Recessed extended nozzles for drill bits and drill bits so equipped

a drill bit and nozzle technology, applied in the field of rotary drag bits, can solve the problems of difficult to form threads on the recess walls of certain bit bodies, difficult to machine threads or form fairly precise threads in some other reasonably efficient manner, and damage to the cutting elements of polycrystalline diamond compact (pdc) on the bit fa

Inactive Publication Date: 2008-03-06
BAKER HUGHES INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a nozzle for a drilling tool that has a protrusion with a larger entry hole and a smaller exit hole, through which drilling mud can be received and discharged. The nozzle is placed in a recess in the bit body and is secured by a snap-ring and a volume of drilling mud. The nozzle is protected from erosion and damage by the drilling mud. The technical effect of this invention is to provide a reliable and durable nozzle for drilling tools that can withstand the harsh conditions of drilling mud.

Problems solved by technology

However, it is difficult to form threads on the recess walls of certain bit bodies, particularly those formed of a tungsten carbide (WC) matrix infiltrated with a copper alloy binder, or formed of another material or materials, such as a sintered carbide, in which it might be difficult to either machine threads or to form fairly precise threads in some other reasonably efficient manner.
While this approach to nozzle securement would be highly convenient for use in a drag bit, there is substantial concern that a snap-ring placed in close proximity to the formation being drilled and to the nozzle mouth or “exit” may be eroded to failure and a nozzle retained in a nozzle recess thereby consequently blown out of the nozzle recess and lost, compromising bit hydraulics and placing the hard-to-drill tungsten carbide nozzle body at the bottom of the well bore, where it may severely damage polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) cutting elements on the bit face.
Second, fluid currents may be generated in the drilling mud surrounding the nozzle exit, which currents may erode the snap-ring.

Method used

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  • Recessed extended nozzles for drill bits and drill bits so equipped
  • Recessed extended nozzles for drill bits and drill bits so equipped
  • Recessed extended nozzles for drill bits and drill bits so equipped

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Embodiment Construction

[0012]FIG. 2 of the drawings depicts a snap-ring-retained nozzle 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, nozzle 110 is mounted to a rotary drag bit 120, configured to receive nozzle 110 according to an embodiment of the invention. Nozzle 110 comprises a substantially cylindrical nozzle body 112, which may, but is not required to be, conventionally formed of tungsten carbide for erosion resistance to prevent “cutting out” of the nozzle by the solids-laden drilling mud. Nozzle body 112 includes a longitudinal passage 114 therethrough, comprising an enlarged entry bore 114a and constricting at 114b toward an exit bore 114c terminating at nozzle mouth or exit 116. Exit bore 114c extends through a tubular nozzle protrusion 150 at one end of nozzle body 112, nozzle protrusion 150 being surrounded at its base by annular shoulder 152. As shown in FIG. 2, exit bore 114c may commence proximate the base of nozzle protrusion 150, or more proximally within cylindrical ...

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Abstract

A nozzle includes a nozzle body having an extended, tubular nozzle protrusion terminating at a nozzle exit, the nozzle body having an annular shoulder surrounding a base of the nozzle protrusion. A passage extends through the nozzle body, necking down in cross-sectional area before entering the nozzle protrusion and distally terminating at a nozzle exit, where drilling mud is discharged. A nozzle configured as described is disposed in a nozzle recess of a bit body of a rotary drag bit, the nozzle recess being of sufficient depth to receive the nozzle and recess the annular shoulder of the nozzle body a substantial distance from the bit face. A snap-ring is received in an annular groove in the wall of the nozzle recess and extends inwardly over the annular shoulder of the nozzle body. The nozzle protrusion exit extends to a location proximate the bit face.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 841,364, filed Aug. 31, 2006, entitled “RECESSED EXTENDED NOZZLES FOR DRILL BITS AND DRILL BITS SO EQUIPPED,” the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated herein by this reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to rotary drag bits for drilling subterranean formations and their operation. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to recessing drill bit nozzles retained by a retention element susceptible to erosion in combination with extending the nozzle outlets to remove the retention element from damaging contact with drilling fluid.BACKGROUND[0003]It is conventional to use threaded exteriors to secure nozzles in nozzle recesses in the face of a fixed cutter rotary bit, also termed a rotary “drag” bit. However, it is difficult to form threads on the recess walls of certain bit bod...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & AuthorityApplications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): E21B10/18E21B10/08E21B10/14
CPCE21B10/61
InventorOXFORD, J. ANDY
OwnerBAKER HUGHES INC