| Patent application number | Description | Published |
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| 20080202820 | CONSOLIDATED HARD MATERIALS, EARTH-BORING ROTARY DRILL BITS INCLUDING SUCH HARD MATERIALS, AND METHODS OF FORMING SUCH HARD MATERIALS - The present invention includes consolidated hard materials, methods for producing them, and industrial drilling and cutting applications for them. A consolidated hard material may be produced using hard particles such as B | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080202821 | Multi-Layer Encapsulation of Diamond Grit for Use in Earth-Boring Bits - A method of constructing an earth-boring, diamond-impregnated drill bit has a first step of coating diamond grit with tungsten to create tungsten-coated diamond particles. These coated particles are then encapsulated in a layer of carbide powder held by an organic green binder material. The encapsulated granules are then mixed along with a matrix material and placed in a mold. The matrix material includes a matrix binder and abrasive particles. The mixture is heated in the mold at atmospheric pressure to cause the matrix binder to melt and infiltrate the encapsulated granules and abrasive particles. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080302576 | EARTH-BORING BITS - The present invention relates to compositions and methods for forming a bit body for an earth-boring bit. The bit body may comprise hard particles, wherein the hard particles comprise at least one carbide, nitride, boride, and oxide and solid solutions thereof, and a binder binding together the hard particles. The binder may comprise at least one metal selected from cobalt, nickel, and iron, and at least one melting point-reducing constituent selected from a transition metal carbide in the range of 30 to 60 weight percent, boron up to 10 weight percent, silicon up to 20 weight percent, chromium up to 20 weight percent, and manganese up to 25 weight percent, wherein the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the binder. In addition, the hard particles may comprise at least one of (i) cast carbide (WC+W2C) particles, (ii) transition metal carbide particles selected from the carbides of titanium, chromium, vanadium, zirconium, hafnium, tantalum, molybdenum, niobium, and tungsten, and (iii) sintered cemented carbide particles. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20090031863 | BONDING AGENTS FOR IMPROVED SINTERING OF EARTH-BORING TOOLS, METHODS OF FORMING EARTH-BORING TOOLS AND RESULTING STRUCTURES - Methods for forming earth-boring tools include providing a metal or metal alloy bonding agent at an interface between a first element and a second element and sintering the first element, the second element, and the boding agent to form a bond between the first element and the second element at the interface. The methods may be used, for example, to bond together portions of a body of an earth-boring tool (which may facilitate, for example, the formation of cutting element pockets) or to bond cutting elements to a body of an earth-boring tool (e.g., a bit body of a fixed-cutter earth-boring drill bit or a cone of a roller cone earth-boring drill bit). At least partially formed earth-boring tools include a metal or metal alloy bonding agent at an interface between two or more elements, at least one of which may comprise a green or brown structure. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090260482 | MATERIALS FOR ENHANCING THE DURABILITY OF EARTH-BORING BITS, AND METHODS OF FORMING SUCH MATERIALS - An earth-boring drill bit having a bit body with a cutting component formed from a tungsten carbide composite material is disclosed. The composite material includes a binder and tungsten carbide crystals comprising sintered pellets. The composite material may be used as a hardfacing on the body and/or cutting elements, or be used to form portions or all of the body and cutting elements. The pellets may be formed with a single mode or multi-modal size distribution of the crystals. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090301786 | METHODS OF FORMING EARTH-BORING TOOLS USING GEOMETRIC COMPENSATION AND TOOLS FORMED BY SUCH METHODS - Geometric compensation techniques are used to improve the accuracy by which features may be located on drill bits formed using particle compaction and sintering processes. In some embodiments, a positional error to be exhibited by at least one feature in a less than fully sintered bit body upon fully sintering the bit body is predicted and the at least one feature is formed on the less than fully sintered bit body at a location at least partially determined by the predicted positional error. In other embodiments, bit bodies of earth-boring rotary drill bits are designed to include a design drilling profile and a less than fully sintered bit body is formed including a drilling profile having a shape differing from a shape of the design drilling profile. Less than fully sintered bit bodies of earth-boring rotary drill bits are formed using such methods. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20100108399 | CARBURIZED MONOTUNGSTEN AND DITUNGSTEN CARBIDE EUTECTIC PARTICLES, MATERIALS AND EARTH-BORING TOOLS INCLUDING SUCH PARTICLES, AND METHODS OF FORMING SUCH PARTICLES, MATERIALS, AND TOOLS - Earth-boring tools for drilling subterranean formations include a particle-matrix composite material comprising a plurality of at least partially carburized monotungsten carbide and ditungsten carbide eutectic particles dispersed throughout a matrix material. In some embodiments, the particles are at least substantially fully carburized monotungsten carbide and ditungsten carbide eutectic particles. In further embodiments, the particles are generally spherical or at least substantially spherical. Methods of forming such particles include exposing a plurality of monotungsten carbide and ditungsten carbide eutectic particles to a gas containing carbon. Methods of manufacturing such tools include providing a plurality of at least partially carburized monotungsten carbide and ditungsten carbide eutectic particles or at least substantially completely carburized monotungsten carbide and ditungsten carbide eutectic particles within a matrix material. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100116094 | Cemented Tungsten Carbide Rock Bit Cone - An earth-boring bit has a steel body and bearing pin for rotatably supporting a cone. The cone has an exterior surface containing rows of cutting elements. The cone and cutting elements are formed of cemented tungsten carbide. The cone may be manufactured by applying pressure to a mixture of hard particles and metal alloy powder to form a billet, then machining the billet to a desired over-sized conical shaped product. Then the conical-shaped product is liquid-phase sintered to a desired density, which causes shrinking to the desired final shape. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100133805 | COUPLING MEMBERS FOR COUPLING A BODY OF AN EARTH-BORING DRILL TOOL TO A DRILL STRING, EARTH-BORING DRILLING TOOLS INCLUDING A COUPLING MEMBER, AND RELATED METHODS - Coupling members for coupling an earth-boring drill tool to a drill string, drilling tools including a coupling member attached to a body of an earth-boring drill tool, methods for forming drilling tools including a coupling member, and methods for forming coupling members are disclosed. A coupling member may include a distal region comprising a first material composition and a proximal region comprising a second, different material composition. A drilling tool may include a body that is attached to a coupling member with a varied material composition for coupling the body to a drill string. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100154587 | METHODS OF FORMING BODIES FOR EARTH-BORING DRILLING TOOLS COMPRISING MOLDING AND SINTERING TECHNIQUES, AND BODIES FOR EARTH-BORING TOOLS FORMED USING SUCH METHODS - Methods of fabricating bodies of earth-boring tools include mechanically injecting a powder mixture into a mold cavity, pressurizing the powder mixture within the mold cavity to form a green body, and sintering the green body to a desired final density to form at least a portion of a body of an earth-boring tool. For example, a green bit body may be injection molded, and the green bit body may be sintered to form at least a portion of a bit body of an earth-boring rotary drill bit. Intermediate structures formed during fabrication of an earth-boring tool include green bodies having a plurality of hard particles, a plurality of matrix particles comprising a metal matrix material, and an organic material that includes a long chain fatty acid derivative. Structures formed using the methods of fabrication are also disclosed. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100192475 | METHOD OF MAKING AN EARTH-BORING METAL MATRIX ROTARY DRILL BIT - A method of making an earth-boring rotary drill bit includes providing a plurality of hard particles in a mold to define a particle precursor of the first region and the second region and infiltrating the particle precursor of the first region with a molten first matrix material forming a molten first particle-matrix mixture. The method also includes infiltrating the particle precursor of the second region with a molten second matrix material forming a molten second particle-matrix mixture; and cooling the molten first particle-matrix mixture and the molten second particle-matrix mixture to solidify the first matrix material and the second matrix material and form a bit body having a first particle-matrix composite material having a first material composition in the first region and a second particle-matrix composite material having a second material composition in the second region, wherein the first particle-matrix composite material and the second particle-matrix composite material are different. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100193252 | CAST CONES AND OTHER COMPONENTS FOR EARTH-BORING TOOLS AND RELATED METHODS - The present invention relates to compositions and methods for forming a bit body for an earth-boring bit. The bit body may comprise hard particles, wherein the hard particles comprise at least one of carbide, nitride, boride, and oxide and solid solutions thereof, and a binder binding together the hard particles. The binder may comprise at least one metal selected from cobalt, nickel, and iron, and, optionally, at least one melting point reducing constituent selected from a transition metal carbide in the range of 30 to 60 weight percent, boron up to 10 weight percent, silicon up to 20 weight percent, chromium up to 20 weight percent, and manganese up to 25 weight percent, wherein the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the binder. In addition, the hard particles may comprise at least one of (i) cast carbide (WC+W2C) particles, (ii) transition metal carbide particles selected from the carbides of titanium, chromium, vanadium, zirconium, hafnium, tantalum, molybdenum, niobium, and tungsten, and (iii) sintered cemented carbide particles. