Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention a drill bit assembly comprises a working portion opposite a shank of the bit. The working portion has a plurality of cutting elements. The drill bit assembly also has a central axis eccentric to its axis of rotation. A jack element protrudes from an opening formed in the working portion and has a distal end that is adapted to contact a formation at the axis of rotation.

Abstract: In some aspects of the present invention, a drill bit assembly has a body portion intermediate a shank portion and a working portion. The working portion has at least one cutting element. In some embodiments, the drill bit assembly has a shaft with an end substantially coaxial to a central axis of the assembly. The end of the shaft substantially protrudes from the working portion, and at least one downhole logging device is disposed within or in communication with the shaft.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a drill bit assembly has a body portion intermediate a shank portion and a working portion, the working portion having at least one cutting element. The working portion also has an opening to an axial chamber disposed in the body portion of the assembly. The drill bit assembly also has an axial shaft rotationally isolated from the body portion, the shaft being at least partially disposed within the chamber, and partially protruding form the working portion. The shaft is also in communication with an energy adapter disposed within the drill but assembly and is adapted to use relative motion between the body portion and the shaft to provide power to at least one downhole device.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a degradation assembly has a holder attached to a driving mechanism and comprising a longitudinal central bore. The bore has an opening at a distal end from the driving mechanism. The pick has a body intermediate a shank and an impact tip, the shank being disposed in the central bore of the holder and the body extending from the opening of the bore. The impact tip has a diamond surface. The degradation assembly also has a lubrication mechanism adapted to apply lubrication to the shank.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a degradation assembly comprises a holder. The holder is attached to a driving mechanism and comprises a longitudinal central bore. A pick comprises a body intermediate a shank and an impact tip, and the shank is disposed in the central bore of the holder. The impact tip comprises an impact surface diamond or cubic boron nitride. At least one rolling element is disposed intermediate an inner bore surface and the shank, and is adapted for low-friction rotation with respect to both the inner bore surface and the shank.

Abstract: A drill bit has a bit body intermediate a working face and a shank end adapted for connection to a downhole drill string. The working face has at least three fixed blades converging towards a center of the working face and diverging towards a gauge of the bit, at least one blade having a cone region adjacent the center of the working face. The cone region increases in height away from the center of the working face and towards a nose portion of the at least one blade. An opening is formed in the working face at the center of the bit along an axis of the drill bit's rotation, the opening leading into a chamber with at least one wall. An indenting member is disposed within and extends from the opening, is substantially coaxial with the axis of rotation, and is fixed to the wall of the chamber.

Abstract: A drill bit having a bit body intermediate a shank and a working face having at least one cutting insert. A bore is formed in the working face co-axial within an axis of rotation of the drill bit. A jack element is retained within the bore by a retaining element that intrudes a diameter of the bore.

Abstract: A drill bit having a bit body intermediate a shank and a working face having at least one cutting insert. A bore is formed in the working face co-axial within an axis of rotation of the drill bit. A jack element is retained within the bore by a retaining element that intrudes a diameter of the bore.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention a drill bit assembly comprises a working portion opposite a shank of the bit. The working portion has a plurality of cutting elements. The drill bit assembly also has a central axis eccentric to its axis of rotation. A jack element protrudes from an opening formed in the working portion and has a distal end that is adapted to contact a formation at the axis of rotation.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention a drill bit assembly has a body portion intermediate a shank portion and a working portion, the working portion having at least one cutting element. A shaft is supported by the body portion and extends beyond the working portion. The shaft also has a distal end that is rotationally isolated from the body portion. In another aspect of the invention, a method for steering a downhole tool string has the following steps: providing a drill bit assembly attached to an end of the tool string disposed within a bore hole; providing a shaft extending beyond a working portion of the assembly; engaging a subterranean formation with a distal end of the shaft; and angling the drill bit assembly with the shaft along a desired drilling trajectory.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention a drill bit assembly has a body portion intermediate a shank portion and a working portion. The working portion has at least one cutting element and the body portion has at least a portion of a jackleg apparatus. The jackleg apparatus has at least a portion of a shaft disposed within a chamber; the shaft has a distal end. The jackleg apparatus has a hydraulic compartment adapted to displace the distal end of the shaft relative to the working portion. The chamber also has an opening proximate the working portion of the assembly. The hydraulic compartment may be part of a hydraulic circuit which has a pump. The pump may have a first section with is rotationally fixed to the body portion and a second section rotationally isolated from the body portion.

Abstract: In some aspects of the present invention, a drill bit assembly has a body portion intermediate a shank portion and a working portion. The working portion has at least one cutting element. In some embodiments, the drill bit assembly has a shaft with an end substantially coaxial to a central axis of the assembly. The end of the shaft substantially protrudes from the working portion, and at least one downhole logging device is disposed within or in communication with the shaft.

Abstract: The current invention discloses a drill bit assembly with a body portion intermediate a shank portion and a working portion. The working portion may have at least one cutting element. The drill bit assembly may also have a shaft with a first end disposed within the assembly, a second end of the shaft may protrude from the working portion and at least one probe may be disposed within the shaft.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a drill bit assembly has a body portion intermediate a shank portion and a working portion, the working portion having at least one cutting element. The working portion also has an opening to an axial chamber disposed in the body portion of the assembly. The drill bit assembly also has an axial shaft rotationally isolated from the body portion, the shaft being at least partially disposed within the chamber, and partially protruding form the working portion. The shaft is also in communication with an energy adapter disposed within the drill but assembly and is adapted to use relative motion between the body portion and the shaft to provide power to at least one downhole device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for working asphalt pavement, comprising one or both of a mechanical, hydraulic, electric, or pneumatic means for providing high-speed rotation; a rotary tool comprising a first end comprising a working surface and a second end adapted for connection to the means for providing high-speed rotation; and a screed, cooperatively arranged with the rotary tool, and comprising a working surface adjacent the working surface of the rotary tool, wherein the rotary tool is spun at high speed and applied to the asphalt pavement, frictionally heating the asphalt pavement to a temperature sufficient to work the pavement locally adjacent rotary tool and the screed. The screed and rotary tool comprising abrasion resistant materials selected from the group consisting of high-strength steel, hardened alloys, cemented metal carbide, polycrystalline diamond, and cubic boron nitride. The rotary tool and the screed apparatus may comprise a closed loop control system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for working asphalt pavement, comprising one or both of a mechanical, hydraulic, electric, or pneumatic means for providing high-speed rotation; a rotary tool comprising a first end comprising a working surface and a second end adapted for connection to the means for providing high-speed rotation; and a screed, cooperatively arranged with the rotary tool, and comprising a working surface adjacent the working surface of the rotary tool, wherein the rotary tool is spun at high speed and applied to the asphalt pavement, frictionally heating the asphalt pavement to a temperature sufficient to work the pavement locally adjacent rotary tool and the screed. The screed and rotary tool comprising abrasion resistant materials selected from the group consisting of high-strength steel, hardened alloys, cemented metal carbide, polycrystalline diamond, and cubic boron nitride. The rotary tool and the screed apparatus may comprise a closed loop control system.