Daniel E Ruff

US Patent:

6460631, Oct 8, 2002

Filed:

Dec 15, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/738687

Inventors:

Mark W. Dykstra - Kingwood TX
William Heuser - The Woodlands TX
Michael L. Doster - Spring TX
Jack T. Oldham - Willis TX
Terry D. Watts - Spring TX
Daniel E. Ruff - Kingwood TX
Rodney B. Walzel - Conroe TX
Christopher C. Beuershausen - Spring TX

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 1046

US Classification:

175 57, 175428, 175431

Abstract:

A rotary drag bit and method for drilling subterranean formations including a bit body being provided with at least one cutter thereon exhibiting reduced, or limited, exposure to the formation so as to control the depth-of-cut of the at least one cutter, so as to control the volume of formation material cut per bit rotation, as well as to control the amount of torque experienced by the bit and an optionally associated bottomhole assembly regardless of the effective weight-on-bit. The exterior of the bit preferably includes a plurality of blade structures carrying at least one such cutter thereon and including a sufficient amount of bearing surface area to contact the formation so as to generally distribute the weight of the bit against the bottom of the borehole without exceeding the compressive strength of the formation rock.

US Patent:

6571886, Jun 3, 2003

Filed:

Oct 27, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/702921

Inventors:

Eric Charles Sullivan - Houston TX
Scott Ray Schmidt - The Woodlands TX
Don Quy Nguyen - Houston TX
Glenn R. Zadrapa - Highlands TX
Timothy K. Marvel - The Woodlands TX
Daniel E. Ruff - Kingwood TX

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - TX

International Classification:

E21B 1022

US Classification:

175 40, 73 5305

Abstract:

An improved drill bit includes a bit body, a coupling member formed at an upper shank portion. It further includes at least one sensor for monitoring at least one condition of the bit during drilling operations. In one embodiment the at least one sensor is a capacitor disposed in a lubrication pathway. An electronics bay is defined in-part by the upper shank portion. It houses at least one monitoring circuit. A battery cavity is disposed in at least one of the bit legs. A battery cavity cap is provided. A seal is provided to seal the battery cavity cap at the bit leg to define a fluid tight battery cavity.

US Patent:

6779613, Aug 24, 2004

Filed:

Oct 7, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/266534

Inventors:

Mark W. Dykstra - Kingwood TX
William Heuser - The Woodlands TX
Michael L. Doster - Spring TX
Jack T. Oldham - Willis TX
Terry D. Watts - Spring TX
Daniel E. Ruff - Kingwood TX
Rodney B. Walzel - Conroe TX
Christopher C. Beuershausen - Spring TX

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 1046

US Classification:

175 57, 175428, 175431

Abstract:

A rotary drag bit and method for drilling subterranean formations including a bit body being provided with at least one cutter thereon exhibiting reduced, or limited, exposure to the formation so as to control the depth-of-cut of the at least one cutter, so as to control the volume of formation material cut per bit rotation, as well as to control the amount of torque experienced by the bit and an optionally associated bottomhole assembly regardless of the effective weight-on-bit. The exterior of the bit preferably includes a plurality of blade structures carrying at least one such cutter thereon and including a sufficient amount of bearing surface area to contact the formation so as to generally distribute an additional weight applied to the bit against the bottom of the borehole without exceeding the compressive strength of the formation rock.

US Patent:

6935441, Aug 30, 2005

Filed:

Jun 4, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/861129

Inventors:

Mark W. Dykstra - Kingwood TX, US
William Heuser - The Woodlands TX, US
Michael L. Doster - Spring TX, US
Jack T. Oldham - Willis TX, US
Terry D. Watts - Spring TX, US
Daniel E. Ruff - Kingwood TX, US
Rodney B. Walzel - Conroe TX, US
Christopher C. Beuershausen - Spring TX, US

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B010/46

US Classification:

175 57, 175428, 175431

Abstract:

A rotary drag bit and method for drilling subterranean formations, including a bit body being provided with at least one cutter thereon exhibiting reduced, or limited, exposure to the formation, so as to control the depth-of-cut of the at least one cutter, so as to control the volume of formation material cut per bit rotation, as well as to control the amount of torque experienced by the bit and an optionally associated bottomhole assembly regardless of the effective weight-on-bit are all disclosed. The exterior of the bit preferably includes a plurality of blade structures carrying at least one such cutter thereon and including a sufficient amount of bearing surface area to contact the formation so as to generally distribute an additional weight applied to the bit against the bottom of the borehole without exceeding the compressive strength of the formation rock.

