Roller Cone Bits
Roller cone bits (or rock bits) are still the most common type of bit used world wide. The cutting action is provided by cones which have either steel teeth or tungsten carbide inserts. These cones rotate on the bottom of the hole and drill hole predominantly with a grinding and chipping action. Rock bits are classified as milled tooth bits or insert bits depending on the cutting surface on the cones (Figure 2 and 3).
The first successful roller cone bit was designed by Hughes in 1909. This was a major innovation, since it allowed rotary drilling to be extended to hard formations. The first design was a 2 cone bit which frequently balled up since the teeth on the cones did not mesh. This led to the introduction of a superior design in the 1930s which had 3 cones with meshing teeth. The same basic design is still in use today although there have been many improvements over the years.
The cones of the 3 cone bit are mounted on bearing pins, or arm journals, which extend from the bit body. The bearings allow each cone to turn about its own axis as the bit is rotated. The use of 3 cones allows an even distribution of weight, a balanced cutting structure and drills a better gauge hole than the 2 cone design. The major advances in rock bit design since the introduction of the Hughes rock bit include:
• Improved cleaning action by using jet nozzles
• Using tungsten carbide for hardfacing and gauge protection
• Introduction of sealed bearings to prevent the mud causing premature failure due to abrasion and corrosion of the bearings.
The elements of a roller cone bit are shown in detail in Figure 4.
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Figure 2 Milled tooth bit (Courtesy of Hughes Christensen) |
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Figure 3 Insert bit (Courtesy of Hughes Christensen) |
Diamond has been used as a material for cutting rock for many years. Since it was first used however, the type of diamond and the way in which it is set in the drill bit have changed.