GB2405166A

GB2405166A - Non-return lubricant valve with dampening effect for roller cone

Info

Publication number: GB2405166A
Application number: GB0418634A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Smith Oliver; Kerry Koffler
Original assignee: Smith International Inc
Current assignee: Smith International Inc
Priority date: 2003-08-22
Filing date: 2004-08-20
Publication date: 2005-02-23
Also published as: GB0418634D0; CA2478191A1; US20050045387A1

Abstract

A lubricant pump and cone movement dampener system 200 for a rolling cone cutter 104 of an earth-boring bit 100 is disclosed. The system includes an axial bore 202 that may pass through the end of a journal pin 118. The axial bore is fined with a unidirectional valve (204, figure 3) or other non-return mechanism. The valve is in fluid communication with the bit's lubricant and with a grease passage 150. Lubricant is pumped through the passage, from where it passes through the valve, out of the bore, and into a gap 160 formed between the rolling cone and journal pin. The system cycles cooler grease through the gap, and also dampens axial vibration between cone and journal because of the prevention of back flow of lubricant.

Description

CONE MOVEMENT DAMPENER SYSTEM, DRILL BIT,

AND METHODS OF LUBRICATING AND DAMPENING

The present invention relates to a cone movement dampener system for an earth-boring bit, a drill bit, a method of lubricating a cone and a journal pin on an earth- boring bit, and a method for dampening the movement between a cone cutter mounted on a journal pin extending from a bit body of an earth-boring bit.

The present invention has particular advantage in maintaining lubrication of rolling cone cutters that are mounted on journal pins. In a particular embodiment, the present invention relates to a combination lubrication pump and cone movement dampening system that retards or dampens axial cone movement to lessen the likelihood of seal damage and thereby extend seal and bit life.

An earth-boring drill bit is typically mounted on the lower end of a drill string and is rotated by revolving the drill string at the surface or by actuation of downhole motors or turbines, or by both methods. With weight applied to the drill string, the rotating drill bit engages the earthen formation and proceeds to form a borehole along a predetermined path toward a target zone. A typical earth-boring bit includes one or more rotatable cone cutters that perform their cutting function due to the rolling movement of the cone cutters acting against the formation material. The cone cutters roll and slide upon the bottom of the borehole as the drill string and bit are rotated, the cone cutters thereby engaging and disintegrating the formation material in their path. The rotatable cone cutters may be described as generally conical in shape and are therefore referred to as rolling cones.

Rolling cone bits typically include a bit body with a plurality of journal segment legs. The cones are mounted on bearing pin shafts (also called journal shafts or journal pins) that extend downwardly and inwardly from the journal segment legs. As the bit is rotated in the borehole, each cone cutter is caused to rotate on its respective journal shaft as the cone contacts the bottom of the borehole. The borehole is formed as the action of the cone cutters removes chips of formation material ("cuttings" or "drilled solids") which are carried upward and out of the borehole by the flow of drilling fluid which is pumped downwardly through the drill pipe and out of the bit.

In oil and gas drilling, the cost of drilling a borehole is proportional to the length of time it takes to drill to the desired depth and location. The time required to drill the well, in turn, is greatly affected by the number of times the drill bit must be changed in order to reach the targeted formation. This is the case because each time the bit is changed, the entire string of drill pipe, which may be miles (kilometres) long, must be retrieved from the borehole, section by section.

Once the drill string has been retrieved and the new bit installed, the bit must be lowered to the bottom of the borehole on the drill string, which again must be constructed section by section. As is thus obvious, this process, known as a "trip" of the drill string, requires considerable time, effort and expense. The amount of time required to make a round trip for replacing a bit is "downtime", and is essentially lost time and results in lost productivity from drilling operations. It is therefore advantageous to maximize the service life of a drill bit. Accordingly, it is always desirable to employ drill bits that will be durable enough to drill for a substantial period of time with acceptable rate of penetration (ROP).

One cause of bit failure arises from the severe wear or damage that may occur to the bearings on which the cone cutters are mounted. These bearings can be friction bearings (also referred to as journal bearings) or roller type bearings, and are typically subjected to high drilling loads, high hydrostatic pressures in the hole being drilled, and high temperatures. Lubricant is supplied to the narrow space, or journal gap, which exists between the journal pin and cone cutter. The journal gap is defined by the first surface formed by the exterior of the journal pin and by the second surface formed by the adjacent interior bore of the cone cutter. Under load, however, the lubricant can experience thermal breakdown, a condition in which the chemical composition of the lubricant is altered due to thermal and mechanical stresses, and its lubricating properties are depleted. Maintaining adequate lubrication of the bearings requires the periodic replacement of old, degraded lubricant with new lubricant that is stored in a grease reservoir within the bit. Regularly supplying fresh lubricant into the journal gap will help lengthen the useful life of the cone cutter assembly and of the bit.

