Abstract: A drill bit includes a bit insert. A bit body of the bit includes an insert cavity. The bit insert is inserted into the insert cavity. The bit insert is secured to the insert cavity, such as by braze or with a connection mechanism. The bit insert may be replaceable, thereby allowing a drilling operator to adjust the configuration of the bit based on which bit insert is used.

Abstract: A hybrid bit includes fixed blades and wheel support structures. The wheel support structure includes a wheel inserted into a slot between a leading support and a trailing support. One or more shims fill a gap between a flange and the leading supports. An elongated seal between the wheel and the supports is provided to seal the wheel support.

Abstract: A hybrid bit includes a fixed cutting structure and a rolling cutting structure. The fixed cutting structure includes a plurality of fixed cutting elements. The rolling cutting structure is coupled to the fixed cutting structure and includes a journal bore extending through the rolling cutting structure from a leading face to a trailing face, and a radially outer surface. The rolling cutting structure also includes a plurality of cutting elements extending from the radially outer surface of the rolling cutting structure.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a cone with an outer surface, a cone axis, and a set on the outer surface thereof. The set includes first and second cutting elements. The first and second cutting elements have respective first and second grips that are different. Another downhole tool includes a body and a cone is connected to, and rotatable relative to, the body. Cutting elements on the cone are arranged in a set to vary in radial position relative to a cone axis, with a first position nearest to, and a last position farthest from, the cone axis. A first cutting element in the first position has a different cutting element geometry type than a second cutting element in the last position. First and second cutting elements may have the same cutting element geometry type and one or more cutting elements therebetween may have different cutting element geometry types.

Abstract: A downhole cutting tool may include tool body; a first blade extending from the tool body; a plurality of cutting elements attached to the first blade, the plurality of cutting elements comprising at least two types of cutting elements, wherein the first blade extends from the tool body to a first height adjacent a first type of cutting element and a second height, different from the first height, adjacent a second type of cutting element.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a cone with an outer surface, a cone axis, and a set on the outer surface thereof. The set includes first and second cutting elements. The first and second cutting elements have respective first and second grips that are different. Another downhole tool includes a body and a cone is connected to, and rotatable relative to, the body. Cutting elements on the cone are arranged in a set to vary in radial position relative to a cone axis, with a first position nearest to, and a last position farthest from, the cone axis. A first cutting element in the first position has a different cutting element geometry type than a second cutting element in the last position. First and second cutting elements may have the same cutting element geometry type and one or more cutting elements therebetween may have different cutting element geometry types.

Abstract: A downhole cutting tool may include tool body; a first blade extending from the tool body; a plurality of cutting elements attached to the first blade, the plurality of cutting elements comprising at least two types of cutting elements, wherein the first blade extends from the tool body to a first height adjacent a first type of cutting element and a second height, different from the first height, adjacent a second type of cutting element.

Abstract: A downhole cutting tool may include tool body; a first blade extending from the tool body; a plurality of cutting elements attached to the first blade, the plurality of cutting elements comprising at least two types of cutting elements, wherein the first blade extends from the tool body to a first height adjacent a first type of cutting element and a second height, different from the first height, adjacent a second type of cutting element.

Abstract: A downhole cutting tool may include tool body; a first blade extending from the tool body; a plurality of cutting elements attached to the first blade, the plurality of cutting elements comprising at least two types of cutting elements, wherein the first blade extends from the tool body to a first height adjacent a first type of cutting element and a second height, different from the first height, adjacent a second type of cutting element.

Abstract: A drill bit includes a bit body, a plurality of blades extending radially from the bit body, a plurality of cutter pockets disposed on the plurality of blades, at least one rolling cutter disposed in one of the cutter pockets, wherein each rolling cutter has a substrate, a cutting face, a cutting edge, and a side surface, and at least one blocker positioned adjacent to each of the at least one rolling cutters on a leading face of the blade, wherein each blocker has a retention end and an attachment end. The retention end of each blocker is positioned adjacent to a portion of the cutting face of each rolling cutter to retain the rolling cutter in the cutter pocket and the attachment end is attached to a portion of the blade.

Abstract: A drill bit includes a bit body having a longitudinal axis extending there through, a plurality of journals extending downward and radially outward from the bit body, each journal having a journal axis extending from a base of the journal through the length of the journal, wherein the journal axis at the base is at a first radial distance from the longitudinal axis, a roller cone rotatably mounted to each of the journals, and at least one blade protruding from the bit body and extending axially and radially along the bit body from a first end to a second end, wherein the first end is at a second radial distance from the longitudinal axis greater than the first radial distance, and wherein the second end is at a gage region of the drill bit.

