US3825083A

US3825083A - Drill bit and stabilizer combination

Info

Publication number: US3825083A
Application number: US00222826A
Authority: US
Inventors: F Flarity; W Eustace
Original assignee: Christensen Diamond Products Co
Current assignee: Norton Christensen Inc; Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
Priority date: 1972-02-02
Filing date: 1972-02-02
Publication date: 1974-07-23
Anticipated expiration: 1991-07-23
Also published as: DE2304271A1; AU462584B2; CA971553A; DE2304271B2; FR2171061B1; FR2171061A1; AU4706072A; JPS4888002A; JPS5235001B2

Abstract

A closely coupled bore hole drill bit and stabilizer combination includes a body structure adapted to be coupled to a rotary drill string or downhole motor, the body structure having cutting elements on its lower portion for drilling the bore hole, the upper portion of the body structure being surrounded by a separate stabilizer in juxtaposition to the upper end of the lower portion of the body structure, the stabilizer being removably coupled to the body structure, as through the agency of a clutch device, by a threaded coupling, or by welding, allowing readily uncoupling or disconnection of the stabilizer from a worn drill bit and its appropriate association with another operable drill bit.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Flarity et a1,

1 1 July 23,1974

1 DRILL BIT AND STABILIZER COMBINATION Inventors: Frank ODell Flarity, SaltLake City, Utah; Waymon Rhea Eustace, Midland, Tex.

Assignee: Christensen Diamond Products Company, Salt Lake City, Utah 22 Filed: Feb. 2, 1972' 211 AppL'No; 222,826

[52] US. Cl 175/394, 175/325, 175/329 [51] Int. Cl E211) 9/36, E21b 17/10.

[58] Field of Search 175/394, 323, 325, 329,

[56] References Cited v UNITED STATES PATENTS Besson 175/403 X Jenkins... 175 329 x Shields 175/412 X Mitchell 175/329 Lake 175/330 Comstock 175/329 X 1571 A closely coupled bore hole drill bit and stabilizer 3,095,049 6/1963 DuBcrger l75/33OX 3,712,392 1/1973 Dela Gorgendiere. 175/325 Rl1,597 4/1897 Davis 175/403 X Primary Examiner-Henry C. Sutherland Assistant ExaminerRichard E. Favreau Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Bernard Kriegel ABSTRACT combination includes a body structure adapted to be coupled to a rotary drill string or downhole motor, the

bodyf structure having cutting elements on its lower portion for drilling the bore hole, the upper portion of the body structure being surrounded by a separate stabilizer in juxtaposition to the upper end of the lower portion of the body structure, the stabilizer being re-i movably coupled to the body structure, as through the agency of a clutch device, by a threaded coupling, or by welding, allowing readily uncoupling or disconnection of the stabilizer from a worn drill bit and its appropriate association with another operable drill bit.-

'18 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Pennington 175/329 PATENTEDJUL23IS74 SHEET 1 BF 2 1 Fm Jr a n. 0 w oo DO 9 a 0 0 0 0 a a 00 V 1 DRILL BIT AND STABILIZER COMBINATION The present invention relates to rotary bore hole drilling devices, and more particularly to combinations of drill bits and stabilizers used in drilling bore holes, such as stabilizer and diamond bitcombinations.

Rotary drill bit and stabilizer combinations are well known, thestabilizer having thepurpose, as its name implies, of retaining the bit in acoaxial or centered position in the bore hole being drilled. Heretofore, the stabilizer has been threadedly connected to the lower end of a rotary drilling string, or a downhole motor, the

lower end of the stabilizer being threadedly connected to the upper end of the drill bit that drills the hole. With the prior stabilizer and bit combinations, the bore hole being drilled by the bit may tend to deviate from the desired drilling direction; the bit may wobble, tending to drill a spiraled, oversize hole; it may form ledges in the hole; and-it may cause excessive wear on and damage to the bit. cutting elements, contributing to a slower drilling rate and to a lesser bit life.

By virtue of the present invention,*a bit stabilizer combination is provided that results in the drilling of a truer and straighter bore "hole. Wobbling of the bit, such as a diamond bit is eliminated, reducing the tendency of the bit to'drill spiraled, oversized holes. Darting of the bit around the bottom of the bore hole is also eliminated, preventing ledges from being formed in the hole. Since the bit is caused to drill a truer size'hole, its penetration rate into the formation is increased, excess wear of and damage to the diamonds or other cutting elements is avoided, contributing to a longer life of the bit. 1

The drill bit and stabilizer are closely coupled to each other, running truer and providing a longer life to the bearings of a downhole motor that might be used in rotating the bit and stabilizer combination, as well as reducing power losses inherent in the greater overall length of prior drill bit and stabilizer combinations.

In apparatus embodying the present invention, the stabilizer portion is rotatably driven directly by the .body structureof the bit, the stabilizer being relatively easily disconnected from a worn bit and readily reconnectable to the body structure of anew bit, thereby enabling the stabilizer to outlast several drill bits, providing ready replacement in the field, if desired, of bits or stabilizers in the bit-stabilizer combination. With stabilizer-diamond bit combinations, the stabilizer, in effect, forms an upward continuation of the bit, the stabilizer pads or landsbeing positively-alignable with the pads or lands on the reamer portion of the bit, the waterways or junk slots between the stabilizer pads also being aligned with the corresponding waterways or junks slots in the bit reamerportion, the stabilizer pads and junk slots forming upward continuations of the bit reamerpads and junk slots, respectively, there being no significant gaps between the stabilizerand bit reamer portion. x

This invention possesses many other advantages,'and has other purposes which may be made more clearly apparent-from a consideration of several forms in which it may be embodied. Such forms are shown in the ples of the invention; but it is to be understoodthat 2 such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a rotary drill bit.

As disclosed in the drawings, a combined drill bit and stabilizer includes a drill bit A foroperation upon the bottom of a bore hole, drilling fluid flushing the cuttings from the bottom upwardly around the drill bit and a string of drill pipe. (not shown) to which it is secured to the top of the hole. It also includes a stabilizer B for maintaining the bit coaxial of the bore hole. The combined drill bit and stabilizer includes a body or shank structure 10 comprising an upper section 11 having an upper threaded pin 12 for threadedly attaching the combination to the string of drill pipe. The upper section is attached by;a straight threaded connection 13 and weld 14 to a lower section 15. Circulating fluid pumped down through the drill pipe flows into a central or main passage 16 of the body structure of the tool and then flows through a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending grooves 17 toward the bottom of the hole. The lower end of each fluid distribution groove communicates with one or a plurality of radial waterways 18 extending toward the outer gage portion 19 of the bit, the fluid flowing through such waterways and also across the cutting surface or face of the bit.

. The body of the bit has diamonds or similar cutting elements 20 secured in its formation contacting face within a matrix 21, of a suitable type, forming a portion of thebit body 10 and appropriately fused to its lower body section 15. The central portion 22 of the bit illustrated is generally conical in shape with the side of the cone tapering in an upward and inward direction. The generally conical portion of the bit merges into'a lower bottom contacting portion 23, which, in turn, merges into an upwardly diverging conical face 24 terminating at the generally cylindrical reamer face 25 of the bit. The drilling portion of the bit A is divided into a plurality of diamond set sections, lands or pads 26, 26a which extend outwardly from the region of the distribution grooves 17, and which are defined by the waterways 18 extending from each groove toward the gage portion 19 of the bit. Thus, the waterways extend from the outlets of the distribution grooves 17 generally radially along the inner conical face portion 22,- lowermost face portion 23, and outer conical face portion 24,

merging into vertical waterways or

grooves

27, 27b in' the reamer portion 19 of the bit body section 15, the upper portions of some of the vertical waterways running transversely across the gage portions 19 and opening into circumferentially spaced vertical junk slots 27b in the reamer portion that-extend upwardly through its upper end.

The inner conical portion 22 of the bit face has diamonds 20.set in its matrix 21 for operation upon the central portion of the hole. Similarly, diamonds are set in a predetermined pattern in the faces of all of the lands, the diamonds 20 terminating at the lowermost 3 end 30 of the outer gage or vertical reamer portion 19. Such reamer portion may have diamonds or other suitable cutting elements 20 a in its matrix 21.

in the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3', the stabilizer B is mounted on the bit body 10. This stabilizer is in the form of a sleeve unit 31 that can be slippeddownwardly over the body or shank l0, with its lower end 32 bearing against the upper-end 33 of the outer matrix 21 of the drill bit. The inside diameter of the stabilizer sleeve '31 conforms closely to the outside diameterof the upper body section 11 and of the upper portion of the lower body section 15, leakage of fluid between the sleeve and body sections being prevented by several elastomer seal rings 34, such as O-rings, disposed in circumferential grooves 35 in the body sections and bearing against the inner wall 31a of the sleeve. The sleeve has circumferentially spacedvertical lands or pads 36 formed thereon which are defined by intervening vertical waterways37 and junk slots'37a.

The'stabilizer lands, waterways and junk slots conform in spacing and width with the waterways 27, junk slots 27b and lands 26a in the reamer or gage portion 19 of the lower drill bit and form upward continuations thereof, the stabilizer junk slots 37a and waterways 37 opening through the upper end of the stabilizer sleeve, with the lands 36 terminating at a tapered guide shoulder 38 inclined in a downward and outward direction.

Appropriate orienting of the stabilizer sleeve 31 with the lower drill bit A, to align the stabilizer pads, water- 1 ways and junk slots with the reader pads, waterways and junk slots, is secured through a clutch or coupling device 40. Thus, the outer part of the gage portion 19 has axial vertical grooves-41 therein in the vertical landsl-9 that receive downwardly directed clutch dogs or teeth 42 integral with the stabilizer lands 36, the

tion 32 engages the upwardly facing shoulder 33on the bit matrix 21, and with the stabilizer dogs 42 interfitting fully with the dogs 44 of the reamer portion 19 of the drill bit. The nut 51 is prevented from loosening from its tight position on the body of the bit by a lock nut 53 threaded onthe threaded bit body portion 52 and tightened firmly against the jam nut 51.

In operation of the drill bit and stabilizer combination, the upper threaded pin 12 is secured to the lower end of the drill pipe string or downhole motor and is lowered in the'bore hole being drilled to its bottom. Suitable'drilling weight is imposed on the drilling string and body of the tool while the tool isrotated atthe desired speed and drilling mudis circulated down through the drill pipe and through the central or'main fluid .passage 16 of the bit. The'stabilizer pads36 have the same bearing dianieter 'as the vertical reamer pads 26a of the drill bit 'A and serves to center the drill bit in the hole,

the cuttings being flushed by the drilling fluid toward the outer portion of the bit and through the waterways 27 and junk slots 27b of the bit, continuing upwardly through the waterways 37 and junk slots 37a of the stabilizer B, the drilling fluid also flowing across the several drilling pads 26a and the stabilizer pads 36 to-cool them and also to clean them of cuttings.-

The close coupled relationship between the stabilizer sleeve 31 andthe drill bit portion A of the combination results in the drilling of a true and straight holerwobblingof theadrill bit portion being eliminated, which reduces the tendency of the bit to drill a spiraled oversize hole, as well as preventing ledges from 'beingformed in the hole. Since the bit is drilling the desired size of hole,

, its penetration rate is increased, while the life of the bit width of the dogs 42 and grooves 41 closely conforming and providing a rotatable driving connection between the bit'A and the stabilizer sleeve 31. In effect, the stabilizer teeth or dogs 42 are formed by circumferentially spaced lower grooves 43 in the stabilizer sleeve which receive upwardly projecting dogs or teeth 44 of .the

is extended by avoiding excessive damage to its cutting elements or diamonds. I A

The stabilizer portion of the combination will outlast three to five diamond bits, enabling it to be used with a plurality of successive drill bits. Thus, after the apparatus has been withdrawn from the bore hole the stabilizer sleeve 31 is easily removed by unscrewing the lock nut 53 and jam nut 51 and slipping the stabilizer sleeve reamer portion 19 of the bit, such reamer dogs defining the grooves 41 that receive the stabilizer axial dogs 42. It is to be noted that the widths of the dogs or

teeth

42, 44 closely conform to the widths of the

grooves

41, 43 so that a torque'with substantially no play can be transmitted from the reamer bit ,dogs 44 to the stabilizer 'dogs 42. Not only do the interengaging clutch teeth or

dogs

44, 42 serve to transmit rotation from the bit portion A of the tool to the. stabilizer sleeve 31, but it serves to properly align the stabilizer pads 36, waterways 37 and junk slots 37a with the reamer pads 26a,-

waterways 27, and junk slots 27b, respectively of the bit. Preferably, the reamer pads and stabilizer pads and the waterwaysand junk slots therebetween are inclined so that 360 wall coverage can be obtained by the stabilizer and reamer portions of the bit combination. The stabilizer pads 36 have suitable hard material embedded in their outer matrix portion, which may be diamonds, sintered carbide inserts, or combinations.

thereof.

The stabilizer sleeve 31 is rigidly secured to the bit body and also firmlycoupled to the drill bit A by a jam nut 51 threaded downwardly on an externally threaded portion 52 of the bit body section 11, this nut being tightened untilthe inner or lower stabilizer sleeve porupwardly off the drill bit body section 11, enabling it to be slipped over another bit body and placed in clutched or coupled relation with another drill bit portion of the bit and stabilizer combination, the sleeve'being secured in place by the jam and lock

nuts

51, 53.

In the form of the invention disclosed in FIG. 4, the stabilizer sleeve 31a is not clutched to the drill bit portion. Instead, the sleeve has an upper threaded box that is mounted on the external thread 71 of an intermediate body section 72, the lower end 73 of which is threaded to the lower body section 15a, also being attached thereto by a weld 14. The stabilizer sleeve 31a is threaded downwardly until its lower end 32a engages an upwardly facing shoulder 33 on the lower body section 15a, at which time the stabilizer pads 36, waterways 37 and junk slots 37a will be alignedwith the companion pads, waterways and junk slots of the reamer portion 19 of the drill bit. When so aligned, a

downwardly facing inner shoulder 75' on the stabilizer diate body section 72.

The stabilizer sleeve 31a is firmly secured to the intermediate section 72 by threading an upper section 11a to the upper portion of the intermediate section 72 and then welding the upper section 11a, intermediate section 72 and sleeve 31a together by a circumferential weld 77, which is then turned off so that its periphery conforms to the peripheries of the upper section 11a and stabilizer sleeve 31a. The upper body section has a threaded pin 12 thereon for securing the bit structure to the lower end of a drilling string or drilling motor, by means of which the entire bit and stabilizer assembly is rotated.

ln drilling the bore hole with the stabilizer and drill bit combination illustrated in FIG. 4, the torque is transmitted from the drill string or motor through the upper body section, 11a and intermediate body section 72 to the lower drill bit A. ltis also 'transmittedfrom the upper body section through the intermediate body section and weld 77 tothe stabilizer sleeve 31a, such that the stabilizer sleeve and drill bit rotate as a functionally integral unit. i

The mode of operation and advantages of the assembly illustrated in FIG 4 are essentially the same as in the other form of the invention, including the removability of the stabilizer sleeve 31a from the body structureand lower drill bit. Thus, the weld 77 can be cut away and the upper body section 11a unthreaded from the intermediate body section 72, which then enables the stabilizer sleeve 31ato be unthreaded'from the intermediate' body section 72, for use in combination with another and new drill bit.

- We claim;

1. In a rotary drill bit and stabilizer apparatus for drilling a bore hole in a formation: a body structure having an upper connector adapted to secure said structure to a drilling string; said body structure having a lower cutting portion for drilling the bore hole to a predetermined diameter and an outer gage portion of extended length integral with said lower cutting portion and having an effective diameter conforming to said predetermined bore hole diameter; aseparate elongate stabilizer movable over said connector and along said body structure toward and into engagement with said outer gage portion; and means for securing said stabilizer to said body structure for simultaneous rotation with said lower cutting portion, said stabilizer having circumferentially spaced, externally arcuate elongate vertical pads providing a large bearing area with respect to the wall surface of the bore hole, said pads having an effective diameter conforming to the diameter of said hole and outer gage portion, the lower end of said stabilizer being contiguous the upper end of said gage portion, said stabilizer constituting an upward continuation of said gage portion.

2. ln apparatus as defined in claim 1; said stabilizer comprising an elongate sleeve having an effective outside diameterconforming to the predetermined bore hole diameter; said securing means securing said sleeve to said body structure for rotation by said body structure jointly with said lower cutting portion.

3. In apparatus as defined in claim 1; said lower cutting portion including a fluid passage and spaced waterways in the end face of said cutting portion communicating with said passage andproviding lands in said end face therebetween; cuttingelements on said lands; said gage portion having spaced vertical waterways in its periphery communicating with said otherwaterways and providing spaced vertical lands therebetween; said stabilizer having spaced vertical elongate waterways in its periphery aligned with and communicating with said vertical waterways of said gage portion, said stabilizer waterways defining said spaced vertical elongate pads therebetween forming upward continuations of the vertical gage portion lands; the lower ends of said stabilizer waterways and stabilizer pads being contiguous the upper ends of said gage portion vertical waterways and vertical lands, respectively.

4. ln apparatus as defined in claim 1; said stabilizer comprising an elongate sleeve having an effective outside diameter conforming to the predetermined bore hole diameter; said securing means securing said sleeve to said body structure for rotation by said body structure jointly with-said lower cutting portion; said lower cutting portionincluding a fluid passage and spaced waterways in the end face of said cutting portion communicating with said passage and providing lands in said end face therebetween; cutting elements on said lands; said gage portion having spaced vertical waterways in itsperiphery communicating with said other waterways and providing spaced vertical lands therebetween; said stabilizer sleeve having spaced vertically elongate waterways in its periphery aligned with and communicating with said "vertical waterways of said gage portion, said stabilizer sleeve waterways said spaced vertical elongate pads therebetween forming upward continuations of thevertical gage portion lands; the lower ends of said stabilizer sleeve waterways and stabilizer sleeve pads being contiguous the upper ends of said gage portion vertical waterways and vertical lands, respectively. y

5. ln rotary drill bit and stabilizer apparatus for drilling a bore hole in a formation: a body structure having an upper connector adapted to secure said structure to a drilling string; said body structure having a lower cutting portion for drilling the bore hole to a predetermined diameter and anouter gate portion of extended length integral with said lower cutting portion and having an effective diameter conforming to said predetermined bore hole diameter; a separate elongate stabilizer sleeve movable over said connector and along the exterior of said body structure above said outer gage portion toward and into engagement with said outer gate portion, said sleeve having circumferentially spaced, externally arcuate elongate vertical pads providing a large bearing area with respect to the wall surface of the bore hole, said pads having an effective diameter conforming to the diameter of said hole and outer gage portion, the lower end of said sleeve being contiguous the upper end of said gage portion, said sleeve constituting an upward continuation of said gage portion; and clutching means securing said sleeve to said body structure, whereby said cutting portion and sleeve rotate together. f

6.- In apparatus as defined in claim 5; said clutching means comprising intermeshing axially extending dogs on the lower portion of said sleeve and upper portion of said gage portion.

7. ln apparatus as defined in claim 5; and means on said body structure engaging said sleeve for holding said sleeve downwardly and saidclutching means engaged. y

8. In apparatus as defined in claim 5; said clutching means comprising intermeshing axially extending dogs on the lower portion of said sleeve and upper portion of said gage portion; and means on said body structure engaging said sleeve for holding said sleeve downwardly and said dogs intermeshed.

9 ln apparatus as defined in claim 5; and means on said body structure engaging said sleeve for holding I said sleeve downwardly and said clutching means engaged; and means threaded on said body structure above said sleeve'and engaging the upper end of said sleeve for holding said sleeve downwardly and said dogs 'intermeshed.

