US3844363A

US3844363A - Drill tool

Info

Publication number: US3844363A
Application number: US00368755A
Authority: US
Inventors: E Williams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-06-11
Filing date: 1973-06-11
Publication date: 1974-10-29
Anticipated expiration: 1991-10-29

Abstract

A drill tool for drilling earth, rock, and the like in oil industry operations includes a body member having a passage in a pin portion thereof and extending longitudinally of the body member and between an open or fluid receiving end and a closed end and a plurality of circumferentially spaced arms or lugs extending generally longitudinally from the closed end of the passage in the body member and each having an axle portion thereon for rotatably mounting a respective one of a plurality of cutting cones each rotating about a respective axis intersecting with a longitudinal axis of the body member to define a respective acute angle therebetween. The drill tool has at least one flow passage through one of the arms or lugs for directing drilling fluid from the passage in the body member into the drill hole for sweeping the drill hole and removing drilling debris therefrom. Exterior surfaces of the axle portions each have a reservoir and at least one passage communicating therewith and extending to the respective exterior surface for circulating lubrication material within a cavity in the respective cutting cones and having seals thereby providing lubrication of engaging surfaces of the axle portions and cutting cones.

Description

[ DRILL TOOL [76] Inventor: Edward B. Williams, Jr., PO. Box

648, 103 Mullaney Rd., Greenville, Tex. 75401 22 Filed: June 11, 1973 21 App]. No.: 368,755

[52] 11.8. C1 175/227, 175/337, 175/340, 175/371 [51] lnt. Cl E211) 9/10 [58] Field 01' Search 175/227-229, 175/337, 350, 339, 340, 353, 371, 372; 308/82 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 959,540 5/1910 Hughes 1. 175/228 2,065,742 12/1936 Reed 308/82 2,654,577 10/1953 308/82 2,814,465 11/1957 308/82 3,127,942 4/1964 175/227 3,144,087 8/1964 Williams 175/339 3,230,020 l/1966 Gilbert et al 175/228 X 3,244,459 4/1966 175/229 X 3,476,195 11/1969 175/228 3,476,446 11/1969 Neilson 308/82 3,746,405 7/1973 Welton 308/82 Primary Examiner David H. Brown Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Fishburn, Gold & Litman [451 Oct. 29, 1974 [57] ABSTRACT A drill tool for drilling earth, rock, and the like in oil industry operations includes a body member having a passage in a pin portion thereof and extending longitudinally of the body member and between an open or fluid receiving end and a closed end and a plurality of circumferentially spaced arms or lugs extending generally longitudinally from the closed end of the passage in the body member and each having an axle portion thereon for rotatably mounting a respective one of a plurality of cutting cones each rotating about a respective axis intersecting with a longitudinal axis of the body member to define a respective acute angle therebetween. The drill tool has at least one flow passage through one of the arms or lugs for directing drilling fluid from the passage in the body member into the drill hole for sweeping the drill hole and removing drilling debris therefrom. Exterior surfaces of the axle portions each have a reservoir and at least one passage communicating therewith and extending to the respective exterior surface for circulating lubrication material within a cavity in the respective cutting cones and having seals thereby providing lubrication of engaging surfaces of the axle portions and cutting cones.

7 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures- PATENTEDUBTZS m4 8844l363 sum 2 or 4 DRILL TOOL The present invention relates to earth drilling tools and more particularly to a drill tool for use in oil industry operations and having a plurality of rotatably mounted self-lubricating cutting cones and adapted to clean a drill hole ahead of certain teeth of the cutting cones.

The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide a self-lubricating drill tool for use in oil industry operations and having a plurality of rotatably mounted cutting cones adapted to drill a substantially true drill hole; to provide such a drill tool having flow passages therethrough positioned to direct drilling fluid into the drill hole to hydraulically sweep the bottom of the hole whereby certain teeth of the cutting cones are engaging new material rather than working in drilling debris; to provide such a drill tool having reservoirs for lubrication material and passages extending therefrom and adapted to circulate lubrication material onto facing surfaces of axle portions and respective cutting cones rotatably mounted thereon and with the cutting cones each having a cavity with seals whereby the drill tool is self-lubricating; to provide such a drill tool employing lock devices, such as rings having circumferentially spaced corrugations to permit easy installation of the cutting cones on respective axle'portions and positive retention thereon; to provide such a drill tool wherein only one cutting cone has teeth positioned to engage an intersection of a side and a bottom of the drill hole whereby the drill hole is larger than the drill tool; to provide such a tool having flow passages adapted to direct drilling fluid into the drill hole and hydraulically sweep drilling debris ahead of the cutting cone engaging the intersection of the side and bottom of the drill hole; to provide such a drill tool wherein the cutting cones present teeth extending substantially the full transverse dimension of the tool; to provide such a drill tool which is substantially self-centering; and to provide such a drill tool which is durable in use, balanced for smooth working, constructed for long operating life, economical to manufacture, and particularly well adapted for the proposed use.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and example certain embodiments of this invention.

