strings used in core sample drilling. The PDC inserts may be of different sizes and shapes and may be arranged around the reamer in various ways.

Claims

1. A drilling reamer comprising:

a body configured to be used in core sample drilling;

a connector configured to couple the body to another drilling component; and

a plurality of polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) inserts attached to the body and arranged around the body.

2. The reamer as recited in claim 1, wherein the PDC inserts are removably attached to the body.

3. The reamer as recited in claim 2, wherein the PDC inserts are soldered or brazed onto the body.

4. The reamer as recited in claim 1, wherein the body includes a plurality of recesses defined therein to receive at least a portion of the PDC inserts.

5. The reamer as recited in claim 1, wherein the connector is a threaded connector.

6. The reamer as recited in claim 1, wherein one of the PDC inserts differs in at least one of dimension, material, size, or shape from another of the PDC inserts.

7. The reamer as recited in claim 1, wherein the PDC inserts includes a polycrystalline diamond compact layer bonded to a backing substrate.

8. The reamer as recited in claim 7, wherein the backing substrate comprises:

at least one of ceramic, steel, or tungsten carbide.

9. The reamer as recited in claim 1, wherein one or more PDC inserts have an outer surface with a shape chosen from any of domed, angled, chiseled, pointed, or planar.

10. A core drilling system comprising a drilling component, wherein the drilling component comprises:

a body configured to be used in core sample drilling;

a connector configured to couple the body to another drilling component; and

a plurality of polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) inserts attached to the body and arranged around the body to facilitate core-sample drilling.

11. The system as recited in claim 10, wherein the drilling component is one of an adaptor coupling, a locking coupling, or a reamer.

12. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the PDC inserts are removable and reattachable.

13. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the reamer is disposed in a core barrel assembly.

14. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein one of the PDC inserts differs in one of dimension, material, size, or shape from another of the PDC inserts.

15. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the PDC inserts includes a polycrystalline diamond compact layer bonded to a backing substrate.

16. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein the backing substrate comprises:

at least one of ceramic, steel, or tungsten carbide.

17. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein one or more PDC inserts have an outer surface with a shape chosen from any of domed, angled, chiseled, pointed, or planar.

18. A drilling method comprising:

placing a drill component in a drill string that is configured for core sample drilling, the drill component comprising;

a body configured to be used in core sample drilling, a connector configured to couple the body to an additional drilling component, and a plurality of polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) inserts attached to the body and arranged around the body to facilitate drilling; and

retrieving a core sample.

19. The method as recited in claim 18, further comprising monitoring the condition of the plurality of PDC inserts and replacing at least one of the PDC inserts when the insert is worn.

20. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the plurality of PDC inserts are configured to be selectively removable from the body.

21. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the drill component is disposed in a core barrel assembly.

22. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the PDC inserts comprise a polycrystalline diamond layer bonded to a backing substrate.

23. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein the backing substrate comprises:

at least one ceramic, steel, or tungsten carbide.

24. The method as recited in claim 23, wherein one or more PDC inserts have an outer surface with a shape chosen from any of domed, angled, chiseled, pointed, or planar.

25. A drilling method comprising:

placing a drilling component in a drill string, the drilling component comprising;

a body configured to be used in core sample drilling, a connector configured to couple the body to an additional drilling component, and a plurality of polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) inserts attached to the body and arranged around the body to facilitate drilling; and

drilling with the drill string.

26. The method as recited in claim 25, wherein the drilling component is an adaptor or locking coupling.

27. The method as recited in claim 25, wherein the drilling component is a reamer.

28. The method as recited in claim 25, wherein the plurality of PDC inserts are configured to be selectively removable from the body.