Abstract: An apparatus for mounting on a tubular structure, such as a casing or drill string having a longitudinal axis, that may reduce friction of the tubular structure in a horizontal or deviated well comprises a tubular segment for mounting over the casing or drill string such that the apparatus is freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis. The apparatus also includes a plurality of ridges on an outer face of the tubular segment, the ridges being at an angle to an axial direction of the tubular segment to cause the apparatus to rotate responsive to movement of the apparatus against a wall of a wellbore as the apparatus traverses the wellbore. The raised ridges have a non-uniform height from the outer face of the tubular segment.

Abstract: A consolidated material formed by powder metallurgy is provided. The consolidated material includes particles of a first component consolidated with particles of a second component. The first component is a transition metal selected from group 4, group 5, group 6, or group 7 of the periodic table of the elements, or an alloy thereof. The second component is a solid lubricant. Also provided is a method of making the consolidated material and articles made from the consolidated material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bus conductor connection structure for electric field relaxation. The bus conductor connection structure for electric field relaxation includes: an enclosure filled with an inert gas; spacers coupled to two side end portions of the enclosure in a facing contact manner and having connection conductors; conductors provided with predetermined intervals being maintained inside the enclosure; and coupling portions formed in end portions of the conductors, wherein the coupling portion is coupled to the connection conductor in a close contact manner with bolts. Accordingly, the bus conductor connection structure for electric field relaxation is allowed to simply fixing conductors and assembling bolts of a gas insulated bus and to reduce a size of the bus by shortening an insulation distance between the bus and the ground by using a shape and arrangement for electric field relaxation.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for use in resonance enhanced drilling, which apparatus comprises a drilling module comprising a drill-bit, wherein the apparatus further comprises: a sensor for measuring one or more parameters relating to the interaction of the drill-bit and the material being drilled; and a sensor for measuring one or more motions of the drill-bit.

Abstract: A hardfacing composition for downhole well tools, such as earth-boring bits, contains sintered ultrahard particles. The ultrahard particles consist of tungsten carbide grains, cobalt and vanadium. The ultrahard particles are dispersed within a matrix metal of iron, nickel or alloys thereof. The composition may also have sintered tungsten carbide particles of a larger size than the ultrahard particles. The ultrahard particles have a greater hardness than the sintered tungsten carbide particles. The ultrahard particles and the sintered tungsten carbide particles may be in a spherical pellet form. Other hard metal particles may be in the composition.

Abstract: Earth-boring rotary drill bits may include a bit body attached to a shank assembly at a joint. The joint may be configured to carry at least a portion of any tensile longitudinal and rotational load applied to the drill bit by mechanical interference at the joint. The joint may be configured to carry a selected portion of any tensile longitudinal load applied to the drill bit. Methods for attaching a shank assembly to a bit body of an earth-boring rotary drill bit include configuring a joint to carry at least a portion of any tensile longitudinal and rotational load applied to the drill bit by mechanical interference. The joint may be configured to carry a selected portion of any tensile longitudinal load applied to the drill bit by mechanical interference.

Abstract: Methods for preparing a silicon bonded PCD material involving a one step, double sweep process and drilling cutters made by such processes are disclosed. The PCD material includes thermally stable phases in the interstitial spaces between the sintered diamond grains. The method sweeps a diamond powder with a binder to form sintered PCD, reacts said molten binder with a temporary barrier separating said binder and said diamond from a silicon (Si) source, and sweeps said sintered PCD with said Si source to form SiC bonded PCD.

Abstract: A drill bit for drilling a borehole in earthen formations comprises a bit body including a cone region, a shoulder region, and a gage region. In addition the bit comprises a first primary blade and a second primary blade. Further, the bit comprises a plurality of primary cutter elements mounted to the first primary blade in different radial positions. Still further, the bit comprises a plurality of primary cutter elements mounted to the second primary blade in different radial positions. Moreover, a first primary cutter element of the plurality of primary cutter elements on the first primary blade and a first primary cutter element of the plurality of primary cutter elements on the second primary blade are each positioned in the cone region and are redundant. The shoulder region has a total cutter redundancy percentage that is less than a total cutter redundancy percentage in the cone region.