10. In apparatus as defined in claim said lower cutting portion including a fluid passage and spaced waterways in the end face of said cutting portion communicatingwith said passage and providing lands in said end face therebetween; cutting elementson said lands; said with said verticalwaterways of said gage portion, said stabilizer sleeve'waterways defining said spaced vertical elongate pads therebetween forming upward continuationsof the vertical gage portion'lands; the lower ends of said stabilizer sleeve waterways and stabilizer sleeve pads being contiguous the upper ends-of said gage portion vertical waterways and verticallands,'respectively. a a I 11. In apparatus as defined in claim 5; said lower cutting portion including a fluid passage and spaced waterways in the endface of saidcutting portion communicating with said passage and providing lands in= said end face therebetween; cutting elements on said'lands; said gageportion having spaced vertical waterways in its periphery'communicating with said other waterways and providing spaced vertical landstherebetween; said stabilizer sleeve having spaced vertical elongate waterways in its periphery aligned with and communicating with said vertical waterways of said gage portion, said stabilizer sleeve waterwaysdefining said spaced vertical elongate. pads the'rebetween forming upward continuations of the vertical gage portion lands; the lower ends of said stabilizer sleeve waterways and stabilizer sleeve pads being contiguous the upper ends of said gage portion vertical waterways and vertical lands, re-

' spectively; said clutching means comprising intermesh- 'ing axially extending dogs on the lower portion of said sleeve and upper portion of said gage portion; and

means on said body'structure engaging said sleeve for holding said; sleeve downwardly and said dogs intern 12. In rotary drillbit and stabilizer apparatus for drilling a bore hole in a formation: a body structure adapted to be connected to a drilling string; said body I structure having a lower cutting portion for drilling the bore hole to a predetermined diameter, said lower'cutting portion including an outer gage portion of an effective diameter conforming to said predetermined bore hole diameter; a separate stabilizersleeve encompassingsaid body structure'above said outer gage portion, said sleeve having an effective diameter conforming to the diameter of said hole and outer gageportion, the lower end of said sleeve being contiguous 'the upper end of said gage portion, said sleeve constituting an upward continua'tion'of said gage portion; and clutching means securing said sleeve to said body structure,

whereby said cutting portion and sleeve rotate together; said lower cutting portion including a fluid pas sage and spaced waterways in the end face of said cutting portion communicating with said passage and providing lands in said end face therebetween; cutting elements on said lands; said .gage portion having spaced 8 vertical waterways in its periphery communicating with said other waterways and providing spaced vertical lands .therebetween; said stabilizer sleeve having spaced vertical elongate waterways in its periphery aligned with and communicating with said vertical waterways of said gage portion, said stabilizer sleeve waterways defining spaced vertical elongate lands therebetween forming upward continuations of the vertical gage portion lands; the lower ends of said stabilizer sleeve waterways and stabilizer'sleeve lands being contiguous the upper ends of said gage portion vertical waterways and-vertical lands, respectively; said clutching means comprising intermeshing axially extending dogs on thelower portion of said sleeveand upper portion of said gage portion; and means threaded on said body structure and engaging the upper end of said sleeve for holding said sleeve downwardly and said dogs intermeshed.

' 13. In rotary drill bit and-stabilizer apparatus for drilling a bore hole in a formation: abody structure having an upper connector adapted to secure said'str ucture to a drilling string; said body structure having a lower cutting portion for drilling the'bore hole to a predetermined diameter and an outer gage portion of extended length integral with said lower cutting portion and having an effective diameter conformingto said predetermined bore hole diameter; a separate stabilizer-sleeve movable over said connector and along the exterior of said body structure above said. outer gage port-ion toward and into'engagement' with said outer gage portion, said sleeve having circumferentially spaced, externally arcuat eelongate vertical pads providing a large bearing area with respect to the'wall surface of the bore hole, said pads having an effective diameter conforming to the diameter of said hole and outer gage portion,

the'lower end of said sleeve being contiguous the upper curing the upper portion of said sleeve to said body structure,.whereby said cutting portion and sleeve rotate together Y 14. In apparatus as defined. in claim 13; said securing means including athreaded connection between said body'structureand upper portion of said stabilizer sleeve. i M

15. In apparatus as defined in claim 13; said lower cutting portion including a fluid passage and, spaced waterways in the end face of said cutting portion communicating with said passage andproviding lands in said end face therebetween; cutting elements on said lands; said gage portion havingspaced verticalwaterways in its periphery communicating with said other waterways and providing spaced vertical-lands therebetween; said stabilizer sleeve having spaced vertical elongate waterways in its peripheryaligned with and communicating with said vertical waterways of said gage portion, said stabilizer sleeve waterways defining said spaced vertical elongate padstherebetween forming upward continuations of the vertical gage portion lands; the lower ends of said stabilizer sleeve waterways and stabilizer sleeve pads being contiguous the upper said end face therebetween; cutting elements on said lands; said gage portion having spaced vertical waterways in its periphery communicating with said other waterways and providing spaced vertical lands therebetween; said stabilizer sleeve having spaced vertical elongate waterways in its periphery aligned with and communicating with said vertical waterways of said gage portion, saidstabilizer sleeve waterways defining said spaced vertical elongate pads therebetween forming upward continuations of the vertical gage portion lands; the lower ends of saidstabilizer sleeve waterways and stabilizer sleeve pads being contiguous the upper ends of said gage portion vertical waterways and vertical lands, respectively; said securing means including a threaded connection between said body structure and upper portion of said stabilizer sleeve.

