Soil drilling tool

Abstract

The invention relates to an earth drilling tool. A drill bit may include a head including a face and a gauge. The face may include a plurality of face button bits. The gauge may include a plurality of gauge button bits uniformly spaced around the head. A plurality of primary debris gauge slots may be uniformly spaced around the head. A plurality of secondary debris gauge slots may be uniformly spaced around the head. An axis extending through a center of the plurality of face button bits may extend through one of the plurality of primary debris gauge slots and one of the plurality of secondary debris gauge slots. The plurality of primary debris gauge slots may alternate with the plurality of secondary debris gauge slots around the head. One of the plurality of gauge button bits may be disposed between each set of alternating primary and secondary debris gauge slots.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to tools, such as drill bits, that may be used to cut hard materials, such as during earth drilling. Background Art

[0002] Drilling tools such as drill bits can be used to drill hard materials such as granite or other earth materials. Due to the hardness of the material being drilled, these drilling tools may experience problems with clogging, uneven flow of cutting material, or may wear out prematurely.

[0003] What is needed is a drilling tool and method of using the same that may reduce one or more problems associated with one or more conventional drilling tools. Summary of the invention

[0004] In one embodiment, a drill bit may include a head including a face and a gauge. The face may include a plurality of face button bits. The gauge may include a plurality of gauge button bits evenly spaced about the head. A plurality of primary chip gauge grooves may be evenly spaced about the head. A plurality of secondary chip gauge grooves may be evenly spaced about the head. An axis extending through the center of the plurality of face button bits may extend through one of the plurality of primary chip gauge grooves and one of the plurality of secondary chip gauge grooves. The plurality of primary chip gauge grooves may alternate with the plurality of secondary chip gauge grooves about the head. One of the plurality of gauge button bits may be disposed between each set of alternating primary chip gauge grooves and secondary chip gauge grooves.

[0005] In another embodiment, a drill bit may include a head including a face and a gauge. The face may include a plurality of face button bits. The gauge may include a plurality of gauge button bits evenly spaced about the head. A plurality of primary chip gauge grooves may be evenly spaced about the head. A plurality of secondary chip gauge grooves may be evenly spaced about the head. The plurality of primary chip gauge grooves may alternate with the plurality of secondary chip gauge grooves about the head. One of the plurality of gauge button bits may be disposed between each set of alternating primary and secondary chip gauge grooves. A first axis extending through the center of the plurality of face flush holes may be perpendicular to a second axis extending through the center of the plurality of gauge flush holes.

[0006] In yet another embodiment, a method of using a drill bit may be provided. In one step, the drill bit may be rotated to cut material with a plurality of face button bits and a plurality of gauge button bits. The plurality of gauge button bits may be evenly spaced around a head of the drill bit. In another step, air may be flowed through a plurality of face flush holes and through a plurality of gauge flush holes. In yet another step, material cut by the drill bit may be flushed through a plurality of primary chip gauge slots evenly spaced around the head and through a plurality of secondary chip gauge slots evenly spaced around the head. The plurality of primary chip gauge slots may alternate with the plurality of secondary chip gauge slots around the head. One of the plurality of gauge button bits may be positioned between each set of alternating primary and secondary chip gauge slots. A first axis extending through the center of the plurality of face flush holes may be perpendicular to a second axis extending through the center of the plurality of gauge flush holes.

[0007] The scope of the present disclosure is defined solely by the appended claims and is not affected by the statements of this summary. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The present disclosure may be better understood with reference to the following drawings and descriptions. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, emphasis instead being placed on illustrating the principles of the present disclosure.

[0009] Figure 1 shows a top view of one embodiment of a drill bit;

[0010] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A side perspective view of a drill bit;

[0011] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 a side view of a drill bit; and

[0012] Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a method of using a drill bit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Before explaining an embodiment of the present disclosure in detail, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the construction details and component arrangements set forth in the following description or shown in the following figures in terms of its application. The present disclosure can have other embodiments and can be practiced or carried out in various ways. In addition, it should be understood that the words and terms used herein are for descriptive purposes and should not be considered as restrictive. The use of "comprising", "including" or "having" and its variations as used herein is intended to cover the items listed thereafter and their equivalents and additional items. As used herein, the use of "consisting of..." and its variations is intended to cover only the items listed thereafter and their equivalents.

