Vectored Hydraulic Nozzle Retention Sleeves for Rock Bit Cleaning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rock bits face challenges in maintaining efficient drilling due to bit balling, where formation cuttings adhere to the cutting elements, reducing rate of penetration and bit durability, especially in harder formations, and existing hydraulic designs are not effective in larger bits due to geometric and manufacturing limitations.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a drill bit with a central axis, internal plenum, and strategically positioned sleeve receptacles with skewed nozzle passages to direct drilling fluid effectively across the cutting elements, minimizing cone erosion and enhancing cleaning of both inner and outer rows of cutting elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional hydraulic designs are used in larger bits, then manufacturing is simpler, but cleaning effectiveness of cutting elements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydraulic design simplicityVSAvoidcutting element cleaning effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The bit face is divided into multiple zones (central, intermediate, outer regions) with different nozzle configurations. Each zone has specialized nozzle types and orientations tailored to its specific cleaning requirements, allowing optimized hydraulic design for each segment while maintaining overall manufacturability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different nozzle types, orientations, and configurations are applied to specific locations on the bit face. Central nozzles differ from intermediate nozzles, which differ from outer nozzles. Each location receives a hydraulic configuration optimized for its local geometry and cutting element arrangement, improving cleaning effectiveness without requiring complete redesign of the entire hydraulic system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If nozzles are positioned to maximize cleaning coverage, then cutting element cleaning improves, but cone erosion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting element cleaningVSAvoidcone erosion

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Nozzle orientations and positions are locally optimized for each bit region. Central nozzles are positioned and angled differently from outer nozzles, allowing each to effectively clean its local cutting elements without directing high-velocity streams at the cone shells

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The design converts the potential harmful effect of high-velocity fluid streams into beneficial cleaning action by carefully controlling nozzle orientations. The fluid energy that could erode cones is redirected to impinge on cutting elements and formation, transforming a harmful effect into a useful cleaning function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Volume of moving object

If bit size increases, then drilling capacity improves, but hydraulic effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebit sizeVSAvoidhydraulic effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces angular/ directional dimensions to the hydraulic design by skewing nozzle passages at various angles relative to the bit axis. This allows fluid streams to reach cutting elements and formation surfaces that would be inaccessible with conventional axial nozzle arrangements, effectively extending hydraulic reach in larger bits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 design improves the rate of penetration and durability by ensuring efficient cutting element cleaning and reducing cone shell impingement, allowing for longer bit life and better performance across various formation hardnesses.

Implementation Method 1

drilling fluid impacts and flows past the cutting structure, and carries the cuttings radially outward on the borehole bottom, and then upward through the annulus to the surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid impact and flow: Jet

Implementation Method 2

The rock fragments and formation cuttings between the cutting elements and along the borehole bottom are flushed away and carried to the surface in the annulus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic flushing: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 3

carries the cuttings radially outward on the borehole bottom, and then upward through the annulus to the surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid transport: Advection

Data Source

PatentUS8091654B2Rock bit with vectored hydraulic nozzle retention sleeves

Publication Date: 2012.01.10 SMITH INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A drill bit for drilling through an earthen formation to form a borehole includes a bit body having a central axis, an internal plenum, and an underside. The underside includes an annular outer region. The bit body includes an outer receptacle extending from the plenum to the outer region. In addition, the drill bit comprises a first and a second cone cutter. Each cone cutter comprises an outer region distal the bit axis. Further the drill bit comprises an outer sleeve having an upstream end received by the outer sleeve receptacle and a through passage. The through passage includes an upstream section having an upstream axis and a downstream section having a downstream axis that is skewed at an angle α relative to the upstream axis. A projection of the downstream axis passes between the outer regions of the first and second cone cutters.