Modular Hybrid Drill Bit With Adjustable Rolling Cutters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing earth-boring drill bits, particularly rolling-cutter and diamond bits, face limitations such as bearing failure in rolling-cutter bits leading to costly recovery operations and gradual wear in diamond bits, necessitating improved hybrid bits with enhanced drilling performance.
Innovation Solution
A modular hybrid earth-boring bit design featuring a bit body with axially extending slots for adjustable bit legs, secured rolling cutters, and integrated lubricant compensators, allowing for modular replacement of worn parts and improved drilling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If rolling-cutter bits are used, then drilling capability is improved, but bearing failure occurs leading to costly recovery operations
Solution Approach 1:
The bit is divided into modular components including replaceable rolling cutters, fixed blades, and a bit body. Each component can be independently replaced, allowing the rolling cutters to be swapped out when bearing failure occurs without replacing the entire bit, thus maintaining productivity while reducing recovery costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows for the recovery and reuse of the bit body and fixed blades while discarding only the worn rolling cutters. This selective replacement strategy recovers valuable components and reduces the frequency and cost of full bit recovery operations.
2Reliability
If diamond bits are used, then reliability is improved, but gradual wear occurs necessitating bit replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid bit design segments the cutting elements into replaceable rolling cutters and fixed blades. When gradual wear occurs, only the worn cutting elements need to be replaced rather than the entire bit, extending the operational life of the bit body while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design enables recovery of the durable bit body and fixed blades after wear occurs on the cutting elements. This allows for economical replacement of only the consumable cutting components, extending overall bit life and reducing replacement frequency.
3Ease of repair
If modular design with replaceable components is implemented, then ease of repair is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bit is segmented into distinct modular components (bit body, fixed blades, rolling cutters, bearings) that can be independently replaced. This segmentation improves ease of repair by allowing targeted replacement of only the failed or worn components, while the modular nature manages complexity through standardized interfaces and assembly procedures.
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 modular design enhances drilling performance by allowing for the replacement of failed or worn components, reducing costly recovery operations and extending the bit's operational life, while maintaining efficient cutting performance.
Implementation Method 1
The rolling cutters are provided with cutting elements or teeth that are forced to penetrate and gouge the bottom of the borehole by weight from the drillstring. Engagement between the diamond cutting elements and the borehole bottom and sides shears or scrapes material from the formation, instead of using a crushing action as is employed by rolling-cutter bits.
Implementation Method 2
Engagement between the diamond cutting elements and the borehole bottom and sides shears or scrapes material from the formation, instead of using a crushing action as is employed by rolling-cutter bits.
Implementation Method 3
A modular hybrid earth-boring bit design featuring a bit body with axially extending slots for adjustable bit legs, secured rolling cutters, and integrated lubricant compensators
Data Source
AI summary
An earth-boring bit comprising a bit body is configured at its upper end for connection into a drillstring. A fixed blade depends axially downwardly from the bit body. An axially extending slot is formed in the bit body adjacent the fixed blade. A bit leg is received and retained in the slot by engagement between the slot and correspondingly shaped bit leg, wherein the bit leg cannot be removed from the slot except by axial movement relative to the bit body. A rolling cutter is secured to the bit leg at its lower extent. A fastener secures the bit leg against movement relative to the bit body and extends through oblong apertures in the bit leg and into the bit body, the bit leg can be moved axially relative to the bit body to adjust the projection of the rolling cutter relative to the fixed blade.