Don T Nguyen

US Patent:

6419032, Jul 16, 2002

Filed:

Feb 6, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/777813

Inventors:

Eric Charles Sullivan - Houston TX
Scott Ray Schmidt - The Woodlands TX
Don Quy Nguyen - Houston TX
Glenn R. Zadrapa - Highlands TX
Chih Lin - Spring TX

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 1022

US Classification:

175 40, 73 5305

Abstract:

An improved drill bit includes a condition sensor and a semiconductor memory. The condition sensor includes an electrical sensor which has an attribute which changes in response to changes in the bit condition. Monitoring and sampling circuits are utilized to record this data into the semiconductor memory. A communication system may be provided which includes a signal flow path and a selectively-actuable flow control device for controlling the signal flow path until a predetermined operating condition is detected; upon actuation, a detectable pressure change is developed in the wellbore.

US Patent:

6540033, Apr 1, 2003

Filed:

Feb 6, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/783265

Inventors:

Eric Charles Sullivan - Houston TX
Scott Ray Schmidt - The Woodlands TX
Don Quy Nguyen - Houston TX
Glenn R. Zadrapa - Highlands TX
Chih Lin - Spring TX

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - TX

International Classification:

E21B 718

US Classification:

175 40, 175237, 175339

Abstract:

An improved drill bit is provided with a sensor for monitoring an operating condition during drilling. A fastener system is provided for securing an erodible ball in a fixed position relative to a flow pathway until a predetermined operating condition is detected by the sensor, and for releasing the erodible ball into the flow pathway to obstruct the flow through at least one bit nozzle.

US Patent:

6543312, Apr 8, 2003

Filed:

Feb 6, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/777332

Inventors:

Eric Charles Sullivan - Houston TX
Scott Ray Schmidt - The Woodlands TX
Don Quy Nguyen - Houston TX
Glenn R. Zadrapa - Highlands TX
Chih Lin - Spring TX

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - TX

International Classification:

B21K 502

US Classification:

761082, 175 40

Abstract:

A drill bit for use in drilling operations in a wellbore, the drill bit having a bit body including a plurality of bit legs, each supporting a rolling cone cutter; a coupling member formed at an upper portion of the bit body; at least one temperature sensor for monitoring at least one temperature condition of the improved drill bit during drilling operations; and at least one temperature sensor cavity formed in the bit body and adapted for receiving, carrying, and locating the at least one temperature sensor in a particular position relative to the bit body which is empirically determined to optimize temperature sensor discrimination.

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:

6626251, Sep 30, 2003

Filed:

Feb 6, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/777569

Inventors:

Eric Charles Sullivan - Houston TX
Scott Ray Schmidt - The Woodlands TX
Don Quy Nguyen - Houston TX
Glenn R. Zadrapa - Highlands TX
Chih Lin - Spring TX

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 1000

US Classification:

175 40

Abstract:

An improved drill bit is provided with a sensor for monitoring an operating condition during drilling. A fastener system is provided for securing an erodible ball in a fixed position relative to a flow pathway until a predetermined operating condition is detected by the sensor, and for releasing the erodible ball into the flow pathway to obstruct the flow through at least one bit nozzle.

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:

7066286, Jun 27, 2006

Filed:

Mar 25, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/809644

Inventors:

Don Q. Nguyen - Houston TX, US
Terry J. Koltermann - The Woodlands TX, US
Gregory L. Ricks - Spring TX, US
Mark E. Morris - Lafayette LA, US
Chris M. McCarty - Houston TX, US
Chih C. Lin - Spring TX, US

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 10/00

US Classification:

175313

Abstract:

A gage scraper cleans mud from the gage surface of a rotary cone of a drill bit. The bit has a body having at least one leg depending therefrom, a bearing pin secured to each leg, and a rotary cutting cone mounted to the bearing pin. The cone has a conical gage surface. The gage scraper mounts on the inside of each leg and protrudes from the leg toward the cone into close proximity with the gage surface.

US Patent:

7086487, Aug 8, 2006

Filed:

Jun 24, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/602844

Inventors:

Don Quy Nguyen - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 10/25

US Classification:

175371

Abstract:

An earth boring bit has a seal cavity that is eccentric to agitate drilling fluid and avoid mud packing. The bit body having bit legs, each having a bearing pin. A cone rotatably mounts on the bearing pin. Teeth are formed or mounted on the cone for cutting the earth formation as the bit rotates. The cone has a backface adjacent the bit leg and an entrance portion to the cavity that intersects the backface. A seal assembly is in stationary engagement with the bearing pin and sliding engagement with the cone. An annular seal gland is located between an outer diameter portion of the bearing pin and the entrance portion of the cavity. The seal gland has a width that varies so that as the cone rotates, the width of the seal gland at any point along the outer diameter portion of the bearing pin changes at least once per revolution of the cone.