Stabilizing system and methods for a drill bit

Abstract

A drill bit stabilizing system comprising a body member having an axis and at least one recess formed in the body member housing at least one stabilizing member when in a first retracted position. The stabilizing member is positionable along a diagonal angle with the axis to a second extended operating position which extends downward and outward relative to the main body to selectively engage the surface of a pilot bore hole wall during a drilling operation so as to stabilize an under gauge drill bit used in association with the stabilizing system. The body member further comprises at least one fixed stabilizing surface positioned in an axially spaced relationship to the at least one moveable stabilizing member. The body member further comprises a gauge cutter positioned above the moveable stabilizing member and below the fixed stabilizing surface to expand the pilot hole to the final gauge.

1 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A drill bit stabilizing system comprising,
 a body member having at least one recess formed therein, the recess housing at least one stabilizing member in moveable relationship to the recess, the at least one stabilizing member comprising a plunger portion provided in a spring chamber formed in the body member, the spring chamber comprising a substantially sealed chamber configured to retain a substantially fixed volume of an incompressible fluid therein, wherein the substantially fixed volume of the incompressible fluid is configured to substantially fill the sealed chamber, and a fluid displacement system in fluid communication with the spring chamber to provide pressure equalization upon movement of the plunger within the spring chamber.   
     
     
         7 . The drill bit stabilizing system of  claim 6 , wherein the fluid displacement system comprises a displacement cylinder in fluid communication with the spring chamber, and a moveable sealing member within the displacement cylinder which is moveable in response to changes in fluid volume within the spring chamber. 
     
     
         8 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The drill bit stabilizing system of  claim 6 , wherein the fluid displacement system comprises a moveable sealing member, wherein the movable sealing member is configured to act on the incompressible fluid retained in the spring chamber, and wherein the movable sealing member is configured to be exposed to a region external to the body member to equalize pressure between the region external to the body member and the incompressible fluid retained in the spring chamber. 
     
     
         14 . The drill bit stabilizing system of  claim 13 , wherein the moveable sealing member comprises a piston. 
     
     
         15 . The drill bit stabilizing system of  claim 14 , wherein the piston is configured to be disposed within at least a portion of a bore adjacent the spring chamber. 
     
     
         16 . The drill bit stabilizing system of  claim 13 , wherein the moveable sealing member comprises a sealed diaphragm. 
     
     
         17 . The drill bit stabilizing system of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one stabilizing member is configured to be selectively biased to an extended position such that at least a portion of the stabilizing member is configured to engage at least a portion of walls of a borehole, and wherein at least a portion of the stabilizing member is moveable to stabilize a drill bit used in association with the stabilizing system. 
     
     
         18 . The drill bit stabilizing system of  claim 6 , wherein the fluid displacement system is configured to provide pressure equalization upon movement of the plunger within the spring chamber such that, during use, static downhole pressure in an annulus of a bore hole or fluid pressure within a throat associated with the body member, does not substantially inhibit movement of the at lest one stabilizing member. 
     
     
         19 . The drill bit stabilizing system of  claim 6 , comprising a spring member configured to be positioned inside the spring chamber during use, wherein the spring member is configured to bias the at least one stabilizing member toward the extended position. 
     
     
         20 . The drill bit stabilizing system of  claim 6 , further comprising a plurality of stacked disk Belleville washers configured to be positioned in the spring chamber during use, wherein the plurality of stacked disk Belleville washers is configured to bias the at least one stabilizing member toward the extended position. 
     
     
         21 . The drill bit stabilizing system of  claim 6 , further comprising a seal bushing disposed about the plunger during use, wherein the seal bushing is configured to seal at least a portion of the spring chamber configured to interface with the plunger. 
     
     
         22 . The drill bit stabilizing system of  claim 6 , wherein the substantially fixed volume of incompressible fluid is substantially isolated from drilling fluid during use. 
     
     
         23 . The drill bit stabilizing system of  claim 22 , wherein an interior of the spring chamber comprises a biasing member disposed therein, wherein the interior of the spring chamber is substantially isolated such that the biasing member is substantially isolated from drilling fluid during use. 
     
     
         24 . The drill bit stabilizing system of  claim 6 , wherein the body member comprises a vent hole extending from the recess, wherein the stabilizing member is configured to move within the recess during use, and wherein the vent hole inhibits packing of detritus material within the pocket. 
     