Abstract: A mill cutting structure is differently configured in three zones. Those zones are the center, the outer edge and in between. At the center has highly wear resistant material that has good temperature bond strength and high impact resistance. The outer periphery can have a material that is highly resistant to wear and impact. In between can be inserts such as used in the Metal Muncher® mills using sintered carbide shapes that resist tracking and create a chipping rather than a grinding action. The shapes should have high edge retention capability and shapes such as a double sided pyramid can be used. The wear patterns of prior designs are addressed to allow longer and faster milling of the fish.

Abstract: A roller cone drill bit includes a bit body, at least one leg extending downward from the bit body, a journal on each leg, and a roller cone mounted on each journal. A ball race is configured between each journal and roller cone, and a plurality of retention balls is disposed within each ball race. A ball hole extends from the back face of each leg to the ball race, and a ball hole plug fits within the ball hole. The ball hole plug is secured to the leg by a friction stir weld.

Abstract: A bit mold is milled using a turning stage which forms a base mold component and a base gagering component. Next, a blade milling stage is performed in which the base mold component and base gagering component are milled to define integral junkslot formers separated by blade regions. Lastly, a pocket milling stage is performed in which the blade regions and integral junkslot formers of the base mold component are milled to define a plurality of cutter pockets in primary and perhaps secondary rows. Each cutter pocket includes a seat portion and a face portion. The milling of the pocket milling stage provides, at one or more of the cutter pockets, a facet. This facet is provided in an area about the junkslot former associated with the face portion of the cutter pocket, the face portion having, due to the presence of the facet, a surface for matching a cutter core displacement end surface without voids of a size which would require the use of fill material.

Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for use in a wellbore is provided that in one embodiment includes a drill bit having a bit body that is susceptible to corrosion when the drill bit is utilized in wellbore, an anode placed at a selected location on the bit body, a cathode associated with the bit body and a power source configured to provide electrical power to the anode to complete an electrical circuit between the anode and the bit body, wherein the supply of the electrical power to the anode arrests corrosion of the bit body when the drill bit is in the wellbore.

Abstract: Wellbore cleaning bits include a bit body, at least one cutting structure on the bit body, and a shank configured to attach the bit body to a drill string. Drilling systems for cleaning wellbores include a wellbore cleaning bit coupled to a drill string. The wellbore cleaning bit may include a casing bit body and a shank attached to the casing bit body and the drill string. A casing bit may be attached to a shank having a connection portion configured for attachment to a drill string to form wellbore cleaning bits for cleaning at least a section of a wellbore. Furthermore, a casing bit may be advanced into a wellbore using a drill string to clean a wellbore.

Abstract: In one aspect, a drill bit is disclosed that in one embodiment may include a bit body, a rotating cutter on the bit body, and a metallic seal between the bit body and the rotating cutter that includes a first seal member, a second seal member having a first end in sealing contact with the first seal member, a second end fixed relative to the first end and a bias member between the first end and the second end that adjusts the load on the first seal member in response to external load applied on the drill bit.

Abstract: In an excavation tool of the present invention, an embedding hole is drilled in a distal end portion of a tool body which is rotated about an axis line O and is moved forward to a distal end side in a direction of the axis line O. In the embedding hole, an excavation tip in which an embedding portion having an outer cylindrical shape is formed integrally with a cutting edge portion inserts the embedding portion into the embedding hole and causes the cutting edge portion to protrude from the embedding hole. In this manner, the excavation tip is rotatable around a central axis C of the embedding portion during excavation, and is attached thereto by being locked so as not to slip toward a distal end side of the embedding portion 6 in a direction of the central axis C.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods of supplying a corrosion inhibitor including placing a corrosion inhibitor attached to a nanostructure carrier, placing the nanostructure carrier containing the corrosion inhibitor at a location and the nanostructure carrier is capable of releasing the corrosion inhibitor.

