AU2022201539A1 - Drill bit for boring earth and other hard materials - Google Patents
Drill bit for boring earth and other hard materials Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- AU2022201539A1 AU2022201539A1 AU2022201539A AU2022201539A AU2022201539A1 AU 2022201539 A1 AU2022201539 A1 AU 2022201539A1 AU 2022201539 A AU2022201539 A AU 2022201539A AU 2022201539 A AU2022201539 A AU 2022201539A AU 2022201539 A1 AU2022201539 A1 AU 2022201539A1
- Authority
- AU
- Australia
- Prior art keywords
- cutting head
- bit body
- detent
- internal cavity
- cutting
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 title claims description 12
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 18
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 229910003460 diamond Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000010432 diamond Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000000314 lubricant Substances 0.000 description 7
- 210000002445 nipple Anatomy 0.000 description 5
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000004567 concrete Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000001050 lubricating effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910052582 BN Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- PZNSFCLAULLKQX-UHFFFAOYSA-N Boron nitride Chemical compound N#B PZNSFCLAULLKQX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910001018 Cast iron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007717 exclusion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005065 mining Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007935 neutral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010008 shearing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- UONOETXJSWQNOL-UHFFFAOYSA-N tungsten carbide Chemical compound [W+]#[C-] UONOETXJSWQNOL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B10/00—Drill bits
- E21B10/46—Drill bits characterised by wear resisting parts, e.g. diamond inserts
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B10/00—Drill bits
- E21B10/62—Drill bits characterised by parts, e.g. cutting elements, which are detachable or adjustable
Abstract
A cutting head adapted to removably couple to a bit body of a drill bit assembly. The
cutting head includes a leading cutting tip for cutting into earth and a trailing receiving
portion for receiving a second end of the bit body in an internal cavity defined by the
trailing receiving portion to allow the cutting head to be removably coupled to the
second end of the bit body.
Description
[001] The present invention relates to drill bits used to bore through earth, concrete
and other hard materials.
[002] Any references to methods, apparatus or documents of the prior art are not to
be taken as constituting any evidence or admission that they formed, or form part of
the common general knowledge.
[003] Specialized drill bits are used to drill wellbores, boreholes, and other holes in
the earth for a variety of purposes, including water wells, oil and gas wells, injection
wells, geothermal wells, monitoring wells, holes used in mining, and the like. These
drill bits come in two common types: roller cone drill bits and fixed cutter drill bits.
[004] Well bores and other holes in the earth are typically drilled by attaching or
connecting a drill bit to a means of rotating the drill bit. The drill bit can be attached
directly to a shaft that is rotated by a motor, engine, drive, or other means of providing
torque to rotate the drill bit. In oil and gas drilling, for example, the drill bit is typically
connected to the lower end of a drill string that is in turn, connected at the upper end
to a motor or drive at the surface, with the motor or drive rotating both the drill string
and the drill bit together. The drill string typically comprises several elements that may
include a special down-hole motor configured to provide additional or, if a surface
motor or drive is not provided, the only means of turning the drill bit.
[005] Fixed cutter drill bits typically include a plurality of cutters, such as very durable
polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) cutters, tungsten carbide cutters, natural or
synthetic diamond, or combinations thereof. These bits are referred to as fixed cutter
bits because they employ cutting elements positioned on one or more fixed blades in
selected locations or randomly distributed. Fixed cutter bits slide against the formation
to remove the rock through a shearing operation. Through varying improvements, the
durability of fixed cutter bits has improved sufficiently to make them cost effective in
terms of time saved during the drilling process when compared to the higher up-front
cost to manufacture the fixed cutter bits.
[006] There exists a need for a cost-effective and robust drill bit that can better drill
through a variety of natural and/or man-made formations or objects, including earth,
steel, aluminium, concrete, cast iron, and other hard materials. It is also desirable to
provide a drill bit that is readily serviceable.
[007] In one aspect, the invention provides a drill bit assembly for drilling a hole
through earth, the drill bit comprising:
a bit body extending between a first end and a second end along a longitudinal
axis of the bit body with a connecting arrangement positioned at the first end of the bit
body for coupling the bit body to a rotating shaft for providing rotational torque to the
bit body;
a cutting head including a leading tip portion for cutting into earth and a trailing
receiving portion for receiving the second end of the bit body in an internal cavity defined by the receiving portion to allow the cutting head to be removably coupled to the second end of the bit body; and a retaining arrangement to retain the second end of the bit body in the receiving portion of the cutting head.
