Method, System, and Apparatus of Cutting Earthen Formations and the like

Abstract

A cutter element is provided for use on a rotary drill bit of a drilling string to cut earthen formation and the like. The cutter element includes a cutting portion formed from cutting material adapted to cut into the earthen formation, and a substrate positioned adjacent the cutting portion. The cutting portion and the substrate form a body having a substantially planar front face, a longitudinal axis extending centrally through the front face and the substrate, and a circumferential surface extending inwardly form the front face and spaced outwardly from the longitudinal axis. The cutting portion includes a cutting face that provides at least a portion of the front face. The cutting portion extends longitudinally inward from the front face to a back surface engaging or inter-facing the substrate. Thus, a distinct, longitudinally extending volume of cutting material is provided and includes a predesignated portion of the circumferential surface that extends from the cutting face to the back surface, the circumferential surface portion being predesignated for wearing contact with the earthen formation.

Description

[0001]The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 473,832, filed May 27, 2003 (pending) (hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes and made a part of the present disclosure).BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to methods, systems, and / or apparatus for cutting earthen formations that may be above ground or subterranean, and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to methods of and apparatus for cutting earthen formations for various applications such as oil, gas, and geothermal production, in addition to excavations including tunnels, pipe chases, foundation piers, building stone, quarried rock, etc.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]The prior art is replete with designs for cutting elements or cutters secured on a drill bit and utilized in the drilling of well bores or the cutting of formations for the construction of tunnels and other s...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]In one aspect of the present invention, a cutter element is provided for use on a rotary drill bit of a drilling string to cut earthen formations and the like. The cutter element includes a cutting portion formed from cutting material (e.g., polycrystalline diamond) adapted to cut into the earthen formation, and a substrate positioned adjacent the cutting portion. The cutting portion and the substrate form a body (e.g., substantially rod shaped) having a substantially planar front face, a longitudinal axis extending centrally through the front face and the substrate, and a circumferential surface exten

Problems solved by technology

Fracture is typically a result of a combination of applied cutting loads and stresses associated with the cutter geometry and stresses residual to the high pressure / high temperature manufacturing process.

Such exposed substrates have high rates of failure and therefore may lead to the progressive failure of the entire drill bit.

Bit failures cost time and money through reduced performance and additional trip time.

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