Timothy S Sexton

US Patent:

7533739, May 19, 2009

Filed:

Jun 9, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/148806

Inventors:

Craig H. Cooley - Saratoga Springs UT, US
Timothy N. Sexton - Santaquin UT, US
David P. Miess - Highland UT, US

Assignee:

US Synthetic Corporation - Orem UT

International Classification:

E21B 10/43

US Classification:

175432, 175413, 175412, 175434, 299102, 761084

Abstract:

A cutting element assembly for use on a rotary drill bit for forming a borehole in a subterranean formation. A cutting element includes a substrate having a base member affixed to a back surface of the substrate is disclosed, wherein the base member includes a recess configured to secure the base member to a rotary drill bit. An inner member may be positioned within the recess of the base member. Also, a structural element may be coupled to the inner member or to the base member. A rotary drill bit may include a cutting element assembly. In addition, a method of securing a cutting element to a rotary drill bit may include providing a base member affixed to a cutting element and positioning the base member within a recess of the rotary drill bit.

US Patent:

7604073, Oct 20, 2009

Filed:

Oct 11, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/247574

Inventors:

Craig H. Cooley - Saratoga Springs UT, US
Timothy N. Sexton - Santaquin UT, US

Assignee:

US Synthetic Corporation - Orem UT

International Classification:

E21B 10/43
E21B 10/62

US Classification:

175432, 175342

Abstract:

A rotary drill bit for drilling a subterranean formation may comprise a bit body, a cutting element coupled to the bit body, and a torque-generating assembly configured to apply torque, either continuously or periodically, to the cutting element. The torque-generating assembly may be powered by the rotary motion of the rotary drill bit or may be hydraulically or electrically powered. The cutting element may comprise a substrate, a table of superabrasive material disposed on an end of the substrate, and at least one impelling feature formed along the exterior surface of the substrate. In addition, a method of rotating a cutting element coupled to a drill bit for drilling a subterranean formation may comprise providing a cutting element comprising a table bonded to a substrate, coupling the substrate of the cutting element to a drill bit body, and applying torque to the substrate of the cutting element.

US Patent:

7845436, Dec 7, 2010

Filed:

Aug 24, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/844821

Inventors:

Craig H. Cooley - Saratoga Springs UT, US
Timothy N. Sexton - Santaquin UT, US
S. Barrett Peterson - Orem UT, US
Jeffrey Lund - Cottonwood Heights UT, US
Christopher F. Johnson - Bountiful UT, US

Assignee:

US Synthetic Corporation - Orem UT

International Classification:

E21B 10/43
E21B 10/62

US Classification:

175383, 175432

Abstract:

A subterranean drilling system may include a drill string and a rotary drill bit coupled to the drill string. The rotary drill bit may include a bit body and a cutting element coupled to the bit body, with the cutting element being structured to rotate in response to torque applied to the cutting element. The system also may include a cam assembly coupled to the drill string, a cam follower assembly in contact with a cam surface of the cam assembly, and a torque-applying structure coupled to the cam follower assembly. The torque-applying structure may be configured to apply torque to the cutting element in response to relative rotation between the cam assembly and the cam follower assembly.

US Patent:

7896551, Mar 1, 2011

Filed:

Oct 15, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/974747

Inventors:

Craig H. Cooley - Saratoga Springs UT, US
Timothy N. Sexton - Santaquin UT, US

Assignee:

US Synthetic Corporation - Orem UT

International Classification:

F16C 32/06
F16C 17/00

US Classification:

384121, 384 97, 384282, 3849071

Abstract:

Hydrodynamic bearing assemblies and apparatuses are disclosed. Such hydrodynamic bearing assemblies may be employed in bearing apparatuses for use in downhole motors of a subterranean drilling system or other mechanical systems. In one embodiment of the present invention, a hydrodynamic bearing assembly includes a plurality of bearing segments distributed circumferentially about an axis. Each bearing segment includes a superhard bearing surface. The plurality of bearing segments define a plurality of seams. Each seam is formed between circumferentially-adjacent bearing segments of the plurality of bearing segments. Further embodiments of the present invention include hydrodynamic bearing apparatuses and downhole motors that may utilize any of the disclosed hydrodynamic bearing assemblies.