[0014] like Figures 1 to 3As shown in FIG. 1 , in one embodiment, the drill bit 10 may include a shaft 12, a head 14, a face 16, a gauge 18, six gauge button bits 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30, two face button bits 32 and 34, three primary chip gauge slots 36, 38, and 40, three secondary chip gauge slots 42, 44, and 46, two gauge flushing holes 48 and 50, and two face flushing holes 52 and 54. The drill bit 10 may include an impact rock drill bit that may be used to cut granite. In other embodiments, the drill bit 10 may be of different types and may be used to cut different rock or earth materials. The six gauge button bits 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30 and the two face button bits 32 and 34 may be made of carbide. In other embodiments, the six gauge button bits 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30 and the two face button bits 32 and 34 may be made of different materials.

[0015] In one embodiment, the cutting diameter 56 of the drill bit 10 may be 34 millimeters. In other embodiments, the cutting diameter 56 of the drill bit 10 may be in the range of 33 millimeters to 38 millimeters. In still other embodiments, the cutting diameter 56 of the drill bit 10 may vary. The diameter 58 of the six gauge button drill bits 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30 and the two face button drill bits 32 and 34 may be in the range of 6 millimeters to 8 millimeters. In other embodiments, the diameter 58 of the six gauge button drill bits 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30 and the two face button drill bits 32 and 34 may vary.

[0016] Each of the six gauge button bits 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30 may be disposed between one of the primary chip gauge grooves 36, 38, and 40 and one of the secondary chip gauge grooves 42, 44, and 46. In other embodiments, each of the six gauge button bits 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30 may be disposed in a different configuration relative to the primary chip gauge grooves 36, 38, and 40 and the secondary chip gauge grooves 42, 44, and 46. The angle 60 extending between the center of the face 16 and the center of each two gauge button bits 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30 on either side of each of the primary chip gauge grooves 36, 38, and 40 may be between 66° and 78°. In other embodiments, the angle 60 extending between the center of the face 16 and the center of each two gauge button bits 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30 on either side of each of the primary chip gauge slots 36, 38, and 40 may vary. Each of the six gauge button bits 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30 may be press-fit perpendicular to the gauge 18 such that their respective longitudinal axes are disposed at an angle 62 in the range of 32° to 42° relative to a longitudinal center axis 64 through the drill bit 10. In other embodiments, each of the six gauge button bits 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30 may be attached to the gauge 18 in different ways such that their respective longitudinal axes are disposed at different angles 62 relative to a longitudinal center axis 64 through the drill bit 10.

[0017] An axis 66 extending through both centers of the two face button bits 32 and 34 may be disposed through the center of one of the primary chip gauge grooves 36, 38, and 40, and through the center of one of the secondary chip gauge grooves 42, 44, and 46. The two face button bits 32 and 34 may each be press-fit perpendicular to the face 16 such that their respective longitudinal axes are disposed at an angle 70 in the range of 0° to 13° relative to the longitudinal center axis through the drill bit 10. In other embodiments, the two face button bits 32 and 34 may each be attached to the face 16 in a different manner such that their respective longitudinal axes are disposed at a different angle 70 relative to the longitudinal center axis through the drill bit 10.

