David K Luce

US Patent:

7779937, Aug 24, 2010

Filed:

Jul 21, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/176825

Inventors:

David K. Luce - Splendora TX, US
Robert J. Buske - The Woodlands TX, US

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 10/46
E21B 10/50

US Classification:

175374, 175375, 175425, 761082

Abstract:

An earth-boring bit has at least one steel tooth with a scoop-shaped profile. The scoop-shaped profile is formed by milling and hardfacing a tooth to have at least one flank with a concave profile. Additionally, the tooth may contain one flank with a concave profile and another with a convex profile. The centerline axis of the tooth may be moved to alter the angle between the flanks and the centerline to vary the manner in which the tooth engages the formation.

US Patent:

7823664, Nov 2, 2010

Filed:

Aug 14, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/191915

Inventors:

Alan J. Massey - Houston TX, US
David K. Luce - Splendora TX, US
Eric Sullivan - Houston TX, US
Carmel Z. El Hakam - Houston TX, US
James L. Overstreet - Tomball TX, US
Ajay V. Kulkarni - The Woodlands TX, US

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 10/46

US Classification:

175374, 175425

Abstract:

An earth boring bit has a steel body having at least one leg with a depending bearing pin. A cone having cutting elements is rotatably mounted to the bearing pin. A ball plug weld is on the outer surface of the leg. A layer of hardfacing applied to part of the outer surface of the leg, the hardfacing having carbide particles in a matrix. A corrosion resistant coating containing at least 50% nickel is formed on parts of the outer surface of the leg that are free of the layer of hardfacing both above and below the ball plug weld.

US Patent:

8087479, Jan 3, 2012

Filed:

Aug 4, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/535326

Inventors:

Ajay V. Kulkarni - The Woodlands TX, US
David K. Luce - Splendora TX, US
John F. Bradford - Fort Worth TX, US

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 7/08
E21B 17/12

US Classification:

175 73, 175 76, 175408

Abstract:

A drill bit is provided that includes a force application device on a body of the drill bit. The force application device includes a force application member pivotally coupled to the drill bit and configured to extend from the drill bit body to apply force on a wellbore wall when the drill bit is used to drill a wellbore, and an actuator configured to actuate the force application member to apply force on a wellbore wall during drilling of the wellbore.

US Patent:

8240399, Aug 14, 2012

Filed:

Mar 2, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/038993

Inventors:

Ajay V. Kulkarni - The Woodlands TX, US
David K. Luce - Splendora TX, US
John F. Bradford - Fort Worth TX, US

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 7/08
E21B 7/12

US Classification:

175 73, 175 76, 175408

Abstract:

A drill bit is provided that includes a force application device on a body of the drill bit. The force application device includes a floating member and a force application member configured to extend from the floating member to apply a force on a wellbore wall when the drill bit is used to drill a wellbore and an actuator configured to actuate the force application member to apply the force to a wellbore wall during drilling of the wellbore.

US Patent:

8355815, Jan 15, 2013

Filed:

Feb 12, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/370516

Inventors:

David Keith Luce - Splendora TX, US
Sean W. Wirth - Spring TX, US
Alan J. Massey - Houston TX, US
Crystal A. Parrott - Helotes TX, US

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

G06F 19/00

US Classification:

700245, 700219, 700258, 700259, 700283, 901 14, 901 41, 76102, 761081, 761082, 761084, 76115, 175 40, 175 57, 175 61, 175327, 175338, 29428, 29530, 419 6, 419 10, 419 12, 419 13, 419 14

Abstract:

Methods include one or more of robotically positioning a cutting element on an earth-boring tool, using a power-driven device to move a cutting element on an earth-boring tool, and robotically applying a bonding material for attaching a cutting element to an earth-boring tool. Robotic systems are used to robotically position a cutting element on an earth-boring tool. Systems for orienting a cutting element relative to a tool body include a power-driven device for moving a cutting element on or adjacent the tool body. Systems for positioning and orienting a cutting element on an earth-boring tool include such a power-driven device and a robot for carrying a cutting element. Systems for attaching a cutting element to an earth-boring tool include a robot carrying a torch for heating at least one of a cutting element, a tool body, and a bonding material.

US Patent:

8450637, May 28, 2013

Filed:

Oct 23, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/257219

Inventors:

David K. Luce - Splendora TX, US
Alan J. Massey - Houston TX, US
Kenneth E. Gilmore - Cleveland TX, US
Timothy P. Uno - Spring TX, US
Keith L. Nehring - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

B23K 10/00

US Classification:

21912159, 21912147, 219 7616, 21912154, 175331

Abstract:

A system and method for the automated or “robotic” application of hardfacing to a surface of a drill bit.

US Patent:

8471182, Jun 25, 2013

Filed:

Dec 31, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/651113

Inventors:

Bruce Stauffer - The Woodlands TX, US
David Luce - Splendora TX, US
Alan Massey - Houston TX, US
Kenneth Gilmore - Cleveland TX, US
Keith Nehring - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

B23K 13/01

US Classification:

219617, 219 74, 21912159, 21912163

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a system and method for automated or “robotic” application of hardfacing to the surface of a steel-toothed cutter of a standard earth-boring rock bit or a hybrid-type rock bit. In particular, the system incorporates a grounded adapter plate and chuck mounted to a robotic arm for grasping and manipulating a rock bit cutter, particularly a hybrid rock bit cutter, beneath an electrical or photonic energy welding source, such as a plasma arc welding torch manipulated by a positioner. In this configuration, the torch is positioned substantially vertically and oscillated along a horizontal axis as the cutter is manipulated relative along a target path for the distribution of hardfacing. Moving the cutter beneath the torch allows more areas of more teeth to be overlayed, and allows superior placement for operational feedback, such as automatic positioning and parameter correction. In the preferred embodiment, sensors provide data to the control system for identification, positioning, welding program selection, and welding program correction.

US Patent:

20100065337, Mar 18, 2010

Filed:

Sep 18, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/562797

Inventors:

David K. Luce - Splendora TX, US
Alan J. Massey - Houston TX, US
Kenneth E. Gilmore - Cleveland TX, US
Keith L. Nehring - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED - Houston TX

International Classification:

B23K 10/02
B23K 9/04
E21B 10/50

US Classification:

175375, 76 51, 761082, 901 42

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a system and method for automated or “robotic” application of hardfacing to the surface of a steel-toothed cutter of a rock bit. In particular, the system incorporates a grounded adapter plate and chuck mounted to a robotic arm for grasping and manipulating a rock bit cutter beneath an electrical or photonic energy welding source, such as a plasma arc welding torch manipulated by a positioner. In this configuration, the torch is positioned substantially vertically and oscillated along a horizontal axis as the cutter is manipulated relative along a target path for the distribution of hardfacing. Moving the cutter beneath the torch allows more areas of more teeth to be overlayed, and allows superior placement for operational feedback, such as automatic positioning and parameter correction. In the preferred embodiment, sensors provide data to the control system for identification, positioning, welding program selection, and welding program correction. The control system, aided by data from the sensors, manipulates the robotically held cutter while controlling the operation and oscillation of the torch.