Drill bit

Abstract

A drill bit ( 26 ), the drill bit ( 26 ) comprising: a substantially tubular bit body ( 30 ) defining a body proximal end ( 32 ) and a substantially longitudinally opposed body distal end ( 34 ); a crown ( 38 ) extending from the bit body ( 30 ) at the body distal end ( 34 ), the crown ( 38 ) having a generally annular configuration defining crown inner and outer diameters ( 48 and 50 ); the crown ( 38 ) including a plurality of segments ( 46 ) provided between the crown inner and outer diameters ( 48 and 50 ), at least one of the segments ( 46 ) extending only partially radially across the crown ( 38 ) between the crown inner and outer diameters ( 48 and 50 ).

1 . A drill bit, said drill bit comprising:
 a substantially tubular bit body defining a body proximal end and a substantially longitudinally opposed body distal end;   a crown extending from said bit body at said body distal end, said crown having a generally annular configuration defining crown inner and outer diameters;   said crown including a plurality of segments provided between said crown inner and outer diameters, at least one of said segments extending only partially radially across said crown between said crown inner and outer diameters.   
     
     
         2 . A drill bit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each of said segments extends only partially radially across said crown between said crown inner and outer diameters. 
     
     
         3 . A drill bit as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said segments are divided in inner segments and outer segments, said outer segments all extending radially outwardly further than said inner segments and said inner segments all extending radially inwardly further than said outer segments, said segments alternating circumferentially between outer segments and inner segments. 
     
     
         4 . A drill bit as defined in  claim 3 , wherein said inner and outer segments overlap circumferentially. 
     
     
         5 . A drill bit as defined in  claim 3 , wherein said inner and outer segments are circumferentially spaced apart from each other so as to have no circumferential overlap therebetween. 
     
     
         6 . A drill bit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein all virtual circles contained in and concentric with said crown intersect at least one of said segments. 
     
     
         7 . A drill bit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said crown defines a plurality of waterways devoid of said segments, each waterway extending between said crown inner and outer diameters. 
     
     
         8 . A drill bit as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said waterways are substantially equidistantly spaced apart from one another circumferentially around said crown. 
     
     
         9 . A drill bit as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said segments define segment groups circumferentially spaced apart from each other by said waterways, each segment group including at least two of said segments. 
     
     
         10 . A drill bit as defined in  claim 9 , wherein each segment of each segment group is closer to at least one other segment from the same segment group than to all of said segments outside of said same segment group. 
     
     
         11 . A drill bit as defined in  claim 9 , wherein at least two segments from at least one of said segment groups contact each other. 
     
     
         12 . A drill bit as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said segment groups each extend from said crown inner diameter to said crown outer diameter. 
     
     
         13 . A drill bit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said bit body defines a plurality of segment receiving recesses extending thereinto at said body distal end and said segments each define a segment attachment portion inserted in one of said segment receiving recesses and a segment abrading portion provided outside of said segment receiving recesses. 
     
     
         14 . A drill bit as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said segment attachment portions and said segment receiving recesses are threaded and said segment attachment portions are screwed in said segment receiving recesses. 
     
     
         15 . A drill bit as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said segments are glued to said bit body. 
     
     
         16 . A drill bit as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said segments are soldered to said bit body. 
     
     
         17 . A drill bit as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said segments are brazed to said bit body. 
     
     
         18 . A drill bit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein at least some of said segments have a substantially constant transversal configuration longitudinally therealong. 
     
     
         19 . A drill bit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said segments has at least a portion thereof tapering in a direction leading towards said bit body. 
     
     
         20 . A drill bit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said segments has at least a portion thereof tapering in a direction leading away from said bit body. 
     
     
         21 . A drill bit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said segments has a substantially circular transversal cross-sectional configuration. 
     
     
         22 . A drill bit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said segments has a substantially triangular transversal cross-sectional configuration. 
     
     
         23 . A drill bit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said segments has a substantially trapezoidal transversal cross-sectional configuration. 
     
     
         24 . A drill bit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said crown protrudes radially inwardly and outwardly relative to said bit body. 
     
     
         25 . A drill bit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said segments each include abrasive particles contained in a metal matrix. 
     
     
         26 . A drill bit as defined in  claim 25 , wherein said abrasive particles include diamond particles. 
     
     
         27 . A drill bit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said drill bit defines a drill string attachment substantially adjacent said body proximal end, said drill string attachment being configured and sized for attaching said drill bit to a drill string. 
     
     
         28 . A drill bit as defined in  claim 27 , wherein said drill string attachment includes threads for screwing said drill bit to said drill string. 
     
     
         29 . A drill bit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said segments are all in a spaced apart relationship relative to each other. 
     
     
         30 . A drill bit usable with a fluid, said drill bit comprising:
 a bit body, said bit body defining a body proximal end and a substantially longitudinally opposed body distal end, said bit body defining a body passageway extending substantially longitudinally therethrough for receiving said fluid and conveying said fluid through said bit body;   a substantially annular crown extending substantially longitudinally from said bit body, said crown defining a crown distal end and a substantially longitudinally opposed crown proximal end, said crown extending from said bit body with said crown proximal end located substantially adjacent to said body distal end, said crown defining a crown passageway extending substantially longitudinally therethrough, said crown passageway being in fluid communication with said body passageway for receiving said fluid from said body passageway, said crown extending between a crown inner diameter and a crown outer diameter;   said crown including a plurality of segments, each of said segments extending only partially circumferentially and radially across said crown.