Abstract: A downhole sensor apparatus may include a structure securing a circuit board. The structure may be configured to be inserted into a recess in a tool on a drill string. The downhole sensor apparatus may include one or more sensors coupled to the circuit board and a cap over the structure. The downhole sensor apparatus may further include a data port electrically coupled to the circuit board and configured to transmit data from the sensors to an external device. The downhole sensor apparatus may include a threaded element configured to thread into complementary threads in the recess in the tool. The downhole sensor apparatus may be configured to operate in an idle condition. The downhole sensor apparatus may compare readings from at least two sensors to threshold downhole conditions and begin normal operation when the readings from the at least two sensors meet or exceed the threshold downhole conditions.

Abstract: A downhole sensor system may include at least two accelerometers having at least two axes of measurement. The at least two accelerometers may include a first accelerometer in a first position and a second accelerometer in a second position. A first axis of the second accelerometer may be substantially coaxial with a first axis of the first accelerometer and a second axis of the second accelerometer may be parallel to and offset from a second corresponding axis of the first accelerometer. The downhole sensor system may further include at least one processor, and at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions thereon that when executed by the at least one processor may cause the processor to measure a first acceleration from the first accelerometer and measure a second acceleration from the second accelerometer.

Abstract: A method for evaluating or improving performance of a drilling operation includes, during the drilling operation, receiving a performance parameter of a component of a drilling system measured by a sensor of the drilling system. The measured performance parameter is compared to a target performance parameter of the component of the drilling system. The target performance parameter includes a performance parameter of a prior drilling operation measured under substantially similar drilling conditions and measured at at least one of substantially a same drilling depth, substantially a same depth percent, and substantially a same drilling time. A performance attribute value is determined by calculating a normalized, weighted average difference between the measured performance parameter and the target performance parameter.

Abstract: A downhole sensor system may include at least two accelerometers having at least two axes of measurement. The at least two accelerometers may include a first accelerometer in a first position and a second accelerometer in a second position. A first axis of the second accelerometer may be substantially coaxial with a first axis of the first accelerometer and a second axis of the second accelerometer may be parallel to and offset from a second corresponding axis of the first accelerometer. The downhole sensor system may further include at least one processor, and at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions thereon that when executed by the at least one processor may cause the processor to measure a first acceleration from the first accelerometer and measure a second acceleration from the second accelerometer.

Abstract: A downhole sensor apparatus may include a structure securing a circuit board. The structure may be configured to be inserted into a recess in a tool on a drill string. The downhole sensor apparatus may include one or more sensors coupled to the circuit board and a cap over the structure. The downhole sensor apparatus may further include a data port electrically coupled to the circuit board and configured to transmit data from the sensors to an external device. The downhole sensor apparatus may include a threaded element configured to thread into complementary threads in the recess in the tool. The downhole sensor apparatus may be configured to operate in an idle condition. The downhole sensor apparatus may compare readings from at least two sensors to threshold downhole conditions and begin normal operation when the readings from the at least two sensors meet or exceed the threshold downhole conditions.

Abstract: A simulation system that receives a first plurality of inputs including at least one drilling parameter, at least one lithology parameter, and at least one earth-boring tool option; provides the first plurality of inputs to a cluster system; receives simulation data from the cluster system derived from a plurality of simulations of drilling operations utilizing the first plurality of inputs; analyzes the simulation data to generate a predictive algorithm for simulating drilling operations; receives a well plan including data related to a planned trajectory of a borehole; and utilizes the predictive algorithm to select a suitable earth-boring tool and suitable drilling parameters to achieve the planned trajectory of a borehole.

Abstract: An earth-boring tool includes a shank. The shank may include a central bore extending partially through the shank. An end-cap may be disposed within the central bore, and the end-cap may include a first flange, a second flange, and a body portion extending between the first flange and the second flange. An annular chamber may be defined between the body portion of the end-cap and an interior wall of the central bore of the shank. At least one strain gauge may be secured to an outer surface of the body portion of the end-cap. At least one stain gauge may be secured to a cap portion welded over a recess formed in the earth-boring tool.

Abstract: An earth-boring tool includes a shank. The shank may include a central bore extending partially through the shank. An end-cap may be disposed within the central bore, and the end-cap may include a first flange, a second flange, and a body portion extending between the first flange and the second flange. An annular chamber may be defined between the body portion of the end-cap and an interior wall of the central bore of the shank. At least one strain gauge may be secured to an outer surface of the body portion of the end-cap. At least one stain gauge may be secured to a cap portion welded over a recess formed in the earth-boring tool.

Abstract: A cutting element comprises a supporting substrate, and a cutting table attached to the supporting substrate and comprising a substantially planar apex, opposing flat surfaces extending upwardly and inwardly toward the substantially planar apex from locations proximate an interface between the cutting table and the supporting substrate, primary edge surfaces between the substantially planar apex and the opposing flat surfaces and exhibiting one or more of a radiused geometry and a chamfered geometry, opposing semi-conical surfaces intervening between the opposing flat surfaces and extending upwardly and inwardly toward the substantially planar apex from other locations proximate the interface between the cutting table and the supporting substrate, and secondary edge surfaces between the substantially planar apex and the opposing semi-conical surfaces and exhibiting one or more of another radiused geometry and another chamfered geometry.

Abstract: A cutting element comprises a cutting table of a polycrystalline hard material including a cutting face, a sidewall, and at least one peripheral cutting edge portion between the cutting face and the sidewall. A radius of curvature of the peripheral cutting edge portion is greater than a radius of curvature of at least another peripheral edge portion between the cutting face and the sidewall. An earth-boring tool may include one or more such cutting elements.