US Patent:

7942218, May 17, 2011

Filed:

Jun 6, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/134489

Inventors:

Craig H. Cooley - Saratoga Springs UT, US
Timothy N. Sexton - Santaquin UT, US
David P. Miess - Highland UT, US
Jeffrey B. Lund - Cottonwood Heights UT, US

Assignee:

US Synthetic Corporation - Orem UT

International Classification:

E21B 10/42

US Classification:

175432

Abstract:

A cutting element assembly for use on a rotary drill bit for forming a borehole in a subterranean formation. A cutting element assembly includes a cutting element having a substrate. The cutting element assembly additionally includes a superabrasive material bonded to the substrate. The substrate extends from an end surface to a back surface. A base member is also coupled to the back surface of the substrate. Additionally, a recess is defined in the base member and a structural element is coupled to the base member. The cutting element assembly also includes a biasing element configured to selectively bias the structural element.

US Patent:

7987931, Aug 2, 2011

Filed:

Sep 4, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/554797

Inventors:

Craig H. Cooley - Saratoga Springs UT, US
Timothy N. Sexton - Santaquin UT, US

Assignee:

US Synthetic Corporation - Orem UT

International Classification:

E21B 10/43
E21B 10/62

US Classification:

175432, 175342

Abstract:

A rotary drill bit for drilling a subterranean formation may comprise a bit body, a cutting element coupled to the bit body, and a torque-generating assembly configured to apply torque, either continuously or periodically, to the cutting element. The torque-generating assembly may be powered by the rotary motion of the rotary drill bit or may be hydraulically or electrically powered. The cutting element may comprise a substrate, a table of superabrasive material disposed on an end of the substrate, and at least one impelling feature formed along the exterior surface of the substrate. In addition, a method of rotating a cutting element coupled to a drill bit for drilling a subterranean formation may comprise providing a cutting element comprising a table bonded to a substrate, coupling the substrate of the cutting element to a drill bit body, and applying torque to the substrate of the cutting element.

US Patent:

8061452, Nov 22, 2011

Filed:

Oct 22, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/910686

Inventors:

Craig H. Cooley - Saratoga Springs UT, US
Timothy N. Sexton - Santaquin UT, US
S. Barrett Peterson - Orem UT, US
Jeffrey Lund - Cottonwood Heights UT, US
Christopher F. Johnson - Bountiful UT, US

Assignee:

US Synthetic Corporation - Orem UT

International Classification:

E21B 10/43
E21B 10/62

US Classification:

175383, 175432

Abstract:

A subterranean drilling system may include a drill string and a rotary drill bit coupled to the drill string. The rotary drill bit may include a bit body and a cutting element coupled to the bit body, with the cutting element being structured to rotate in response to torque applied to the cutting element. The system also may include a cam assembly coupled to the drill string, a cam follower assembly in contact with a cam surface of the cam assembly, and a torque-applying structure coupled to the cam follower assembly. The torque-applying structure may be configured to apply torque to the cutting element in response to relative rotation between the cam assembly and the cam follower assembly.

US Patent:

8210285, Jul 3, 2012

Filed:

Nov 4, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/289871

Inventors:

Craig H. Cooley - Saratoga Springs UT, US
Timothy N. Sexton - Santaquin UT, US
S. Barrett Peterson - Orem UT, US
Jeffrey Lund - Cottonwood Heights UT, US
Christopher F. Johnson - Bountiful UT, US

Assignee:

US Synthetic Corporation - Orem UT

International Classification:

E21B 10/43
E21B 10/62

US Classification:

175383, 175432

Abstract:

A subterranean drilling system may include a drill string and a rotary drill bit coupled to the drill string. The rotary drill bit may include a bit body and a cutting element coupled to the bit body, with the cutting element being structured to rotate in response to torque applied to the cutting element. The system also may include a cam assembly coupled to the drill string, a cam follower assembly in contact with a cam surface of the cam assembly, and a torque-applying structure coupled to the cam follower assembly. The torque-applying structure may be configured to apply torque to the cutting element in response to relative rotation between the cam assembly and the cam follower assembly.