17. In rotary drill bit and stabilizer apparatus for drilling a bore hole ina formation: a body structure having an upper connector adapted to secure said structure to a drilling string; said body structure having a lower cutting portion for drilling the bore hole to a predetermined diameter, said lower cutting portion including an outer gage portion of an effective diameter conforming to said predetermined bore hole diameter; a separate stabilizer sleeve movable over said connector and along the exterior of said body structure above said outer gage portion toward and into engagement with said outer gage portion, said sleeve having an effective diameter conforming to the diameter of said hole and outer gage portion, the lower end of said sleeve being contiguous the upper end of said gage portion, said sleeve constituting an upward continuation of said gage portion; and means securing the upper portion of said ling a bore hole in formation: a body structure having an upper connector adapted to secure said structure to a drilling string; said body structure having a lower cutting portion for drilling the bore hole to a predetermined diameter, said lower cutting portion including an outer gage portion of an effective diameter conforming to said predetermined bore hole diameter; a separate stabilizer sleeve movable over said connector and along the exterior of said body structure above said outer gage portion toward, and into engagement with said outer gage portion, said sleeve having an effective diameter conforming to the diameter of said hole and outer gage portion, the lower end of said sleeve being contiguous the upper end of said gage portion, said sleeve constituting an upward continuation of said gage portion; and means securing the upper portion of said sleeve to said body structure, whereby said cutting portion and sleeve rotate together; said lower cutting portion including a fluid passage and spaced waterways in the end face of said cutting portion communicating with said passage and providing lands in said end face therebetween; cutting elements on said lands; said gage portion having spaced vertical waterways in its periphery communicating with said other waterways and providing spaced vertical lands therebetween; said stabilizer sleever having spaced vertical elongate waterways in its periphery aligned with and communicating with said vertical waterways of said gage portion, said stabilizer sleeve waterways defining spaced vertical elongate lands therebetween forming upward continuations of the vertical gage portion lands; the lower ends of said stabilizer sleeve waterways and stabilizer sleeve lands being contiguous the upper ends of said gage portion vertical waterways and vertical lands, respectively; said securing means including a threadedconnection between said body structure and upper portion of said stabilizer sleeve; said securing means further including a weld integrating said upper portion of said sleeve to said body structure. I

cm'm 1mm 01* wmmcuam P NO. bated my 74 v 1 v V 1nventor(s) FRANK O'DELL FLARITY and W AYMON RHEA EUSICE It is crtificd that error abp'cars in the above-identified patent: 3nd that said Latte-rs Patent are hezjeby corrected as s ho\-m below:

Y v Y '9 Column -6, line aftei; iiwatin" n r df fining I Signed a nd -s;;1d 'm-1s 19 day' of "Nove r'nber. 1974;.

(SEAL) l Attest I i McCGY M. GIBSON-JR. T c. MARSH'A-LL'DANN". v

Attest ing Officer a Comissioner 9f Patents

Claims

1. In a rotary drill bit and stabilizer apparatus for drilling a bore hole in a formation: a body structure having an upper connector adapted to secure said structure to a drilling string; said body structure having a lower cutting portion for drilling the bore hole to a predetermined diameter and an outer gage portion of extended length integral with said lower cutting portion and having an effective diameter conforming to said predetermined bore hole diameter; a separate elongate stabilizer movable over said connector and along said body structure toward and into engagement with said outer gage portion; and means for securing said stabilizer to said body structure for simultaneous rotation with said lower cutting portion, said stabilizer having circumferentially spaced, externally arcuate elongate vertical pads providing a large bearing area with respect to the wall surface of the bore hole, said pads having an effective diameter conforming to the diameter of said hole and outer gage portion, the lower end of said stabilizer being contiguous the upper end of said gage portion, said stabilizer constituting an upward continuation of said gage portion.

2. In apparatus as defined in claim 1; said stabilizer comprising an elongate sleeve having an effective outside diameter conforming to the predetermined bore hole diameter; said securing means securing said sleeve to said body structure for rotation by said body structure jointly with said lower cutting portion.

3. In apparatus as defined in claim 1; said lower cutting portion including a fluid passage and spaced waterways in the end face of said cutting portion communicating with said passage and providing lands in said end face therebetween; cutting elements on said lands; said gage portion having spaced vertical waterways in its periphery communicating with said other waterways and providing spaced vertical lands therebetween; said stabilizer having spaced vertical elongate waterways in its periphery aligned with and communicating with said vertical waterways of said gage portion, said stabilizer waterways defining said spaced vertical elongate pads therebetween forming upward continuations of the vertical gage portion lands; the lower ends of said stabilizer waterways and stabilizer pads being contiguous the upper ends of said gage portion vertical waterways and vertical lands, respectively.