[008] In an embodiment, the bit body comprises a stop member positioned along an
outer wall of the bit body to limit axial movement of the receiving portion of the cutting
head towards the first end of the bit body thereby engaging the retaining arrangement.
In an embodiment, the stop member may be profiled to form a circumferential stop
member to engage with the receiving portion of the cutting ahead and limit axial
movement.
[009] In an embodiment, the connecting arrangement comprises helical threads
provided along an outer wall portion at or adjacent the first end of the bit body to couple
the bit body to a rotating shaft for providing rotational torque to the bit body.
[010] In an embodiment, the tip portion of the cutting head comprises a polycrystalline
diamond compact (PDC) material.
[011] In an embodiment, the bit body further comprises a bore extending from the
first end to the second end along the longitudinal axis of the bit body, the bore being
provided to convey a lubricant to the second end of the bit body.
[012] In an embodiment, the second end of the bit body includes a lubricant releasing
arrangement to release the lubricant into an internal cavity of the cutting tip thereby lubricating the bearing surfaces of the second end of the bit body and internal bearing surfaces of the cutting tip.
[013] In an embodiment, the drill bit assembly further comprises: a filling lubricant
nipple positioned at the first end of the bit body; and a release nipple positioned at the
second end of the bit body.
[014] In an embodiment, the retaining arrangement further comprises a split ring
member, wherein an inner portion of the split ring member is adapted to be positioned
and engaged in a groove provided along an outer wall of the bit body and an outer
portion of the split ring is adapted to engage an inner groove provided along an inner
wall of the receiving portion of the cutting head.
[015] In an embodiment, the split ring comprises first and second circumferential end
points that do not connect.
[016] The cutting head may be push fitted into the bit body by effecting relative axial
movement between the cutting head and the bit body such that the receiving portion
of the cutting head received the second end of the bit body and the axial movement
results in the inner groove of the cutting head being positioned in engagement with the
split ring thereby resulting in the second end of the bit body being retained in the
receiving portion of the cutting head.
[017] In an alternative embodiment, the retaining arrangement comprises a detent
assembly for detachably interlocking the cutting head and the bit body.
[018] In an embodiment, the detent assembly comprises:
a detent groove positioned along an inner wall of the receiving portion that
defines the internal cavity for receiving the second end of the bit body;
a detent provided at or adjacent the second end of the bit body along an outer
wall of the bit body;
wherein axial movement of the receiving portion of the cutting head towards the first
end of the bit body results in engagement and retention of the detent within the detent
groove.
[019] In an embodiment, the bit body comprises a hollow passage for receiving a
spring loaded pin member that forms part of the retaining arrangement.
[020] In an embodiment, the pin member is biased by a spring member for movement
towards the first end of the bit body.
[021] In an embodiment, the drill bit assembly further comprises a cap member to
retain the pin member within the hollow passage of the bit body and limit movement
of the pin member in a direction towards the first end of the bit body.
[022] In an embodiment, the pin member comprises:
a head portion adapted to be positioned adjacent the first end of the bit
body; a tail portion adapted to be positioned adjacent the second end of the bit body;and a pin body portion extending between the head and tail portions of the pin member.
[023] In an embodiment, the tail portion is narrower than the pin body portion to
accommodate a resilient member (such as helical spring) in between outer walls of
said tail portion of the pin member and inner walls of the bit body defining said hollow
cavity.
[024] In an embodiment, the resilient member urges against a shoulder of the pin
body portion to apply said resilient bias on the pin member.
[025] In an embodiment, the hollow cavity of the bit body comprises a narrower throat
portion extending towards the second end and wherein axial movement of the pin
member towards the second end of the bit body by application of force against the
resilient bias of the resilient member results in the cutting head being uncoupled from
the bit body by releasing the retaining arrangement.
[026] In an embodiment, the pin member comprises a notch positioned on the pin
body such that the axial movement of the pin member towards the second of the bit
body results in the notch being axially displaced and become positioned adjacent said
detent assembly thereby allowing said detent to be received into the notch and be
released from the detent hole of the cutting body.
