Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
An improvement in a method for manufacturing a drill bit, said improvement for forming a diamond cutting element for use in said drill bit, said improvement comprising the steps of: degreasing a preformed integral diamond element; maintaining said diamond element free of surface contamination; and hot pressing a metallic matrix on a surface of said cleaned diamond element at less than 1400 degrees Centigrade, while said diamond element is maintained free from surface contamination, whereby a secure bond is established between said cleaned diamond element and said metallic matrix forming said cutting element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
An improvement in a method for manufacturing a drill bit, said improvement for forming a diamond cutting element for use in said drill bit, said improvement comprising the steps of: degreasing a preformed integral diamond element; maintaining said diamond element free of surface contamination; and hot pressing a metallic matrix on a surface of said cleaned diamond element at less than 1400 degrees Centigrade, while said diamond element is maintained free from surface contamination, whereby a secure bond is established between said cleaned diamond element and said metallic matrix forming said cutting element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 where said step of avoiding subsequent contamination comprises the step of substantially preventing oxidation of said surface of said diamond element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 2 where said step of substantially preventing oxidation of said surfaces of said diamond element comprises the step of immediately hot pressing said diamond element with said matrix material after said step of cleaning.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 2 where said step of substantially preventing subsequent oxidation of said surface of said diamond element comprises the step of maintaining said diamond element in a substantially oxygen-free environment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 4 where said step of maintaining said diamond element in an oxygen-free environment comprises the step of maintaining said diamond element submerged in ethyl alcohol until ready to execute said step of hot pressing is executed and then removing said element from said solution of ethyl alcohol and drying said element with hot air.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
105 words
An improvement in a method for manufacturing a matrix body drill bit, said improvement for forming a diamond-cutting element for use in said matrix body bit comprising the steps of: cleaning a thermally stable, integral, preformed, porous polycrystalline diamond element; maintaining said diamond element in a cleaned condition subsequent to said step of cleaning; hot pressing a carbide-forming matrix material at less than 1400 degrees Centigrade to a surface of said diamond element to form an insert while said diamond element is maintained in a cleaned condition, whereby said insert thus formed is later usable in an infiltration bit formed by conventional powder metallurgical techniques.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
105 words
An improvement in a method for manufacturing a matrix body drill bit, said improvement for forming a diamond-cutting element for use in said matrix body bit comprising the steps of: cleaning a thermally stable, integral, preformed, porous polycrystalline diamond element; maintaining said diamond element in a cleaned condition subsequent to said step of cleaning; hot pressing a carbide-forming matrix material at less than 1400 degrees Centigrade to a surface of said diamond element to form an insert while said diamond element is maintained in a cleaned condition, whereby said insert thus formed is later usable in an infiltration bit formed by conventional powder metallurgical techniques.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of mixing diamond grit into said matrix material prior to said step of hot pressing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of infiltrating said insert into a matrix body bit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 6 where said step of hot pressing is characterized by hot pressing a trailing support on a rear surface of said diamond element to form said insert.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 6 where said step of hot pressing is characterized by hot pressing said matrix material on a lower surface of said diamond support, thereby forming a root for said insert.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 6 where said step of hot pressing is characterized by hot pressing said matrix material on at least two adjacent surfaces of said diamond element.