Non-cylindrical nozzle socket for drill bits

Abstract

A non-cylindrical nozzle socket and a downhole tool that includes a non-cylindrical nozzle socket. The non-cylindrical nozzle socket includes a base and a nozzle socket wall that extends outwardly from the base. The nozzle socket wall includes a distal end positioned away from the base. The distal end forms an opening larger than the area of the base.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A downhole tool, comprising:
 a body comprising a drilling fluid flow pathway formed therein, at least a portion of the drilling flow pathway defining at least one nozzle socket;   one or more blades extending from one end of the body, the plurality of blades forming a cutting surface; and   a nozzle positioned within the body and adjacent a respective nozzle socket,   wherein the nozzle socket comprises:
 a base; and 
 a nozzle socket wall extending outwardly from the base and comprising a distal end positioned away from the base, wherein the distal end forms an opening larger than the area of the base. 
   
     
     
         2 . The downhole tool of  claim 1 , wherein each nozzle socket is positioned between adjacent blades. 
     
     
         3 . The downhole tool of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle socket wall comprises a noncylindrical shape. 
     
     
         4 . The downhole tool of  claim 3 , wherein the nozzle socket wall consists of a shape selected from at least one of a conical shape, a U-shape, a V-shape, and a combination of a conical and cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         5 . The downhole tool of  claim 1 , wherein an internal surface of the nozzle socket wall comprises at least one surface modification. 
     
     
         6 . The downhole tool of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one surface modification comprises a spiraled modification. 
     
     
         7 . The downhole tool of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one surface modification comprises a waved modification. 
     
     
         8 . The downhole tool of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle socket wall comprises a conical shape. 
     
     
         9 . The downhole tool of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle socket wall comprises at least a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is conical shaped and the second portion is cylindrically shaped. 
     
     
         10 . A nozzle socket formed within a downhole, the nozzle socket, comprising:
 a base; and   a nozzle socket wall extending outwardly from the base and comprising a distal end positioned away from the base, wherein the distal end forms an opening larger than the area of the base.   
     
     
         11 . The nozzle socket of  claim 10 , wherein the nozzle socket wall comprises a noncylindrical shape. 
     
     
         12 . The nozzle socket of  claim 11 , wherein the nozzle socket wall consists of a shape selected from at least one of a conical shape, a U-shape, a V-shape, and a combination of a conical and cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         13 . The nozzle socket of  claim 10 , wherein an internal surface of the nozzle socket wall comprises at least one surface modification. 
     
     
         14 . The nozzle socket of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one surface modification comprises a spiraled modification. 
     
     
         15 . The nozzle socket of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one surface modification comprises a waved modification. 
     
     
         16 . The nozzle socket of  claim 10 , wherein the nozzle socket wall comprises a conical shape. 
     
     
         17 . The nozzle socket of  claim 10 , wherein the nozzle socket wall comprises at least a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is conical shaped and the second portion is cylindrically shaped.