Abstract: Through analyzing the cutting mechanism of the single cone bit, the bottomhole coverage and cutting uniformity of the compacts were researched from three aspects: compact exposure, shape and setting pattern. The cutting structure for the single-cone bit was designed, the compact exposure should be higher than the height of rock ridges at bottom hole, phase difference of the compact in the longitude and latitude directions of the spherical cone should be optimized, and when fitted compacts onto the cone, compacts of different shapes which suit the movement features of specific areas on the cone should be selected.

Key words: single-cone bit, cutting structure, compact exposure, compact shape