Abstract: A method of configuring a depth of cut controller (DOCC) of a drill bit comprises determining a desired minimum depth of cut for a radial swath of the drill bit. The method additionally comprises identifying a cutting edge of a cutting element located on the drill bit. The cutting edge is located within the radial swath and a cutting zone of the cutting element. The method further comprises identifying cutting elements that each include at least a portion located within the radial swath. The method also comprises determining a radial position and an angular position of a depth of cut controller (DOCC) for placement on the bit face based on the cutting edge of the cutting element. The method additionally comprises determining an axial position of the DOCC based on each portion of the cutting elements located within the radial swath.

Abstract: PCD materials comprise a diamond body having bonded diamond crystals and interstitial regions disposed among the crystals. The diamond body is formed from diamond grains and a catalyst material at high pressure/high temperature conditions. The diamond grains have an average particle size of about 0.03 mm or greater. At least a portion of the diamond body has a high diamond volume content of greater than about 93 percent by volume. The entire diamond body can comprise high volume content diamond or a region of the diamond body can comprise the high volume content diamond. The diamond body includes a working surface, a first region substantially free of the catalyst material, and a second region that includes the catalyst material. At least a portion of the first region extends from the working surface to depth of from about 0.01 to about 0.1 mm.

Abstract: A downhole tool and method for manufacturing such downhole tool. The downhole tool includes a bit body having a blank and a matrix bonded to and surrounding the blank, a shank having a threaded connection at one end, and a butt joint formed within a gap formed between the blank and the shank and coupling the blank to the shank. The blank includes a first planar surface while the shank includes a second planar surface opposite the one end. The butt joint is formed between the first and second planar surfaces when positioned adjacent to one another, wherein the first planar surface is positioned external to the matrix.

Abstract: Earth-boring rotary drill bits may include a bit body attached to a shank assembly at a joint. The joint may be configured to carry at least a portion of any tensile longitudinal and rotational load applied to the drill bit by mechanical interference at the joint. The joint may be configured to carry a selected portion of any tensile longitudinal load applied to the drill bit. Methods for attaching a shank assembly to a bit body of an earth-boring rotary drill bit include configuring a joint to carry at least a portion of any tensile longitudinal and rotational load applied to the drill bit by mechanical interference. The joint may be configured to carry a selected portion of any tensile longitudinal load applied to the drill bit by mechanical interference.

Abstract: A boring bit has a shank, a head and teeth distributed around the head. The teeth have a root embedded within the head's core body, a tip extending out of the head, and a narrowing region between the root and the tip. More than approximately two-thirds of the tooth length is embedded in the core body, including a portion of the narrowing region. Stabilizing rods are welded to the tips of the teeth to form a temporary connection, and the core body is formed from a molten metal poured into a cavity of a cast mold. The rods are inserted into indentations in the cast to hold the teeth in place, and the molten metal heats the teeth and weld to substantially loosen the temporary connection. As the molten metal cools, it solidifies around the teeth and secures the root and narrowing region of the teeth within the core body.

Abstract: Methods of designing an earth-boring tool are described, including calculating one or more performance parameters based on drilling conditions, a plurality of wear state values, and a set of values of other design variables. Methods of enhancing a performance parameter in the design of an earth-boring tool are also described, including calculating the performance parameter based at least partially on a plurality of wear state values and a first set of values of other design variables, calculating the performance parameter based at least partially on the plurality of wear state values and a second set of values of design variables different than the first set, and comparing the calculated performance parameters to determine which of the first and the second set is closer to a target range or value across a range of the plurality of wear state values. Related methods of forming an earth-boring tool are also described.

Abstract: One aspect of the instant disclosure relates to a subterranean drilling assembly comprising a subterranean drill bit and a sub apparatus coupled to the drill bit. Further, the sub apparatus may include at least one cooling system configured to cool at least a portion of the drill bit. For example, the sub apparatus may include at least one cooling system comprising a plurality of refrigeration coils or at least one thermoelectric device. In another embodiment a subterranean drill bit may include at least one cooling system positioned at least partially within the subterranean drill bit. Also, a sub apparatus or subterranean drill bit may be configured to cool drilling fluid communicated through at least one bore of a subterranean drill bit and avoiding cooling drilling fluid communicated through at least another bore of the subterranean drill bit. Methods of operating a subterranean drill bit are disclosed.

