Protector for rock bit seals
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An earth boring bit, comprising:
- a bit body having a depending bearing pin;
a cone having a plurality of cutting elements for engaging a bore hole, the cone having a cavity that rotatably engages the bearing pin, the cone and the bearing pin having a seal area defined by two annular surfaces, one of which rotates relative to the other;
a seal having a seal surface in sliding sealing engagement with one of the annular surfaces of the seal area, the seal surface having a lubricant side and a drilling fluid side, the seal surface serving as a primary barrier of the bit to prevent drilling fluid from encroaching into the cavity of the cone; and
a debris protector in contact with the seal and having a porous surface substantially in sliding contact with one of the annular surfaces on the drilling fluid side of the seal surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An earth-boring bit has a bit body with a depending bearing pin and a cone rotatably mounted thereon. A seal seals between the bearing pin and the cone. An annular set of bristles is located adjacent at least part of the dynamic seal surface of the seal to protect the seal against debris.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An earth boring bit, comprising:
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a bit body having a depending bearing pin; a cone having a plurality of cutting elements for engaging a bore hole, the cone having a cavity that rotatably engages the bearing pin, the cone and the bearing pin having a seal area defined by two annular surfaces, one of which rotates relative to the other; a seal having a seal surface in sliding sealing engagement with one of the annular surfaces of the seal area, the seal surface having a lubricant side and a drilling fluid side, the seal surface serving as a primary barrier of the bit to prevent drilling fluid from encroaching into the cavity of the cone; and a debris protector in contact with the seal and having a porous surface substantially in sliding contact with one of the annular surfaces on the drilling fluid side of the seal surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An earth boring bit, comprising:
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a bit body having a depending bearing pin; a cone having a plurality of cutting elements for engaging a bore hole, the cone having a cavity that rotatably engages the bearing pin, the cone and the bearing pin having a seal area defined by two annular surfaces, one of which rotates relative to the other; a seal in sealing engagement with the annular surfaces of the seal area; a debris protector having a porous surface substantially in sliding contact with one of the annular surfaces;
wherein;the seal comprises an elastomeric ring having an inner diameter surface in sliding and sealing engagement with the bearing pin; and the debris protector is mounted to the seal and located on a drilling fluid side of at least part of the inner diameter surface and the porous surface extends completely around a circumference of the inner diameter surface. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. An earth boring bit, comprising:
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a bit body having a depending bearing pin; a cone having a plurality of cutting elements for engaging a bore hole, the cone having a cavity that rotatably engages the bearing pin; a seal between the bearing pin and the cone, the seal having at least one annular seal surface that slidingly and sealingly engages the bearing pin; and an annular brush located on a drilling fluid side of said at least one annular seal surface, the brush rotating relative to the bearing pin and having an inner diameter substantially equal to an outer diameter of the bearing pin. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of sealing drilling fluid from lubricant in an earth boring drill bit having a cone rotatably mounted on a bearing pin for engaging a borehole, comprising:
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providing a seal area between the cone and the bearing pin defined by two annular surfaces, one of which rotates relative to the other, mounting a seal between the annular surfaces, the seal having at least one annular dynamic seal surface, and mounting a debris protector adjacent to a drilling fluid side of the dynamic seal surface; rotating the cone on the bearing pin within a borehole and sealing drilling fluid in the borehole from contact with lubricant in the drill bit with the dynamic seal surface of the seal; and permitting any drilling fluid that contacts the debris protector to migrate past the debris protector into contact with the dynamic seal surface, but blocking with the debris protector at least some debris of the drilling fluid from reaching the dynamic seal surface. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification