Patent ID: 6045029
Filing Date: 2000-04-04
Classification: E21B,F16J,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for constructing an earth-boring bit with an improved face seal assembly, comprising:providing a bit body with at least one cantilevered bearing shaft which has a base and extends inwardly and downwardly from the bit body;providing a seal assembly by forming at least one rigid seal ring of a hardened metal selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt and alloys thereof, the hardened metal having a lowest transformation temperature at which the hardened metal at least partially loses its properties as a hardened metal, securing on the rigid seal ring a seal face which is at least partially formed of a super-hard material having a hardness of upward of 5000 on the Knoop scale, wherein the step of securing the super-hard material to the rigid seal ring is performed at a temperature lower than the lowest transformation temperature of the metal of the rigid seal ring, and positioning the seal face of the rigid seal ring in contact with a second seal face;mounting the seal assembly on the bearing shaft proximal to the base of the bearing shaft; andmounting a cutter on the bearing shaft for rotation and in engagement with the seal assembly.