Earth-burning bit having an improved hard-faced tooth structure

摘要

An earth-boring bit has a bit body, at least one cutter rotatably secured to the bit body and including a plurality of teeth formed integrally with the cutter and arranged in circumferential rows thereon. A pair of ribs is formed on at least one of the flanks of at least one of the teeth. The ribs are spaced apart to define a central depression therebetween extending through the crest of the tooth. A thickness of wear-resistant material fills the depression. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wear-resistant material is applied over the ribs, crest, and a portion of the ends and flanks of the tooth, wherein the thickness of the wear-resistant material over the depressions greater, preferably 1/8 inch, than that elsewhere on the tooth.