Abstract: Systems and methods may be used to select a drill bit design for an earth-boring rotary drill bit for use in a particular drilling application. The systems may include a computer server, and a remote device configured to communicate with the computer server through a network. The computer server may include a database including information relating to normalized scores for a plurality of drill bit responses for a plurality of differing drill bit designs. The computer server may receive information from the at least one remote device, to select one or more potential drill bit designs from the at least one database based on the information, and to transmit information relating to the selected one or more potential drill bit designs to the remote device. Such systems may be used in methods of selecting drill bit designs for earth-boring rotary drill bits for use in respective drilling applications.

Abstract: A simulation system that receives a first plurality of inputs including at least one drilling parameter, at least one lithology parameter, and at least one earth-boring tool option; provides the first plurality of inputs to a cluster system; receives simulation data from the cluster system derived from a plurality of simulations of drilling operations utilizing the first plurality of inputs; analyzes the simulation data to generate a predictive algorithm for simulating drilling operations; receives a well plan including data related to a planned trajectory of a borehole; and utilizes the predictive algorithm to select a suitable earth-boring tool and suitable drilling parameters to achieve the planned trajectory of a borehole.

Abstract: An earth-boring tool includes a shank. The shank may include a central bore extending partially through the shank. An end-cap may be disposed within the central bore, and the end-cap may include a first flange, a second flange, and a body portion extending between the first flange and the second flange. An annular chamber may be defined between the body portion of the end-cap and an interior wall of the central bore of the shank. At least one strain gauge may be secured to an outer surface of the body portion of the end-cap. At least one stain gauge may be secured to a cap portion welded over a recess formed in the earth-boring tool.

Abstract: An earth-boring tool includes a shank. The shank may include a central bore extending partially through the shank. An end-cap may be disposed within the central bore, and the end-cap may include a first flange, a second flange, and a body portion extending between the first flange and the second flange. An annular chamber may be defined between the body portion of the end-cap and an interior wall of the central bore of the shank. At least one strain gauge may be secured to an outer surface of the body portion of the end-cap. At least one stain gauge may be secured to a cap portion welded over a recess formed in the earth-boring tool.

Abstract: A method for evaluating or improving performance of a drilling operation comprises, during the drilling operation, receiving a performance parameter of a component of a drilling system measured by a sensor of the drilling system. The measured performance parameter is compared to a target performance parameter of the component of the drilling system. The target performance parameter comprises a performance parameter of a prior drilling operation measured under substantially similar drilling conditions and measured at at least one of substantially a same drilling depth, substantially a same depth percent, and substantially a same drilling time. A performance attribute value is determined by calculating a normalized, weighted average difference between the measured performance parameter and the target performance parameter.

Abstract: A self-adjusting earth-boring tool includes a body carrying cutting elements and an actuation device disposed at least partially within the body. The actuation device may include a first fluid chamber, a second fluid chamber, a first reciprocating member, and a second reciprocating member. The first and second reciprocating members may divide portions of the first fluid chamber from portions of the second fluid chamber. A connection member may be attached to both of the first and second reciprocating members and may have a drilling element removably coupled thereto. A first fluid flow path may extend from the second fluid chamber to the first fluid chamber. A second fluid flow path may extend from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber.

Abstract: Methods of forming an earth-boring tool may involve attaching one or more cutting elements to a replaceable cutting structure and positioning the replaceable cutting structure proximate a region of a body of an earth-boring tool that is susceptible to at least one of localized wear and localized impact damage. The replaceable cutting structure may be secured to the body. Methods of repairing an earth-boring tool may involve bringing a replaceable cutting structure proximate at least one portion of a body of an earth-boring tool exhibiting at least one of localized wear and localized impact damage. The replaceable cutting structure may be attached to the earth-boring tool at the at least one portion.

Abstract: An earth-boring drill bit is described, the bit having a bit body having a central longitudinal axis that defines an axial center of the bit body and configured at its upper extent for connection into a drill string; at least one primary fixed blade extending downwardly from the bit body and inwardly toward, but not proximate to, the central axis of the drill bit; at least one secondary fixed blade extending radially outward from proximate the central axis of the drill bit; a plurality of fixed cutting elements secured to the primary and secondary fixed blades; at least one bit leg secured to the bit body; and a rolling cutter mounted for rotation on the bit leg; wherein the fixed cutting elements on at least one fixed blade extend from a center of the bit outward toward a gage region of the bit but do not include a gage cutting region, and wherein at least one roller-cone cutter portion extends from substantially the drill bit's gage region inwardly toward the center of the bit, an apex of the roller-cone cu

Abstract: Methods of forming an earth-boring tool may involve attaching one or more cutting elements to a replaceable cutting structure and positioning the replaceable cutting structure proximate a region of a body of an earth-boring tool that is susceptible to at least one of localized wear and localized impact damage. The replaceable cutting structure may be to the body. Methods of repairing an earth-boring tool may involve bringing a replaceable cutting structure proximate at least one portion of a body of an earth-boring tool exhibiting at least one of localized wear and localized impact damage. The replaceable cutting structure may be attached to the earth-boring tool at the at least one portion.

Abstract: Earth-boring tools may include a body and a passively adjustable, aggressiveness-modifying member secured to the body. The passively adjustable, aggressiveness-modifying member may be movable between a first position in which the earth-boring tool exhibits a first aggressiveness and a second position in which the earth-boring tool exhibits a second, different aggressiveness responsive to forces acting on the passively adjustable, aggressiveness-modifying member.