Segmented Drill Bit Crown Slots for Direct Fluid Cooling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional drill bits lack direct fluid flow on the cutting surface, leading to reduced cutting removal rates, increased wear, and low penetration rates due to inadequate heat removal and fluid velocity.

Innovation Solution

A diamond-impregnated drill bit design featuring a crown with multiple crown portions and a base surface that defines a slot, allowing for direct fluid flow to the cutting faces through bores, enhancing fluid velocity and heat removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional drill bits with central waterway and side channels are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the fluid velocity on the cutting surface is low and heat removal is inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat removal from cutting surfaceVSAvoiddrill bit structure
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The crown is divided into multiple crown portions (first, second, third, fourth crown portions) with cutting faces spaced apart, creating multiple slots for fluid flow. This segmentation allows direct fluid delivery to multiple cutting surfaces simultaneously, improving heat removal and cutting efficiency while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through modular repetition of the crown portion pattern.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The drill bit design provides different fluid flow characteristics to different regions: the slots between crown portions deliver high-velocity fluid directly to cutting faces for localized cooling and flushing, while the central waterway provides overall structural support and additional fluid supply. This local differentiation optimizes both heat removal at critical cutting zones and overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If conventional drill bits without direct fluid flow to cutting surface are used, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the cutting removal rate decreases and wear increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting removal rateVSAvoiddrill bit manufacturing
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The crown is divided into multiple crown portions (first, second, third, fourth crown portions) with cutting faces spaced apart, creating multiple slots for fluid flow. This segmentation allows direct fluid delivery to multiple cutting surfaces simultaneously, improving heat removal and cutting efficiency while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through modular repetition of the crown portion pattern.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design transitions from conventional side-channel fluid delivery to direct axial fluid delivery through slots between crown portions. This dimensional change in fluid flow path allows high-velocity fluid to reach the cutting faces directly, dramatically improving cutting removal rates and reducing wear while the modular crown portion structure keeps manufacturing feasible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If conventional drill bits with no channels on cutting surface are used, then the structure is simpler, but the penetration rate is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepenetration rateVSAvoidcrown structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The crown is divided into multiple crown portions (first, second, third, fourth crown portions) with cutting faces spaced apart, creating multiple slots for fluid flow. This segmentation allows direct fluid delivery to multiple cutting surfaces simultaneously, improving heat removal and cutting efficiency while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through modular repetition of the crown portion pattern.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The drill bit design provides different fluid flow characteristics to different regions: the slots between crown portions deliver high-velocity fluid directly to cutting faces for localized cooling and flushing, while the central waterway provides overall structural support and additional fluid supply. This local differentiation optimizes both heat removal at critical cutting zones and overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The design improves cutting removal rates, penetration rates, and wear resistance by providing high-velocity fluid flow and effective heat management directly to the cutting surface.

Implementation Method 1

The interior space can be configured to receive water or other drilling fluid during use of the drill bit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

The base surface cooperates with the inner surfaces of the plurality of crown portions to define a slot

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 3

the lack of water flow can also minimize the removal of heat from the cutting surface during high-rotational operation of the bit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat removal:

Data Source

PatentEP3265639B1Drill bits having flushing
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 BOART LONGYEAR CO
  • EP3265639B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3265639B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3265639B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A drill bit for cutting a hole in a formation. The drill bit has a shank and a crown. The crown has a plurality of crown portions that are spaced about an operative circumference of the drill bit. The shank and crown cooperate to define an interior space that receives water or other drilling fluid. Each crown portion has two longitudinal edges, an outer surface, at least one inner surface and a cutting face. The crown has a base surface that is spaced from the cutting faces of the crown portions and cooperates with the inner surface of each of the two crown portions to define a slot.