Fixed cutter drill bit with rotating cutter disc

摘要

A fixed cutter drill bit that includes one or more integrally-mounted rotating disc with cutters around the circumference of the disc. Each disc is mounted to bearings to handle the torque generated and the weight on bit required to cut the formation. The mounting angle of the disc generates a torque causing the disc to rotate. As the disc rotates, new cutters are presented to the formation. The discs may vary in size, mounting location and number so as to cover entire bladed or just a certain portions of blades. The exposure of the disc could also be set to enable it to rotate while under load, e.g., the cutters on the outside of the bit may contact the formation while the inner half of the disc is protected by a fixed blade.

主权项

1. A drill bit (100) for making a hole in a subterranean formation, comprising: a bit body defining a centerline axis (150) about which said bit body rotates while drilling; a first blade (110) fixed to said bit body defining a leading edge (112); a cutter disc (120) rotatably mounted to the first blade so as to rotate about a cutter disc axis (125) that does not lie within a plane that is radially oriented with respect to said centerline axis, that is substantially perpendicular to a radial of said centerline axis, and that is substantially perpendicular to the centerline axis; and a first plurality of cutters (140, 142) fixed to said cutter disc; wherein the cutter disc is configured to rotatably present the first plurality of cutters to the formation during drilling.