[0018] The three primary chip gauge grooves 36, 38, and 40 may each be equally spaced apart on the gauge 18. The three secondary chip gauge grooves 42, 44, and 46 may each be equally spaced apart on the gauge 18. The three primary chip gauge grooves 36, 38, and 40 and the three secondary chip gauge grooves 42, 44, and 46 may each improve the flow of chips (i.e., cut material such as drill particles) being cut by the six gauge button bits 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30 and the two face button bits 32 and 34. The angle 72 extending between the center of the face 16 and the center of each two adjacent primary chip gauge grooves 36, 38, and 40 on opposite sides of each secondary chip gauge groove 42, 44, and 46 may be in the range between 115° and 125°. In other embodiments, the angle 72 extending between the center of the face 16 and the center of each two adjacent primary chip gauge grooves 36, 38, and 40 on opposite sides of each secondary chip gauge groove 42, 44, and 46 may vary. The angle 74 extending between the center of the face 16 and the centers of the adjacent primary chip gauge grooves 36, 38, and 40 and the secondary chip gauge grooves 42, 44, and 46 may range between 57° and 63°. In other embodiments, the angle 74 extending between the center of the face 16 and the centers of the adjacent primary chip gauge grooves 36, 38, and 40 and the secondary chip gauge grooves 42, 44, and 46 may vary.

[0019] Each of the adjacent gauge and face flush holes 48, 50, 52, and 54 may be spaced 90° apart relative to the center of the face 16. In other embodiments, each of the adjacent gauge and face flush holes 48, 50, 52, and 54 may be spaced at different angles relative to the center of the face 16. An axis 76 extending through the center of the two gauge flush holes 48 and 50 may be perpendicular to an axis 78 extending through the center of the two face flush holes 52 and 54. In other embodiments, the axis 76 extending through the center of the two gauge flush holes 48 and 50 may be at a different angle relative to the axis 78 extending through the center of the two face flush holes 52 and 54. For every quarter rotation of the drill bit 10, the flushing air emitted from the gauge and face flush holes 48, 50, 52, and 54 may cover 360°. The flushing air emitted by the gauge and face flushing holes 48, 50, 52, and 54 may push the chips being cut by the six gauge button bits 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30 and the two face button bits 32 and 34 away from the head 14. In other embodiments, the flushing air emitted from the gauge and face flushing holes 48, 50, 52, and 54 may cover a different number of degrees for each quarter rotation of the drill bit 10.

[0020] The axis 66 extending through the two centers of the two face button bits 32 and 34 may be within the range of 80° to 100° relative to the axis 78 extending through the centers of the two face flush holes 52 and 54. In other embodiments, the axis 66 extending through the two centers of the two face button bits 32 and 34 may vary in angle relative to the axis 78 extending through the centers of the two face flush holes 52 and 54. The axis 76 extending through the centers of the two gauge flush holes 48 and 50 may be in line with (i.e., coincident with) the axis 66 extending through the centers of the two face button bits 32 and 34. In other embodiments, the axis 76 extending through the centers of the two gauge flush holes 48 and 50 may vary in position relative to the axis 66 extending through the centers of the two face button bits 32 and 34. One of the two gauge flushing holes 48 and 50 may be located in one of the three primary chip gauge slots 36, 38, and 40, and the other of the two gauge flushing holes 48 and 50 may be located in one of the three secondary chip gauge slots 42, 44, and 46. In other embodiments, the two gauge flushing holes 48 and 50 may be located at different positions relative to the three primary chip gauge slots 36, 38, and 40 and the three secondary chip gauge slots 42, 44, and 46.

[0021] Two of the six gauge button bits 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30 may be disposed between every two adjacent primary chip gauge grooves 36, 38, and 40. In other embodiments, a different number of the six gauge button bits may be disposed between every two adjacent primary chip gauge grooves 36, 38, and 40. One of the three secondary chip gauge grooves 42, 44, and 46 may be disposed between every two adjacent gauge button bits 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30. In other embodiments, a different number of the secondary chip gauge grooves 42, 44, and 46 may be disposed between every two adjacent gauge button bits 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30.

[0022] The bevel of face 16 may be at an angle 80 in the range of 0° to 13° relative to the transverse axis of drill bit 10. This configuration along with the placement of six gauge button bits 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30 and two face button bits 32 and 34 may speed up the drilling process with higher penetration, which is particularly beneficial in hard rock applications. In other embodiments, the bevel of face 16 may be at varying angles 80 relative to the transverse axis of drill bit 10.

