The history of the development of three cone bits dates back more than 100 years. It may seem strange to think that such an accurate piece of equipment today has roots dating back to 1908, but the road to the level of innovation in modern three-cone bits is a long one.
Howard Hughes and the beginning of a business empire
Before the three cone drill with its 3 interlocking rollers existed, Howard R. Hughes Sr. invented a double cone rotary drill that revolutionized the oil drilling rigs of the day. When he founded the Hughes Tool Company in 1908 (then the Sharp-Hughes Tool Company until 1912) he had a patent for the first roller cutter drill ever made and had founded one of America’s most notable corporate dynasties. When he died in 1924, ownership of the company passed to his famous son, Howard Hughes jr. who had declared himself legally an adult to be able to defend himself from disputes regarding his father’s will and take full control of the company that would soon create the three-cone drill.
Young Mr. Hughes and his mighty dominance over the drilling industry takes off!
Plus a high-flying life of Hollywood glamor, gorgeous actresses, death-defying aviation, and the production of the original 1932 film “Scarface” (50 years before Al Pacino made her famous in the best-known remake) , Howard Hughes Jr. entrepreneurial magnet who saw the three cone bit invented by a Hughes Tool Company researcher and reinvented the oil drilling industry for the second time. Five years before the invention of this bit, cemented carbide, one of the first tungsten carbide alloys, was developed and brought to the United States. Although it was not always combined at first, the Hughes Company patent along with the new synthetic metals allowed the Hughes Tool Company to become the only way for Western drilling companies to use three-cone bits. The speed and competitive advantage of these early bits was enormous compared to previously available technology, and all serious drilling companies had no choice but to use Hughes brand bits … or move to Russia for Soviet knockoffs. .
The patent expires and the stroke of the bit is activated.
In 1951, the Hughes Company’s patent on the three-cone bit ran out, and competitors around the world began manufacturing bits with a superior design. Although the Hughes company initially maintained a huge market share thanks to the initial patent, the number of competitors drastically reduced it over time. As of 2000 they no longer had dominance of the market and, as of 2011, the company was acquired by a conglomerate.
Contemporary Three Cone Drill Bits
Fortunately, the innovations in Tri-Cone bits did not stop with the expiration of the Hughes patent. Additional improvements in manufacturing allowed TCI (tungsten carbide insert) bits to be used much more commonly. Tungsten carbide inserts allow the bits to have remarkable hardness, strength, and strength, while making the shaft from more conventional alloys means the drilling rig doesn’t have to worry about material brittleness under extreme pressures. Three-cone bits have also seen significant innovation in the design of the bits themselves – open roller bearings are the conventional standard, but sealed roller bearings dramatically improve bit life. Sealed roller bearings can also incorporate plain bearings for excellent durability and wear resistance. Innovation is an ongoing process and further refinement continues to improve drilling capacity around the world.