Nathan Allen Anderson

US Patent:

6460636, Oct 8, 2002

Filed:

Dec 17, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/465631

Inventors:

Zhou Yong - The Woodlands TX
Nathan R. Anderson - Pleasant Grove UT
J. Daniel Belnap - Pleasant Grove UT
Chris E. Cawthorne - The Woodlands TX
Ronald K. Eyre - Orem UT
Madapusi K. Keshavan - Sandy UT
Per I. Nese - Aberdeen, GB
Michael A. Siracki - The Woodlands TX
Gary R. Portwood - Kingwood TX

Assignee:

Smith International, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 1046

US Classification:

175428, 175426

Abstract:

A cutter element for use in a drill bit, comprising a substrate and a cutting layer. The substrate comprises a grip portion and an extension portion, where the grip portion has an insert axis and an extension portion including an interface surface having a first apex. The cutting layer is affixed to the interface surface and has a cutting surface having a second apex. The cutting layer is shaped such that when a plane passing through the first apex and lying parallel to the insert axis and normal to a radius from the insert axis, the plane divides the cutting layer into major and minor portions and the major portion has a major volume that is at least 60 percent of the total volume of said cutting layer. Alternative embodiments of the present invention include variations wherein the first and second apices do not coincide and wherein the interface surface of the substrate is not axisymmetric. Using these variations, cutter elements having sizeable variations in thickness are constructed.

US Patent:

6460637, Oct 8, 2002

Filed:

Nov 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/707612

Inventors:

Michael A. Siracki - The Woodlands TX
Chris E. Cawthorne - The Woodlands TX
Per I. Nese - Houston TX
Madapusi K. Keshavan - Sandy UT
J. Daniel Belnap - Pleasant Grove UT
Ronald K. Eyre - Orem UT
Nathan R. Anderson - Pleasant Grove UT

Assignee:

Smith International, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 1036

US Classification:

175430, 175426

Abstract:

Enhanced inserts are formed having a cylindrical grip and a protrusion extending from the grip. An ultra hard material layer is bonded on top of the protrusion. The inserts are mounted on a rock bit and contact the earth formations off center. The ultra hard material layer is thickest at a critical zone which encompasses a major portion of the region of contact between the insert and the earth formation. Transition layers may also be formed between the ultra hard material layer and the protrusion so as to reduce the residual stresses formed on the interface between the ultra hard material and the protrusion.

US Patent:

60418753, Mar 28, 2000

Filed:

Dec 5, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/986200

Inventors:

Ghanshyam Rai - The Woodlands TX
Ronald K. Eyre - Orem UT
Nathan R. Anderson - Pleasant Grove UT

Assignee:

Smith International, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 1046

US Classification:

175432

Abstract:

This invention is directed to cutting elements having an ultra hard cutting layer such as polycrystalline diamond or polycrystalline cubic boron nitride bonded on a cemented carbide substrate. The interface between the substrate and the cutting layer of each such cutting element is non-planar. The non-planar interface is designed to enhance the operating life of the cutting element by reducing chipping, spalling, partial fracturing, cracking and/or exfoliation of the ultra hard cutting layer, and by reducing the risk of delamination of the cutting layer from the substrate.