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100193255 | EARTH-BORING METAL MATRIX ROTARY DRILL BIT - An earth-boring rotary drill bit includes a bit body, with a first region configured to carry a plurality of cutters for engaging a subterranean earth formation of a first particle-matrix composite material and a second region configured for attachment to a drill string of a second particle-matrix composite material having a second material composition, and an annular shank extending from the second region. Each of the first particle-matrix composite material and second particle-matrix composite material has a cast microstructure. A method of making an earth-boring rotary drill bit includes providing a plurality of hard particles in a mold to define a particle precursor; infiltrating the particle precursor sequentially with a plurality of molten matrix materials to form a corresponding plurality of layers, each comprising a particle-matrix mixture; and cooling the plurality of particle-matrix mixtures to solidify the matrix materials and form the bit body. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100224418 | METHODS OF FORMING EROSION RESISTANT COMPOSITES, METHODS OF USING THE SAME, AND EARTH-BORING TOOLS UTILIZING THE SAME IN INTERNAL PASSAGEWAYS - A multi-layer precursor material for use in forming hardfacing on a tool including hard particles, metal particles and a polymer. Methods of forming a multi-layer precursor film. Methods of using a precursor material to form hardfacing on a tool, including brazing a precursor material onto a surface of the tool. Intermediate structures for use in forming earth-boring tools including a precursor material covering an internal surface of a body of the tools. Methods of forming earth-boring tools include forming a body having a fluid passageway extending therethrough and covering a surface of the body with a hardfacing material. The surface of the body may be located in a region susceptible to erosion when fluid is caused to flow through the fluid passageway. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100263935 | EARTH BORING ROTARY DRILL BITS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING EARTH BORING ROTARY DRILL BITS HAVING PARTICLE MATRIX COMPOSITE BIT BODIES - Methods of forming bit bodies for earth-boring bits include assembling green components, brown components, or fully sintered components, and sintering the assembled components. Other methods include isostatically pressing a powder to form a green body substantially composed of a particle-matrix composite material, and sintering the green body to provide a bit body having a desired final density. Methods of forming earth-boring bits include providing a bit body substantially formed of a particle-matrix composite material and attaching a shank to the body. The body is provided by pressing a powder to form a green body and sintering the green body. Earth-boring bits include a unitary structure substantially formed of a particle-matrix composite material. The unitary structure includes a first region configured to carry cutters and a second region that includes a threaded pin. Earth-boring bits include a shank attached directly to a body substantially formed of a particle-matrix composite material. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100276205 | METHODS OF FORMING EARTH-BORING ROTARY DRILL BITS - Methods of forming earth-boring rotary drill bits include providing a bit body, providing a shank that is configured for attachment to a drill string, and attaching the shank to the bit body. Providing a bit body includes providing a green powder component having a first region having a first composition and a second region having a second, different composition, and at least partially sintering the green powder component. Other methods include providing a powder mixture, pressing the powder mixture to form a green component, and sintering the green component to a final density. A shank is provided that includes an aperture, and a feature is machined in a surface of the bit body. The aperture is aligned with the feature, and a retaining member is inserted through the aperture. An earth-boring bit includes a bit body comprising a particle-matrix composite material including a plurality of hard particles dispersed throughout a matrix material. A shank is attached to the bit body using a retaining member. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100307838 | METHODS SYSTEMS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR MANUFACTURING DOWNHOLE TOOLS AND DOWNHOLE TOOL PARTS - Methods, systems and compositions for manufacturing downhole tools and downhole tool parts for drilling subterranean material are disclosed. A model having an external peripheral shape of a downhole tool or tool part is fabricated. Mold material is applied to the external periphery of the model. The mold material is permitted to harden to form a mold about the model. The model is eliminated and a composite matrix material is cast within the mold to form a finished downhole tool or tool part. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100326739 | EARTH-BORING TOOLS COMPRISING SILICON CARBIDE COMPOSITE MATERIALS, AND METHODS OF FORMING SAME - Earth-boring tools for drilling subterranean formations include a particle-matrix composite material comprising a plurality of silicon carbide particles dispersed throughout a matrix material, such as, for example, an aluminum or aluminum-based alloy. In some embodiments, the silicon carbide particles comprise an ABC—SiC material. Methods of manufacturing such tools include providing a plurality of silicon carbide particles within a matrix material. Optionally, the silicon carbide particles may comprise ABC—SiC material, and the ABC—SiC material may be toughened to increase a fracture toughness exhibited by the ABC—SiC material. In some methods, at least one of an infiltration process and a powder compaction and consolidation process may be employed. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20110002804 | METHODS OF FORMING COMPONENTS AND PORTIONS OF EARTH BORING TOOLS INCLUDING SINTERED COMPOSITE MATERIALS - The present invention includes consolidated hard materials, methods for producing them, and industrial drilling and cutting applications for them. A consolidated hard material may be produced using hard particles such as B | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110073233 | Method of Applying Hardfacing Sheet - A method of hardfacing a bit using a hardfacing sheet. The hardfacing sheet includes a hardfacing composition in a carrier material. The sheet is placed on a portion of the bit body, the sheet is heated at a designated spot using a localized heating source. At the same time, oxygen is substantially purged from the zone adjacent the designated spot. The heat debinds the carrier material from the sheet leaving the hardfacing composition. Continued heating transforms the hardfacing composition into hardfacing that is fused to the bit body. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110094341 | METHODS OF FORMING EARTH BORING ROTARY DRILL BITS INCLUDING BIT BODIES COMPRISING REINFORCED TITANIUM OR TITANIUM BASED ALLOY MATRIX MATERIALS - Earth-boring rotary drill bits include bit bodies comprising a composite material including a plurality of hard phase regions or particles dispersed throughout a titanium or titanium-based alloy matrix material. The bits further include a cutting structure disposed on a face of the bit body. In some embodiments, the bit bodies may include a plurality of regions having differing material compositions. For example, the bit bodies may include a first region comprising a plurality of hard phase regions or particles dispersed throughout a titanium or titanium-based alloy matrix material, and a second region comprising a titanium or a titanium-based alloy material. Methods for forming such drill bits include at least partially sintering a plurality of hard particles and a plurality of particles comprising titanium or a titanium-based alloy material to form a bit body comprising a particle-matrix composite material. A shank may be attached directly to the bit body. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110138695 | METHODS FOR APPLYING ABRASIVE WEAR RESISTANT MATERIALS TO A SURFACE OF A DRILL BIT - Methods for applying an abrasive wear-resistant material to a surface of a drill bit include providing a drill bit having a bit body formed of a material comprising one of steel material, particle-matrix composite material and cemented matrix material, mixing a plurality of −40/+80 ASTM mesh dense sintered carbide pellets in a matrix material, heating the matrix material to a temperature above the melting point of the matrix material, applying the molten matrix material and at least some of the dense sintered carbide pellets to at least a portion of an exterior surface of the bit body; and solidifying the molten matrix material. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110142707 | METHODS OF FORMING EARTH BORING ROTARY DRILL BITS INCLUDING BIT BODIES HAVING BORON CARBIDE PARTICLES IN ALUMINUM OR ALUMINUM BASED ALLOY MATRIX MATERIALS - Methods of manufacturing rotary drill bits for drilling subterranean formations include forming a plurality of boron carbide particles into a body having a shape corresponding to at least a portion of a bit body of a rotary drill bit, infiltrating a plurality of boron carbide particles with a molten aluminum or aluminum-based material, and cooling the molten aluminum or aluminum-based material to form a solid matrix material surrounding the boron carbide particles. In additional methods, a green powder component is provided that includes a plurality of particles each comprising boron carbide and a plurality of particles each comprising aluminum or an aluminum-based alloy material. The green powder component is at least partially sintered to provide a bit body, and a shank is attached to the bit body. | 06-16-2011 |
