Self relieving seal
First Claim
1. An annular seal for use in a rotary cone drill bit having a body, a leg extending from the body, and a cutting cone rotatably mounted on the leg, the annular seal comprising:
- an elastomeric seal body including;
a first sealing surface positioned at least partially along an inside diameter of the seal body;
a second sealing surface positioned at least partially along an outside diameter of the seal body, wherein one of the first and second sealing surfaces forms a dynamic rotary seal against an adjacent surface of the drill bit when placed within the drill;
a pair of external surfaces each positioned along opposed axial surfaces of the seal body and extending radially between the first and second sealing surfaces; and
one or more relief ports disposed within the seal body and extending axially between the external surfaces;
wherein at least one of the external surfaces comprises an outwardly projecting feature that is positioned adjacent the relief port, the feature forming a recessed portion for communicating with the relief port.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Self relieving seals of this invention comprise an elastomeric seal body having a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface for contact with respective drill bit sealing surfaces. The seal includes a pair of external surfaces that each extend along the seal body between the first and second sealing surfaces. The seal includes one or more relief ports that are disposed through the seal body and that have openings through each of the seal body external surfaces. The relief port can be specially configured, e.g., have different diameter sections of constant or variable dimensions, to provide a degree of control over pressure equalization through the seal body when the seal is loaded within the drill bit. The seal may include an element, e.g., solid, tubular, or porous, disposed within the relief port to provide a further desired degree of control over pressure equalization through the seal when the seal is loaded within the drill bit. Surface features, on the seal or the drill bit, can be provided to offset the relief port opening from the rock bit so that it is not blocked off. The seal can include a valve mechanism to provide a further degree of control over fluid passage through the relief port.
21 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An annular seal for use in a rotary cone drill bit having a body, a leg extending from the body, and a cutting cone rotatably mounted on the leg, the annular seal comprising:
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an elastomeric seal body including; a first sealing surface positioned at least partially along an inside diameter of the seal body; a second sealing surface positioned at least partially along an outside diameter of the seal body, wherein one of the first and second sealing surfaces forms a dynamic rotary seal against an adjacent surface of the drill bit when placed within the drill; a pair of external surfaces each positioned along opposed axial surfaces of the seal body and extending radially between the first and second sealing surfaces; and one or more relief ports disposed within the seal body and extending axially between the external surfaces; wherein at least one of the external surfaces comprises an outwardly projecting feature that is positioned adjacent the relief port, the feature forming a recessed portion for communicating with the relief port. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A bit for drilling subterranean formations comprising:
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a body having one or more legs extending therefrom; a cone that rotatably disposed on a journal extending from the one or more legs; an annular seal interposed between the cone and the journal, the annular seal comprising; an elastomeric seal body including a first sealing surface positioned along one of the cone and the journal, and a second sealing surface positioned along the other of the cone and the journal, wherein one of the first and second sealing surfaces forms a dynamic rotary seal against an adjacent respective surface of the cone and the journal; a pair of external surfaces each extending axially along the seal body between the first and second sealing surfaces; one or more relief ports disposed within the seal body between the external surfaces; and wherein at least one of the external surfaces comprises an outwardly projecting surface feature positioned adjacent the relief port, the surface feature forminga recessed portion for communicating with the relief port. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for making an annual seal for use with a rotary cone drill bit comprising the steps of:
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forming an annular seal body from an elastomeric materials, the seal body including first and second sealing surfaces, wherein one of the sealing surfaces forms a dynamic rotary seal when placed within the drill bit, and including a pair of external surface positioned at opposed axial seal surfaces that extend radially between the first and second sealing surfaces; forming one or more relief ports within the seal body that extend axially between the external surfaces; and forming an outwardly projecting surface feature along at least one of the external surfaces that is positioned adjacent a respective relief port, the surface feature forming a recessed section for communication with the relief port. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification