Cutting element apparatuses, drill bits including same, methods of cutting, and methods of rotating a cutting element

• US 7,845,436 B2
• Filed: 08/24/2007
• Issued: 12/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation (ChampionX Corporation)
• Original Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation (ChampionX Corporation)
• Inventors: Cooley, Craig H., Sexton, Timothy N., Johnson, Christopher F., Peterson, S. Barrett, Lund, Jeffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): Stephenson; Daniel P
• Application Number:
  US11/844,821
• Publication Number:
  US 20080017419A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,201 Days
• Field of Search: 175/342, 175/383, 175/426, 175/432
• US Class Current: 175/383
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 27/12 with a continuously-rotated circular cutting edge; Holders therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/08 Roller bits E21B10/26 takes precedence; roller core bits E21B10/06; characterised by wear resisting parts E21B10/50
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/55 with preformed cutting elements
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/567 with preformed cutting elements mounted on a distinct support, e.g. polycrystalline inserts
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/62 characterised by parts, e.g. cutting elements, which are detachable or adjustable E21B10/64 takes precedence; for roller bits E21B10/20; for augers E21B10/44
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/633 independently detachable

Abstract

A subterranean drilling system may include a drill string and a rotary drill bit coupled to the drill string. The rotary drill bit may include a bit body and a cutting element coupled to the bit body, with the cutting element being structured to rotate in response to torque applied to the cutting element. The system also may include a cam assembly coupled to the drill string, a cam follower assembly in contact with a cam surface of the cam assembly, and a torque-applying structure coupled to the cam follower assembly. The torque-applying structure may be configured to apply torque to the cutting element in response to relative rotation between the cam assembly and the cam follower assembly.

Claims

1. A subterranean drilling system, comprising:

a drill string;

a rotary drill bit coupled to the drill string, the rotary drill bit comprising;

a bit body; and

a cutting element coupled to the bit body, the cutting element being structured to rotate in response to torque applied to the cutting element;

a cam assembly coupled to the drill string, the cam assembly comprising a cam surface;

a cam follower assembly in contact with the cam surface of the cam assembly; and

a torque-applying structure coupled to the cam follower assembly, the torque-applying structure configured to apply torque to the cutting element in response to relative rotation between the cam assembly and the cam follower assembly.

2. The drilling system of claim 1, wherein the cutting element comprises at least one engaging feature and the torque-applying structure comprises a push rod having a first end disposed within a recess defined in the cam follower assembly and a second end structured to engage the at least one engaging feature of the cutting element.

3. The drilling system of claim 2, wherein the first end of the push rod comprises a superabrasive material.

4. The drilling system of claim 2, wherein the push rod is biased toward the cam follower assembly.

5. The drilling system of claim 2, wherein the push rod comprises a flexible portion and a substantially rigid portion.

6. The drilling system of claim 1, wherein the cam follower assembly comprises at least one cam follower element.

7. The drilling system of claim 6, wherein the cam follower element comprises a substrate and a superabrasive table bonded to the substrate.

8. The drilling system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the cam follower assembly is pivotably attached to the bit body.

9. The drilling system of claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the cam follower assembly is rotatably attached to at least a portion of the torque-applying structure.

10. The drilling system of claim 9, wherein at least a portion of the cam follower assembly pivots in response to relative rotation between the cam assembly and the cam follower assembly;

and

wherein at least a portion of the torque-applying structure rotates in response to relative rotation between the cam assembly and the cam follower assembly.

11. The drilling system of claim 1, wherein the cutting element is limited from rotating in a selected direction.

12. The drilling system of claim 1, wherein the torque-applying structure is configured to cause the cutting element to rotate in periodic increments.

13. The drilling system of claim 1, wherein the torque-applying structure is configured to cause the cutting element to rotate continuously.

14. The drilling system of claim 1, wherein the cutting element rotates within an angle of rotation of less than 360 degrees.

15. The drilling system of claim 1, further comprising a pressure-compensating assembly, the pressure-compensating assembly structured to at least partially compensate for differences between a pressure within at least a portion of the drill bit and another pressure external to at least a portion of the drill bit.

16. The drilling system of claim 15, wherein the pressure-compensating assembly comprises a lubricating fluid within a sealed chamber, the sealed chamber being defined by at least one seal member and a dynamic member that is structured to move in response to changes in pressure external to the sealed chamber.

17. The drilling system of claim 1, wherein the cam assembly comprises a plurality of cam inserts each affixed to a cam body, the plurality of cam inserts at least partially defining at least a portion of the cam surface;

and

wherein at least one cam insert of the plurality of cam inserts at least partially surrounds an adjacent cam insert.

18. The drilling system of claim 17, wherein the plurality of cam inserts are substantially identical.

19. The drilling system of claim 1, wherein the cam assembly comprises a cam body having a substantially planar bottom surface;

and

wherein the cam surface of the cam assembly is angled with respect to the substantially planar bottom surface of the cam body.

20. The drilling system of claim 1, wherein the cam assembly comprises a substantially annular-shaped cam body;

wherein the cam surface comprises an internal surface of the cam body;

wherein the rotary drill bit is rotatable relative to an axis of rotation; and

wherein a radial distance between the axis of rotation and the internal surface of the cam body varies at different points on the internal surface of the cam body.

21. A subterranean drilling system, comprising:

a drill string;

a rotary drill bit coupled to the drill string, the rotary drill bit comprising;

a bit body;

a first cutting element coupled to the bit body, the first cutting element being structured to rotate in response to torque applied to the cutting element; and

a second cutting element coupled to the bit body;

the second cutting element being structured to remain in a fixed position relative to the bit body;

a cam assembly coupled to the drill string, the cam assembly comprising a cam surface;

a cam follower assembly in contact with the cam surface of the cam assembly; and

a torque-applying structure coupled to the cam follower assembly, the torque-applying structure being configured to apply torque to the first cutting element in response to relative rotation between the cam assembly and the cam follower assembly.