[027] In an embodiment, the cutting head is movably mounted relative to the bit body.
Preferably, the cutting head is rotatably mounted relative to the bit body.
[028] In another aspect, the invention provides a cutting head adapted to removably
couple to a bit body of a drill bit assembly, the cutting head including a leading cutting
tip for cutting into earth and a trailing receiving portion for receiving a second end of
the bit body in an internal cavity defined by the trailing receiving portion to allow the
cutting head to be removably coupled to the second end of the bit body.
[029] In an embodiment, the leading cutting tip further comprises a tip portion and the
tip portion comprises a polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) material.
[030] In an embodiment, the leading cutting tip is substantially frusto-conical.
[031] In an embodiment, the tip portion comprises a PDC insert forming an apex
portion of the substantially frusto-conical leading cutting tip.
[032] In an embodiment, the cutting head further comprises a stop member portion
to limit axial movement of the receiving portion of the cutting head along the bit body.
[033] In an embodiment, the stop member surrounds an opening of the internal cavity
to limit axial movement of the trailing receiving portion of the cutting head along the bit
body.
[034] In an embodiment, the trailing receiving portion further comprises an inner
groove provided along an inner wall thereof configured to receive a portion of a split
ring or detent.
[035] In an embodiment, the trailing receiving portion further comprises a detent
groove positioned along an inner wall thereof that defines the internal cavity for
receiving the bit body, the detent groove configured to engage and retain a detent of
the bit body in the detent groove of the cutting head.
[036] In an embodiment, the cutting head further comprises a second internal cavity
adapted to receive a pin member of a retaining arrangement therein.
[037] In an embodiment, the second internal cavity is located within the cutting tip of
the cutting head.
[038] In an embodiment, the internal cavity and the second internal cavity are open
cavities.
[039] In an embodiment, the second internal cavity is directly connected to the
internal cavity.
[040] In another aspect, the invention provides a method of replacing a cutting head
of a drill bit assembly, the method including the step of: removably coupling a bit body to a cutting head by locating an end of the bit body within an internal cavity of a trailing receiving portion of the cutting head, wherein the cutting head is removably coupled to the bit body by a retaining arrangement.
[041] In an embodiment, the step of removably coupling the bit body to the cutting
head further includes effecting relative axial movement between the cutting head and
the bit body such that the trailing receiving portion of the cutting head receives the end
of the bit body and the axial movement results in a detent assembly removably
coupling the bit body to the cutting head.
[042] In an embodiment, the method further includes the step of engaging a detent
groove of the detent assembly positioned along an inner wall of the trailing receiving
portion that defines the internal cavity of the cutting head for receiving the end of the
bit body with a detent of the detent assembly provided at or adjacent the end of the bit
body along an outer wall of the bit body, wherein the axial movement of the receiving
portion of the cutting head towards the first end of the bit body results in engagement
and retention of the detent within the detent groove.
[043] In an embodiment, the method further includes the step of locating a resiliently
biased pin member of the retaining arrangement within a hollow passage of the bit
body.
[044] In an embodiment, the method further includes the step of retaining the pin
member within the hollow passage of the bit body with a cap member to maintain the
cutting head in an inter-locked position with the bit body.
[045] In an embodiment, the method further includes the steps of:
moving the cap member axially toward the cutting head thereby pushing the pin
member into a second internal cavity of the cutting head and aligning a notch of the
pin member with the detent; and
applying a pulling force on the cutting head away from the bit body thereby
causing walls of the detent groove to push the detent into the notch and release the
bit body from the cutting head.
[046] In an embodiment, the cap member comprises a grub screw.
[047] In an embodiment, the cutting head is a second cutting head, and the method
further includes the step of decoupling the bit body from a first cutting head before
coupling the bit body to the second cutting head.
[048] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be
discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information
for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to
be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any
way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a drill bit assembly 100 in accordance with a first
embodiment shown in a coupled configuration.
Figure 2 is a side view of the drill bit assembly 100 in a coupled configuration.
Figure 3 is a sectional view of the drill bit assembly 100 in a coupled configuration.
Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the drill bit assembly 100 in an uncoupled
configuration.
