Optimized central PDC cutter and method

1. A PDC drill bit for subterranean drilling or forming boreholes in subterranean formations comprising:

(a) a drill bit body;

(b) a central cutting member for enhancing the efficiency of the PDC bit at the center of the drill bit body, the central cutting member comprising:

(1) an end portion for engaging the drill bit body;

(2) a member adjacent the end portion, wherein the member comprises a center and an edge; and

(3) a plurality of cutters supported by the member, the plurality of cutters each comprising:

a cutting surface comprising a base surface disposed against the member and extending radially between the center and the edge, and an inner surface extending upward from the center and terminating proximate to the inner surface of each other cutter at an apex, wherein the cutting surface comprises a side rake angle that provides an overlapping relationship between each cutting surface such that the PDC bit provides an aggressive cutting structure at the center of the PDC bit.

2. The PDC drill bit for subterranean drilling or forming boreholes in subterranean formations as defined in claim 1 wherein the plurality of cutters comprises two cutters.

3. The PDC drill bit for subterranean drilling or forming boreholes in subterranean formations as defined in claim 1 wherein the plurality of cutters comprises three cutters.

4. The PDC drill bit for subterranean drilling or forming boreholes in subterranean formations as defined in claim 1 wherein the end portion for engaging the drill bit body comprises a cylindrical portion.

5. The PDC drill bit for subterranean drilling or forming boreholes in subterranean formations as defined in claim 1 wherein the member adjacent the end portion fixedly engages the plurality of cutters and the end portion.

6. The PDC drill bit for subterranean drilling or forming boreholes in subterranean formations as defined in claim 5 wherein the member, the plurality of cutters and the end portion are a unitary structure.

7. The PDC drill bit for subterranean drilling or forming boreholes in subterranean formations as defined in claim 1 wherein the cutting surface on each protrusion comprises a side rake angle within the range of approximately −15 degrees to 15 degrees.

8. The PDC drill bit for subterranean drilling or forming boreholes in subterranean formations as defined in claim 1 wherein the central cutting member is comprised of sintered tungsten carbide.

9. The PDC drill bit for subterranean drilling or forming boreholes in subterranean formations as defined in claim 1 comprising at least three cutting surfaces.

10. The PDC drill bit for subterranean drilling or forming boreholes in subterranean formations as defined in claim 1 wherein the plurality of cutters are immediately adjacent to and overlapping the center of the PDC drill bit.

11. The PDC drill bit for subterranean drilling or forming boreholes in subterranean formations as defined in claim 1 wherein the cutting surface further comprises a curved outer surface which extends from the edge to the apex.

12. A method for enhancing the efficiency of a PDC bit at the center of the drill bit body, the PDC bit having cutters distributed thereupon, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) engaging central cutters with the PDC bit;

(b) providing the central cutters with a more efficient cutting structure, wherein the central cutters comprise:

a member having a center and an edge; and

a cutting surface comprising a base surface disposed against the member and extending radially between the center and the edge, and an inner surface extending upward from the center and terminating proximate to the inner surface of each other cutter at an apex;

(c) providing a side rake angle with respect to one or more central cutters for enhancing the efficiency of the PDC bit at the center of the drill bit body such that the side rake angle provides an overlapping relationship between the cutting surface on each central cutter such that the PDC bit provides an aggressive cutting structure at the center of the PDC bit.

13. The method for enhancing the efficiency of a PDC bit at the center of the drill bit body as defined in claim 12 wherein the step of providing the central cutters with a more efficient cutting structure comprises displacing at least two cutters relative to one another and providing an angled relationship between said at least two cutters.

14. The method for enhancing the efficiency of a PDC bit at the center of the drill bit body as defined in claim 12 wherein the step of providing a side rake angle of approximately zero with respect to the central cutters comprises the step of providing a side rake angle within the range of approximately −15 degrees to 15 degrees.

15. The method for enhancing the efficiency of a PDC bit at the center of the drill bit body as defined in claim 12 wherein the step of providing the central cutters with a more efficient cutting structure further comprises the step of placing a plurality of cutters immediately adjacent to and overlapping the center of the PDC drill bit.

16. The method for enhancing the efficiency of a PDC bit at the center of the drill bit body as defined in claim 12 wherein the cutting surface further comprises a curved outer surface which extends from the edge to the apex.

17. An insert for a PDC drill bit for subterranean drilling or forming boreholes in subterranean formations comprising a plurality of cutters supported by an end portion, the plurality of cutters comprising a central cutting member for enhancing the efficiency of the PDC bit at the center of the drill bit body, the central cutting member comprising:

(a) an end portion for engaging the drill bit body;

(b) a member adjacent the end portion, wherein the member comprises a center and an edge; and

(c) a plurality of cutters supported by the member, the plurality of cutters each comprising:

a cutting surface comprising a base surface disposed against the member and extending radially between the center and the edge, and an inner surface extending upward from the center and terminating proximate to the inner surface of each other cutter at an apex, wherein the cutting surface comprises a side rake angle that provides an overlapping relationship between each cutting surface such that the PDC bit provides an aggressive cutting structure at the center of the PDC bit.

18. The insert for a PDC drill bit for subterranean drilling or forming boreholes in subterranean formations as defined in claim 17 wherein the plurality of cutters and the end portion are a unitary structure.

19. The insert for a PDC drill bit for subterranean drilling or forming boreholes in subterranean formations as defined in claim 17 wherein the cutting surface on each protrusion comprises a side rake angle within the range of approximately −15 degrees to 15 degrees.

20. The insert for a PDC drill bit for subterranean drilling or forming boreholes in subterranean formations as defined in claim 17 wherein the insert is comprised of sintered tungsten carbide.

21. The insert for a PDC drill bit for subterranean drilling or forming boreholes in subterranean formations as defined in claim 17 comprising at least two cutting surfaces.

22. The insert for a PDC drill bit for subterranean drilling or forming boreholes in subterranean formations as defined in claim 17 wherein the plurality of cutters are immediately adjacent to and overlapping the center of the PDC drill bit.

23. The insert for a PDC drill bit for subterranean drilling or forming boreholes in subterranean formations as defined in claim 17 wherein the cutting surface further comprises a curved outer surface which extends from the edge to the apex.