Consequently, the frequency with which the bit must otherwise be replaced due to bit failure or loss of an acceptable ROP may be reduced by providing proper lubrication of the cone cutters.

Seals are provided in the journal gap between the rolling cones and their respective journal pins to prevent lubricant from escaping from around the bearing surfaces and to prevent the cutting-laden, abrasive drilling fluid present in the borehole from entering the gap between the cone and the journal pin. If cuttings are conveyed into the journal gap, they tend to adhere to the seal ring and/or seal component surfaces and may cause deformation, damage and/or slippage of the seal components. Moreover, the cuttings and other dirt or debris present can accelerate abrasive wear of all seal components and of the bearing surfaces themselves. Thus, the integrity of the seal for maintaining lubricant between the journal pin and rotating cone cutter also impacts the durability of a bit and the length of time that a drill bit may be employed before it must be changed.

A common seal is formed by an elastomeric ring (commonly called an "O-ring"). Other conventional seals employ one or more rings made of various materials.

Without regard to construction, the seal will include a dynamic seal surface, which is placed in rotating contact against another surface, generally the journal pin. The sealing ring also includes a static seal surface, which is placed in contact against a stationary surface, generally the rotating cone cutter. Although the bit will experience severe and varying loads, as well as a wide range of different temperature and pressure conditions, the dynamic and static seal surfaces must remain sealingly engaged to prevent the lubricant from escaping and/or contaminants from entering the lubricated areas, and should perform these duties throughout the life of the bit's cutting structure.

As previously mentioned, the integrity of a seal can be compromised by cuttings, dirt and other debris that may become wedged between various dynamic and static seal surfaces. As the cone cutter rotates during operation, the seal is subjected to extreme pressures, temperatures and vibration, and may expand or contract. The cone cutter will tend to experience axial movement, which can cause the seal ring to "roll" along its annular axis, allowing debris to collect between the ring and an adjacent surface. In addition to axial movement and rolling about the journal pin axis, the cone cutter will tend to experience radial movement, or rocking about the pin due to clearances inherent between the cone cutter and journal pin. The rocking is generally facilitated by clearances in the ball races.

Excessive axial movement may exacerbate the rolling or sliding movement of the ring and debris collection in the seal. The debris may compromise the integrity of the seal, allowing lubricant to escape out of the journal gap and into the borehole. If enough lubricant escapes from the journal gap, temperatures within the gap could rise to unacceptable levels, putting even greater thermal stress on the remaining lubricant and the elastomeric seal components. Potentially worse, enough debris may pass into the journal gap and/or enough lubricant may escape the gap to impede rotation of the cone cutter. As a result, drilling dynamics may be changed by a bearing and/or seal failure, eventually requiring the bit to be removed from the borehole. Accordingly, protecting the integrity of the seal is of utmost importance.

Conventional rolling cone bits include lubricant systems within their journal segments for communicating lubricant from a reservoir to the bearing surfaces of the journal gap. Some such systems employ the axial movement of the cone cutter as part of a pumping mechanism for supplying stored lubricant to the bearing surfaces.

However, it is believed beneficial to control the rate of axial movement of the cone cutter. When in an extended state, the cone cutter extends the journal gap in the axial direction. The cone cutter tends to quickly retract, slamming the surfaces of the cutter into the thrust face, the annular end face of the journal pin, and the spindle pin face, the end face of the reduced-diameter spindle pin.