[0023] The placement of six gauge button bits 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30, two face button bits 32 and 34, three primary chip gauge slots 36, 38, and 40, three secondary chip gauge slots 42, 44, and 46, two gauge flushing holes 48 and 50, and two face flushing holes 52 and 54 can cause the chips cut by the six gauge button bits 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30 and the two face button bits 32 and 34 to be flushed away from the head 14. The design can make the chips uniform and can avoid chip jamming, which can extend the life of both the drill bit 10 and the rod (not shown) driving the drill bit 10 without breaking. The design can also reduce heat generation, which can reduce the frequency and likelihood of breaking the drill bit 10 and the rod (not shown) driving the drill bit 10. In other embodiments, the size, location, number, and / or configuration of one or more components of the drill bit 10 can vary.

[0024] Figure 4 One embodiment of a method 100 of using a drill bit is shown. The method 100 may utilize any of the drill bits disclosed herein. In other embodiments, the method 100 may utilize a variation of the drill bit. Step 102 may include rotating the drill bit to cut material with a plurality of face button bits and a plurality of gauge button bits. The plurality of gauge button bits may be evenly spaced around a head of the drill bit. Step 104 may include flowing air through a plurality of face flush holes and through a plurality of gauge flush holes. Step 106 may include flushing the material cut by the drill bit through a plurality of primary chip gauge slots evenly spaced around the head and through a plurality of secondary chip gauge slots evenly spaced around the head. The plurality of primary chip gauge slots may alternate with the plurality of secondary chip gauge slots around the head. One of the plurality of gauge button bits may be disposed between each set of alternating primary chip gauge slots and secondary chip gauge slots. A first axis extending through the center of the plurality of face flush holes may be perpendicular to a second axis extending through the center of the plurality of gauge flush holes.

[0025] In one embodiment, the face may include a two face button bit and the gauge may include a six gauge button bit.

[0026] In another embodiment, the face may consist of two face button bits and the gauge may consist of six gauge button bits.

[0027] In yet another embodiment, one of the plurality of gauge flush holes may be disposed in one of the plurality of primary chip gauge slots, and another of the plurality of gauge flush holes may be disposed in one of the plurality of secondary chip gauge slots.

[0028] In yet another embodiment, a third axis extending through the centers of the plurality of face button bits may extend perpendicular to the first axis extending through the centers of the plurality of face flush holes.

[0029] In another embodiment, the bevel of the face may be at a non-parallel angle relative to the transverse axis of the drill bit.

[0030] In other embodiments, one or more steps of method 100 may be altered substantially or sequentially, one or more steps of the method may not be followed, or one or more additional steps may be added.

[0031] The abstract is provided to allow the reader to quickly determine the nature of the technical disclosure. The abstract is submitted with the understanding that it is not used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing detailed description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of simplifying the disclosure. The method of the present disclosure should not be interpreted as reflecting the intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than those expressly stated in each claim. On the contrary, as reflected in the appended claims, the inventive subject matter lies in less than all the features of a single disclosed embodiment. Therefore, the appended claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, and each claim is separately regarded as a separately claimed subject matter.

[0032] Although particular aspects of the inventive subject matter described herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the subject matter described herein and its broader aspects based on the teachings herein, and therefore the appended claims are intended to cover within their scope all such changes and modifications that come within the true scope of the subject matter as described herein. Furthermore, it should be understood that the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims. Therefore, the present disclosure is not to be limited except in accordance with the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A drill bit, comprising: a head, the head comprising a face and a gauge; The surface includes a plurality of surface ball tooth drill bits; The gauge includes a plurality of gauge button bits evenly spaced about the head; a plurality of primary chip gauge slots evenly spaced about the head; a plurality of secondary chip gauge slots evenly spaced about the head; an axis extending through a center of the plurality of face button drill bits, the axis extending through one of the plurality of primary chip gauge grooves and one of the plurality of secondary chip gauge grooves; said plurality of primary chip gauge slots alternate with said plurality of secondary chip gauge slots about said head; and One of the plurality of gauge button bits is positioned between each set of alternating primary and secondary chip gauge grooves.

