Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention a force balanced drill bit may comprise a bit body comprising a plurality of fixed blades, each blade comprising cutters defining a cutter profile. Junk slots may be disposed between the blades and define the blade boundaries. The blade boundaries may be spaced apart sufficiently to achieve force balance. In another aspect of the present invention a method of designing a downhole fixed bladed bit comprises the steps of modeling a fixed bladed bit by inputting blade and cutter parameters into a computer program, performing a force balance on the modeled fixed bladed bit, and modifying at least one blade parameter to adjust the force balance. The parameters for modeling a fixed bladed bit include cutter placement on a plurality of blades integrally formed in a bit body and a position for each blade.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention a force balanced drill bit may comprise a bit body comprising a plurality of fixed blades, each blade comprising cutters defining a cutter profile. Junk slots may be disposed between the blades and define the blade boundaries. The blade boundaries may be spaced apart sufficiently to achieve force balance. In another aspect of the present invention a method of designing a downhole fixed bladed bit comprises the steps of modeling a fixed bladed bit by inputting blade and cutter parameters into a computer program, performing a force balance on the modeled fixed bladed bit, and modifying at least one blade parameter to adjust the force balance. The parameters for modeling a fixed bladed bit include cutter placement on a plurality of blades integrally formed in a bit body and a position for each blade.

Abstract: What is claimed is a downhole lubrication system comprising a drill string component comprising an outer diameter and an inner bore. A reservoir may be disposed intermediate the outer diameter and inner bore. A piston may be disposed at least partially within the reservoir. At least one channel may extend from the reservoir to a bearing surface. As drilling fluid is passed through the inner bore, the piston may be pressurized, urging lubricant toward the bearing surface via the at least one channel.

Abstract: What is claimed is a downhole lubrication system comprising a drill string component comprising an outer diameter and an inner bore. A reservoir may be disposed intermediate the outer diameter and inner bore. A piston may be disposed at least partially within the reservoir. At least one channel may extend from the reservoir to a bearing surface. As drilling fluid is passed through the inner bore, the piston may be pressurized, urging lubricant toward the bearing surface via the at least one channel.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a high impact resistant tool comprises a sintered polycrystalline diamond body bonded to a cemented metal carbide substrate at an interface, the body comprising a substantially pointed geometry with an apex, the apex comprising a curved surface that joins a leading side and a trailing side of the body at a first and second transitions respectively, an apex width between the first and second transitions is less than a third of a width of the substrate, and the body also comprises a body thickness from the apex to the interface greater than a third of the width of the substrate.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a downhole fixed bladed bit comprises a working surface comprising a plurality of blades converging at a center of the working surface and diverging towards a gauge of the bit, at least on blade comprising a cutting element comprising a superhard material bonded to a cemented metal carbide substrate at a non-planer interface, the cutting element being positioned at a positive rake angle, and the superhard material comprising a substantially conical geometry with an apex comprising a curvature.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a downhole fixed bladed bit comprises a working surface comprising a plurality of blades converging at a center of the working surface and diverging towards a gauge of the bit, at least on blade comprising a cutting element comprising a superhard material bonded to a cemented metal carbide substrate at a non-planer interface, the cutting element being positioned at a positive rake angle, and the superhard material comprising a substantially conical geometry with an apex comprising a curvature.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a downhole fixed bladed bit comprises a working surface comprising a plurality of blades converging at a center of the working surface and diverging towards a gauge of the bit, at least on blade comprising a cutting element comprising a superhard material bonded to a cemented metal carbide substrate at a non-planer interface, the cutting element being positioned at a positive rake angle, and the superhard material comprising a substantially conical geometry with an apex comprising a curvature.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a downhole fixed bladed bit comprises a working surface comprising a plurality of blades converging at a center of the working surface and diverging towards a gauge of the bit, at least on blade comprising a cutting element comprising a superhard material bonded to a cemented metal carbide substrate at a non-planer interface, the cutting element being positioned at a positive rake angle, and the superhard material comprising a substantially conical geometry with an apex comprising a curvature.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a rotary drag drill bit has a body intermediate a shank and a working face. The working face has a plurality of blades converging towards a center of the working face and diverging towards a gauge of the working face. A carbide section is fixed to the working face and positioned within a pocket disposed within an inverted cone of the working face. The carbide section has a distal end exposed within the working face.

Abstract: A degradation assembly has a carbide bolster brazed within a hole formed in a surface. The bolster has a substantially straight cylindrical portion mostly disposed below the surface and a top end and a bottom end. The top end narrows from the cylindrical portion with a substantially annular concave curve to a planar interface adapted for bonding to a carbide substrate and the bottom end narrows from the cylindrical portion to a stem which bottoms out on a geometry of the hole.

Abstract: A drill bit assembly has a bit body intermediate a shank and a working face. At least one wear resistant insert is press-fitted within a pocket formed in an outer surface of the bit. An urging element is disposed between the outer surface and a bore of the bit and the urging element is adapted to push the insert away from the bore.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a rotary drag drill bit has a body intermediate a shank and a working face. The working face has a plurality of blades converging towards a center of the working face and diverging towards a gauge of the working face. A carbide section is fixed to the working face and positioned within a pocket disposed within an inverted cone of the working face. The carbide section has a distal end exposed within the working face.