In downhole operation, this is a largely uncontrolled vibration that can not only damage the impacting faces of the cutter and the journal pin, but also the seal, at least in part by allowing a faster and/or greater magnitude of annular roll. Consequently, it is desired to dampen the axial vibration of the cone cutter on the journal pin while still maintaining adequate lubrication cycling throughout the journal gap and bearing surfaces.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cone movement dampener system for an earth-boring bit, the system comprising: a journal pin having an outer surface including a first journal surface; a cone disposed over said journal pin and having a second journal surface; a journal gap formed between said first and second journal surfaces; a grease passage in fluid communication with said journal gap; a bore in said journal pin in fluid communication with said grease passage and extending through said outer surface of said journal pin; and, a unidirectional valve disposed within said bore, said valve being adapted to open to allow lubricant movement out of said bore and to close to prevent lubricant movement into the bore.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cone movement dampener system for an earth-boring bit, the system comprising: a journal pin having a base portion connected to a journal segment leg and having a first journal surface; a cone disposed over said journal pin and having a second journal surface, said first and second journal surfaces forming a gap therebetween; a lubricant disposed within said gap; a seal between said first and second journal surfaces to maintain the presence of said lubricant within said gap; an axial bore through the end of said journal pin; and, a unidirectional valve disposed within said axial bore for allowing movement of said lubricant out of the axial bore and into said gap.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drill bit for drilling through earthen formations, the drill bit comprising: a bit body having an extending journal pin; a rolling cone cutter rotatably mounted on said journal pin, said cone cutter and said journal pin being coaxially aligned; a passage in said journal pin in fluid communication with a gap between said journal pin and said cone cutter; a bore in fluid communication with said passage and said gap; and, a unidirectional valve that allows fluid flow through said bore in a first direction and restricts fluid flow through said bore in a second direction that is opposite said first direction.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of lubricating a cone and a journal pin on an earth-boring bit, the method comprising: circulating a lubricant from a bore in the journal pin, through a unidirectional valve, and into a gap between the cone and journal pin.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for dampening the movement between a cone cutter mounted on a journal pin extending from a bit body of an earth-boring bit, the method comprising: allowing a lubricant to flow from a bore in the journal pin to a gap between the journal pin and the cone cutter when the cone cutter moves axially away from the bit body; and restricting the flow of the lubricant from the gap through the bore in the journal pin when the cone cutter moves towards the bit body.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drill bit for drilling through earthen formations, the drill bit comprising: a bit body having an extending journal pin; a rolling cone cutter rotatably mounted on said journal pin; a gap between said journal pin and said cone cutter; a passage in said journal pin in fluid communication with said gap; a bore in fluid communication with said passage and said gap; and, a means for permitting fluid flow through said bore in a first direction and restricting fluid flow through said bore in a second direction that is opposite said first direction.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cone movement dampener system for an earth-boring bit, the system comprising: a journal pin having an outer surface including a first journal surface; a cone disposed over said journal pin and having a second journal surface; a journal gap formed between said first and second journal surfaces; a grease passage in fluid communication with said journal gap; a bore in said journal pin in fluid communication with said grease passage and extending through said outer surface of said journal pin; and, a means for permitting lubricant movement out of the bore and preventing lubricant movement into the bore.

According to eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drill bit, the drill bit comprising: a bit body having a journal pin and a lubricant source; a rolling cone cutter coaxially aligned with and rotatably mounted on said journal pin; a journal gap between said pin and said cone cutter; a first lubricant passageway in fluid communication with said lubricant source and said journal gap; a bore in said pin in fluid communication with said lubricant source and said gap for intermittently supplying lubricant to said gap; and, a unidirectional valve in said bore and adapted to open in response to axial movement of said cone cutter away from said bit body and to close in response to axial movement of said cone cutter toward said bit body.

The system of the preferred embodiments includes a journal pin having a first journal surface, a cone cutter disposed over the journal pin and having a second journal surface, and a circumferential ball race formed between the first and second journal surfaces. The system of the preferred embodiments includes a grease passage in fluid communication with the ball race and passing through the journal pin. An axial bore is disposed through the end of the spindle pin and is in fluid communication with the grease passage. A unidirectional valve disposed within the axial bore allows lubricant movement out of the axial bore and into the journal gap, formed by the exterior of the journal pin and the adjacent interior bore of the cone cutter, when the cone moves axially away from the bit body.

The valve is configured to prevent the flow of lubricant in the opposite direction, thereby providing a dampening effect as the cone cutter tends to move axially back toward the bit body.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example of an earth-boring bit having a cone movement dampening system incorporated therein; Figure 2 is a partial section view taken through one leg and one rolling cone cutter of the bit shown in Figure 1; and, Figure 3 is an enlarged partial section view of the journal pin and cone cutter assembly shown in Figure 2.

