Patent ID: 6460631
Filing Date: 2002-10-08
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
A drill bit for subterranean drilling, comprising:a bit body including a longitudinal centerline, a leading end having a face for contacting a formation having a maximum compressive strength during drilling, and a trailing end having a structure associated therewith for connecting the bit body to a drill string, the face of the leading end configured to include a total bearing surface of a size sufficient to substantially support the bit body upon the bit body being forced against the formation at a maximum weight-on-bit resulting in a unit load on the formation not exceeding the maximum compressive strength of the formation; and at least one superabrasive cutter for engaging the formation during drilling secured to a selected portion of the face of the leading end of the bit body, the at least one superabrasive cutter exhibiting a limited amount of cutter exposure perpendicular to the selected portion of the face of the leading end to which the at least one superabrasive cutter is secured to, in combination with the total bearing surface of the bit body, limit a maximum depth-of-cut of the at least one superabrasive cutter into the formation having the maximum compressive strength during drilling.