Patent ID: 6209185
Filing Date: 2001-04-03
Classification: E21B,F16J,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for constructing an earth-boring bit, comprising:(a) providing a bit body with at least one cantilevered bearing shaft that has a base and extends inwardly and downwardly from the bit body;(b) forming at least one rigid seal ring;(c) forming a contour on a substantially flat face of a substrate;(d) forming on the face and contour of the substrate a free-standing layer of a super-hard material which has a hardness of upwards of 5000 on the Knoop scale;(e) separating the super-hard layer and the substrate from each other, thereby forming a face on the super-hard layer that has a contour inverse to the contour formed on the substrate;(f) attaching the super-hard layer to the rigid ring;(g) positioning the seal face of the rigid seal ring in contact with a second seal face to define a seal assembly;(h) mounting the seal assembly on the bearing shaft proximal to the base of the bearing shaft; and(i) mounting a cutter on the bearing shaft for rotation and in engagement with the seal assembly.