Roller cone rock bit having improved cutter gauge face surface compacts and a method of construction

摘要

A roller cone rock bit (10) is provided that has improved cutter cone gauge face surface compacts. The roller cone rock bit (10) includes a bit body (12) having at least one downwardly extending arm (28) terminating in a spindle (30). A cutter cone (20) has a gauge face surface (24) and has a plurality of holes (45) formed in the gauge face surface (24). Each hole (45) in the plurality of holes has an axis (52) oriented at an acute angle with respect to the gauge face surface (24). A bearing assembly (32, 34 and 36) is disposed between the spindle (30) and the cutter cone (20) for rotary load-bearing engagement. A plurality of compacts (22) are disposed in the plurality of holes (45). Each compact (22) is oriented at an acute angle with respect to the gauge face surface (24) according to the axis (52) of each hole (45).