IP Library Granted Patent US 10,260,162
Granted Patent B1
US 10,260,162 · App. 15/190,471 · Granted Apr 16, 2019

Methods of leaching a superabrasive body and apparatuses and systems for the same

Inventor: Daren Nathaniel Heaton (Spanish Fork, UT)
Assignee: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION
C25F1/00E21B10/567
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,260,162
App. No.
15/190,471
Granted
Apr 16, 2019
Kind
B1
Abstract

Embodiments of the invention relate to methods of removing interstitial constituents from superabrasive bodies using an ionic transfer medium, and systems and apparatuses for the same.

Claims (24)

1. A method of removing interstitial constituents from a superabrasive body, the method comprising:

providing an ionic transfer assembly including:

a first electrical connection operably coupled to a superabrasive body including a plurality of bonded superabrasive grains and at least one interstitial constituent;

an ionic transfer medium in contact with the superabrasive body, the ionic transfer medium comprising a solid material or a gel; and

an ionic reservoir in ionic communication with the ionic transfer medium and separated from the superabrasive body by the ionic transfer medium, the ionic reservoir including a second electrical connection operably coupled thereto;

applying a voltage between the first and second electrical connections; and

removing at least some of the at least one interstitial constituent from the superabrasive body through the ionic transfer medium to the ionic reservoir.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising positioning the superabrasive body against the ionic transfer medium, wherein the superabrasive body includes one or more of an upper surface, an interfacial surface, a lateral surface extending between the upper surface and the interfacial surface, and a chamfer extending between the upper surface and the lateral surface.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein:

the superabrasive body includes a polycrystalline diamond table, and the polycrystalline diamond table is bonded to a substrate;

the first electrical connection is with the substrate; and

the polycrystalline diamond table contacts the ionic transfer medium such that the polycrystalline diamond table is in electrical and chemical communication with the ionic transfer medium.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein positioning the superabrasive body against the ionic transfer medium includes positioning at least one of the upper surface, the lateral surface, or the chamfer in contact with the ionic transfer medium.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein positioning at least one of the upper surface, the lateral surface, or the chamfer in contact with the ionic transfer medium includes positioning only a portion of at least one of the upper surface, the lateral surface, or the chamfer in contact with the ionic transfer medium.

6. The method of claim 3 , wherein removing at least some of the at least one interstitial constituent from the superabrasive body includes removing at least some of the interstitial constituents from a portion of the superabrasive body adjacent to at least one of the upper surface, the chamfer, or the lateral surface.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ionic transfer medium includes a gel.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ionic transfer medium includes at least one of a porous paper, a sponge, a porous filter, or a membrane.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the membrane includes one or more of an ion selective membrane, a partially porous membrane, or a size selective membrane.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ionic transfer medium includes a solid polymer electrode or a cation exchange resin.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the ionic transfer medium includes a supercritical fluid and a solid polymer electrode material.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying a voltage between the first and second electrical connections includes applying a positive potential at the first electrical connection and a negative potential at the second electrical connection.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the ionic reservoir includes an acidic solution; and

removing at least some of the at least one interstitial constituent from the superabrasive body includes applying a negative electrical potential to the acidic solution.

Assignments (5)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 18, 2025
From: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION
To: KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 074973/0089 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 7, 2022
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: ACE DOWNHOLE, LLC; HARBISON-FISCHER, INC.; NORRIS RODS, INC.; PCS FERGUSON, INC.; QUARTZDYNE, INC.; SPIRIT GLOBAL ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC.; THETA OILFIELD SERVICES, INC.; APERGY BMCS ACQUISITION CORP.; NORRISEAL-WELLMARK, INC.; US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION; WINDROCK, INC.
Reel/Frame 060305/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 30, 2022
From: HEATON, DAREN NATHANIEL
To: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 059437/0036 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 5, 2020
From: ACE DOWNHOLE, LLC; APERGY BMCS ACQUISITION CORP.; HARBISON-FISCHER, INC.; NORRIS RODS, INC.; NORRISEAL-WELLMARK, INC.; PCS FERGUSON, INC.; QUARTZDYNE, INC.; SPIRIT GLOBAL ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC.; THETA OILFIELD SERVICES, INC.; US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION; WINDROCK, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053790/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 9, 2018
From: APERGY (DELAWARE) FORMATION, INC.; APERGY BMCS ACQUISITION CORP.; APERGY ENERGY AUTOMATION, LLC; HARBISON-FISCHER, INC.; NORRISEAL-WELLMARK, INC.; PCS FERGUSON, INC.; QUARTZDYNE, INC.; SPIRIT GLOBAL ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC.; US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION; WINDROCK, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 046117/0015 →
Continuity (1)
Provisional Application 62187574 · Jul 1, 2015
Cited By (2)
US 12,296,435 US 12,544,878