Figure 1 illustrates a rotary cone drill bit in the form of a rock bit 100 having a body 102 having three rolling cutter cones 104 mounted on its lower end, and a threaded pin 106 at the upper end of the body for assembly of the rock bit onto a drill string (not shown) for drilling oil wells or the like. Each cone cutter 104 is mounted on a journal pin (not shown in Figure 1). A plurality of tungsten carbide inserts 108 are pressed into holes in the surfaces of the cutter cones 104 for bearing on the rock formation being drilled. Nozzles 110 in the bit body introduce drilling fluid into the space around the cutter cones 104 for cooling and carrying away formation chips drilled by the bit 100. A grease reservoir, described in greater detail below, is generally disposed in grease reservoir cavity 112.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary, longitudinal cross-section of the rock bit 100 shown in Figure 1, extending radially from the rotational axis 114 of the rock bit through one of the three legs 116 on which the cutter cones 104 are mounted. Each leg 116 includes a journal pin 118 extending downwardly and radially inwardly on the rock bit body 102.

Journal pin 118 includes bearing surface 133. The journal pin 118 also has a cylindrical nose, or spindle pin 120, of reduced diameter at its lower end 122. The lubricant pump and cone movement dampener system 200 of the preferred embodiments includes an axial bore 202, to be discussed in detail later, disposed substantially through the axis of rotation 124 of the cone 104.

Each cutter cone 104 is in the form of a generally conical steel body having a central bore or cavity 126 for receiving journal pin 118 and having cemented tungsten - 12 carbide inserts 108 pressed into holes on the external surface. For long life, the inserts 108 may be tipped with a polycrystalline diamond layer. Such tungsten carbide inserts 108 provide the drilling action by engaging a subterranean rock formation as the rock bit 100 is rotated.

Some types of bits have teeth milled on the outside of the cone rather than employing carbide inserts as cutting elements. Such bits are typically referred to as "milled- tooth" or "steel tooth" bits.

The cavity 126 in the cone 104 typically contains a cylindrical bearing surface 128 concentric with pin bearing surface 133. Disposed about the bearing surface 133 of the pin 118 is a floating journal sleeve 132. Collectively, sleeve 132 and journal bearing surfaces 133 and 128 provide the main bearing surface for the cone 104 on the bit body 102. Other types of bits, particularly for higher rotational speed applications, may include roller bearings instead of the journal bearings illustrated herein.

A plurality of locking balls 142 are fitted into complementary ball races 144, which are annular, hemispherical shape indentations or grooves in the cone 104 and on the journal pin 118. Upon assembly of the cone 104 on journal pin 118, balls 142 are inserted through a ball passage 146, which extends through the journal pin between the ball races 144 and the exterior of the rock bit 100. A cone 104 is first fitted on the journal pin 118, and then the locking balls 142 are inserted through the ball passage 146. The balls 142 carry any thrust loads tending to remove the cone 104 from the journal pin 118, and thereby retain the cone 104 on the journal pin 118. The balls 142 are retained in the races 144 by a ball retainer 148 which - is inserted through the ball passage 146 after the balls 142 are in place in the ball race 144. The ball retainer 148 may be of such diameter as to not completely fill the ball passage 146, allowing a portion of the ball passage diameter to serve as a grease passage 150 for communicating lubricant to the ball races 144 and journal bearing surfaces 128,133. A plug 154 is then welded or otherwise secured into the end of the ball passage 146 to keep the ball retainer 148 in place. Although shown as the same passage, it will be understood that an alternative embodiment may include a grease passage 150 distinct from ball passage 146, while still maintaining fluid communication with a leg grease passage 156 and ball race 144.

The bearing surfaces 128,133 between the journal pin 118 and the cone 104 are lubricated by a grease or other lubricant. Preferably, upon assembly of the rock bit 100, the interior of the bit 100 is evacuated, and lubricant is introduced through a fill passage (not shown). The lubricant thus fills the regions adjacent the bearing surfaces 128,133 plus various passages and a grease reservoir subassembly 164, and air is practically excluded from the interior of the rock bit 100. The reservoir subassembly 164 is connected to the ball passage 146 by the leg grease passage 156 (not to be confused with the grease passage 150 present in the journal pin 118) . Lubricant also fills the portion of the ball passage 146 adjacent the ball retainer 148 and journal gap 160. The journal gap 160 is the narrow space between cone cutter 104 and journal pin 118. Lubricant is retained in the journal gap 160 by a resilient seal in the form of a journal seal ring 162 between the cone 104 and journal pin 118. Journal gap 160 - 14 is not limited to the area adjacent to journal sleeve 132, but extends along journal pin 118 to lower end 122.

The reservoir subassembly 164 is disposed in a cavity 112 in the bit body 102. The subassembly 164 comprises a reservoir canister 166 with a vent passage 174 at its inner end. A flexible rubber reservoir bellows 170 extends into the canister 166 from its outer end. The reservoir bellows is held into place by a reservoir end cap 172 in which the vent passage 174 is provided. The reservoir subassembly 164 is retained in position by a snap ring 176.

Although a rotary cone drill bit having a pressure compensation subassembly is shown, it will be understood that some rotary cone drill bits are configured without pressure compensation subassemblies. For example, rotary cone drill bits used in mining operations, i.e., mining bits, are used in operating conditions different from that of rock bits where pressure compensation is not necessary.

When the rock bit 100 is assembled, the ball race 144, the journal gap 160, the axial bore 202 (described below), the leg grease passage 156, and the cavity 112 outside the reservoir bellows 170 are all filled with lubricant. If the volume of the lubricant expands due to heating, for example, the reservoir bellows 170 of subassembly 164 contracts or withdraws to provide additional volume in the sealed lubricant system, thereby preventing accumulation of excessive pressures. High pressure in the lubricant system can damage the seal ring 162 and permit abrasiveladen drilling fluid to enter the journal gap 160 and damage bearing surfaces 128,133. Conversely, if the lubricant volume should contract, the reservoir bellows 170 can expand to prevent low pressures in the sealed lubricant system, which could cause flow of abrasive and/or corrosive substances past the seal ring 162. If desired, a pressure- relief check valve (not shown) can also be provided in the reservoir subassembly 164 for relieving over-pressures in the lubricant system that could damage the seal ring 162.

Referring now to Figure 3, a close-up of the cone cutter assembly of Figure 2 is shown. The lubricant pump and cone movement dampener 200 includes an axial bore 202 formed through the journal pin 118, preferably central to the spindle pin 120 and coincident with the axis of rotation 124 of the cone 104. The axial bore 202 is in fluid communication with the grease passage 150 and is fitted with a unidirectional valve 204, which is retained in place with a snap ring 206 or other retaining mechanism.

The unidirectional valve 204 allows lubricant passage in only one direction, namely out of the journal pin 118 and into the journal gap 160. Likewise, lubricant is permitted to pass out of grease passage 150, into ball race 144 and into journal gap 160 in a conventional manner. The lubricant contacts and fills the areas between the cone cutter 104 and journal pin 118 to maintain suitable operation.

In this embodiment, the axial bore 202 includes a counterbore 208, an area of relatively larger diameter for seating and maintaining position of the unidirectional valve 204. As shown in this embodiment, the unidirectional valve 204 is a ball-spring type valve. As shown, a ball 210 fitted in the counterbore 208 is pushed towards the shoulder 212 formed at the intersection of the counterbore and axial bore 202. Lubricant flowing into the counterbore 208 from the journal gap 160 presses the ball against shoulder 212, maintaining the closed position of the ball until the pressure of lubricant flow in opposite direction is sufficient to unseat the ball and open the valve 204. A spring 214 fitted in the counterbore 208 also helps maintain the closed position of the ball 210. The force of the spring 214 against the ball 210 reduces response time for opening and closing valve 204, thereby dampening cone movement.

The spring 214 is preferably held in the counterbore 208 by a retaining mechanism 206. Preferably, the retaining mechanism 206 is a snap ring or other similar device that allows the spring 214 to maintain its terminal end position while still allowing lubricant to flow out of the axial bore 202. However, it will be understood that while a ball valve and counterbore have been shown, any other suitable unidirectional valve may be fitted within the axial bore 202 without the need for a counterbore. The journal seal ring 162, disposed between the journal surfaces 128,133, prevents egress of the lubricant into the earthen borehole and prevents or retards entry of contaminants and debris into the journal gap 160.

A certain amount of axial cone movement occurs in the rolling cone cutters as a result of the formation forces acting on the cutter elements of the cone cutter. As such forces cause the cone cutter 104 to move axially along the journal pin 118 in a direction away from the leg 116, lowered pressure within the journal gap 160 will induce flow of more lubricant out of the axial bore 202 and ball race 144 into journal gap 160. As the cone cutter 104 is pushed back towards leg 116 along the journal pin 118, as caused by formation forces acting on other rows of cutter elements, lubricant is forced out of journal gap 160.

Because valve 204 is unidirectional, it prevents lubricant exiting gap 160 from passing into the axial bore 202.

Thus, lubricant that is forced out of journal gap 160 can only exit gap 160 via holes (not shown) within the ball race 144. This cycle of lubricant motion into and out of the journal gap 160 allows heated lubricant to be evacuated from the gap 160 and for fresher, cooler grease to enter the gap 160. Lubricant cycling ensures a longer life of the lubricant, and consequently, contributes to the longer life of the bit and more efficient and cost-effective drilling operations.

Additionally, the placement and function of the unidirectional valve 204 in the journal pin 118 forces the lubricant that is originally conducted into gap 160 via bore 202 to pass through the tortuous path of the narrow journal gap 160 from the end of spindle pin 120 to ball race 144 to find another point of egress (i.e. grease passage 150) as the cone cutter 104 moves axially back towards leg 116. With valve 204 closed, lubricant present in the journal gap 160 is pushed into the ball race 144, from which it enters into grease passage 150 before cycling back into axial bore 202. Overall, lubricant flow is generally unidirectional throughout the axial bore 202 of cone movement dampener 200, largely cycling out of the axial bore 202, into the journal gap 160, and back into the grease passage 150 (via ball races 144) where it may thereafter enter the axial bore 202 again. Although grease passage 150 is in fluid communication with leg grease passage 156 leading to the grease reservoir (not shown in Figure 3), it will be understood that the lubricant may not cycle completely back to the grease reservoir.

The presence of cycling lubricant in the journal gap has a cushioning effect, such that axial movement of the cone cutter 104 back towards thejournal pin 118 is dampened. Under conventional operating conditions, the cone cutter 104 would tend to oscillate axially in a rapid fashion along journal pin 118. When fitted with the lubricant pump and cone movement dampener 200 of the preferred embodiments, the speed at which the cone cutter 104 can oscillate is reduced. This is especially desired during the retraction phase, when the cone 104 moves towards the journal pin 118. Instead of rapidly slamming into the faces of the journal pin 118 and spindle pin 120, the cone cutter 104 approaches these faces more slowly due to the presence of lubricant that has been pumped into journal gap 160 via valve 204. When the cone is forced back along journal pin 118 towards leg 116, the cone movement is retarded as the lubricant pumped into the gap through passageways 150 (of area A1) and 202 (of area A2) can be forced out of gap 160 only through grease passage 150. With the total area available for communicating the lubricant thus decreased, cone movement is slowed. Consequently, less physical wear is possible on the impacting faces. In addition, the slowed axial movement of the cone cutter 104 relative to the journal pin 118 contributes to less rolling and movement of the seal ring 162. AS previously mentioned, rapid movements of the cone may cause excessive movement or roll of seal ring 162 in the axial direction, which may allow debris to become wedged between the seal ring 162 and an adjacent surface, reducing the integrity of the seal. The rapid cycling of an undampened cone 104 may allow the seal ring 162 to move back over and cover the debris, thus trapping the debris and possibly compacting it. Compacted debris may collect and become hard enough to physically damage the seal ring 162, further reducing the integrity of the seal.

Embodiments of the present invention have been described with particular reference to the examples illustrated. However, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications may be made to the examples described within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cone movement dampener system for an earth-boring bit, the system comprising: a journal pin having an outer surface including a first journal surface; a cone disposed over said journal pin and having a second journal surface; a journal gap formed between said first and second journal surfaces; a grease passage in fluid communication with said journal gap; a bore in said journal pin in fluid communication with said grease passage and extending through said outer surface of said journal pin; and, a unidirectional valve disposed within said bore, said valve being adapted to open to allow lubricant movement out of said bore and to close to prevent lubricant movement into the bore.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said bore is formed through an end of said journal pin.

3. A system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said journal pin includes a circumferential ball race in fluid communication with said grease passage.

4. A cone movement dampener system for an earth-boring bit, the system comprising: a journal pin having a base portion connected to a journal segment leg and having a first journal surface; a cone disposed over said journal pin and having a second journal surface, said first and second journal surfaces forming a gap therebetween; a lubricant disposed within said gap; a seal between said first and second journal surfaces to maintain the presence of said lubricant within said gap; an axial bore through the end of said journal pin; and, a unidirectional valve disposed within said axial bore for allowing movement of said lubricant out of the axial bore and into said gap.