Abstract: A plurality of cutting faces is attached sequentially at a distal end of a drill string. The forward most cutting face that is distal to the top of the hole is exposed and used for drilling until worn to a point of inefficiency. The forward most or distal cutting face is then detached, exposing the next cutting face in the sequence. Detachment of the forward most cutting face is performed by remote actuation at the top of the drill string and/or outside the hole. A new cutting face is provided without the necessity of removing the drill string. The detachment process is repeated as long as drilling is continued and cutting faces remain.

Abstract: A cutting insert for a percussion hammer bit. The cutting insert includes a base portion for coupling to a bit face of the percussion hammer bit. An extension portion is coupled to the base portion and axially offset therefrom along a longitudinal axis extending through the base portion and the extension portion. The extension portion includes at least three lobes that are circumferentially offset from one another around the longitudinal axis. The lobes extend axially away from the base portion, and the lobes extend radially outward from the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An exemplary method for optimizing drilling performance of a rotary drill tool is disclosed. According to the method, a rotary drill tool may be secured to an orienting member and a cutting element rotational axis of the rotary drill tool may be identified. Radial locations of a plurality of surface regions of the rotary drill tool may be measured relative to the cutting element rotational axis. At least one selected surface region from the plurality of measured surface regions may be modified such that the at least one selected surface region is located at a selected radial distance relative to the cutting element rotational axis. An exemplary method for grinding a down-hole drill tool is also disclosed. According to the method, a down-hole drill tool may be secured to a holding member in a substantially vertical orientation and portions of the down-hole drill tool may be ground using a grinding wheel.

Abstract: A cutting element includes a front face and leading face extending between a first and second sides. A leading cutting edge is located at an intersection of the front face and the leading face, and an undulating back-up cutting edge is formed in the front face and extends from the first side to the second side, and defines a leading surface and a trailing surface. A method includes cutting with a tool having a blade coupled to a tool body, and a cutting element coupled to a forward surface of the blade. The cutting element has a leading cutting edge formed at an intersection of front and leading faces, and an undulating back-up cutting edge formed in the front face and defining leading and trailing surfaces. The leading cutting edge of the cutting element contacts and cuts a work piece.

Abstract: A bearing element for a rotary, earth boring drag bit effectively reduces an exposure of at least one adjacent cutting element by a readily predictable amount, as well as a depth-of-cut (DOC) of the cutter. The bearing element has a substantially uniform thickness across substantially an entire area thereof. The bearing element also limits the amount of unit force applied to a formation so that the formation does not fail. The bearing element may prevent damage to cutters associated therewith, as well as possibly limit problems associated with bit balling, motor stalling and related drilling difficulties. Bits including the bearing elements, molds for forming the bearing elements and portions of bodies of bits that carry the bearing elements, methods for designing and fabricating the bearing elements and bits including the same, and methods for drilling subterranean formations are also disclosed.

Abstract: Earth-boring rotary drill bits may include a bit body attached to a shank assembly at a joint. The joint may be configured to carry at least a portion of any tensile longitudinal and rotational load applied to the drill bit by mechanical interference at the joint. The joint may be configured to carry a selected portion of any tensile longitudinal load applied to the drill bit. Methods for attaching a shank assembly to a bit body of an earth-boring rotary drill bit include configuring a joint to carry at least a portion of any tensile longitudinal and rotational load applied to the drill bit by mechanical interference. The joint may be configured to carry a selected portion of any tensile longitudinal load applied to the drill bit by mechanical interference.

Abstract: A down-hole drilling apparatus includes a bearing housing defining a longitudinal axis and upper and lower portions. The upper portion of the bearing housing is configured for connection to a drill string, and at least one annular bearing package disposed within the bearing housing. A drill bit is coupled to the bearing housing and rotatable with respect to the longitudinal axis. The drill bit includes a leading body supporting a plurality of cutters thereon for engaging a subterranean rock formation, a shank portion projecting from the leading body, and a mandrel portion engaging the shank portion and defining an inseparable connection therewith. The mandrel portion extends longitudinally into the bearing housing and through the at least one annular bearing package.

