Diamond drill bit with varied cutting elements

Abstract

An earth boring bit utilizing thermally stable polycrystalline diamond material having a row of closely spaced sharp cutting elements, following by a row of widely spaced, blunt or rounded cutting elements, each cutting element extending from a supporting matrix a predetermined amount to allow the sharp cutting elements to form small relief kerfs in a geological formation, after which the blunt or rounded cutting elements dislodge material between the kerfs. Additionally, cylindrical cutting elements are positioned near the gage or outermost portion of the matrix to enhance gage bore cutting.

I claim: 
     
       1. An earth boring bit which comprises in combination: a body having one end that includes means for connection to a drill string member;   matrix material formed on the opposite end to have alternate radially extending lands extending to an outermost gage portion and radially extending water courses;   at least one row of polygon shaped, polycrystalline diamond cutting elements extending .[.a predetermined distance.].  .Iadd.about 0.085 inch .Iaddend.from the matrix material into an apex to form relief kerfs in .Iadd.a .Iaddend.geological formation during drilling;   .Iadd.one of the water courses being positioned immediately behind the row of diamond cutting elements; .Iaddend.   a plurality of generally blunt cutting elements positioned in a row to extend from the matrix .[.a predetermined distance.]. .Iadd.about 0.080 inch .Iaddend.and follow in between the apexes of the cutting elements to dislodge formation between the kerfs. .[.   
     
     
       2.  The invention defined by claim 1 wherein a water course is positioned immediately behind the row of relatively sharp cutting elements, with the apexes of the cutting elements extending about 0.085 inch from the matrix material and the blunt cutters extending therefrom about 0.080 inch..]. 
     
     
       3. The invention defined by claim .[.2.]. .Iadd.1 .Iaddend.wherein the blunt cutting elements are positioned in two rows near the gage portion of the matrix and converge to a single row at the innermost portion of the bit at the ends of the lands and water courses. 
     
     
       4. The invention defined by claim 3 wherein at the gage of the bit there extends from the matrix a plurality of cylindrical cutting elements, which extend longitudinally to enhance gage cutting and protrude outwardly from the matrix. .Iadd. 
     
     
       5.  An earth boring bit which comprises in combination: a body having one end that includes means for connection to a drill string member;   matrix material formed on the opposite end to have alternate, radially extending lands to an outermost gage portion and radially extending water courses;   at least one row of polygon shaped, polycrystalline diamond cutting elements extending a predetermined distance from the matrix into an apex, the apex of each cutting element being arranged generally normal to the matrix to form relief kerfs in geological formation during drilling;   a plurality of generally blunt cutting elements positioned in a row to extend from the matrix a predetermined distance and follow in between the apexes of the cutting elements to dislodge formation between the kerfs. .Iaddend.