Roller cone drill bit that includes components with planar reference surfaces for gauging and inspection

Abstract

The present invention is generally directed to a roller cone drill bit that includes planar reference surfaces for gauging and inspection In one illustrative embodiment, a method of manufacturing a drill bit is disclosed which includes forming a planar reference surface in a ball race of a component of the drill bit, the planar reference surface being substantially perpendicular to a centerline of the component, and using the planar reference surface as a reference point in positioning the component in a manufacturing tool.

1 . A method of manufacturing a rolling cutter drill bit, comprising:
 forming a planar reference surface in a ball race of a component of said drill bit, said planar reference surface being substantially perpendicular to a centerline of said component; and   using said planar reference surface as a reference point in positioning said component in a manufacturing tool.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said component comprises at least one of a bearing spindle and a rolling cutter. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein forming said planar reference surface comprises machining said planar reference surface. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein forming said planar reference surface comprises grinding said planar reference surface. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said planar reference surface and said ball race are formed by a single manufacturing tool. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said drill bit component comprises a thrust face and wherein forming said planar reference surface comprises forming said planar reference surface in said component such that it is substantially parallel to said thrust face. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising performing a manufacturing operation on said component after positioning said component in said manufacturing tool. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said manufacturing tool comprises at least one of a machining tool and a grinding tool. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said planar reference surface is formed in a non-loaded area of said ball race. 
   
   
       10 . A method of manufacturing a rolling cutter drill bit, comprising:
 forming a planar reference surface in a ball race of a bearing spindle of said drill bit, said planar reference surface being substantially perpendicular to a centerline of said bearing spindle; and   using said planar reference surface as a reference point in positioning said bearing spindle in a manufacturing tool.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein forming said planar reference surface comprises machining said planar reference surface. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein forming said planar reference surface comprises grinding said planar reference surface. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said bearing spindle comprises a thrust face and wherein forming said planar reference surface comprises forming said planar reference surface such that it is substantially parallel to said thrust face formed on said bearing spindle. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said planar reference surface, said ball race and said thrust face are formed by a single manufacturing tool. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said planar reference surface and said ball race are formed in a single manufacturing tool. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising performing a manufacturing operation on said bearing spindle after positioning said bearing spindle in said manufacturing tool. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said manufacturing tool comprises at least one of a machining tool and a grinding tool. 
   
   
       18 . A method of manufacturing a rolling cutter drill bit, comprising:
 forming a planar reference surface in a ball race of a rolling cutter of said drill bit, said planar reference surface being substantially perpendicular to a centerline of said rolling cutter; and   using said planar reference surface as a reference point in positioning said rolling cutter in a manufacturing tool.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising performing a manufacturing operation on said rolling cutter after positioning said rolling cutter in said manufacturing tool. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said rolling cutter comprises a thrust face and wherein forming said planar reference surface comprises forming said planar reference surface such that it is substantially parallel to said thrust face formed on said rolling cutter. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said planar reference surface, said ball race and said thrust face are formed by a single manufacturing tool. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said manufacturing tool comprises at least one of a machining tool and a grinding tool. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said planar reference surface and said ball race are formed in a single manufacturing tool. 
   
   
       24 . A rolling cutter drill bit, comprising:
 a bearing spindle comprising a bearing race, said spindle having a centerline;   a rolling cutter positioned around said spindle, said rolling cutter comprising a bearing race and a centerline; and   a planar reference surface formed in said bearing race of at least one of said bearing spindle and said rolling cutter, said planar reference surface being substantially perpendicular to said centerline of said at least one of said bearing spindle and said rolling cutter.   
   
   
       25 . The drill bit of  claim 24 , wherein said planar reference surface is substantially parallel to a thrust face formed on one of said bearing spindle and said rolling cutter. 
   
   
       26 . A rolling cutter drill bit, comprising:
 a bearing spindle comprising a bearing race, said bearing race having a centerline;   a rolling cutter positioned around said spindle, said rolling cutter comprising a centerline;   a first planar reference surface formed in said bearing race of said bearing spindle, said first planar reference surface being substantially perpendicular to said centerline of said bearing spindle; and   a second planar reference surface formed in said bearing race of said rolling cutter, said second planar reference surface being substantially perpendicular to said centerline of said rolling cutter.   
   
   
       27 . The drill bit of  claim 26 , wherein said bearing spindle further comprises a first thrust face and wherein said first planar reference surface is substantially parallel to said first thrust face. 
   
   
       27 . The drill bit of  claim 26 , wherein said rolling cutter further comprises a second thrust face and where in said second planar reference surface is substantially parallel to said second thrust face.