GB1599377A - Earth boring drill bit with snap ring cutter retention - Google Patents

Description

(54) EARTH BORING DRILL BIT WITH SNAP RING CUTTER RETENTION (71) We, HUGHES TOOL COM PANY, a Corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, United States of America, having a place of business at 5425 Poik Avenue, Houston, Texas 77023, United States of America, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement; This invention relates in general to earth boring drill bits and in particular to improved bearings and means for retaining the rotatable cutters on such bits.

The success of rotary drilling enabled the discovery of deep oil and gas reservoirs. The rotary rock bit was an important invention which made that success possible. Only the soft formations could be commercially penetrated with the earlier drag bit, but the two cone rock bit invented by H. R. Hughes, U.S.

Patent No. 930,759, drilled the hard cap rock at the Spindletop Field near Beaumont, Texas with relative ease.

rhat distant invention, within the first decade of this century, could drill a scant fraction of the depth and speed of the modern rotary rock bit. If the original Hughes bit drilled for hours, the modern bit drills for days. Bits today sometimes drill for miles instead of feet. Many improvements contributed to the impressive improvement in the performance of rock bits.

The original bit of Hughes had rotatable cutters, frictional bearing surfaces and ring-type retainers generally threaded for retention in the cutter. Because of the difficulty in providing seals with long life, relatively large lubricant reservoirs were required. By the decade of the thirties, drill bits with anti-friction bearing that were unsealed became commercially successful and replaced the sealed and lubricated drill bits. This type drill bit may be seen in the U.S. patent to Lewis E. Garileld et al, Patent No. 2,030,442.

G. O. Atkinson et al obtained U.S. Patent No. 3,075,781 on a seal that minimized leakage and required only a small reservoir of lubricant.

The pressure compensator is an improvement that minimizes the pressure differential across the seal and increases its reliability. A recent version of the pressure compensator and pressure relief system is shown in the U.S. Patent of Stuart C. Millsapps, Jr., No. 3,942,596. E.

M. Galle patented an O-ring type seal, U.S.

Patent No. 3,397,928, that ultimately made friction bearings once again feasible in drill bits. An illustration of a recent bearing con figuration is shown in the U.S. Patent Nd.

3,922,038 issued to S. R. Scales. This bit has a cylindrical, friction bearing and a cutter retained by a ball bearing similar to that shown in the above patent to Lewis E. Garfield et al.

A ball bearing in a lubricated rock bit bear ing has inherent disadvantages. A failure in any one of the numerous balls or the raceway in which they are positioned may permit metallic fragments to enter the friction bearing, with near certain damaging results. Metallic particles will often damage the seal ring, caus ing lubricant loss and rapid bearing failure.

The necessity for a hole drilled into the ball race for introduction of the balls, retained by a welded plug, adds complexity to the bit that provides additional room for manufacturing error. The rock bit is the focal potnt of an expensive drilling process that has a low tolerance for failure.

There is shown in the prior art rock bit bearing and retainer means that are totally frictional; that is, without anti-friction ball or roller bearings. The original Hughes bit had friction bearings exclusively. A few of the many bits with only frictional bearings will be mentioned briefly.

F. L. Scott in U.S. Patent No. 1,803,679 discloses a lubricated, tapered frictional rock bit bearing that retains its cutter by means of a resilient snap ring. J. C. Wright et al in U.S.

Patent No. 2,049,581 discloses a cutter rotatably secured with a snap ring to a bearing shaft releasably connected to the legs or head sections of a bit. The U.S. Patent No.

2,814,465 to W. G. Green discloses a lubricated frictional bearing having tapered and cylindrical portions joined by suitable means and secured to a cutter by a retainer ring. A lock ring is~~shown~ in Edward~ B. William,~ Jr.'s U.S. Patent No. 3,844,363 for retaining a cutter and shaft with frictional bearings to a rock bit A frictional bearing with tapered and cylindrical portions is disclosed by E. M. Galle in his U.S. Patent No. 3,361,494, along with frictional plug lock and pin lock retaining systems. A recent revival of the earlier seen threaded ring retainer is seen in U.S. Patent No. 3,971,600 of Murdoch et al. Notwithstanding this array of ideas, the only significantly successful rock bit in commerce today uses a ball bearing retainer.

The threaded retainer ring has some disadvantage that may have limited its success.

The threads act as stress raisers and the ring must be secured against rotation while the cone is mated with it. This generally requires a drilled hole in the head section.

Snap rings may have stress raising groove configurations and exhibit a tendency to retract during drilling into the assembly groove and permit accidental cutter loss. When a cutter is thrust inward, as when reaming for example, the loading of the ring causes stresses that tend to urge the ring into the assembly groove, with the possiblity of cutter loss.

According to the invention there is provided an earth boring bit comprising at least one cantilevered bearing shaft rotatably supporting a sealed and lubricated cutter, friction bearing means between said cutter and shaft including an inwardly facing thrust surface on the shaft; one of said cutter and shaft having an assembly groove and the other having a registering, retainer groove; a snap ring positioned in the registering grooves; the retainer groove having a depth less than the crosssectional thickness of the ring; the assembly groove having a depth at least equal to the cross-sectional thickness of the ring, an outer sidewall and an inner sidewall, with the inner sidewall having a frusto-conical surface in shined at a selected angle a relative to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the shaft to engage the snap ring and generate a force component oblique to said axis and urge the snap ring into the retainer groove when the cutter is thrust inward and away from said thrust surface.

Examples of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings at least some of which are also described and illustrate the claimed subject matter in copending applications 24707/78 and 24709/78 (Serial Nos. 1,599,376 and 1,599,378) and in which: Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view, partially in section, of a rock bit which embodies the features of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a full view of a snap ring used to rotatably retain the cutter on the bearing shaft or pin of the rock bit of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary view in longitudinal section of a portion of the cutter and the bearing pin of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view, in longitudinal section, of a region of the cutter and bearing pin around the cross-sectioned snap ring, of Fig. 1, the cutter being thrust outwardly on the bearing shaft Fig. 5 is, like Fig. 4, a fragmentary view, in longitudinal section but with the cutter thrust inwardly on the bearing shaft, and Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view, in longitudinal section, of a second construction with the cutter thust inward.

Portions of an earth boring drill bit 11 are shown in Fig. 1, including a body 13 formed of three head sections 15 that are typically joined by a welding process. Threads 17 are formed on the top of body 13 for connection to a conventional drill string (not shown). Each head. section 15 has a cantilevered shaft or bearing pin 19 having its unsupported end oriented inward and downward. A generally conically shaped cutter 21 is rotatably mounted on each bearing pin 19. Cutter 21 has earth disintegrating teeth 23 on its exterior and a central opening or bearing recess 25 in its interior for mounting on the bearing pin 19.

Friction bearing means formed on the bearing pin 19 and cutter bearing recess 25 are connected with lubricant passages 27. (See U.S.

patent Nos. 3,397,928 and 4,012,238 for bearing surface treatments). A pressure compensator 29 and associated passages constitute a lubricant reservoir that limits the pressure differential between the lubricant and the ambient fluid which surrounds the bit after flowing through the nozzle means 32. (See British patent specification 1,531,194). An O-ring seal 31 located between each bearing pin 19 and cutter 21 at the base of the bearing pin prevents egress of lubricant and ingress of borehole fluid. (See U.S. Patent No. 3,397,928 for O-ring seal disclosure and U.S. Patent No.

3,935,114 for lubricant).

Referring to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, an annular assembly groove 33 is formed on the cylindrical surface 34 of the bearing pin 19. Groove 33 has a circular bottom portion 35 formed about a radius located on centerline 41. An outer and an inner sidewall designated respectively sidewall 37 and 39 extend from the semicircular bottom portion 35 to the surface of the bearmg pin 19, outer sidewall 37 being the one farther from the inner end or nose 43 of the bearing pin 19. Outer sidewall 37 is planar and perpendicular to the coaxis (not shown) of the bearing pin 19 and cutter 21.

Inner sidewall 39 is a conical thrust surface or inclined wall nonperpendicular to the axis of the bearing pin, oriented at an angle eg of preferably 150 with respect to a plane perpendicular to axis of the bearing pin. This produces an entrance to groove 33 larger than the diameter of its circular bottom portion 35 and is a beneficial thrust surface as will be explained subsequently.

A registering retainer groove 45 is formed in the bearing recess 25 of cutter 21. Groove 45 has sidewalls 46 and 50, with outer sidewall 46 located farthest from nose 43 of bearing pin 19. As seen in section, sidewall 46 has the form of a circular arc equal to one quarter of a circle, with a radius substantially equal to the radius of the bottom portion 35 of the previously described groove 33. The depth of groove 45 is greater than the radius of the circular arc. As seen in section in Fig. 4, inner sidewall 50 consists of a straight line connected at one end by means of a small radius with the quarter-circular arc of sidewall 46 and its other end extends to form one surface of a tapered or conical frictional nose bearing 52.

Groves 33 and 45 are located so that they register to define an irregularly shaped annular cavity with curved bottoms. A snap ring 47 with a curved boundary and preferably circular cross-section is located in this cavity. It is formed of resilient metal, preferably piano wire, and contains a gap 49 (see Fig. 2) so that its annular diameter may be compressed or expanded. The annular diameter of ring 47 is selected so that it will expand tightly into groove 45 when relaxed. The cross-sectional diameter of 47 is substantially equal to the diameter of the circular portion 35 of groove 33.

The depth of assembly groove 33 is at least as large as the cross-sectional diameter of ring 47. This enables ring 47 to be stressed and retract fully into groove 33 for assembling cutter 21 over bearing pin 19. The depth of retainer groove 45 is greater than one-half the cross-sectional diameter of ring 47 but less than its cross-sectional full diameter. This depth is greater than the thickness of one-half the diameter of the cross section of ring 47 by an amount, conveniently called the "offset", which in the preferred form is in the range from .005 inch to .020 inch. This places the cross-sectional centerline 51 of ring 47 outside the cylindrical surface 34 of the bearing pin and also outside the edge of the retainer groove by the same quantity.

To assemble the cutter 21 over bearing pin 19, a tool (not shown) is used to compress ring 47 into groove 33. The cutter 21 is then inserted partially over the bearing pin 19 and the tool removed. Cutter 21 is then forced outwardly and against the bearing pin until engagement of the opposing surfaces of the tapered nose bearing 52, as shown in Fig. 4.

Groove 45 will be sufficiently aligned with groove 33 for ring 47 to snap into it. Ring 47 is shown in Fig. 4 against sidewall 46 of groove 45, and is not touching sidewall 50. Sidewall 39 of groove 33 also is separated from the ring by a clearance space C, to assure movement into retainer groove 45. The centerline 51 of ring 47 is offset to a position outside the surface 34 of the bearing pin 19 by the preferred dis tances of .005 to .020 inch.

Centerlines 41 and 51 do not lie on a common plane perpendicular to the bearing pin axis. Rather, centerline 51 is spaced closer to the nose 43 than centerline 41. Beause of clearance C1 the cutter 21 may move inward on bearing pin 19 to the position shown in Fig.

5. Here, ring 47 is confined between sidewall 46 of groove 45 and the corner of sidewall 39 of groove 33. A clearance C2 appears between the opposing surfaces of conical or tapered thrust bearing 52.

The distance from the offset annular edge of wall 39 of the assembly groove 33 to the opposite corner of outer wall 46 in retainer groove 45 is less than the thickness or diameter of snap ring 47 when the cutter is thrust inward to the position shown in Fig. 5. That is, the diameter of the snap ring in Fig. 5 is represented by the letter x + y. The distance from the edge of wall 39 to the opposite corner of groove 46 is a lesser distance x. Hence, when the cone is thrust inward, the ring cannot be retracted into the assembly groove 33 but must remain in the retainer groove 45 to prevent accidental cutter loss.

In operation, the most normal drilling condition produces outward thrust of cutter 21 on bearing pin 19 as seen in Fig. 4. No external forces are exerted on ring 47 due to engagement of the surfaces of tapered bearing 52 and the resulting clearance C2 between the ring 47 and wall 37 of groove 33. If thrust on the cutter is inward, as sometimes occurs when reaming an undersized hole, the tendency will be for the cutter 21 to be pushed inwardly and from the bearing pin 19. This tendency will be resisted by ring 47, which transmits the thrust betweensiaewall 46 and sidewall 39 as shown in Fig. 5. Inner sidewall 39 serves as a thrust surface, providing a compressive re acting force.

The forming of inner sidewall 39 at an angle a generates a force component F (see Fig. 6) at the same angle a and in a direction oblique to the axis of rotation of the cutter 21. Thus, the configuration of the groove 33 produces a three dimensional conical force distribution F that expands the ring 47 outward into groove 45 in cutter 21. This prevents compression of ring 47 into the groove 33 of bearing pin 19 and the consequent loss of cutter 21.

Fig. 6 is a second construction from that shown in Figs. 4 and 5 in that the walls 37, 39 of assembly groove 33 are parallel and formed at the angle a. The "offset" is smaller in Fig. 6 and is not necessarily utilized since here the tapered wall 39 exerts a force component F normal to the surface of ring 47 to urge the ring into retainer groove 45.

m the preferred construction of Figs. 4 and 5 wall 39 (but not wall 37) of groove 33 is tapered and the "offset" feature is also used.

The quantity of offset in the specified preferred range is such that angle a of preferably 15 results in surface 39 contact with the ring rather than sharp edge contact. This provides a superior wear condition since a sharp edge will wear the ring more rapidly.

Each of the constructions of Fig. 4 to 6 has a feature that further minimizes loss of a cutter, as previously explained in connection with Fig. 5. That is, the cross-sectional thickness x + y of the ring 47 is greater than the distance x from the edge of wall 39 to the opposite corner of groove 46 when the cutters are thrust inwardly on their bearing shafts.