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features of the drill tool.

FIG. I is a perspective view of a drill tool embodying features of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the drill tool FIG. 3 is a plan view of the working surfaces of the drill tool.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 4-4, FIG. 3 and showing a first body portion and cutting cone thereon.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 5-5, FIG. 3 and showing a second body portion and cutting cone thereon.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 6-6, FIG. 3 and showing a third body portion and cutting cone thereon.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the first body portion.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the second body portion.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective body portion.

FIG. 10 is a further enlarged front elevational view of a lock ring for the drill tool.

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the lock ring and shown at the scale of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to FIG. 4 and showing a modified first body portion and cutting cone thereon.

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to FIG. 5 and showing a modified second body portion and cutting cone thereon.

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to FIG. 6 and showing a modified third body portion and cutting cone thereon.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, it is to be un derstood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

In the disclosed embodiment of the present invention, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a drill tool for drilling earth, rock, and the like in oil industry operations. The drill tool 1 includes a body member 2 having a passage 3 extending longitudinally thereof and between an open or fluid receiving end 4 and a closed end 5 of the body member 2 and a plurality of circumferentially spaced arms or lugs 6, 7, and 8 each extending generally longitudinally from the body member 2 adjacent the closed end 5 of the passage 3 in the body member 2 and having

axle portions

9, 10, and 11 respectively extending therefrom for rotatably mounting thereon cutting cones l2, l3, and 14 respectively each rotating about a respective axis which intersects a longitudinal axis of the body member 2 thereby defining a respective acute angle between the respecview of the third tive axis and the longitudinal axis of the body member 2. The drilltool I has flow passages therethrough, as later described, for directing drilling fluid from the passage 3 in the body member 2 into a drill hole 15 to remove drilling debris therefrom. Exterior surfaces of the

axle portions

9, 10, and 11 have

reservoirs

16, 17, and 18 therein respectively and at least one

passage

19, 20, and 21 respectivelycommunicating therewith and extending to the respective exterior surface for circulating lubrication material within a sealed cavity in the respective cutting cones l2, l3, and 14 thereby providing lubrication of engaging surfaces of the axle portions 9, l0, and 11 and the

cutting cones

12, 13, andl4.

The body member 2 is illustrated as being of a generally cylindrical shape having a pin portion 22 having an exterior surface which has conventional threads for mounting in a box of a lowermost tool joint of a tubular drill stem or steel (not shown) which extendsinto the drill hole 15.

The drill tool 1 may have any number of cutting cones thereon, however, it has been found that three cutting cones can be arranged in a manner to provide teeth extending substantially the full transverse dimension of the drill tool 1. The

cutting cones

12, 13, and 14 are circumferentially spaced and positioned on 120 centers.

The first arm or lug 6 is enlarged outwardly and extends generally longitudinally from the body member 2 and has an outwardly inclined exterior surface 23 whereby the arm or lug 6 is substantially larger adjacent the axle portion 9 than at the closed end 5 of the passage 3.

The axle portion 9 on the first arm or lug 6 extends toward a longitudinal axis of the body member 2 and defines an axis of rotation of the cutting cone 12 and the axis of rotation is positioned to define an acute angle between the longitudinal axis of the body member 2 and the axis of rotation of the cutting cone 12. The illustrated axle portion 9 has a larger or first portion extending from the arm or lug 6 and a smaller or second portion 24 having a reduced diameter thereby defining a shoulder 25 between the larger and smaller portions of the axle portion 9 for the cutting cone 12 to bear against.