     
         25 . A drill bit stabilizing system, comprising:
 a body member configured to be disposed in a bore hole during use;   a stabilizing member coupled to the body member, wherein the stabilizing member is configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position during use, and wherein at least a portion of the stabilizing member is configured to engage walls of the bore hole in the expanded position;   a substantially sealed chamber configured to retain a substantially fixed volume of incompressible fluid therein, wherein the substantially fixed volume of the incompressible fluid is configured to substantially fill the sealed chamber, and wherein the substantially sealed chamber comprises a sealing member,   wherein at least a portion of the sealing member is configured to be exposed to at least a portion of a fluid pressure of an annulus of the bore hole during use, and wherein the sealing member is configured such that at least a portion the fluid pressure of the annulus of the bore hole is transferred to the substantially fixed volume of incompressible fluid during use, and wherein the substantially sealed chamber is coupled to the stabilizing member such that at least a portion of a fluid pressure of the incompressible fluid retained in the substantially sealed chamber is configured to provide a biasing force configured to facilitate movement of the stabilizing member.   
     
     
         26 . The drill bit stabilizing system of  claim 25 , wherein the at least a portion of the sealing member is movable. 
     
     
         27 . The drill bit stabilizing system of  claim 25 , wherein the stabilizing member comprises a plunger configured to extend into the substantially sealed chamber, and wherein at least a portion of a fluid pressure of the incompressible fluid retained in the substantially sealed chamber is configured to act on at least a portion of the plunger to provide the biasing force configured to facilitate movement of the stabilizing member. 
     
     
         28 . The drill bit stabilizing system of  claim 25 , further comprising a biasing mechanism at least partially disposed within the substantially sealed chamber, wherein the biasing member is configured to provide a biasing force configured to bias the stabilizing member toward the extended position. 
     
     
         29 . The drill bit stabilizing system of  claim 25 , wherein the substantially fixed volume of incompressible fluid is substantially isolated from drilling fluid during use. 
     
     
         30 . The drill bit stabilizing system of  claim 25 , wherein the body member comprises a pocket and a vent hole extending from the pocket, wherein the stabilizing member is disposed in the pocket during use, wherein the stabilizing member is configured to move within the pocket between the retracted position and the extended position during use, and wherein the vent hole inhibits packing of detritus material within the pocket. 
     
     
         31 . A drill bit stabilization system, comprising:
 a body member configured to be disposed in a bore hole during use, wherein an annulus region located between the body member and walls of the bore hole is exposed to a down hole pressure;   a stabilizing member coupled to the body member, wherein the stabilizing member is configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position during use, wherein at least a portion of the stabilizing member is configured to engage walls of the bore hole in the expanded position;   a substantially sealed chamber configured to retain a substantially fixed volume of incompressible fluid therein, wherein the substantially fixed volume of the incompressible fluid is configured to substantially fill the sealed chamber, wherein a first portion of the sealed chamber is configured to be exposed to at least a portion of the down hole pressure, during use, such that a fluid pressure of the substantially fixed volume of incompressible fluid at least partially equalizes with the downhole pressure during use; and   a biasing mechanism configured to bias the stabilizing member in the extended position during use, wherein at least a portion of the biasing mechanism is located within the sealed chamber.   
     
     
         32 . The drill bit stabilization system of  claim 31 , wherein the substantially fixed volume of the incompressible fluid is substantially isolated from drilling fluid during use. 
     
     
         33 . The drill bit stabilization system of  claim 31 , wherein the body member comprises a pocket and a vent hole extending from the pocket, wherein the stabilizing member is disposed in the pocket during use, wherein the stabilizing member is configured to move within the pocket between the retracted position and the extended position during use, and wherein the vent hole inhibits packing of detritus material within the pocket. 
     
     
         34 . A drill bit stabilizing system, comprising:
 a body member configured to be disposed in a bore hole during use, wherein the body member comprises:
 a pocket; and 
 a vent hole extending from the pocket; and 
   a stabilizing member disposed in the pocket during use, wherein the stabilizing member is configured to move within the pocket between a retracted position and an extended position during use, and wherein at least a portion of the stabilizing member is configured to engage walls of the bore hole in the expanded position;   
     
     
         35 . The drill bit stabilizing system of  claim 34 , wherein the vent hole inhibits packing of detritus material within the pocket.