Figure 5 is an exploded side view of the drill bit assembly 100 in an uncoupled
configuration.
Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of a drill bit assembly 200 in accordance with
a second embodiment in an uncoupled configuration.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a drill bit assembly 200 shown in a coupled
configuration.
Figure 8 is a sectional view of the drill bit assembly 200.
Figure 9 is an exploded sectional view of the drill bit assembly 200.
[049] Embodiments of the drill bit assemblies 100 or 200, as described in the
following passages, provide significant advantages and benefits over other devices
and methods for boring through earth, concrete and other hard materials. However,
the recited advantages are not meant to be limiting in any way, as one skilled in the
art will appreciate that other advantages may also be realized upon practicing the
invention.
[050] Figures 1 to 5 illustrate a drill bit assembly 100 in accordance with a first
embodiment of the present invention and include a bit body 110 extending between a
first end 112 and a second end 114 along a longitudinal axis 111 of the bit body 110.
At the first end 112, helical threads 115 are provided for allowing the body 110 to be
coupled to a rotating shaft (not shown) that is coupled to a rotation means for providing
rotary torque or force to the drill bit assembly 100, such as a topside motor, a downhole
motor, an engine, turbine, or other type of drive that also located near the surface, or
some other rotation means.
[051] The second end 114 of the bit body 110 is removably coupled to a cutting head
120 that includes a leading cutting tip 123 comprised of polycrystalline diamond
material that is provided in the form of a PDC insert 122 positioned in an exposed
portion of the cutting tip 123 to assist with cutting into earth or other hard materials.
While the cutting tip 122 in the example drill bit assembly 100 of Figures 1 to 5 is a
PDC insert, it should be clearly understood that other types of cutting elements such
as cubic boron nitride, or other super hard material, or hard material such as a metal
carbide, may also be used in a bit made according to the invention. The cutting head
120 comprises a substantially frusto-conical configuration with the PDC tip forming an
apex portion of the tip in the cutting head 120.
[052] The cutting head 120 also includes a trailing receiving portion 124 for receiving
the second end 114 of the bit body 110 into an internal cavity 126 defined by the
receiving portion 124 to allow the cutting head 120 to be removably coupled to the
second end 114 of the bit body 110.
[053] A retaining arrangement 150 is provided to retain the second end 114 of the bit
body 110 in the receiving portion 124 of the cutting head 120. Detailed views of the
retaining arrangement have been shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5 which clearly illustrate that the retaining arrangement 150 comprises a split ring member 152 wherein an inner portion of the split ring member 152 is adapted to be positioned and engaged in an outer groove 154 (See Figures 4 and 5) provided along an outer wall of the bit body
110 and an outer portion of the split ring 152 is adapted to engage an inner groove
156 (See Figures 4 and 5) provided along an inner wall of the receiving portion 124 of
the cutting head 120. The split ring 152 is in the form of a ring shaped member with
first and second circumferential end points that do not connect and the circumference
of the split ring member is slightly lesser than the circumference of the outer groove
154 of the bit body 110.
[054] The provision of the split ring 152 allows for the cutting head 120 to be push
fitted onto the bit body 110 by effecting relative axial movement between the cutting
head 120 and the bit body 110 such that the receiving portion 124 of the cutting head
120 receives the second end 114 of the bit body 110 and the axial movement results
in the inner groove 156 of the cutting head 120 being positioned in engagement with
the split ring 152 by pushing onto the split ring 152 causing the circumferential ends
of the split ring 152 to move closer and snap onto the outer groove 154 of the bit body
110. This action results in the second end 114 of the bit body 110 being retained in
the receiving portion 124 of the cutting head 120.
[055] The configuration of the spit ring 152 and the positioning of the outer groove of
the bit body 154 and the inner groove 156 of the cutting head 120 allows the cutting
head 120 to freely rotate relative to the bit body 110. The split ring 152 therefore
provides a bearing arrangement to enable relative rotational movement between the
bit body 110 and the cutting head 120.