Flow of a suitable drilling fluid through the drill tool 1 and into the drill hole 15 effects removal of drilling debris from the drill hole, therefore, the first arm or lug 6 has a flow passage 26 extending from the passage 3 in the body member 2 and substantially centered in the first arm or lug 6. The flow passage 26 extends from a recess in the walls defining the passage 3 in the body member 2 and defines a generally L-shaped path having an end portion extending along the axis of rotation of the cutting cone 12.

A nozzle 27 is mounted in the end portion of the flow passage 26 and is positioned in an end of the axle portion 9 to increase the velocity of flow from the flow passage 26 as the flow enters the drill hole 15. An exterior surface of the nozzle 27 and the surface defining the flow passage 26 each have alignable grooves therein adapted to receive a lock ring 28, as later described, for securing the nozzle 27 in the flow passage 26.

The cutting cone 12 is journaled on the axle portion 9 and thereby requires lubrication material for free rotation. in the illustrated structure, the reservoir 16 is recessed in the exterior surface of the larger portion of the axle portion 9 and is adapted to receive and retain therein lubrication material. The illustrated reservoir 16 extends circumferentially around a portion of the axle portion 9. Circulation of lubrication material between the reservoir 16 and the engaging surfaces ofthe axle portion 9 and the cutting cone 12 thereon is provided by the passage 19 which is illustrated a plurality of channels extending from the reservoir 16 to the exterior surfaces of the first and second portions of the axle portion 9 and to the shoulder thcrebetween.

The cutting cone 12 is retained on the axle portion 9 by a suitable lock device, such as a lock ring 29, as later described, which is mounted in a groove in the exterior surface of the second portion 24 of the axle portion 9.

The second arm or lug 7 illustrated as being substantially similar to the first arm or lug 6 except that the axle portion 10 thereon has a groove 31 in the larger portion of the axle portion 10 for a lock ring to retain the cutting cone 13 thereon. The second arm or lug 7 and the axle portion 10 thereon does not have a flow passage for flow of drilling fluid therethrough. The second arm or lug 7 has an exterior surface 32 which is substantially vertical and is sized to be spaced away from an adjacent surface of the drill hole 15. The reservoir 17 in the axle portion 10 is substantially similar to the reservoir 16 in the axle portion 9 and the passage 20 is defined by the channels in the exterior surfaces of the axle portion 10 and is substantially similar to the passage 19 in the axle portion 9 except that a channel is also formed in an end of the axle portion 10 to provide lubrication material for the cutting cone 13 when bearing against same.

The third arm or lug 8 is illustrated as being substantially similar to the second arm or lug 7 except the third arm or lug 8 has a flow passage 33 therethrough which has a first portion 34 extending toward an intersection of a side and bottom of the drill hole 15 for directing the fluid toward said intersection.

The flow passage 26 through the first arm or lug 6 directs the fluid toward the bottom of the drill hole 15 at the center thereof and then into a space between the

cutting cones

13 and 14. The fluid from the first portion 34 of the flow passage 33 is directed from the leading side of the arm or lug 8 and into the space between the cutting cones 13 and 14in a manner to join with the fluid from the flow passage 26 for upwardly flow in the drill hole 15.

The flow passage 33 through the third arm or lug 8 has a second portion 35 positioned to direct the fluid from the trailing side of the arm or lug 8 and toward an intersection of the side and bottom of the drill hole and toward the cutting cone 12 on the first arm or lug 6 to sweep the drill hole 15 ahead of the cutting cone 12 whereby the teeth, as later described, on the cutting cone 12 are working in substantially new material rather than drilling debris.

The first cutting cone 12 has walls defining a cavity therein which substantially conforms to the exterior shape of the axle portion 9 for engagement therewith. The cutting cone 12 has surfaces engageable with the first or larger portion of the axle portion 9, shoulder 25, and second or smaller portion 24 of the axle portion 9. The cutting cone 12 has an opening or aperture 36 which is coaxial with the axis of rotation thereof to thereby permit the axle portion 9 and the flow passage 26 therethrough to extend through the cutting cone 12 for flow of fluid into the drill hole 15.

The lubrication material is preferably retained within the cavity in the respective cutting cones and in engagement with the respective axle portion, therefore, the cutting cone 12 has a base surface 37 positioned adjacent the first arm or lug 6 and a groove 38 is positioned at the intersection of the base surface 37 and the walls defining the cavity within the cutting cone 9. The groove 38 is adapted to receive a suitable seal, such as an O-ring 39, which is engageable with the first arm or lug 6 particularly when the cutting cone 12 is working in the drill hole 15. A groove 40 is formed in the surface engageable with the second or smaller portion 24 of the axle portion 9 and is adapted to receive the lock ring 29 therein. The cutting cone 12 has a groove 41 positioned adjacent the groove 40 and adapted to receive a suitable seal, such as an O-ring 42 engageable with the second portion 24 of the axle portion 9.

