Woodlands receives patent for improvement to drill bit hardfacing

A Woodlands man received a U.S. patent earlier this month for a drill bit design he and a partner developed for Baker Hughes Inc.

The innovative element of the new drill bit, the patent states, is the way in which it deploys hardfacing. Hardfacing is when an ultra-hard material like tungsten carbide is applied over the form of a steel bit to protect it from wear. The patent describes a way of configuring hardfacing the inventors say will give the design even greater toughness in certain environments.

The inventors of the new device are Robert J. Buske of The Woodlands and James L. Overstreet of Tomball. The patent was originally filed on Sept. 26, 2008, and its official number is 7,878,274. The patent is owned by Baker Hughes.

Baker Hughes specializes in technologies designed to help petroleum companies get the greatest value from their wells, as well as offering integrated operations and reservoir consulting. Its global headquarters are located in the River Oaks area at 2929 Allen Pkwy., Suite 2100. The company's U.S. division also has offices in the Aldine area at 17015 Aldine Westfield Road.