IP Library Granted Patent US 7,686,103
Granted Patent B2
US 7,686,103 · App. 11/758,913 · Granted Mar 30, 2010

Drill bit with radially expandable cutter, and method of using same

Assignee: San Juan Coal Company
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,686,103
App. No.
11/758,913
Granted
Mar 30, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A drill bit having a body with a stationary cutter and a rotatable cutter such that in a first position the rotatable cutter does not radially extend beyond a periphery of the stationary cutter and in a second position the rotatable cutter radially extends beyond the periphery of the stationary cutter.

Claims (9)

1. A method of creating a helical groove in a bore hole formed in a strata comprising:

a. providing a drill bit having:

i. an elongate bit body having a forward end and a rearward end,

ii. a first stationary cutter located at the forward end and having a cutting edge that defines a periphery;

iii. a first rotatable cutter having a cutting edge that in a first position does not extend beyond the periphery and in a second position extends beyond the periphery;

b. rotating the bit in a first rotation direction such that the first rotatable cutter is in the first position and moving the bit in a first axial direction into the strata to create the bore hole having a nominal diameter and an axial length; and,

c. subsequently rotating the bit in a second rotation direction opposite the first rotation direction such that the first rotatable cutter is in the second position and moving the bit in a second axial direction opposite the first axial direction to create the helical groove within at least a portion of the axial length of the bore hole wherein the helical groove has a groove depth that extends radially beyond the nominal diameter.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the bit is moved in the first axial direction to a preselected terminal end and when the bit reaches the terminal end, the bit is rotated in the second rotation direction.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first stationary cutter is configured to create the bore hole with the nominal diameter between about 0.750 inches to about 1.375 inches.

Assignments (12)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 18, 2021
From: MIDCAP FINANCIAL TRUST
To: WESTMORELAND SAN JUAN MINING LLC
Reel/Frame 058156/0655 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 31, 2021
From: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB
To: WESTMORELAND SAN JUAN MINING LLC
Reel/Frame 057346/0737 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 24, 2019
From: WESTMORELAND SAN JUAN MINING LLC
To: MIDCAP FINANCIAL TRUST, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 049279/0564 →
GRANT OF FIRST LIEN SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 17, 2019
From: WESTMORELAND SAN JUAN MINING LLC
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 049217/0415 →
GRANT OF SECOND LIEN SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 17, 2019
From: WESTMORELAND SAN JUAN MINING LLC
To: ANKURA TRUST COMPANY, LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 049217/0445 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 20, 2019
From: SAN JUAN COAL COMPANY
To: WESTMORELAND SAN JUAN MINING LLC
Reel/Frame 048652/0305 →
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 22, 2018
From: SAN JUAN COAL COMPANY
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 046409/0086 →
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 22, 2018
From: SAN JUAN COAL COMPANY
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY
Reel/Frame 046408/0928 →
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 22, 2018
From: SAN JUAN COAL COMPANY
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY
Reel/Frame 046409/0178 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 21, 2018
From: NM CAPITAL UTILITY CORPORATION
To: SAN JUAN COAL COMPANY
Reel/Frame 046165/0684 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 2, 2016
From: SAN JUAN COAL COMPANY
To: NM CAPITAL UTILITY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 037680/0128 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 7, 2007
From: PILE, JAMES D.
To: SAN JUAN COAL COMPANY
Reel/Frame 019395/0050 →
Continuity (1)
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