The O-rings 39 and 42 cooperate to retain lubrication material on the axle portion 9 and within the cavity within the cutting cone 12 thereby defining a closed lubrication system.

The cutting cone 12 has a plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth arranged in a pair of spaced

rings

43 and 44 with the ring 43 being positioned adjacent the arm or lug 6 and being positioned to engage an intersection of a side and a bottom of the drill hole 15 for cutting to define the side and a portion of the bottom of the drill hole 15. The second ring 44 of teeth on the cutting cone 12 are positioned intermediate the side of the drill hole and the center of the drill hole.

The second cutting cone 13 mounted on the second arm or lug 7 has teeth thereon positioned to engage the bottom of the drill hole 15 at the center thereof. ln the illustrated structure, the cutting cone 13 has three

rings

45, 46, and 47 respectively of cutting teeth spaced along the exterior surface of the cutting cone 13. The teeth in one of the rings, for example the ring 45., are positioned to engage the bottom of the drill hole 15 at the center thereof whereby rotation of the drill tool 1 and the cutting cone ll3 defines the center of the drill hole 15.

The cutting cone 13 also has a cavity therein defined by surfaces engageable with respective surfaces of the axis portion of the second arm or lug 7. The second cutting cone 13 also has a base surface 48 and a groove 49 at the intersection of the base surface 48 and the surface engageable with the larger portion of the axle portion 10 for receiving a suitable seal, such as an O- ring 50 which is engageable with the second arm or lug 7. The second cutting cone 13 has a groove 51 adapted to receive a lock ring 52 having a portion thereof received in a similar groove in the axle portion 10.

The O-ring 50 retains lubrication material on the axle portion 10 and within the cavity in the cutting cone 13 thereby defining a closed lubrication system.

The third cutting cone 14 is illustrated as being substantially similar to the second cutting cone 13 except that there are two

rings

53 and 54 of circumferentially spaced teeth. The

rings

43 and 44 of teeth on the cutting cone 12, the

rings

45, 46, and 47 of teeth on the cutting cone 13, and the

rings

53 and 54 of teeth on the cutting cone 14 are positioned longitudinally of the respective cutting cones and in opposed relation with respective spaces between teeth on adjacent cutting cones whereby the cutting

cones

12, 13, and 14 present teeth extending substantially the full transverse dimension of the drill tool 1.

The lock rings for mounting the nozzle 27 in the flow passage 26 and for mounting the cutting

cones

12, 13, and 14 on the axle portions 9, l0, and 11 respectively each are illustrated as a bar formed in a ring and having opposite ends 55 and 56 thereof spaced apart to permit adjusting the spacing between the

ends

55 and 56 for mounting the respective lock rings on the respective axle portions. The lock rings each have a plurality of circumferentially spaced corrugations 57 to thereby increase the strength of the bar.

The drill tool 1 is preferably assembled when submerged within lubrication material whereby the drill tool 1 is self-lubricating and the O-rings retain lubrication material on the respective axle portions 9, l0, and 11 and within the cavity in the cutting

cones

12, 13, and 14 respectively thereon.

The drill tool 1 is rotated in the drill hole while engaging the bottom thereof thereby effecting rotation of the cutting cones l2, l3, and 14 about the

respective axle portions

9, 10, and 11 with the axis of rotation of the cutting cones l2, l3, and 14 each intersecting the longitudinal axis of the body member 2 at the center of the bottom of the drill hole 15. The bottom engaging surface of each of the cutting

cones

12, 13, and 14 is inclined upwardly toward the center of the drill tool 1 whereby the center of the drill hole 15 is slightly higher than the edges or sides of the drill hole whereby the drill tool 1 is substantiallyself-centering to thereby position the ring 43 of teeth on cutting cone 12 in position to engage and thereby define the sideof the drill hole 15 while the cutting

cones

13 and 14 define remaining portions of the bottom of the drill hole 15,

Fluid flowing from the flow passage 26 through the first arm or lug 6 and from the first portion 34 of the flow passage 33 through the third arm or lug 8 joins together and collects and raises drilling debris above the drill tool 1. Fluid flowing from the second portion35 of the flow passage 33 flows toward the cutting cone 12 and creates a fluid turbulance for the teeth on the cutting cone 12 as same are being moved into the material at the intersection of the side and bottom of the drill hole 15.

