Nicholas Andrew Lyons

US Patent:

7631560, Dec 15, 2009

Filed:

Apr 17, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/787693

Inventors:

Jeffrey B. Lund - Cottonwood Heights UT, US
Nicholas J. Lyons - Houston TX, US
Eric C. Sullivan - Houston TX, US
Terry D. Watts - Spring TX, US

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01N 29/06
G01N 29/265

US Classification:

73629, 73637, 73606

Abstract:

A method for conducting nondestructive internal inspection of a rotary drill bit used for drilling subterranean formations comprises communicating ultrasonic waves into a drill bit and detecting ultrasonic waves that are reflected by at least a portion of the drill bit. In some embodiments, the waves may be directed into the drill bit from within a longitudinal bore thereof. Reflected waves also may be detected from within the bore. The methods may be used to develop threshold acceptance criteria for classifying drill bits as acceptable or unacceptable to prevent catastrophic failures of drill bits during use. Systems and apparatuses are disclosed for conducting nondestructive ultrasonic inspection of a drill bit used for drilling subterranean formations. The systems and apparatuses may comprise an ultrasonic probe configured for insertion within an internal longitudinal bore of a drill bit. Drill bits are disclosed that are configured to facilitate nondestructive ultrasonic inspection thereof.

US Patent:

7776256, Aug 17, 2010

Filed:

Nov 10, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/272439

Inventors:

Redd H. Smith - The Woodlands TX, US
John H. Stevens - Spring TX, US
James L. Duggan - Friendswood TX, US
Nicholas J. Lyons - Houston TX, US
Jimmy W. Eason - The Woodlands TX, US
Jared D. Gladney - Katy TX, US
James A. Oxford - Magnolia TX, US
Benjamin J. Chrest - Conroe TX, US

Assignee:

Baker Huges Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

B22F 3/12
B22F 7/06

US Classification:

419 6, 419 10, 419 12, 419 13, 419 14, 419 18, 419 28, 419 42, 419 47

Abstract:

Methods of forming bit bodies for earth-boring bits include assembling green components, brown components, or fully sintered components, and sintering the assembled components. Other methods include isostatically pressing a powder to form a green body substantially composed of a particle-matrix composite material, and sintering the green body to provide a bit body having a desired final density. Methods of forming earth-boring bits include providing a bit body substantially formed of a particle-matrix composite material and attaching a shank to the body. The body is provided by pressing a powder to form a green body and sintering the green body. Earth-boring bits include a unitary structure substantially formed of a particle-matrix composite material. The unitary structure includes a first region configured to carry cutters and a second region that includes a threaded pin. Earth-boring bits include a shank attached directly to a body substantially formed of a particle-matrix composite material.

US Patent:

7802495, Sep 28, 2010

Filed:

Nov 10, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/271153

Inventors:

James A. Oxford - Magnolia TX, US
Jimmy W. Eason - The Woodlands TX, US
Redd H. Smith - The Woodlands TX, US
John H. Stevens - Spring TX, US
Nicholas J. Lyons - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

B21K 5/04
E21B 10/54

US Classification:

761082, 175425

Abstract:

Methods of forming earth-boring rotary drill bits include providing a bit body, providing a shank that is configured for attachment to a drill string, and attaching the shank to the bit body. Providing a bit body includes providing a green powder component having a first region having a first composition and a second region having a second, different composition, and at least partially sintering the green powder component. Other methods include providing a powder mixture, pressing the powder mixture to form a green component, and sintering the green component to a final density. A shank is provided that includes an aperture, and a feature is machined in a surface of the bit body. The aperture is aligned with the feature, and a retaining member is inserted through the aperture. An earth-boring bit includes a bit body comprising a particle-matrix composite material including a plurality of hard particles dispersed throughout a matrix material. A shank is attached to the bit body using a retaining member.

