PDC CUTTER WITH DEPRESSED FEATURE

• US 20170284161A1
• Filed: 03/30/2017
• Published: 10/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smith International Incorporated (SLB)
• Original Assignee: Smith International Incorporated (SLB)
• Inventors: Zhang, Youhe
• Granted Patent: US 10,458,190 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/54 the bit being of the rotary drag type, e.g. fork-type bits
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/5673 having a non planar or non circular cutting face
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/5735 Interface between the substrate and the cutting element
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/633 independently detachable

Abstract

A cutting element includes a table coupled to a substrate at an interface. The table includes a working surface opposite the interface and defined by a perimeter, a table thickness measured between the interface and the working surface, and a torque transmittable depression formed in the working surface of the table a distance away from the perimeter. The torque transmittable depression extends a depth into the table and has a cross-sectional profile with a torque transmittable shape. The depth of the depression may be greater than the thickness of the table, or an optional sensor may be placed in the depression.

Claims

1. A cutting element, comprising:

a table coupled to a substrate at an interface, the table comprising;

a working surface opposite the interface and defined by a perimeter;

a depression formed in the working surface of the table; and

a sensor in the torque transmittable depression.

2. The cutting element of claim 1, the depth of the depression being greater than a table thickness measured between the interface and the working surface, such that the depression extends through the interface and into the substrate.

3. The cutting element of claim 1, the depression extending a depth into the table and having a cross-sectional profile with a torque transmittable shape that includes at least one curved side having varying radii of curvature.

4. The cutting element of claim 1, the depression extending a depth into the table and having a cross-sectional profile with a torque transmittable shape that includes at least two depressions a distance away from the perimeter.

5. The cutting element of claim 1, depression extending a depth into the table and having a cross-sectional profile with a torque transmittable shape that includes at least two torque transmittable depressions in contact with the perimeter.

6. The cutting element of claim 1, further comprising:

a through-hole extending between and communicating with a bottom surface of the depression and an outer surface of the substrate; and

a wire extending from the sensor and at least partially through the through-hole.

7. The cutting element of claim 1, further comprising a plug inserted at least partially into the depression.

8. A bit, comprising:

a bit body;

at least one cutter pocket formed in the bit body;

at least one cutting element in the at least one cutter pocket, the at least one cutting element including a substrate and a table coupled to the substrate at an interface, the table having a working surface opposite the interface and defined by a perimeter; and

a torque transmittable depression having a cross-sectional profile with a torque transmittable shape, the torque transmittable depression extending from the working surface and having a depth greater than a thickness of the table as measured between the interface and the working surface, such that the depression extends through the interface and into the substrate.

9. The bit of claim 8, the at least one cutting element being rotatably mounted to the at least one cutter pocket and configured to rotate while the drill bit is in use.

10. The bit of claim 8, the at least one cutting element being brazed into the at least one cutter pocket.

11. The bit of claim 8, the at least one cutting element further including a shaft extending from the substrate and in a direction opposite the table, the shaft being attached to the bit body and having a diameter less than a diameter of the substrate.

12. The bit of claim 11, the shaft being threadably secured to threads defined by the bit body.

13. A cutting element, comprising:

a substrate; and

a table coupled to the substrate at an interface, a table thickness being measured between the interface and a working surface opposite the interface and defined by a perimeter, the working surface including;

a first material forming the perimeter of the working surface; and

an interior portion formed of a second material, the interior portion being interior to the perimeter, and the second material having a higher machinability than the first material.

14. The cutting element of claim 13, further comprising:

a depression formed at least in a portion of the table and extending at least partially through the table thickness from the working surface; and

a plug formed of the second material and inserted into the depression, the plug forming the interior portion of the working surface.

15. The cutting element of claim 14, the depression including at least two depressions formed around the perimeter of the working surface, a circumferential cutting edge extending an arc length between the at least two depressions.

16. The cutting element of claim 14, the arc length of the circumferential cutting edge being greater than π

/2 times a radius of the working surface.

17. The cutting element of claim 14, the depression including at least two depressions formed interior to the perimeter of the working surface.

18. The cutting element of claim 14, further comprising at least one sensor at least partially within the depression or a through-hole in the substrate and at least partially below an outer surface of the plug.

19. The cutting element of claim 14, the second material extending a depth from the working surface that is less than the table thickness.

20. The cutting element of claim 13, further comprising a threaded shaft attached at a base of the substrate.