FIGS. 12, 13, and 14 illustrate a modified drill tool 60 adapted to use air, gas, or the like, as a medium for cooling and removing drilling debris from the drill hole 15. The modified drill tool 60 has a body member and a passage therein similar to the drill tool 1.

The modified drilltool 60 includes a first arm or lug 61 which is substantially similar to the arm or lug 6 except a notch 62 is formed in a shoulder 63 positioned between a first or larger portion 64 and a second or smaller portion 65 of an axle portion 66 on the first arm or lug 61.

In addition to a flow passage 67 which is substantially similar to the flow passage 26, the first arm or lug 61 includes a fluid passage or air hole 68 extending between and communicating the flow passage 67 with the shoulder 63 to provide circulating air through bearings 69 engaging the second or smaller portion 65 of the axle portion 66.

A groove 70 is formed in the exterior surface of the second or smaller portion 65 of the axle portion 66 to receive a lock ring 71 which is substantially similar to the lock ring illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 for retaining a cutting cone, as later described thereon.

The modified drill tool 60 includes a second arm or lug 72 having an axle portion 73 which has a first or larger portion 74 and a second or smaller portion '75 with a shoulder 76 therebetween an end surface77 of the second or smaller portion and the shoulder 76 provide thrust bearing surfaces for a cutting cone mounted on the axle portion 73 all similar to the sec ond arm or lug 7 of the drill tool 1.

The second arm or lug 72 has a flow passage 78 having one end communicating with the passage in the body member and the other end terminating adjacent the axle portion 73 where a fluid passage or air hole 79 extends between the flow passage 78 and the end surface 77 of the axle portion 73 to provide for circulating air through bearings 80 in engagement with the second or smaller portion 75 of the axle portion 73.

The exterior surface of the first or larger portion 74 of the axle portion 73 has a groove 81 therein adapted to receive a lock ring 82 for retaining a cutting cone, as later described, thereon.

The modified drill tool 60 includes a third arm or lug 83 which is substantially similar to the second arm or lug 72 and includes a flow passage 84 similar to the flow passage 33 in the arm or lug 8 and the third arm or lug 83 includes a fluid passage or air hole 85 extending between the flow passage 84 and an end surface 86 of a second or smaller portion 87 of an axle portion 88. A first or larger portion 89 of the axle portion 88 has a groove 90 in the exterior surface thereof which is adapted to receive a lock ring 91 for retaining a cutting cone, as later described, thereon.

A cutting cone 92 is mounted on the axle portion 66 of the first arm or lug 61 and has teeth substantially similar to those on the cutting cone 12. The cutting cone 92 has a cavity therein substantially similar to the cavity within the cutting cone 12 except the cutting cone 92 includes a recess 93 adapted to receive the bearings 69 which are in engagement with the second or smaller portion 65 of the axle portion 66. The cutting cone 92 also includes a pair of

recesses

94 and 95 adapted to receive

bearings

96 and 97 respectively which are in engagement with an exterior surface ofthe first or larger portion 64 of the axle portion 66.

The cutting cone 92 has a surface or shoulder 98 adapted to receive and engage a thrust bearing 99 mounted in the notch 62 in the shoulder 63 of the axle portion 66.

A cutting cone 100 is mounted on the axle portion 73 of the second arm or lug 72 and is substantially similar to the cutting cone 13 particularly as to position of the cutting teeth on the exterior surface thereof. The cutting cone 100 includes a recess 101 adapted to receive the bearings 80 which are in engagement with the second or smaller portion 75 of the axle portion 73. The cutting cone 100 also includes a recess 102 adapted to receive a bearing 103 which is in engagement with the first or larger portion 74 of the axle portion 73.

A cutting cone 104 is mounted on the axle portion 88 ofthe third arm or lug 83 and in a manner similar to the mounting of the cutting cone 100 on the axle portion 73. The cutting cone 104 has teeth on the exterior surface thereof substantially similar to the teeth on the cutting cone 14. The cavity within the cutting cone 104 is substantially similar to the cavity within the cutting cone 100.