Abstract: A drill bit for cutting a borehole comprises a bit body. In addition, the drill bit comprises a rolling cone cutter mounted on the bit body and adapted for rotation about a cone axis. Further, the drill bit comprises at least one insert having a base portion secured in the rolling cone cutter and a cutting portion extending therefrom. The cutting portion includes a pair of flanking surfaces that taper towards one another to form an elongate chisel crest including a first crest end, a second crest end, and an apex positioned therebetween. A transverse radius of curvature at the first crest end is less than a transverse radius of curvature at the apex, and a transverse radius of curvature at the second crest end is less than the transverse radius of curvature at the apex.

Abstract: A drill bit having a bit body, a plurality of blades extending radially from the bit body, a plurality of cutter pockets disposed on the plurality of blades, at least one rolling cutter disposed in one of the cutter pockets, wherein each rolling cutter has a substrate, a cutting face, a cutting edge, and a side surface, and at least one blocker positioned adjacent to each of the at least one rolling cutters on a leading face of the blade, wherein each blocker has a retention end and an attachment end is disclosed. The retention end of each blocker is positioned adjacent to a portion of the cutting face of each rolling cutter to retain the rolling cutter in the cutter pocket and the attachment end is attached to a portion of the blade.

Abstract: A rolling cone drill bit includes a cutter element having a cutting portion with a chisel crest and a pilot portion extending beyond the chisel crest. The pilot portion includes a cutting surface that may be generally conical, or form a second chisel crest. The cutting tip of the pilot portion is supported by buttress portions which emerge from and extend beyond the flanks of the chisel crest to provide additional strength and support for the material of the pilot portion that extends beyond the height of the chisel crest.

Abstract: A roller cone drill bit for drilling earth formation includes rows arranged on each of the cones such that, when viewed in routed profile, cutting element profiles partially overlap other cutting element profiles. The roller cone drill bit having at least a first three interior rows adjacent a gage row, each have a cutting element count selected from the group of 16, 18, 21 and 26 cutting elements.

Abstract: A rolling cone drill bit is provided that has gage inserts on the first row from the bit axis to cut to full gage diameter that have a cutting portion enhanced with a layer of super abrasive material. The gage cutting surface has a center axis that is canted to be more normal to the gave curve such that its point of contact at gage is away from the thinner portion of the layer of super abrasive material.

Abstract: A method for designing a roller cone drill bit having a plurality of cutting elements in a row. The method includes defining a pitch pattern for the plurality of cutting elements such that a first group of adjacent cutting elements are arranged in a first pitch and a second group of adjacent cutting elements are arranged in a second pitch in the row, wherein the first group of adjacent cutting elements have a different extension length than the second group of adjacent cutting elements, evaluating the pitch pattern of the plurality of cutting elements in the row, and modifying at least one of the plurality of cutting elements based on the evaluating of the pitch pattern of the plurality of cutting elements.

Abstract: A roller cone drill bit is disclosed which includes a bit body adapted to be coupled to a drill string. A bearing journal depends from the bit body. A single roller cone is rotatably attached to the bearing journal. The roller cone has a plurality of inserts disposed at selected positions about the cone. The journal defines a rotation angle with respect to an axis of rotation of the bit such that the roller cone includes a wall contact zone and a bottom contact zone. At least one of the inserts disposed in the wall contact zone has an extension portion terminating in a substantially planar upper surface.

Abstract: A drill bit for drilling through earthen formations and forming a borehole. In an embodiment, the bit comprises a bit body having a bit axis. In addition, the bit comprises a plurality of cone cutters, each of the cone cutters being mounted on the bit body and adapted for rotation about a different cone axis. Further, at least one cone cutter on the bit comprises an array of cutter elements mounted in a band. Still further, the cutter elements in the array are mounted in a plurality of differing radial positions relative to the bit axis.

Abstract: A rolling cone drill bit includes a cutter element having a cutting portion with a chisel crest and a pilot portion extending beyond the chisel crest. The pilot portion includes a cutting surface that may be generally conical, or form a second chisel crest. The cutting tip of the pilot portion is supported by buttress portions which emerge from and extend beyond the flanks of the chisel crest to provide additional strength and support for the material of the pilot portion that extends beyond the height of the chisel crest.