4. In apparatus as defined in claim 1; said stabilizer comprising an elongate sleeve having an effective outside diameter conforming to the predetermined bore hole diameter; said securing means securing said sleeve to said body structure for rotation by said body structure jointly with said lower cutting portion; said lower cutting portion including a fluid passage and spaced waterways in the end face of said cutting portion communicating with said passage and providing lands in said end face therebetween; cutting elements on said lands; said gage portion having spaced vertical waterways in its periphery communicating with said other waterways and providing spaced vertical lands therebetween; said stabilizer sleeve having spaced vertically elongate waterways in its periphery aligned with and communicating with said vertical waterways of said gage portion, said stabilizer sleeve waterways said spaced vertical elongate pads therebetween forming upward continuations of the vertical gage portion lands; the lower ends of said stabilizer sleeve waterways and stabilizer sleeve pads being contiguous the upper ends of said gage portion vertical waterways and vertical lands, respectively.

5. In rotary drill bit and stabilizer apparatus for drilling a bore hole in a formation: a body structure having an upper connector adapted to secure said structure to a drilling string; said body structure having a lower cutting portion for drilling the bore hole to a predetermined diameter and an outer gate portion of extended length integral with said lower cutting portion and having an effective diameter conforming to said predetermined bore hole diameter; a separate elongate stabilizer sleeve movable over said connector and along the exterior of said body structure above said outer gage portion toward and into engagement with said outer gate portion, said sleeve having circumferentially spaced, externally arcuate elongate vertical pads providing a large bearing area with respect to the wall surface of the bore hole, said pads having an effective diameter conforming to the diameter of said hole and outer gage portion, the lower end of said sleeve being contiguous the upper end of said gage portion, said sleeve constituting an upward continuation of said gage portion; and clutching means securing said sleeve to said body structure, whereby said cutting portion and sleeve rotate together.

6. In apparatus as defined in claim 5; said clutching means comprising intermeshing axially extending dogs on the lower portion of said sleeve and upper portion of said gage portion.

7. In apparatus as defined in claim 5; and means on said body structure engaging said sleeve for holding said sleeve downwardly and said clutching means engaged.

9. In apparatus as defined in claim 5; and means on said body structure engaging said sleeve for holding said sleeve downwardly and said clutching means engaged; and means threaded on said body structure above said sleeve and engaging the upper end of said sleeve for holding said sleeve downwardly and said dogs intermeshed.

10. In apparatus as defined in claim 5; said lower cutting portion including a fluid passage and spaced waterways in the end face of said cutting portion communicating with said passage and providing lands in said end face therebetween; cutting elements on said lands; said gage portion having spaced vertical waterways in its periphery communicating with said other waterways and providing spaced vertical lands therebetween; said stabilizer sleeve having spaced vertical elongate waterways in its periphery aligned with and communicating with said vertical waterways of said gage portion, said stabilizer sleeve waterways defining said spaced vertical elongate pads therebetween forming upward continuations of the vertical gage portion lands; the lower ends of said stabilizer sleeve waterways and stabilizer sleeve pads being contiguous the upper ends of said gage portion vertical waterways and vertical lands, respectively.

11. In apparatus as defined in claim 5; said lower cutting portion including a fluid passage and spaced waterways in the end face of said cutting portion communicating with said passage and providing lanDs in said end face therebetween; cutting elements on said lands; said gage portion having spaced vertical waterways in its periphery communicating with said other waterways and providing spaced vertical lands therebetween; said stabilizer sleeve having spaced vertical elongate waterways in its periphery aligned with and communicating with said vertical waterways of said gage portion, said stabilizer sleeve waterways defining said spaced vertical elongate pads therebetween forming upward continuations of the vertical gage portion lands; the lower ends of said stabilizer sleeve waterways and stabilizer sleeve pads being contiguous the upper ends of said gage portion vertical waterways and vertical lands, respectively; said clutching means comprising intermeshing axially extending dogs on the lower portion of said sleeve and upper portion of said gage portion; and means on said body structure engaging said sleeve for holding said sleeve downwardly and said dogs intermeshed.

12. In rotary drill bit and stabilizer apparatus for drilling a bore hole in a formation: a body structure adapted to be connected to a drilling string; said body structure having a lower cutting portion for drilling the bore hole to a predetermined diameter, said lower cutting portion including an outer gage portion of an effective diameter conforming to said predetermined bore hole diameter; a separate stabilizer sleeve encompassing said body structure above said outer gage portion, said sleeve having an effective diameter conforming to the diameter of said hole and outer gage portion, the lower end of said sleeve being contiguous the upper end of said gage portion, said sleeve constituting an upward continuation of said gage portion; and clutching means securing said sleeve to said body structure, whereby said cutting portion and sleeve rotate together; said lower cutting portion including a fluid passage and spaced waterways in the end face of said cutting portion communicating with said passage and providing lands in said end face therebetween; cutting elements on said lands; said gage portion having spaced vertical waterways in its periphery communicating with said other waterways and providing spaced vertical lands therebetween; said stabilizer sleeve having spaced vertical elongate waterways in its periphery aligned with and communicating with said vertical waterways of said gage portion, said stabilizer sleeve waterways defining spaced vertical elongate lands therebetween forming upward continuations of the vertical gage portion lands; the lower ends of said stabilizer sleeve waterways and stabilizer sleeve lands being contiguous the upper ends of said gage portion vertical waterways and vertical lands, respectively; said clutching means comprising intermeshing axially extending dogs on the lower portion of said sleeve and upper portion of said gage portion; and means threaded on said body structure and engaging the upper end of said sleeve for holding said sleeve downwardly and said dogs intermeshed.