Use of the modified drill tool 60 illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 14 inclusive is substantially similar to use of the drill tool 1 except that there is no lubrication material between engaging surfaces of the axle portions and cutting cones. Air provides lubrication of the bearings in the cutting cones and in engagement with the respective axle portions with the air being supplied through the respective air holes and air within the drill hole.

lt is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described certain forms of my invention, it is not to be limited to these specific forms or arrangement of parts herein described and shown.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A drill tool comprising:

a. a body member having a passage therein, said passage extending along a longitudinal axis of said body member and between a fluid receiving end and a closed end;

b. a plurality of circumferentially spaced arms extending from said body member adjacent the closed end of said passage in said body member, each of said arms having a leading side and a trailing side;

c. a plurality of axle portions each extending from a respective one of said arms and along a respective axis intersecting the longitudinal axis of said body member in a manner to define a respective acute angle between the axis of the respective axle portion and the longitudinal axis of said body members;

d. a plurality of cutting cones each rotatably mounted on a respective one of said axle portions, said cutting cones each having surfaces in engagement with respective exterior surfaces of said respective axle portions;

e. means on each of said axle portions and said respective cutting cone thereon for retaining and circulating lubrication material for lubricating engaging surfaces of said cutting cones and said respective axle portion;

. a flow passage through one of said arms with a portion of said flow passage extending along the axis of rotation of the cutting cone mounted on one said arm, the portion of said flow passage through said one of said arms being positioned to direct the fluid toward a bottom of the drill hole and into a space between a pair of adjacent cutting cones; and

g. a second flow passage through one other of said arms with a portion thereof extending toward an intersection of a side and a bottom of the drill hole for directing the fluid toward said intersection, the portion of said flow passage through said one other of said arms being positioned on the trailing side of said one other of said arms to thereby direct the fluid from said trailing side and toward said intersection of the side and bottom of the drill hole and toward the cutting cone on said one of said arms to clear a space ahead of said cutting cone and move drilling debris into the path of the fluid from said flow passage through said one of said arms.

2. A drill tool as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flow passage through said one other of said arms has a second portion positioned on the leading side of said one other of said arms to thereby direct the fluid from said leading side and toward said intersection of the side and bottom of the drill hole and into the space between the pair of adjacent cutting cones in a manner to join with the fluid from said portion of said flow passage through said one of said arms.

3. A drill tool as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for maintaining and circulating lubrication ma- Y terial includes:

a. walls on each of said cutting cones defining a cavity therein;

b. each of said arms has a respective one of said axle portions thereon and extending therefrom, said axle portions each having an exterior surface engageable with respective surfaces of the walls defining said cavity in said respective cuttingcone mounted thereon;

c. walls on each of said axle portions defining a reservoir in the exterior surface thereof, said reservoirs each being adapted to receive and retain lubrication therein;

d. at least one passage on each of said axle portions for communicating said respective reservoir with the exterior surface of said respective axle portion for flow of lubrication material between said respective reservoir and said respective exterior sur face for lubricating engagement with the engaging surfaces of each of said cutting cones and said respective axle portion; and seal means engaging of said axle portions and said axle portions and said respective cutting cones mounted thereon for closing the respective cavity thereby retaining the lubrication material therein.

4. A drill tool as set forth in claim 3 including:

a. means in the exterior surface of each of said axle portions defining a groove therein, said groove in each of said axle portions being spaced from said respective reservoir therein;

b. means in certain of the walls defining the cavity in each of said cutting cones defining a groove therein, said groove in each of said cutting cones being alignable with the groove in the exterior surface of said respective axle portion; and

. a lock ring for each of the aligned grooves in said axle portions and said respective cutting cones for retaining said cutting cones on said respective axle portions, said lock rings each being a bar having a plurality of circumferentially spaced corrugations.