Abstract: Methods include one or more of robotically positioning a cutting element on an earth-boring tool, using a power-driven device to move a cutting element on an earth-boring tool, and robotically applying a bonding material for attaching a cutting element to an earth-boring tool. Robotic systems are used to robotically position a cutting element on an earth-boring tool. Systems for orienting a cutting element relative to a tool body include a power-driven device for moving a cutting element on or adjacent the tool body. Systems for positioning and orienting a cutting element on an earth-boring tool include such a power-driven device and a robot for carrying a cutting element. Systems for attaching a cutting element to an earth-boring tool include a robot carrying a torch for heating at least one of a cutting element, a tool body, and a bonding material.

Abstract: Systems and methods usable for drilling wells and performing other well operations include a drilling tool having inner and outer, counter-rotating drill bits. Opposing reactive torques generated by the inner bit and the outer bit can reduce or cancel the net reactive torque transmitted upwell, through the drill string. Counter rotation of the inner and the outer drill bits can be achieved by a gear system, which transfers torque from a single rotating tubular shaft to a tubular sleeve positioned concentrically about the tubular shaft. The gear system transfers torque from a first gear to a second gear, at a one-to-one rotation/torque ratio, but with an opposite direction of rotation. Tools connected to the tubular sleeve and tubular shaft can thereby be provided with opposing rotational motion.

Abstract: Downhole drilling tools designed and manufactured to reduce bit axial force and torque and to enhance drilling efficiency comprising laying out some cutters in one spiral direction of rotation about a bit rotational axis and other cutters in an opposite spiral direction of rotation; evaluating forces acting on cutters during simulated engagement with a downhole formation (straight and transitional drilling); and modifying cutter layout with respect to a spiral direction of rotation. Some embodiments further comprise, prior to simulation, placing cutters in cutter groups/sets at respective locations to obtain a level of force balance. Multilevel force balanced downhole drilling tools may be designed using five respective simulations: cutter group level, neighbor cutter group level, cutter set level, group of N (N=3 or N=4) consecutive cutters level and all cutters level. Cutter layout procedures and algorithms to minimize respective bit forces and in some embodiments to obtain force balance are described.

Abstract: A method of shaping a wellbore comprising attaching a drilling apparatus to a drill string, which has a side cutting sub-assembly with both cutting and gauging surfaces; a fluid circulating sub-assembly which has nozzles directing fluid up the wellbore and past the cutting surfaces; and a bullnose assembly with forward pointing nozzles and a bullnosed front end to prevent catching in ledges of a rough drilled wellbore. The drilling apparatus is then passed through the wellbore such that the side cutting sub shears arch wellbore walls of dog legs to ease the turns and smooth the bore wall in preparation for running liner/casing or other down hole assemblies which previously may have had difficulty going in hole.

Abstract: Bearing assemblies, apparatuses, and motor assemblies using the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly includes a plurality of superhard bearing elements distributed circumferentially about an axis. At least some of the superhard bearing elements may include a first end surface, a second end surface generally opposite the first end surface, a first side surface extending between the first end surface and the second end surface, a second side surface generally opposite the first side surface, and a bearing surface extending between the first end surface, the second end surface, the first side surface and the second side surface. Such superhard bearing elements may also include a ramped feature negatively sloping away from the bearing surface. The bearing assembly may further include a support ring that carries the plurality of superhard bearing elements.

Abstract: A drill bit for drilling a borehole in an earthen formation. In an embodiment, the bit comprises a first blade having a cutter-supporting surface. In addition, the bit comprises a plurality of primary cutter elements with cutting faces mounted to the cutter-supporting surface. The cutting profiles of the cutting faces define an outermost cutting profile Po in rotated profile view. Further, the bit comprises a stabilizing member having an end distal the cutter-supporting surface. The end includes a tip. The tip is offset from the outermost cutting profile Po in rotated profile view.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for automated or “robotic” application of hardfacing to the surface of a steel-toothed cutter of a rock bit. In particular, the system incorporates a grounded adapter plate and chuck mounted to a robotic arm for grasping and manipulating a rock bit cutter beneath an electrical or photonic energy welding source, such as a plasma arc welding torch manipulated by a positioner. In this configuration, the torch is positioned substantially vertically and oscillated along a horizontal axis as the cutter is manipulated relative along a target path for the distribution of hardfacing. Moving the cutter beneath the torch allows more areas of more teeth to be overlayed, and allows superior placement for operational feedback, such as automatic positioning and parameter correction. In the preferred embodiment, sensors provide data to the control system for identification, positioning, welding program selection, and welding program correction.

