Extended or raised nozzle for pdc bits

Abstract

A drill bit includes a bit body having a pin end capable of attaching to a drill string, a cutting end having a plurality of blades extending radially therefrom and separated by a plurality of channels therebetween, and a fluid plenum open to receiving drilling fluid from the drill string. The drill bit further includes at least one cutting element in a cutter pocket formed on the plurality of blades, at least one fluid flow passageway extending from the fluid plenum to at least one nozzle bore, at least one nozzle attached to the at least one nozzle bore and having a nozzle face spaced apart from the bit body, and an protruding body having an transition surface extending from the bit body to proximate the nozzle face. A width of the protruding body varies along a height of the protruding body from proximate the bit body to proximate the nozzle face.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drill bit, comprising:
 a bit body having:
 a cutting end having a plurality of blades extending radially therefrom and separated by a plurality of channels therebetween; and 
 a fluid plenum configured to receive drilling fluid; 
   at least one cutting element one of the plurality of blades;   at least one fluid flow passageway extending from the fluid plenum to at least one nozzle bore;   at least one nozzle attached to the at least one nozzle bore, the nozzle having a nozzle face that is spaced apart from the bit body; and   a protruding body having a transition surface extending from the bit body to proximate to the nozzle face at an angle, a width of the protruding body varying along a height of the protruding body from proximate the bit body to proximate the nozzle face.   
     
     
         2 . The drill bit of  claim 1 , wherein the width of the protruding body varies at a constant slope along the height. 
     
     
         3 . The drill bit of  claim 1 , wherein the width of the protruding body varies in steps along the height. 
     
     
         4 . The drill bit of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one nozzle bore is in a trailing side of one of the plurality of blades. 
     
     
         5 . The drill bit of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one nozzle bore is disposed in the bit body adjacent to a trailing side of one of the plurality of blades. 
     
     
         6 . The drill bit of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one nozzle bore is located in a radial position corresponding to a nose region or a shoulder region of the drill bit. 
     
     
         7 . The drill bit of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle face extends at least 0.5 inches from a surface of the bit body adjacent to the at least one nozzle. 
     
     
         8 . The drill bit of  claim 7 , wherein the distance from the nozzle face along the longitudinal axis of the nozzle to a cutting profile of the drill bit is 1.5 inches or less. 
     
     
         9 . A drill bit, comprising:
 a bit body having:
 a cutting end having a plurality of blades extending radially therefrom and separated by a plurality of channels therebetween; and 
 a fluid plenum configured to receiving drilling fluid; 
   at least one cutting element on one of the plurality of blades;   at least one fluid flow passageway extending from the fluid plenum to at least one nozzle bore disposed in the cutting end configured to allow drilling fluid to be discharged from the drill bit; and   at least one nozzle having:
 a lower portion attached to the at least one nozzle bore below an outer surface of the bit body; and 
 an upper portion extending beyond the outer surface of the bit body. 
   
     
     
         10 . The drill bit of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one nozzle bore is disposed in a trailing side of one of the plurality of blades. 
     
     
         11 . The drill bit of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one nozzle bore is disposed in the bit body adjacent to a trailing side of one of the plurality of blades. 
     
     
         12 . The drill bit of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one nozzle bore is located in a radial position corresponding to a nose region or a shoulder region of the drill bit. 
     
     
         13 . The drill bit of  claim 9 , further comprising a raised portion protruding from the bit body adjacent to the nozzle upper portion to divert cuttings away from the nozzle upper portion. 
     
     
         14 . The drill bit of  claim 9 , wherein a nozzle face of the at least one nozzle extends at least 0.5 inches from a surface of the bit body adjacent to the at least one nozzle. 
     
     
         15 . The drill bit of  claim 14 , wherein the distance from the nozzle face along the longitudinal axis of the nozzle to a cutting profile of the drill bit is 1.5 inches or less. 
     
     
         16 . A method of drilling a formation, the method comprising:
 inserting a drill bit into a wellbore through a formation to engage the formation, the drill bit comprising:
 a bit body having:
 an end configured to be attached to a drill string; 
 a cutting end having a plurality of blades extending radially therefrom and separated by a plurality of channels therebetween; and 
 a fluid plenum configured to receive drilling fluid from the drill string; 
 
 at least one cutting element disposed in a cutter pocket formed on the plurality of blades; 
 at least one fluid flow passageway extending from the fluid plenum to at least one nozzle bore disposed in the cutting end allowing drilling fluid to be discharged from the drill bit; and 
 at least one nozzle attached to the at least one nozzle bore, the nozzle extending a distance from an outer surface of the bit body; 
   rotating the drill bit; and   while rotating, pumping drilling fluid through the drill string and the drill bit.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one nozzle further comprises a nozzle face, and wherein at least a portion of the bit body surrounding the at least one nozzle is a raised body portion, and the width of the raised bit body portion varies along the height of the raised bit body portion from proximate a top surface of the bit body to proximate the nozzle face. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , the at least one nozzle further comprising:
 a nozzle face;   a lower portion attached to the at least one nozzle bore and below an outer surface of the bit body; and   an upper portion extending beyond the outer surface of the bit body, wherein the width of the upper portion varies along the height of the upper portion from proximate the outer surface of the bit body to proximate the nozzle face.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one nozzle bore is disposed in a trailing side of one of the plurality of blades. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one nozzle bore is located in a nose region or a shoulder region of the drill bit.