[056] The cutting head 120 also includes a profiled stop member 129 that is
positioned along an outer wall of the bit body 110 to limit axial movement of the
receiving portion 124 of the cutting head 120 towards the first end 112 of the bit body
110. In order to assemble the drill bitassembly 100, an operatorwould berequired to
effect axial movement of the cutting head 120 towards the bit body 110 in order to
align the inner groove 156 of the cutting head 120 with the outer groove 154 thereby
resulting in applying a pushing force onto the split ring 152 which results in the cutting
head 120 being snap fitted onto the receiving portion 124 of the bit body 110. Such
axial movement of the cutting head 120 results in the profiled stop member 129 on the
cutting head 120 abutting the circumferential collar member 119 provided along an
outer wall of the bit body 110 thereby limiting the extent of relative axial movement
between the cutting head 120 and the bit body 110 when the second end 114 of the
bit body 110 is received into the internal cavity of the receiving portion 124 of the
cutting head 124. The aforementioned arrangement allows the cutting head 120 to be
uncoupled from the bit body 110 by application of a pulling force on the cutting head
120 to pull the cutting head 120 in an axial direction away from the first end 112 of the
bit body 110.
[057] The bit body 110 also includes a bore 116 extending from the first end 112 to
the second end 114 along the longitudinal axis of the bit body 110. The bore 116 is
provided to convey a lubricant from the first end 112 to the second end 114 of the bit
body 110. A filling lubricant nipple 117 is positioned at the first end 112 of the bit body
110 and a release nipple 118 is positioned at the second end 114 of the bit body 110.
The release nipple 118 is arranged to release the lubricant into an internal cavity 121 of the cutting tip thereby lubricating the bearing surfaces 125 of the second end 114 of the bit body 110 and internal bearing surfaces of the cutting tip 120.
[058] Referring to Figures 6 to 9, a drill bit assembly 200 in accordance with a second
embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated. Like reference numerals
denote like features that have been previously described in the earlier sections. The
main difference between the drill bit assembly 200 and the previously described drill
assembly 100 relates to the configuration of the bit body 210 which is different from
the bit body 110 described in the earlier sections. Furthermore, a release pin 250 that
is housed within the bit body 210 provides a mechanical arrangement to allow the
cutting head 120 to be released from a bit body 210 as will be described in the
foregoing sections.
[059] The bit body 210 also extends between a first end 212 and a second end 214.
The cutting head 120 is detachably coupled or interlocked to the second end 114 of
the bit body 210 by way of a detent assembly 130. The detent assembly 130
comprises: a detent groove 156 positioned along an inner wall 127 that defines the
internal cavity of the receiving portion 124 for receiving the second end 214 of the bit
body 210. A detent ball 134 is provided adjacent the second end 214 of the bit body
210 along an outer wall of the bit body 210. One of the problems addressed by the
drill assembly 200 relates to easily replacing the cutting head 120 whilst also reducing
maintenance times. Axial movement of the receiving portion 124 of the cutting head
120 towards the first end 212 of the bit body 210 results in engagement of the detent
ball 134 with the detent groove 156 thereby catching the detent ball 134 and retaining
the cutting head 120 in a coupled configuration with the second end 114 of the bit body
110. Therefore the detent assembly 130 provides a retaining arrangement to retain
the second end 114 of the bit body 210 in the receiving portion 124 of the cutting head
120.
[060] The cutting head 120 also includes the profiled stop member 129 that is
positioned along an outer wall of the bit body 110 to limit axial movement of the
receiving portion 124 of the cutting head 120 towards a first end 212 of the bit body
210. Axial movement of the cutting head 120 results in the profiled stop member 129
abutting a circumferential collar member 219 provided along an outer wall of the bit
body 210 thereby limiting the extent of relative axial movement between the cutting
head 120 and the bit body 210 when the second end 214 of the bit body 210 is received
into the internal cavity of the receiving portion 124 of the cutting head 124.
[061] Referring to Figures 8 and 9, the bit body 210 comprises a hollow passage 216
that extends between the first and second ends 212 and 214. The hollow passage 216
is configured for receiving the spring loaded pin member 250 that allows for the cutting
head 120 to be released from the bit body 210. The pin member 250 is biased by a
spring member 260 (that urges against the pin member 250 as will be explained in the
foregoing sections) for movement towards the first end 212 of the bit body 110. A cap
member 270 is provided to retain the release pin member 250 within the hollow
passage 216 of the bit body 210 and limit axial movement of the release pin member
250 in a direction towards the first end 212 of the bit body 210.
