Improved tooth design using cylindrical diamond cutting elements.

摘要

The cutting performance of cylindrical polycrystalline synthetic diamond elements (12) is improved by segmenting such cylindrically shaped elements (12) along a plane or planes parallel to the longitudinal axis (16) of the cylindrically shaped elements (12). In the prefered embodiments half cylinder or quarter cylinder shaped segments are incorporated as the diamond cutting elements (12) within teeth (10) disposed on a rotating bit. The planar surface or surfaces (12) characterizing the cylindrical segments are oriented within the tooth (10) to provide the leading and cutting face of the diamond cutting element (12). Typically, such planar surfaces (22) are entirely exposed and disoposed adjacent to and form one wall of an adjacent and preceding fluid channel (24) whereby cleaning and cooling efficiency is also improved.