S. A drill tool comprising:

. a body member having a passage therein, said passage being in a pin portion of said body member and extending along a longitudinal axis of said body member and between a fluid receiving end and a closed end;

c. a plurality of axle portions each extending from a respective one of said arms and along a respective axis intersecting the longitudinal axis of said body member in a manner to define a respective acute angle between the axis of the respective axle portion and the longitudinal axis of said body member;

. flow passages through certain of said arms and communicating with the passage in the pin portion of said body member for flow of fluid therethrough and into a drill hole to remove drilling debris from the drill hole, said flow passages comprising:

1. a first flow passage having a portion extending along the axis of rotation of the cutting cone mounted on the axle portion of one of said arms and positioned to direct the fluid toward a bottom of the drill hole and into a space between a pair of adjacent cutting cones;

2. a second flow passage having a first portion thereof extending toward an intersection of a side and a bottom of the drill hole for directing the fluid toward said intersection, said first portion of said second flow passage being positioned on the leading side of said respective arm to thereby direct the fluid from said leading side and toward said intersection of the side and bottom of the drill hole and into the space between the pair of adjacent cutting cones in a manner to join with the fluid from said first flow passage 5 through said one of said arms; and

3. a second portion of said second flow passage being positioned on the trailing side of said respective arm to thereby direct fluid from said trailing side and toward an intersection of the side and bottom of the drill hole and toward the cutting cone on said one of said arms; and

f. means on each of said axle portions and said respective cutting cones thereon for retaining and circulating lubrication material for lubricating engaging surfaces of said cutting cones and said respective axle portions.

6. A drill tool as set forth in claim 5 wherein said means for retaining and circulating lubrication material includes:

a. walls on each of said axle portions defining a reservoir in the exterior surface thereof, said reservoirs each being adapted to receive and retain lubrication material therein;

b. passages on each of said axle portions and extending between said respective reservoir and the exterior surfaces of said respective axle portions for communicating said respective reservoir and exterior surfaces thereof for flow of lubrication material between said respective reservoir and said respective exterior surfaces for lubricating engagement with the engaging surfaces of each of said cutting cones and said respective axle portion; and

c. seal means engaging the exterior surface of each of said axle portions and respective surfaces of said respective cutting cone mounted thereon for retaining the lubrication material in engagement with the engaging surfaces of each of said cutting cones and said respective axle portion.

7. A drill tool as set forth in claim 5 wherein:

a. each of said axle portions has a first portion adjacent said respective arm and a smaller portion extending from said first portion to define a shoulder therebetween;

b. one of said first portion and said second portion of each of said axle portions has means in the exterior surface thereof defining a groove therein;

c. each of said cutting cones has walls defining a cavity therein and engageable with respective exterior surfaces of the first portion and second portion and shoulder of said respective axle portion;

d. one of said walls of each of said cutting cones has means therein defining a groove alignable with the groove in the exterior surface of said respective axle portion; and

e. a respective lock ring is received in each of the aligned grooves in said axle portions and said respective cutting cone thereon for retaining said cutting cones on said respective axle portions, said lock rings each being a bar having a plurality of circumferentially spaced corrugations.

Claims

1. A drill tool comprising: a. a body member having a passage therein, said passage extending along a longitudinal axis of said body member and between a fluid receiving end and a closed end; b. a plurality of circumferentially spaced arms extending from said body member adjacent the closed end of said passage in said body member, each of said arms having a leading side and a trailing side; c. a plurality of axle portions each extending from a respective one of said arms and along a respective axis intersecting the longitudinal axis of said body member in a manner to define a respective acute angle between the axis of the respective axle portion and the longitudinal axis of said body members; d. a plurality of cutting cones each rotatably mounted on a respective one of said axle portions, said cutting cones each having surfaces in engagement with respective exterior surfaces of said respective axle portions; e. means on each of said axle portions and said respective cutting cone thereon for retaining and circulating lubrication material for lubricating engaging surfaces of said cutting cones and said respective axle portion; f. a flow passage through one of said arms with a portion of said flow passage extending along the axis of rotation of the cutting cone mounted on one said arm, the portion of said flow passage through said one of said arms being positioned to direct the fluid toward a bottom of the drill hole and into a space between a pair of adjacent cutting cones; and g. a second flow passage through one other of said arms with a portion thereof extending toward an intersection of a side and a bottom of the drill hole for directing the fluid toward said intersection, the portion of said flow passage through said one other of said arms being positioned on the trailing side of said one other of said arms to thereby direct the fluid from said trailing side and toward said intersection of the side and bottom of the drill hole and toward the cutting cone on said one of said arms to clear a space ahead of said cutting cone and move drilling debris into the path of the fluid from said flow passage through said one of said arms.