[062] The configuration of the pin member 250 in combination with the spring member
260 and the shape of the hollow passage 216 enables the cutting head 120 to be mechanically released from the bit body 210 and allows the cutting head 120 to be easily replaced. Referring to Figure 9, the pin member 250 includes a head portion
250A adapted to be positioned adjacent the first end 212 of the bit body 210; a tail
portion 250B adapted to be positioned adjacent the second end 214 of the bit body
210; and a pin body portion 250C extending between the head and tail portions 250A
and 250B of the pin member 250. The tail portion 250B is narrower than the pin body
portion 250 C and helps accommodate the resilient spring member 260 in between
outer walls of said tail portion 250B of the release pin member 250 and inner walls of
the bit body 210 defining said hollow cavity/passage 216. In a neutral configuration,
the spring member 260 urges against a shoulder portion 255 of the pin body 250C to
apply the resilient bias on the pin 250. The hollow passage 216 includes a narrower
constricted portion 217 extending towards the second end 214 of the bit body 210.
[063] The aforementioned configuration of the release pin member 250 provides a
mechanical arrangement that allows the cutting head 120 to be easily uncoupled from
the bit body 210. A cap member in the form of a grub screw 270 is provided to act as
a stop for the spring loaded pin member 250 and maintain the cutting head 120 in an
inter-locked position with the bit body 210. In order to uncouple the bit body 210 from
the cutting head 120, the grub screw 270 needs to be moved axially forward by turning
the grub screw (270) in order to push the pin member towards the second end 214 of
the bit body 210. The inward pushing of the pin member 250 by turning the grub screw
270 results in the narrower tail portion 250B being inserted into an internal cavity 121
(See Figure 8). The pin body 250C includes a notch 257 positioned along the outer
wall of the pin body 250C such that the axial movement of the pin member 250 towards
the second end 214 of the bit body 210 results in the notch 257 being axially displaced and become positioned adjacent the detent assembly 130. Once the notch is aligned with the detent ball 134, an operator may apply a pulling force on the cutting head 120.
The pulling of the cutting head 120 causes the walls of the detent groove 156 to push
the detent ball 134 into the notch 257 (which is positioned in alignment with the detent
ball 134 due to the axial displacement of the release pin member 250-by turning the
grub screw 270 as discussed earlier.
[064] Once again, the provision of the detent all 134 in combination with the detent
groove 156 also allows the cutting head 120 to freely rotate relative to the bit body
210. The detent arrangement 130 therefore also provides a bearing arrangement to
enable relative movement between the bit body 210 and the cutting head 120.
[065] It is important to appreciate that the cutting head 120 comprises a configuration
that can be used with the bit body 110 or bit body 210 depending on the drilling
requirements of the user.
[066] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language
more or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term "comprises" and
its variations, such as "comprising" and "comprised of' is used throughout in an
inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features.
[067] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown
or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting
the invention into effect.
[068] The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within
the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in
the art.
Claims (17)
1. A cutting head adapted to removably couple to a bit body of a drill bit assembly, the cutting head including a leading cutting tip for cutting into earth and a trailing receiving portion for receiving a second end of the bit body in an internal cavity defined by the trailing receiving portion to allow the cutting head to be removably coupled to the second end of the bit body, wherein: the cutting head defines a second internal cavity adapted to receive a pin member of a retaining arrangement therein; and the trailing receiving portion further comprises an inner groove provided along an inner wall thereof configured to receive a portion of a split ring or detent.
2. The cutting head of claim 1 wherein the leading cutting tip further comprises a tip portion and the tip portion comprises a polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) material.
3. The cutting head of claim 2, wherein the leading cutting tip is substantially frusto-conical.
4. The cutting head of claim 3, wherein the tip portion comprises a PDC insert forming an apex portion of the substantially frusto-conical leading cutting tip.
5. The cutting head of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cutting head further comprises a stop member portion to limit axial movement of the trailing receiving portion of the cutting head along the bit body.
6. The cutting head of claim 5, wherein the stop member surrounds an opening of the internal cavity to limit axial movement of the trailing receiving portion of the cutting head along the bit body.
7. The cutting head of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the trailing receiving portion further comprises a detent groove positioned along an inner wall thereof that defines the internal cavity for receiving the bit body, the detent groove being configured to engage and retain a detent of the bit body in the detent groove of the cutting head.
