A method for reducing residual stress in a roller cone bit

• Main Authors: JONES, RONNIE L, BEUERSHAUSEN, CHRISTOPHER G, NGUYEN, DON Q, ZAHRADNIK, ANTON F, RICKS, GREGORY L, SULLIVAN, ERIC C
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 16.09.2009
• Subjects: EARTH DRILLING; EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS; MINING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR ASLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS

A roller cone bit (11) has a ball retention system to secure the cones (17) to the head (15). A radial ball race (19) includes a ball way (21) with a ball plug (27) to keep the balls (25) in the ball race. The ball plug (27) is secured to the head by welding. Any residual stress in the weld region i...