13. In rotary drill bit and stabilizer apparatus for drilling a bore hole in a formation: a body structure having an upper connector adapted to secure said structure to a drilling string; said body structure having a lower cutting portion for drilling the bore hole to a predetermined diameter and an outer gage portion of extended length integral with said lower cutting portion and having an effective diameter conforming to said predetermined bore hole diameter; a separate stabilizer sleeve movable over said connector and along the exterior of said body structure above said outer gage portion toward and into engagement with said outer gage portion, said sleeve having circumferentially spaced, externally arcuate elongate vertical pads providing a large bearing area with respect to the wall surface of the bore hole, said pads having an effective diameter conforming to the diameter of said hole and outer gage portion, the lower end of said sleeve being contiguous the upper end of said gage portion, Said sleeve constituting an upward continuation of said gage portion; and means securing the upper portion of said sleeve to said body structure, whereby said cutting portion and sleeve rotate together.

14. In apparatus as defined in claim 13; said securing means including a threaded connection between said body structure and upper portion of said stabilizer sleeve.

15. In apparatus as defined in claim 13; said lower cutting portion including a fluid passage and spaced waterways in the end face of said cutting portion communicating with said passage and providing lands in said end face therebetween; cutting elements on said lands; said gage portion having spaced vertical waterways in its periphery communicating with said other waterways and providing spaced vertical lands therebetween; said stabilizer sleeve having spaced vertical elongate waterways in its periphery aligned with and communicating with said vertical waterways of said gage portion, said stabilizer sleeve waterways defining said spaced vertical elongate pads therebetween forming upward continuations of the vertical gage portion lands; the lower ends of said stabilizer sleeve waterways and stabilizer sleeve pads being contiguous the upper ends of said gage portion vertical waterways and vertical lands, respectively.

16. In apparatus as defined in claim 13; said lower cutting portion including a fluid passage and spaced waterways in the end face of said cutting portion communicating with said passage and providing lands in said end face therebetween; cutting elements on said lands; said gage portion having spaced vertical waterways in its periphery communicating with said other waterways and providing spaced vertical lands therebetween; said stabilizer sleeve having spaced vertical elongate waterways in its periphery aligned with and communicating with said vertical waterways of said gage portion, said stabilizer sleeve waterways defining said spaced vertical elongate pads therebetween forming upward continuations of the vertical gage portion lands; the lower ends of said stabilizer sleeve waterways and stabilizer sleeve pads being contiguous the upper ends of said gage portion vertical waterways and vertical lands, respectively; said securing means including a threaded connection between said body structure and upper portion of said stabilizer sleeve.

17. In rotary drill bit and stabilizer apparatus for drilling a bore hole in a formation: a body structure having an upper connector adapted to secure said structure to a drilling string; said body structure having a lower cutting portion for drilling the bore hole to a predetermined diameter, said lower cutting portion including an outer gage portion of an effective diameter conforming to said predetermined bore hole diameter; a separate stabilizer sleeve movable over said connector and along the exterior of said body structure above said outer gage portion toward and into engagement with said outer gage portion, said sleeve having an effective diameter conforming to the diameter of said hole and outer gage portion, the lower end of said sleeve being contiguous the upper end of said gage portion, said sleeve constituting an upward continuation of said gage portion; and means securing the upper portion of said sleeve to said body structure, whereby said cutting portion and sleeve rotate together; said securing means including a threaded connection between said body structure and upper portion of said stabilizer sleeve; said securing means further including a weld integrating said upper portion of said sleeve to said body structure.

18. In rotary drill bit and stabilizer apparatus for drilling a bore hole in formation: a body structure having an upper connector adapted to secure said structure to a drilling string; said body structure having a lower cutting portion for drilling the bore hole to a predetermined diameter, said lower cutting portion including an outer gage portion of an effective diameter conforming to said predetermined boRe hole diameter; a separate stabilizer sleeve movable over said connector and along the exterior of said body structure above said outer gage portion toward and into engagement with said outer gage portion, said sleeve having an effective diameter conforming to the diameter of said hole and outer gage portion, the lower end of said sleeve being contiguous the upper end of said gage portion, said sleeve constituting an upward continuation of said gage portion; and means securing the upper portion of said sleeve to said body structure, whereby said cutting portion and sleeve rotate together; said lower cutting portion including a fluid passage and spaced waterways in the end face of said cutting portion communicating with said passage and providing lands in said end face therebetween; cutting elements on said lands; said gage portion having spaced vertical waterways in its periphery communicating with said other waterways and providing spaced vertical lands therebetween; said stabilizer sleever having spaced vertical elongate waterways in its periphery aligned with and communicating with said vertical waterways of said gage portion, said stabilizer sleeve waterways defining spaced vertical elongate lands therebetween forming upward continuations of the vertical gage portion lands; the lower ends of said stabilizer sleeve waterways and stabilizer sleeve lands being contiguous the upper ends of said gage portion vertical waterways and vertical lands, respectively; said securing means including a threaded connection between said body structure and upper portion of said stabilizer sleeve; said securing means further including a weld integrating said upper portion of said sleeve to said body structure.