Patent ID: 8418332
Filing Date: 2013-04-16
Classification: B24C,C21D,E21B,F16C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for building a drill bit, comprising: forming a journal bearing structure of a drill bit having a bearing system including at least one bearing surface; and surface texturing at least a portion of the bearing surface of the bearing system, wherein surface texturing comprises: exposing the portion of the bearing surface to a first shot peening action wherein the portion of the surface is bombarded at a first intensity level by first small spherical media of a first average size; exposing the same portion of the bearing surface to a subsequent second shot peening action wherein the same portion of the beating surface is bombarded at a second intensity level by second small spherical media of a second average size; and wherein the first and subsequent second shot peening actions create lubricant reservoirs on the same portion of the bearing surface, the lubricant reservoirs being adapted to contain lubricant for the bearing system; and wherein the first intensity level is greater than the second intensity level and the first average size is larger than the second average size.