Drill Bit Cutter Threaded Attachment On-Site Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drill bits require removal and refurbishment of cutters in a shop or manufacturer's facility, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need for welding, which limits on-site maintenance and reuse.
Innovation Solution
The use of threaded members to securely and releasably attach cutters to the drill bit body, allowing for on-site rotation and replacement, with circumferential profiles to prevent axial movement, enabling continued drilling without the need for off-site maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If cutters are welded to the drill bit body, then the cutters are securely attached, but the drill bit must be sent to a shop or manufacturer for refurbishment, causing loss of time and increased costs
Solution Approach 1:
The cutter assembly is segmented into a cutter body and a separate threaded member that can be independently removed and replaced. The threaded member engages with threads formed in the recess of the drill bit body, allowing the cutter to be detached without affecting the drill bit body structure. This segmentation enables rapid on-site replacement of cutters, eliminating the need for off-site welding refurbishment and reducing downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system transitions from a static welded joint to a dynamic threaded connection that can be easily assembled and disassembled. The threaded member provides a reversible mechanical connection that maintains secure attachment during drilling while allowing quick removal when cutters need replacement, enabling the drill bit to be rapidly maintained on-site.
2Stability of the object's composition
If cutters are welded to the drill bit body, then the cutters remain fixed in position, but on-site maintenance is not possible and the drill bit must be shipped for refurbishment
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is divided into distinct components: the cutter body, the threaded member, and the threaded hole in the recess. This segmentation allows the cutter to be independently removed by unscrewing the threaded member, enabling on-site maintenance without shipping the entire drill bit assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded member acts as an intermediary element between the cutter body and the drill bit recess. It provides a mechanical interface that secures the cutter in position while allowing for easy removal and replacement, bridging the need for stable attachment and ease of maintenance.
3Ease of repair
If threaded members are used to attach cutters, then on-site replacement is enabled, but additional components and assembly steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded member serves multiple functions: it secures the cutter to the drill bit body, provides a mechanism for easy removal and replacement, and maintains the cutter in the correct position during drilling operations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, simplifying the overall attachment structure despite the added capability for on-site replacement.
4Loss of time
If cutters are replaced on-site, then downtime is reduced, but the precision of cutter positioning must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded hole is pre-formed in the recess with precise threading that matches the threaded member. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the cutter is replaced on-site, it automatically positions itself with the required precision as the threaded member is screwed into the pre-threaded hole, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures during replacement.
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
This solution allows for the reuse of drill bits multiple times by enabling on-site maintenance and replacement of cutters, saving time and money by eliminating the need for off-site refurbishment and reducing downtime during drilling operations.
Implementation Method 1
A threaded member is extended through a central bore of the cutter. The threaded member is rotated in a first direction so that an inner end of the threaded member moves in a direction into a hole of the recess of the drill bit, releasably securing the cutter to the drill bit. The threaded member rotates relative to the central bore of the cutter.
Implementation Method 2
The recess of the drill bit can include a recess profile that includes a radial profile shoulder that extends in a circumferential direction. The cutter can have a cutter profile that includes a radial cutter shoulder that extends in a circumferential direction. The method can further include engaging the radial profile shoulder with the radial cutter shoulder to prevent relative axial movement between the cutter and the recess of the drill bit.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for maintaining a drill bit includes positioning a cutter within a recess of a drill bit body so that an initial edge is positioned at a first location that is a radially outward location relative to a blade of the drill bit. A threaded member extended through a central bore of the cutter can be rotated to releasably secure the cutter to the drill bit. The subterranean well is drilled with the drill bit. The threaded member can be rotated in a second direction so that the cutter can be rotated relative to the recess and the initial edge of the cutter is positioned at a second location that is rotationally offset from the first location. The threaded member can be rotated to releasably re-securing the cutter to the drill bit and the subterranean well can continue to be drilled with the drill bit.