Patent ID: 8177001
Filing Date: 2012-05-15
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. An earth-boring tool, comprising: a body having a face at a leading end thereof; a plurality of cutting elements disposed on the body; a plurality of wear knots disposed over the body and positioned proximate to and rotationally trailing at least some of the plurality of cutting elements and having a greater relative exposure than the at least some of the plurality of cutting elements, the plurality of wear knots comprising a composite material comprising a plurality of hard particles exhibiting a substantially rough surface in a matrix material, wherein each wear knot of the plurality of wear knots comprises at least one of a cylindrical shape, a post shape, and a semi-spherical shape and has a substantially circular cross-section taken in a direction parallel to a portion of the face of the body adjacent the wear knot; and a sacrificial material disposed on the body, wherein the plurality of wear knots is disposed on the sacrificial material.