Abstract: A method and pumping/drainage channel member for injecting surface water into the soil beneath a ground area includes drilling a series of holes and inserting an elongated pumping/drainage members into each hole extending downwardly into the soil. The pumping/drainage channel members comprise a cluster of integrally joined channel features each formed with a lengthwise extending slot opening. Surface water flows to the pumping/drainage member, enters the channels and drains down the pumping/drainage members to enhance water movement down into the soil to reduce runoff and help to recharge acquifers. Longer members may be installed between shorter members in a pattern to achieve more rapid injection of water deep into the subsoil.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a rotary drill bit includes a bit body having a leading end structure configured to facilitate drilling a subterranean formation, and a plurality of cutting elements mounted to the bit body. At least one of the plurality of cutting elements includes a polycrystalline diamond compact (“PDC”) comprising a cemented carbide substrate including a first cemented carbide portion and a second cemented carbide portion bonded to the first cemented carbide portion and exhibiting an erosion resistance that is greater than the first cemented carbide portion. The PDC further comprises a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table bonded to the first cemented carbide portion. The PCD table includes a plurality of bonded diamond grains exhibiting diamond-to-diamond bonding therebetween, with the plurality of bonded diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions.

Abstract: A modular cutting-teeth drill bit with controllable drilling specific pressure comprises a module (1), a modular unit (2), a bit body (3), conventional cutting teeth (4) and a nozzle (5). According to mechanical performance of the rocks in the strata drilled and requirements of drilling well, a combination of shapes, sizes and numbers of the module and the modular unit is optimized; effective abrasion edge length of the cutting element on a certain portion of the bit is controlled; and a constant specific pressure of the cutting element of the bit during the drilling process is maintained. The modular cutting-teeth bit substantially improves the effective abrasion volume of the cutting element, and improves the effective utilization rate of the cutting element.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a method of designing a mold, the mold being at least part of a unitary body to be formed from a plurality of layers by 3D printing, the method comprising: defining an inner surface of the mold corresponding to at least part of an outer surface of an object to be molded in the mold; selecting a first material from which at least part of the mold is to be printed; and selecting a second material from which at least another part of the mold is to be printed, the second material having a higher thermal and/or electrical conductivity than the first material, wherein at least one of the layers from which the mold is to be formed by 3D printing includes areas to be printed from each of the first and second materials.

Abstract: A substrate includes a surface having blind apertures formed therein. The blind apertures formed in the surface are preferably arranged in a regular and repeating pattern, such as with an array. A super-abrasive material fills each of the blind apertures. Each apertures hole has an opening with a cross-sectional dimension in the range of 1 mm to 15 mm. The super-abrasive material filling each of the plurality of blind apertures may be a polycrystalline diamond compact or an impregnated diamond material (such as formed by fused tungsten carbide impregnating randomly distributed diamond particles). The blind apertures may be formed in the substrate using electrical discharge machining.

Abstract: A drill bit, system and method for penetrating a material such as a mineral bearing rock or the like. The system comprises a drill bit comprising a cutting face comprising at least one cutting tool, an emitter of microwaves positioned behind the cutting face, wherein at least a portion of the microwaves are emitted in a direction away from the cutting face, and a reflector for directing the portion to the cutting face. In operation the emitted microwaves irradiate the material prior to the irradiated material being removed by the at least one cutting tool.