8. The cutting head of claim 1, wherein the second internal cavity is located within the cutting tip of the cutting head.
9. The cutting head of claim 8, wherein the internal cavity and the second internal cavity are open cavities.
10. The cutting head of claim 8, wherein the second internal cavity is directly connected to the internal cavity.
11. A method of replacing a cutting head of a drill bit assembly, the method including the step of: removably coupling a bit body to a cutting head by locating an end of the bit body within an internal cavity of a trailing receiving portion of the cutting head, wherein the cutting head is removably coupled to the bit body by a retaining arrangement, wherein the step of removably coupling the bit body to the cutting head further comprises: effecting relative axial movement between the cutting head and the bit body such that the trailing receiving portion of the cutting head receives the end of the bit body and the axial movement results in a detent assembly removably coupling the bit body to the cutting head; and inserting a resiliently biased pin member of the retaining arrangement through a hollow passage defined in the bit body such that a tail portion of the pin member extends beyond an end of the bit body and is received within a second internal cavity defined by the cutting head.
12. The method of claim 11 further including the step of engaging a detent groove of the detent assembly positioned along an inner wall of the trailing receiving portion that defines the internal cavity of the cutting head for receiving the end of the bit body with a detent of the detent assembly provided at or adjacent the end of the bit body along an outer wall of the bit body, wherein the axial movement of the trailing receiving portion of the cutting head towards the end of the bit body results in engagement and retention of the detent within the detent groove.
13. The method of claim 11 further including the step of retaining the pin member within the hollow passage of the bit body with a cap member to maintain the cutting head in an inter-locked position with the bit body.
14. The method of claim 13 further including the steps of: moving the cap member axially toward the cutting head thereby pushing the pin member into a second internal cavity of the cutting head and aligning a notch of the pin member with the detent; and applying a pulling force on the cutting head away from the bit body thereby causing walls of a detent groove of the detent assembly to push the detent into the notch and release the bit body from the cutting head.
15. The method of claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the cap member comprises a grub screw.
16. The method of any one of claims 11-15, wherein the cutting head is a second cutting head, and the method further includes the step of decoupling the bit body from a first cutting head before coupling the bit body to the second cutting head.
17. The cutting head of claim 1, wherein the leading cutting tip is coaxial with the internal cavity and the second internal cavity.
FIGURE 1
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 7 FIGURE 6
FIGURE 8
FIGURE 9
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2022201539A AU2022201539B2 (en) | 2018-11-26 | 2022-03-04 | Drill bit for boring earth and other hard materials |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2018904497 | 2018-11-26 | ||
| PCT/AU2019/051292 WO2020107063A1 (en) | 2018-11-26 | 2019-11-26 | Drill bit for boring earth and other hard materials |
| AU2020203254A AU2020203254A1 (en) | 2018-11-26 | 2020-05-19 | Drill bit for boring earth and other hard materials |
| AU2022201539A AU2022201539B2 (en) | 2018-11-26 | 2022-03-04 | Drill bit for boring earth and other hard materials |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2020203254A Division AU2020203254A1 (en) | 2018-11-26 | 2020-05-19 | Drill bit for boring earth and other hard materials |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU2022201539A1 true AU2022201539A1 (en) | 2022-03-24 |
| AU2022201539B2 AU2022201539B2 (en) | 2024-01-18 |
Family
ID=71079472
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2020203254A Abandoned AU2020203254A1 (en) | 2018-11-26 | 2020-05-19 | Drill bit for boring earth and other hard materials |
| AU2022201539A Active AU2022201539B2 (en) | 2018-11-26 | 2022-03-04 | Drill bit for boring earth and other hard materials |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2020203254A Abandoned AU2020203254A1 (en) | 2018-11-26 | 2020-05-19 | Drill bit for boring earth and other hard materials |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (2) | AU2020203254A1 (en) |
-
2020
- 2020-05-19 AU AU2020203254A patent/AU2020203254A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2022
- 2022-03-04 AU AU2022201539A patent/AU2022201539B2/en active Active
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU2022201539B2 (en) | 2024-01-18 |
| AU2020203254A1 (en) | 2020-06-18 |
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