US Patent:

7066280, Jun 27, 2006

Filed:

Apr 1, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/405576

Inventors:

Eric Charles Sullivan - Houston TX, US
Scott Ray Schmidt - The Woodlands TX, US
Don Quy Nguyen - Houston TX, US
Glenn R. Zadrapa - Highlands TX, US
Timothy K. Marvel - The Woodlands TX, US
Daniel E. Ruff - Kingwood TX, US

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - TX

International Classification:

E21B 10/22

US Classification:

175 40, 73 5305

Abstract:

An improved drill bit for use in drilling operations in a wellbore comprising a bit body including a plurality of bit legs, each supporting a rolling cone cutter, a lubrication system for a rolling cone cutter, at least one lubrication sensor for monitoring at least one condition of said lubricant during drilling operations, and an electronics member in the bit body for recording data obtained form said lubrication sensor.

US Patent:

7096978, Aug 29, 2006

Filed:

Aug 30, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/214524

Inventors:

Mark W. Dykstra - Kingwood TX, US
William Heuser - The Woodlands TX, US
Michael L. Doster - Spring TX, US
Jack T. Oldham - Willis TX, US
Terry D. Watts - Spring TX, US
Daniel E. Ruff - Kingwood TX, US
Rodney B. Walzel - Conroe TX, US
Christopher C. Beuershausen - Spring TX, US

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 10/46

US Classification:

175 57, 175428, 175431

Abstract:

A rotary drag bit and method for drilling subterranean formations, including a bit body being provided with at least one cutter thereon exhibiting reduced, or limited, exposure to the formation, so as to control the depth-of-cut of the at least one cutter, so as to control the volume of formation material cut per bit rotation, as well as to control the amount of torque experienced by the bit and an optionally associated bottomhole assembly regardless of the effective weight-on-bit are all disclosed. The exterior of the bit preferably includes a plurality of blade structures carrying at least one such cutter thereon and including a sufficient amount of bearing surface area to contact the formation so as to generally distribute an additional weight applied to the bit against the bottom of the borehole without exceeding the compressive strength of the formation rock.

US Patent:

7472764, Jan 6, 2009

Filed:

Mar 25, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/090932

Inventors:

Anton F. Zahradnik - Sugarland TX, US
Eric C. Sullivan - Houston TX, US
R. Scot Smith - Conroe TX, US
Daniel E. Ruff - Kingwood TX, US
Danielle V. Roberts - Spring TX, US
Alan J. Massey - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 10/36

US Classification:

175374, 175435

Abstract:

A shank configuration for rotary drill bits is disclosed for positioning of the shank in relation to the bit body. A tapered surface or feature of the shank may be configured and sized to matingly engage a complementarily shaped surface or feature of the drill bit body and thereby become centered or positioned in relation thereto. A deformable element may be disposed between the shank and bit body. Also, the shank may comprise a material having a carbon equivalent of less than about 0. 35%. A multi-pass weld procedure may be employed to affix the shank and bit body to one another wherein welds may be formed so that one weld originates at a circumferential position that differs from the origination circumferential position of its immediately preceding weld by at least about 90. Further, a stress state may be developed within the multi-pass weld. A method of manufacture is also disclosed.

US Patent:

7594454, Sep 29, 2009

Filed:

Nov 29, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/947613

Inventors:

Anton F. Zahradnik - Sugarland TX, US
Eric C. Sullivan - Houston TX, US
R. Scot Smith - Erath LA, US
Daniel E. Ruff - Kingwood TX, US
Danielle V. Roberts - Calgary, CA
Alan J. Massey - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

B21K 5/04
E21B 10/36

US Classification:

761081, 761084

Abstract:

A shank configuration for rotary drill bits is disclosed for positioning of the shank in relation to the bit body. A tapered surface or feature of the shank may be configured and sized to matingly engage a complementarily shaped surface or feature of the drill bit body and thereby become centered or positioned in relation thereto. A deformable element may be disposed between the shank and bit body. Also, the shank may comprise a material having a carbon equivalent of less than about 0. 35%. A multi-pass weld procedure may be employed to affix the shank and bit body to one another wherein welds may be formed so that one weld originates at a circumferential position that differs from the origination circumferential position of its immediately preceding weld by at least about 90. Further, a stress state may be developed within the multi-pass weld. A method of manufacture is also disclosed.