Abstract: A chuck assembly, an assembly for an earth-boring drill assembly, and a method of manufacturing a chuck assembly. In the assembly, a first portion of the chuck bore may have a minimum inner diameter greater than the chuck spline maximum inner diameter. A support ring recess may be defined in the bore axially between the chuck splines and the first end. A support ring may be positionable in the support ring recess, and the support ring, when positioned in the support ring recess, may have a support ring inner diameter less than the minimum inner diameter of the first portion of the bore. The drive pin may be positionable circumferentially between one of the chuck splines and an associated one of the bit splines and have an axial end surface at least partially engageable with the support ring to limit axial movement of the drive pin toward the first end.

Abstract: Cutting structures for use with downhole tools in subterranean boreholes include a blade, a plurality of primary cutting elements coupled to the blade, and at least one secondary element rotationally leading the plurality of primary cutting elements in a direction of intended rotation of the cutting structure. The at least one secondary element is coupled to the blade proximate a leading surface of the blade and comprises at least one of a rubbing surface and a cutting surface. An exposure of at least one primary cutting element of the plurality of primary cutting elements is greater than an exposure of the at least one secondary element. Downhole tools such as reamers include cutting structures. Methods of enlarging a subterranean borehole include reaming a borehole with cutting structures.

Abstract: An earth boring drill bit having an alternate path to allow cuttings to be ejected or evacuated from the drill bit and up the bore hole is disclosed. The evacuation hole of the present disclosure allows larger sized cuttings to evacuate from the bit without having to be continually ground by rolling cone cutters until the cuttings are small enough to follow a path around the edge of the shirttail of the bit and up the borehole. A cuttings restrictor is disposed at the inlet of the evacuation hole. The cuttings restrictor ensures that only cuttings that are sized to move completely through the evacuation hole and exit the drill bit are allowed to enter the evacuation hole.

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a method of determining a critical depth of cut of a drill bit comprises selecting a radial swath associated with an area of a bit face of a drill bit. The method further comprises identifying a plurality of cutting elements disposed on the bit face that each include at least a portion located within the radial swath. The method also comprises identifying a depth of cut controller (DOCC) disposed on the bit face and configured to control a depth of cut of the portions of the plurality of cutting elements located within the radial swath. The method additionally comprises calculating a critical depth of cut associated with the radial swath and DOCC based on a depth of cut associated with each portion of the plurality of cutting elements located within the radial swath and controlled by the DOCC.

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a method of configuring a blade of a drill bit comprises determining a first desired depth of cut for a first radial swath associated with a bit face of a drill bit. The first radial swath is associated with a first area of the bit face. The method further comprises identifying a first plurality of cutting elements located on the bit face. Each of the cutting elements includes at least a portion located within the first radial swath. The method additionally comprises configuring a first blade surface of a blade. The first blade surface is located within the first radial swath and configured based on the first desired depth of cut for the first radial swath. The blade surface is also configured based on each portion of the first plurality of cutting elements located within the first radial swath.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, a method of configuring a depth of cut controller (DOCC) of a drill bit comprises determining a first desired depth of cut for a first radial swath associated with a bit face of a drill bit. The first radial swath is associated with a first area of the bit face. The method further comprises identifying a first plurality of cutting elements located on the bit face that each include at least a portion located within the first radial swath. The method additionally comprises configuring a first depth of cut controller (DOCC) for placement on the bit face within the first radial swath. The first depth of cut controller is configured based on the first desired depth of cut for the first radial swath and each portion of the first plurality of cutting elements located within the first radial swath.

Abstract: Cutting elements for an earth-boring tool include a substrate base and a cutting tip. The cutting tip may include a first generally conical surface, a second, opposite generally conical surface, a first flank surface extending between the first and second generally conical surfaces, and a second, opposite flank surface. In some embodiments, the cutting tip includes a central axis that is not co-linear with a longitudinal axis of the substrate base. In some embodiments, the cutting tip includes a surface defining a longitudinal end thereof that is relatively more narrow in a central region thereof than in a radially outer region thereof. Earth boring tools include a body and a plurality of such cutting elements attached thereto, at least one cutting element oriented to initially engage a formation with the first or second generally conical surface thereof. Methods of drilling a formation use such cutting elements and earth-boring tools.