Roller cone drill bits with optimized bearing structures
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A roller cone drill bit comprising:
- a bit body having a first support arm, a second support arm, and a third support arm extending therefrom;
each support arm having a spindle extending therefrom;
a respective bearing structure associated with each spindle;
a respective cone assembly rotatably mounted on the bearing structure of each spindle for engagement with a subterranean formation to form a wellbore;
a respective cutting structure associated with each cone assembly;
each cone assembly having a respective axis of rotation corresponding generally with a longitudinal axis of each respective spindle;
each cone assembly having a minimal moment center located proximate each respective axis of rotation;
the minimal moment center of each respective cone assembly defined in part by each respective cutting structure; and
each respective bearing structure having a center point located proximate the minimal moment center of the associated cone assembly.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A roller cone drill bit may include optimally designed bearing structures and cutting structures. The roller cone drill bit may include three cone assemblies rotatably mounted on respective spindles via respective bearing structures. Each cone assembly may have a respective cutting structure with a minimal moment center located along each respective axis of rotation. Each respective bearing structure has a center point located proximate each respective minimal moment center.
-
Citations
16 Claims
-
1. A roller cone drill bit comprising:
-
a bit body having a first support arm, a second support arm, and a third support arm extending therefrom; each support arm having a spindle extending therefrom; a respective bearing structure associated with each spindle; a respective cone assembly rotatably mounted on the bearing structure of each spindle for engagement with a subterranean formation to form a wellbore; a respective cutting structure associated with each cone assembly; each cone assembly having a respective axis of rotation corresponding generally with a longitudinal axis of each respective spindle; each cone assembly having a minimal moment center located proximate each respective axis of rotation; the minimal moment center of each respective cone assembly defined in part by each respective cutting structure; and each respective bearing structure having a center point located proximate the minimal moment center of the associated cone assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A roller cone drill bit comprising:
-
a bit body having at least a first support arm, a second support arm, and a third support arm extending therefrom, each support arm having a spindle extending therefrom; a respective bearing structure associated with each spindle; a respective cone assembly rotatably mounted on each bearing structure for engagement with a subterranean formation to form a wellbore, each cone assembly having a distinct cone profile; each cone assembly having a respective axis of rotation extending from the associated support arm, each axis of rotation corresponding with the longitudinal axis of each respective spindle, each cone assembly having a minimal moment center located along the respective axis of rotation and defined by bearing end loads associated with each distinct cone profile; and each respective bearing structure having a center point proximate the respective minimal moment center. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
-
Specification