5. A system according to claim 4, comprising: a circumferential ball race formed between said first and second journal surfaces; and a grease passage in fluid communication with said ball race and passing through said journal pin.

6. A system according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein said seal is an Oring.

7. A system according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein said unidirectional valve is a ball valve.

8. A system according to claim 7, wherein said ball valve is springbiased.

9. A system according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein said unidirectional valve is arranged to open when said cone moves away from said journal pin.

10. A system according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein said unidirectional valve is arranged to close when said cone moves towards said journal pin.

11. A drill bit for drilling through earthen formations, the drill bit comprising: a bit body having an extending journal pin; a rolling cone cutter rotatably mounted on said journal pin, said cone cutter and said journal pin being coaxially aligned; a passage in said journal pin in fluid communication with a gap between said journal pin and said cone cutter; a bore in fluid communication with said passage and said gap; and, a unidirectional valve that allows fluid flow through said bore in a first direction and restricts fluid flow through said bore in a second direction that is opposite said first direction.

12. A drill bit according to claim 11, wherein said bore is formed through an end of said journal pin.

13. A drill bit according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein said journal pin includes a circumferential ball race in fluid communication with said passage.

14. A drill bit according to any of claims 11 to 13, wherein said unidirectional valve is a ball valve.

15. A drill bit according to claim 14, wherein said ball valve is springbiased.

16. A drill bit according to any of claims 11 to 15, wherein said unidirectional valve is arranged to open when said cone moves axially away from said journal pin.

17. A drill bit according to any of claims 11 to 16, wherein said unidirectional valve is arranged to close when said cone moves axially towards said journal pin.

18. A drill bit according to claim 17, wherein said unidirectional valve is arranged to close to a fully-closed position and substantially prevents fluid flow through said bore in said second direction that is opposite said first direction.

19. A method of lubricating a cone and a journal pin on an earth-boring bit, the method comprising: circulating a lubricant from a bore in the journal pin, through a unidirectional valve, and into a gap between the cone and journal pin.

20. A method according to claim 19, comprising: supplying said lubricant to the journal gap through a passageway that is separate from said bore.

21. A method for dampening the movement between a cone cutter mounted on a journal pin extending from a bit body of an earth-boring bit, the method comprising: allowing a lubricant to flow from a bore in the journal pin to a gap between the journal pin and the cone cutter when the cone cutter moves axially away from the bit body; and restricting the flow of the lubricant from the gap through the bore in the journal pin when the cone cutter moves towards the bit body.

22. A drill bit for drilling through earthen formations, the drill bit comprising: a bit body having an extending journal pin; a rolling cone cutter rotatably mounted on said journal pin; a gap between said journal pin and said cone cutter; a passage in said journal pin in fluid communication with said gap; a bore in fluid communication with said passage and said gap; and, a means for permitting fluid flow through said bore in a first direction and restricting fluid flow through said bore in a second direction that is opposite said first direction.

23. A drill bit according to claim 22, wherein said means for permitting fluid flow comprises a unidirectional valve in said bore.

24. A cone movement dampener system for an earth-boring bit, the system comprising: a journal pin having an outer surface including a first journal surface; a cone disposed over said journal pin and having a second journal surface; a journal gap formed between said first and second journal surfaces; À a grease passage in fluid communication with said journal gap; a bore in said journal pin in fluid communication with said grease passage and extending through said outer surface of said journal pin; and, a means for permitting lubricant movement out of the bore and preventing lubricant movement into the bore.

25. A system according to claim 24, wherein said means for permitting lubricant movement out of the bore and preventing lubricant movement into the bore comprises a spring-biased ball valve.

26. A drill bit, the drill bit comprising: a bit body having a journal pin and a lubricant source; a rolling cone cutter coaxially aligned with and rotatably mounted on said journal pin; a journal gap between said pin and said cone cutter; a first lubricant passageway in fluid communication with said lubricant source and said journal gap; a bore in said pin in fluid communication with said lubricant source and said gap for intermittently supplying lubricant to said gap; and, a unidirectional valve in said bore and adapted to open in response to axial movement of said cone cutter away from said bit body and to close in response to axial movement of said cone cutter toward said bit body.

27. A drill bit, substantially in accordance with any of the examples as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

28. A method of lubricating a drill bit and dampening movement of a cone cutter of the drill bit, substantially in accordance with any of the examples as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.