Drill Bits Having Reinforced Face

Abstract

A drill bit for cutting a hole in a formation can have a longitudinal axis extending along a center of the drill bit. The drill bit can comprise a crown comprising at least one crown portion having a cutting face. A plurality of wear-resistant members can be embedded in the crown of the drill bit, wherein at least one wear-resistant member of the plurality of wear-resistant members extends to within 0.1 inches of the cutting face of the at least one crown portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drill bit for cutting a hole in a formation, the drill bit having a longitudinal axis extending along a center of the drill bit, the drill bit comprising:
 a crown comprising at least one crown portion having a cutting face; and   a plurality of wear-resistant members embedded in the crown of the drill bit and having respective distal-most surfaces that extend to within 0.1 inches of the cutting face of the at least one crown portion.   
     
     
         2 . The drill bit of  claim 1 , wherein at least one wear-resistant member of the plurality of wear-resistant members extends to the cutting face of the at least one crown portion. 
     
     
         3 . The drill bit of  claim 1 , wherein each wear resistant member of the plurality of wear resistant members is elongate relative to respective longitudinal axes, wherein the respective longitudinal axes of the plurality of wear resistant members are generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drill bit. 
     
     
         4 . The drill bit of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wear-resistant members comprise thermally stable diamond (TSD) pins. 
     
     
         5 . The drill bit of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wear resistant members comprise a plurality of rows of wear resistant members that are spaced along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         6 . The drill bit  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wear resistant members comprise a plurality of columns that are spaced relative to a transverse axis. 
     
     
         7 . The drill bit of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a shank,   wherein the at least one crown portion comprises a plurality of crown portions spaced apart relative to the operative circumference of the crown, wherein each crown portion of the plurality of crown portions further has:
 a first longitudinal edge; 
 a second longitudinal edge; 
 an outer surface that extends between the first longitudinal edge and the second longitudinal edge and defines a portion of the operative circumference of the crown; and 
 at least one inner surface, wherein the at least one inner surface extends from the first longitudinal edge to the second longitudinal edge; and 
   a base surface spaced from the cutting faces of the plurality of crown portions relative to the longitudinal axis of the drill bit,   wherein the base surface cooperates with the inner surfaces of the plurality of crown portions to define a slot, and   wherein the crown and the shank cooperate to define an interior space about the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         8 . The drill bit of  claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the plurality of wear resistant members at least partially define the inner surfaces of the plurality of crown portions. 
     
     
         9 . The drill bit of  claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the plurality of wear resistant members at least partially define the slot. 
     
     
         10 . The drill bit of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of crown portions comprises first and second crown portions spaced apart relative to a first transverse axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         11 . The drill bit of  claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of bores defined within each of the first and second crown portions that extend from the cutting face of each of the first and second crown portions to the interior space. 
     
     
         12 . The drill bit of  claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of projections defined within each of the first and second crown portions that extend outwardly from the cutting face of each of the first and second crown portions relative to the longitudinal axis of the drill bit. 
     
     
         13 . The drill bit of  claim 7 , wherein each of the first and second crown portions does not comprise a waterway extending radially between the outer surfaces of the first and second crown portions and the interior space. 
     
     
         14 . The drill bit of  claim 7 , wherein the outer surfaces of the first and second crown portions respectively define a plurality of channels extending radially inwardly toward the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         15 . The drill bit of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one inner surface comprises a plurality of inner surfaces. 
     
     
         16 . The drill bit of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one inner surface of each of the first and second crown portions comprises a first inner surface, a second inner surface, and a longitudinal medial edge, wherein the first inner surface extends from the first edge of the crown portion to the longitudinal medial edge of the crown portion, wherein the second inner surface extends from the second edge of the crown portion to the longitudinal medial edge. 
     
     
         17 . The drill bit of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of wear resistant members are arranged in a plurality of columns, wherein the plurality of columns comprises, along each of the first and second inner surfaces, at least two column positioned on each side of the respective first and second medial edge. 
     
     
         18 . The drill bit of  claim 16 , wherein the first inner surface and the second inner surface of the first crown portion are angularly oriented relative to each other at a first desired angle, wherein the first inner surface and the second inner surface of the second crown portion are angularly oriented relative to each other at a second desired angle, and wherein the first and second desired angles range from 135 degrees to 225 degrees. 
     
     
         19 . The drill bit of  claim 16 , wherein the first inner surfaces of the first and second crown portions have respective lengths corresponding to the distance between the first longitudinal edge and the longitudinal medial edge of the crown portion, and wherein the length of the first inner surface of the first crown portion is not equal to the length of the first inner surface of the second crown portion. 
     
     
         20 . The drill bit of  claim 1 , wherein the respective cutting faces of the plurality of crown portions are planar.