2. The drill bit of claim 1, wherein the face comprises a two face button bit and the gauge comprises a six gauge button bit.

3. The drill bit of claim 1, wherein the face consists of a two face button bit and the gauge consists of a six gauge button bit.

4. The drill bit of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of face flush holes and a plurality of gauge flush holes. 5 . The drill bit of claim 4 , wherein one of the plurality of gauge flush holes is disposed in one of the plurality of primary chip gauge grooves, and another of the plurality of gauge flush holes is disposed in one of the plurality of secondary chip gauge grooves.

6. The drill bit of claim 4, wherein the axis extending through the center of the plurality of face button drill bits extends perpendicular to a second axis extending through the center of the plurality of face flush holes.

7. The drill bit of claim 4, wherein a second axis extending through centers of the plurality of face flush holes is perpendicular to a third axis extending through centers of the plurality of gauge flush holes.

8. The drill bit of claim 1, wherein the bevel of the face is at a non-parallel angle relative to a transverse axis of the drill bit.

9. A drill bit, comprising: a head, the head comprising a face and a gauge; The surface includes a plurality of surface ball tooth drill bits; The gauge includes a plurality of gauge button bits evenly spaced about the head; a plurality of primary chip gauge slots evenly spaced about the head; a plurality of secondary chip gauge slots evenly spaced about the head; Multiple face flushing holes; multiple gauge flushing holes; said plurality of primary chip gauge slots alternate with said plurality of secondary chip gauge slots about said head; and One of the plurality of gauge button bits is disposed between each set of alternating primary and secondary chip gauge grooves; Wherein a first axis extending through centers of the plurality of face flush holes is perpendicular to a second axis extending through centers of the plurality of gauge flush holes.

10. The drill bit of claim 9, wherein the face comprises a two face button bit and the gauge comprises a six gauge button bit.

11. The drill bit of claim 9, wherein the face consists of a two face button bit and the gauge consists of a six gauge button bit.

12. The drill bit of claim 9, wherein one of the plurality of gauge flush holes is disposed in one of the plurality of primary chip gauge grooves, and another of the plurality of gauge flush holes is disposed in one of the plurality of secondary chip gauge grooves.

13. The drill bit of claim 9, wherein a third axis extending through a center of the plurality of face button drill bits extends perpendicular to the first axis extending through the center of the plurality of face flush holes.

14. The drill bit of claim 9, wherein the bevel of the face is at a non-parallel angle relative to a transverse axis of the drill bit.

15. A method of using a drill bit, comprising: rotating the drill bit to cut material with a plurality of face button drill bits and a plurality of gauge button drill bits, the plurality of gauge button drill bits being evenly spaced about a head of the drill bit; flowing air through the plurality of face flush holes and through the plurality of gauge flush holes; as well as The material cut by the drill bit is flushed through a plurality of primary chip gauge grooves evenly spaced about the head and through a plurality of secondary chip gauge grooves evenly spaced about the head, the plurality of primary chip gauge grooves alternating with the plurality of secondary chip gauge grooves about the head, one of the plurality of gauge button bits being disposed between each set of alternating primary and secondary chip gauge grooves, and a first axis extending through the center of the plurality of face flush holes being perpendicular to a second axis extending through the center of the plurality of gauge flush holes.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the face comprises a two face button bit and the gauge comprises a six gauge button bit.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the face consists of two face button bits and the gauge consists of six gauge button bits.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein one of the plurality of gauge flush holes is disposed in one of the plurality of primary chip gauge slots and another of the plurality of gauge flush holes is disposed in one of the plurality of secondary chip gauge slots.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein a third axis extending through the center of the plurality of face button bits extends perpendicular to the first axis extending through the center of the plurality of face flush holes.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the bevel of the face is at a non-parallel angle relative to a transverse axis of the drill bit.

Images