ROCK BIT HAVING A RADIALLY SELF-ALIGNING METAL FACED SEAL

摘要

A sealing system includes a first gland in a cone and a second gland in a shaft region. A first ring is mounted in the first gland, a second ring is mounted in the second gland and a third ring is positioned between the first and second rings. The first and third rings present a pair of metal seal faces. A third ring is mounted to the second ring through a set of mounting pins which permit axial movement of the third ring. A biasing spring is mounting in the second ring and configured to exert an axial force against the third ring so as to keep the metal seal faces in sealing contact. A third gland is formed between the second and third rings, with an o-ring sealing member installed within the third gland and compressed in a sealing relationship between the second and third rings.

主权项

1. A sealing system for a drill bit including a shaft region and a rotating cone, comprising:
a first annular gland defined in the rotating cone; a first ring press-fit in the first annular gland and having a first metal seal face; a second annular gland defined at a base of the shaft region; a second ring press-fit in the second annular gland, said second ring including a radially extending flange region having a plurality of first axially extending apertures and a plurality of second axially extending apertures; a third ring positioned between the first and second rings, said third ring including a second metal seal face in contact with the first metal seal face and further including a biasing surface axially opposite the second metal seal face and a plurality of third axially extending apertures; a spring member inserted within each first axially extending aperture and configured to apply an axial force against the biasing surface of the third ring; and a pin member inserted between each pair of second and third axially extending apertures.