METHOD OF MONITORING WEAR OF ROCK BIT CUTTERS

• US 20100139975A1
• Filed: 12/04/2008
• Published: 06/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Baker Hughes Holdings LLC (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: TEODORESCU, Sorin G., HUNT, Terry
• Granted Patent: US 8,006,781 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 175/39
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 12/02 Wear indicators

Abstract

A method of monitoring the wear of drill bits for drilling wells in earth formations, several embodiments of an improved drill bit for drilling a well in an earth formation, and methods of manufacture. In one embodiment, the bit is assembled by forming the bit, including a bit body and a plurality of cutting components; introducing a wear detector into the bit; and providing a module to monitor the wear detector and generate an indication of bit wear. The wear detector may be a witness material that may change a characteristic of at least a portion of the bit. The module may detect when the witness material is separated from the bit. The wear detector may be introduced during or after formation of the bit. The bit wear may be displayed for an operator.

Claims

1. A method of assembling a drill bit, such as for drilling into an earth formation, the method comprising the steps of:

forming the bit, including a bit body and a plurality of cutting components;

embedding a wear detector within the bit body; and

providing a module to monitor the wear detector and generate an indication of bit body wear.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the wear detector comprises a witness material.

3. The method as set forth in claim 2, wherein the module detects when the witness material is separated from the bit.

4. The method as set forth in claim 2, wherein the witness material changes a characteristic of at least a portion of the bit.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the wear detector is introduced during formation of the bit.

6. The method as set forth in claim 1, further including the step of displaying the bit wear for an operator.

15. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the module is provided adjacent to the bit, such that the module that monitors the wear detector and generates the indication of wear is co-located with the bit during normal operation.

16. The method as set forth in claim 15, further including presenting an operator with a depiction of the bit showing its real time condition.

21. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the wear detector is pre-positioned in the mold during casting of the bit 10.

7. A drill bit assembly, such as for drilling into an earth formation, the assembly comprising:

a drill bit including a bit body and a plurality of cutting components;

a wear detector embedded within the drill bit; and

a module to monitor the wear detector and generate an indication of bit wear.

8. The assembly as set forth in claim 7, wherein the wear detector comprises a witness material.

9. The assembly as set forth in claim 8, wherein the module is configured to detect when the witness material is separated from the bit.

10. The assembly as set forth in claim 8, wherein the witness material is operable to change a characteristic of at least a portion of the bit.

11. The assembly as set forth in claim 7, wherein the wear detector is embedded within the bit during formation.

12. The assembly as set forth in claim 7, further including a surface computer configured to display the bit wear for an operator.

17. The assembly as set forth in claim 7, wherein the module is located adjacent to the bit, such that the module that monitors the wear detector and generates the indication of wear is co-located with the bit during normal operation.

18. The assembly as set forth in claim 17, further including an electronic communications link to a surface computer upon which a depiction of the bit showing its real time condition is provided.

22. The assembly as set forth in claim 7, wherein the wear detector is pre-positioned in the mold during casting of the bit 10.

13. A method of assembling a drill bit, such as for drilling into an earth formation, the method comprising the steps of:

forming the bit, including a bit body, at least one blade, and a plurality of cutting elements fixedly disposed on the blade;

embedding a wear detector within the cutting elements; and

providing a module to monitor the wear detector and generate an indication of cutting element wear.

14. The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein the wear detector comprises a witness material.

19. The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein the module is provided adjacent to the bit, such that the module that monitors the wear detector and generates the indication of wear is co-located with the bit during normal operation.

20. The method as set forth in claim 19, further including presenting an operator with a depiction of the bit showing its real time condition.

23. The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein the cutting elements are doped with the wear detector.

24. The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein the wear detector is integrated into the cutting elements during isostatic pressing.