Percussive Drill Bit Face Channel for Uniform Fluid Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drill bits fail to provide sufficient fluid flow across all parts of the cutting face, leading to shortened life and early failure.
Innovation Solution
A drill bit design with a face channel that directs fluid flow across the center of the cutting face, ensuring that at least 50% of the bore outlets are positioned on one side of the drill bit, with outlets intersecting a face channel on the other side, promoting uniform fluid distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional drill bit geometry is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but fluid flow across the cutting face is insufficient leading to early failure
Solution Approach 1:
The drill bit geometry is segmented into distinct functional zones: a face channel extending from the cutting face toward the shank, multiple bores positioned at different locations, and outlets strategically placed on opposite sides. This segmentation allows fluid to follow a controlled path across the cutting face, ensuring all areas receive adequate cooling and extending drill bit life without requiring overly complex geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The face channel acts as an intermediary structure that mediates fluid distribution across the cutting face. It receives fluid from bores on one side and directs it across the cutting face to outlets on the opposite side, ensuring uniform fluid distribution to all cutting areas. This intermediary geometry resolves the contradiction by providing a straightforward structural solution that achieves reliable cooling without excessive complexity.
2Productivity
If outlets are positioned to maximize fluid flow, then fluid distribution improves, but the drill bit geometry becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The drill bit employs asymmetric outlet positioning where outlets are deliberately placed on opposite sides of the drill bit rather than symmetrically. This asymmetric arrangement allows fluid to flow across the entire cutting face length, maximizing cooling efficiency. The asymmetric geometry achieves superior fluid flow efficiency without requiring complex positioning calculations, as the opposite-side placement is a straightforward geometric configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet positioning extends into the longitudinal dimension of the drill bit, with outlets placed on opposite sides along the length of the cutting face. This dimensional approach allows fluid to traverse the full length of the cutting face, dramatically improving fluid flow efficiency. The solution achieves high productivity through simple longitudinal positioning rather than complex three-dimensional arrangements.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If uniform fluid distribution across the cutting face is achieved, then wear is reduced and drill bit life is extended, but the drill bit design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The drill bit design incorporates local quality variations with the face channel and bore positions optimized for specific regions of the cutting face. Bores are positioned to deliver fluid to specific zones, and the face channel geometry is tailored to distribute fluid uniformly across different areas. This localized optimization achieves uniform fluid distribution and extended drill bit life through straightforward geometric modifications rather than complex overall redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention achieves uniform fluid distribution by modifying geometric parameters such as face channel width, bore diameter, bore spacing, and outlet positions. These parameter adjustments create the desired uniform flow pattern across the cutting face, extending drill bit operational life. The solution uses simple parameter changes rather than complex structural modifications to achieve the durability improvement.
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
Enhances fluid flow across the cutting face, improving drill bit longevity and performance by preventing uneven wear and extending the drill bit's operational life.
Implementation Method 1
The cutting face defines a face channel that extends to the circumferential outer surface of the crown. The face channel comprises an outlet where the face channel meets the circumferential outer surface of the crown.
Implementation Method 2
The outlet of each bore comprises a slot that is defined by the base surface of the face channel and opposing surfaces of the wall portion that partially defines and partially surrounds the bore, thereby permitting direct radial flow of fluid through the slot and into the face channel.
Implementation Method 3
Fluid is often pumped through the drill string to outlets at a distal end of the drill bit to cool the drill bit.
Data Source
AI summary
A drill bit having a longitudinal axis extending through a center of the drill bit is disclosed. A plane including the longitudinal axis of the drill bit bisects the drill bit and divides the drill bit into first and second sides. The drill bit has a shank defining an interior space and a crown coupled to the shank. The crown has a circumferential outer surface, a cutting face, and at least one bore that extends through the crown from the interior space of the shank to the cutting face. Each bore has an outlet defined by the cutting face. The cutting face defines a face channel that extends to the circumferential outer surface of the crown. The face channel has an outlet where the face channel meets the circumferential outer surface of the crown. The longitudinal axis intersects the face channel. The majority of the perimeter of the outlet of each bore is positioned on the first side of the drill bit. The outlet of the face channel is on the second side of the drill bit.