US Patent:

7814998, Oct 19, 2010

Filed:

Dec 17, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/958082

Inventors:

Suresh G. Patel - The Woodlands TX, US
Mathews George - Houston TX, US
Richard J. McClellan - The Woodlands TX, US
Paul E. Pastusek - Houston TX, US
Innocent R. Rugashoborola - Houston TX, US
Nicholas J. Lyons - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 10/46

US Classification:

175432, 175434

Abstract:

A cutting element for use in drilling subterranean formations. The cutting element includes a superabrasive table mounted to a supporting substrate. The superabrasive table includes a two-dimensional cutting face having a cutting edge along at least a portion of its periphery, and a surface comprising a chamfer extending forwardly and inwardly from proximate a peripheral cutting edge at a first acute angle of orientation of greater than about 45 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cutting element, and to no greater than a selected depth. The chamfer may be arcuate or planar, and of a dimension sufficient to ensure that a wear flat generated during use of the cutting element remains outside the inner boundary of the chamfer within the chamfer envelope, and small enough to maintain aggressive cutting characteristics for the cutter. Drill bits and drilling tools bearing the cutting elements are also disclosed.

US Patent:

7836980, Nov 23, 2010

Filed:

Aug 13, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/838008

Inventors:

John H. Stevens - Spring TX, US
Nicholas J. Lyons - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 10/00
E21B 10/36

US Classification:

175432, 175398, 175383

Abstract:

Methods of forming cutting element pockets in blades of earth-boring tools include forming a first recess and a second recess intersecting at a location defining the a back of the pocket using a cutter oriented in a manner so as to avoid tool path interference with adjacent blades. A filler material is disposed in the second recess to the location of the back of the pocket. Earth-boring tools including such cutting element pockets.

US Patent:

7900718, Mar 8, 2011

Filed:

Nov 6, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/266282

Inventors:

Nicholas J. Lyons - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 17/04

US Classification:

175320, 175331

Abstract:

Earth-boring tools comprise a shank comprising a distal connector including a set of threads thereon and a bit body comprising a shank connector, also comprising at least one set of threads thereon. The set of threads on the distal connector and the at least one set of threads on the shank connector are at least substantially bound together. Methods of forming such earth-boring tools are also disclosed, as well as methods of securing a bit body of an earth-boring tool to a shank.

US Patent:

7954380, Jun 7, 2011

Filed:

Sep 3, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/553655

Inventors:

Jeffrey B. Lund - Salt Lake City UT, US
Nicholas J. Lyons - Houston TX, US
Eric C. Sullivan - Houston TX, US
Terry D. Watts - Spring TX, US

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01N 29/06
G01N 29/265

US Classification:

73629, 73606, 73637

Abstract:

A method for conducting nondestructive internal inspection of a rotary drill bit used for drilling subterranean formations comprises communicating ultrasonic waves into a drill bit and detecting ultrasonic waves that are reflected by at least a portion of the drill bit. In some embodiments, the waves may be directed into the drill bit from within a longitudinal bore thereof. Reflected waves also may be detected from within the bore. The methods may be used to develop threshold acceptance criteria for classifying drill bits as acceptable or unacceptable to prevent catastrophic failures of drill bits during use. Systems and apparatuses are disclosed for conducting nondestructive ultrasonic inspection of a drill bit used for drilling subterranean formations. The systems and apparatuses may comprise an ultrasonic probe configured for insertion within an internal longitudinal bore of a drill bit. Drill bits are disclosed that are configured to facilitate nondestructive ultrasonic inspection thereof.

US Patent:

8074869, Dec 13, 2011

Filed:

Nov 14, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/939692

Inventors:

Nicholas J. Lyons - Houston TX, US
Nathan David Ames - Sunbury OH, US

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

B23K 31/02

US Classification:

2282343, 2281245, 228198, 228107, 228 25, 175375, 761081, 761082, 761084

Abstract:

A reactive foil is used to assemble the components of rock bit cutters and to affix cutting elements to rock bit bodies. A small pulse of localized energy ignites the foil in a fraction of a second to deliver the necessary amount of heat energy to flow solder or braze and form a strong, true metallic joint. The reaction in the foil may be activated using optical, electrical, or thermal sources.