It should be apparent from the foregoing that improvements having significant advantages have been made. The utilization of a bearing suucture which consists of lubricated frictional bearing surfaces, including a frictional.

retainer means, simplifies construction and increases reliability. The utilization of the disclosed snap ring and groove configuration minimizes the danger of loss of the cutter. The previously described offset position between the centerline of the ring and the surface of the bearing near the assembly groove results in an oblique force component that urges the ring into its retainer groove. The smooth angular thrust surface in the assembly groove to engage the ring when the cone is thrust inward provides an advantageous wear environment. Further, the inclined orientation of this surface, which acts as a thrust surface, also urges the retainer ring into its retaining groove when the cone is thrust inward. The ring configuration and thickness being lesser than the distance across the groove ensures cutter retention.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An earth boring bit comprising at least one cantilevered bearing shaft rotatably supporting a sealed and lubricated cutter, friction bearing means between said cutter and shaft including an inwardly facing thrust surface on the shaft; one of said cutter and shaft having an assembly groove and the other having a registering, retainer groove; a snap ring positioned in the registering grooves; the retainer groove having a depth less than the cross-sectional thickness of the ring; the assembly groove having a depth at least equal to the cross-sectional thickness of the ring, an outer sidewall and an inner sidewall, with the inner sidewall having a frusto-conical surface inclined at a selected angle a relative to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the shaft to engage the snap ring and generate a force component oblique to said axis and urge the snap ring into the retainer groove when the cutter is thrust inward and away from said thust surface.

2. A bit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said one of said cutter and said shaft is said shaft.

3. A bit as claimed in claim 1 comprising pressure adjustment means included in the lubrication system to control the pressure differential across said seal, the snap ring having a cross-section with a curved boundary and the retainer groove has a curved outer wall to engage the snap ring.

4. A bit as claimed in claim 3 wherein said one of said cutter and said shaft is said shaft, said assembly groove having a substantially circular bottom and the retainer groove having a substantially circular sidewall, the snap ring having a circular cross-section position in said grooves, the surface of the shaft and the inner sidewall of the assembly groove intersecting at a comer.

5. A bit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said retainer groove has a depth between one half and the full cross-sectional thickness of the snap ring.

6. An earth boring bit as claimed in claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. m the preferred construction of Figs. 4 and 5 wall 39 (but not wall 37) of groove 33 is tapered and the "offset" feature is also used. The quantity of offset in the specified preferred range is such that angle a of preferably 15 results in surface 39 contact with the ring rather than sharp edge contact. This provides a superior wear condition since a sharp edge will wear the ring more rapidly. Each of the constructions of Fig. 4 to 6 has a feature that further minimizes loss of a cutter, as previously explained in connection with Fig. 5. That is, the cross-sectional thickness x + y of the ring 47 is greater than the distance x from the edge of wall 39 to the opposite corner of groove 46 when the cutters are thrust inwardly on their bearing shafts. It should be apparent from the foregoing that improvements having significant advantages have been made. The utilization of a bearing suucture which consists of lubricated frictional bearing surfaces, including a frictional. retainer means, simplifies construction and increases reliability. The utilization of the disclosed snap ring and groove configuration minimizes the danger of loss of the cutter. The previously described offset position between the centerline of the ring and the surface of the bearing near the assembly groove results in an oblique force component that urges the ring into its retainer groove. The smooth angular thrust surface in the assembly groove to engage the ring when the cone is thrust inward provides an advantageous wear environment. Further, the inclined orientation of this surface, which acts as a thrust surface, also urges the retainer ring into its retaining groove when the cone is thrust inward. The ring configuration and thickness being lesser than the distance across the groove ensures cutter retention. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. An earth boring bit comprising at least one cantilevered bearing shaft rotatably supporting a sealed and lubricated cutter, friction bearing means between said cutter and shaft including an inwardly facing thrust surface on the shaft; one of said cutter and shaft having an assembly groove and the other having a registering, retainer groove; a snap ring positioned in the registering grooves; the retainer groove having a depth less than the cross-sectional thickness of the ring; the assembly groove having a depth at least equal to the cross-sectional thickness of the ring, an outer sidewall and an inner sidewall, with the inner sidewall having a frusto-conical surface inclined at a selected angle a relative to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the shaft to engage the snap ring and generate a force component oblique to said axis and urge the snap ring into the retainer groove when the cutter is thrust inward and away from said thust surface.

2. A bit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said one of said cutter and said shaft is said shaft.

3. A bit as claimed in claim 1 comprising pressure adjustment means included in the lubrication system to control the pressure differential across said seal, the snap ring having a cross-section with a curved boundary and the retainer groove has a curved outer wall to engage the snap ring.

4. A bit as claimed in claim 3 wherein said one of said cutter and said shaft is said shaft, said assembly groove having a substantially circular bottom and the retainer groove having a substantially circular sidewall, the snap ring having a circular cross-section position in said grooves, the surface of the shaft and the inner sidewall of the assembly groove intersecting at a comer.

5. A bit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said retainer groove has a depth between one half and the full cross-sectional thickness of the snap ring.

6. An earth boring bit as claimed in claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.