2. a second flow passage having a first portion thereof extending toward an intersection of a side and a bottom of the drill hole for directing the fluid toward said intersection, said first portion of said second flow passage being positioned on the leading side of said respective arm to thereby direct the fluid from said leading side and toward said intersEction of the side and bottom of the drill hole and into the space between the pair of adjacent cutting cones in a manner to join with the fluid from said first flow passage through said one of said arms; and

3. a second portion of said second flow passage being positioned on the trailing side of said respective arm to thereby direct fluid from said trailing side and toward an intersection of the side and bottom of the drill hole and toward the cutting cone on said one of said arms; and f. means on each of said axle portions and said respective cutting cones thereon for retaining and circulating lubrication material for lubricating engaging surfaces of said cutting cones and said respective axle portions.

3. A drill tool as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for maintaining and circulating lubrication material includes: a. walls on each of said cutting cones defining a cavity therein; b. each of said arms has a respective one of said axle portions thereon and extending therefrom, said axle portions each having an exterior surface engageable with respective surfaces of the walls defining said cavity in said respective cutting cone mounted thereon; c. walls on each of said axle portions defining a reservoir in the exterior surface thereof, said reservoirs each being adapted to receive and retain lubrication therein; d. at least one passage on each of said axle portions for communicating said respective reservoir with the exterior surface of said respective axle portion for flow of lubrication material between said respective reservoir and said respective exterior surface for lubricating engagement with the engaging surfaces of each of said cutting cones and said respective axle portion; and seal means engaging of said axle portions and said axle portions and said respective cutting cones mounted thereon for closing the respective cavity thereby retaining the lubrication material therein.

4. A drill tool as set forth in claim 3 including: a. means in the exterior surface of each of said axle portions defining a groove therein, said groove in each of said axle portions being spaced from said respective reservoir therein; b. means in certain of the walls defining the cavity in each of said cutting cones defining a groove therein, said groove in each of said cutting cones being alignable with the groove in the exterior surface of said respective axle portion; and c. a lock ring for each of the aligned grooves in said axle portions and said respective cutting cones for retaining said cutting cones on said respective axle portions, said lock rings each being a bar having a plurality of circumferentially spaced corrugations.

5. A drill tool comprising: a. a body member having a passage therein, said passage being in a pin portion of said body member and extending along a longitudinal axis of said body member and between a fluid receiving end and a closed end; b. a plurality of circumferentially spaced arms extending from said body member adjacent the closed end of said passage in said body member, each of said arms having a leading side and a trailing side; c. a plurality of axle portions each extending from a respective one of said arms and along a respective axis intersecting the longitudinal axis of said body member in a manner to define a respective acute angle between the axis of the respective axle portion and the longitudinal axis of said body member; d. a plurality of cutting cones each rotatably mounted on a respective one of said axle portions, said cutting cones each having surfaces in engagement with respective exterior surfaces of said respective axle portions; e. flow passages through certain of said arms and communicating with the passage in the pin portion of said body member for flow of fluid therethrough and into a drill hole to remove drilling debris from the drill hole, said flow passages comprising:

6. A drill tool as set forth in claim 5 wherein said means for retaining and circulating lubrication material includes: a. walls on each of said axle portions defining a reservoir in the exterior surface thereof, said reservoirs each being adapted to receive and retain lubrication material therein; b. passages on each of said axle portions and extending between said respective reservoir and the exterior surfaces of said respective axle portions for communicating said respective reservoir and exterior surfaces thereof for flow of lubrication material between said respective reservoir and said respective exterior surfaces for lubricating engagement with the engaging surfaces of each of said cutting cones and said respective axle portion; and c. seal means engaging the exterior surface of each of said axle portions and respective surfaces of said respective cutting cone mounted thereon for retaining the lubrication material in engagement with the engaging surfaces of each of said cutting cones and said respective axle portion.

7. A drill tool as set forth in claim 5 wherein: a. each of said axle portions has a first portion adjacent said respective arm and a smaller portion extending from said first portion to define a shoulder therebetween; b. one of said first portion and said second portion of each of said axle portions has means in the exterior surface thereof defining a groove therein; c. each of said cutting cones has walls defining a cavity therein and engageable with respective exterior surfaces of the first portion and second portion and shoulder of said respective axle portion; d. one of said walls of each of said cutting cones has means therein defining a groove alignable with the groove in the exterior surface of said respective axle portion; and e. a respective lock ring is received in each of the aligned grooves in said axle portions and said respective cutting cone thereon for retaining said cutting cones on said respective axle portions, said lock rings each being a bar having a plurality of circumferentially spaced corrugations.