Abstract: A superabrasive compact and a method of making the superabrasive compact are disclosed. A superabrasive compact may comprise a diamond body and a metallic substrate. The diamond body comprises diamond particles. Diamond particles may have a plurality of layers of inorganic hard coatings on surface of diamond particles. The plurality of layers of coatings may have thickness ranging from about 0.1% to about 20% of the size of the diamond particle. The metallic substrate may be in direct contact with the diamond body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a band clamp including a clamping band (10) with an outer band end (12) and an inner band end (14), the outer band end (12) including at least one opening (16a-16c) and an ear-like tightening structure (18) with two radially outward extending legs (30, 32) and a web (34) interconnecting the outer ends of the legs (30, 32) and a tongue recess (20), wherein the web (34) includes a depression (36) to prevent buckling the inner band end (14) including at least one hook (22a-22c) and a tongue (28), wherein, in a pre-assembled configuration of the band clamp, the hook (22) engages in the opening (16a-16c) in the outer clamping band (10) end and a tip of the tongue (28) engages in the tongue recess (20) and the tongue (28) is configured to be moved into the togue recess when the clamp is being tightened by narrowing the ear-like tightening structure (18).

Abstract: The present invention is a hydraulic control apparatus that activates and deactivates a downhole tool, such as a reamer, at a desired downhole location in a borehole. The apparatus includes a piston, a housing, a coil spring, and a guide pin. The piston has a cam portion with a continuous slotted groove. There is a slide member and a force member within the slotted groove so that the piston moves longitudinally and rotationally within the housing according to the guide pin within the slotted groove. At the desired downhole location, drilling fluid pressure passes a pressure threshold to move a front outlet of the piston to an opened position past an end of the housing, while rotating the piston according to the slide member and force member in the slotted groove. The apparatus alternately extends and retracts the reamer by opening and closing the front outlet by hydraulic control.

Abstract: A superabrasive compact and a method of making the superabrasive compact are disclosed. A superabrasive compact may comprise a diamond body. The diamond body comprises a first volume of diamond having a plurality of toughening agents dispersed in the diamond matrix constituted with diamond grains. The toughening agents have sizes ranging from about 100 nanometers to about 500 micrometers. The toughening agents have volume ratio of in the diamond body ranging from about 0.5% to about 40%. The toughening agents are at least one of tungsten, tantalum, molybdenum, niobium, iron, chromium, zirconium, titanium, platinum, iridium, hafnium, osmium, ruthenium, rhodium, vanadium, alloys, carbides/nitrides, metal oxides or ceramics containing thereof.

Abstract: The multi-directional force modulation cartridge system has a modular relationship the drill bit so that the cutting profile of a cutter in the drill bit can be adjusted without requiring modification of the drill bit itself. The force modulation cartridge system includes a cutter and a cartridge. The cutter can be independently replaced due to wear or replaced when the cartridge is replaced. The cartridge includes a holder, a seat, and a cartridge force member. The cartridge can have different holders and seats adjusted for different formations and drilling conditions. The alignment of the holder and the seat is set by a holder sliding angle and a seat sliding angle with the holder sliding surface and the seat sliding surface being parallel and in sliding engagement. A seat post supports the cartridge force member to exert a restoring force according to the holder sliding angle and the seat sliding angle.

Abstract: A superabrasive compact and a method of making the superabrasive compact are disclosed. A superabrasive compact may comprise a diamond body and a metallic substrate. The diamond body comprises a first phase comprising a binderless intercrystalline diamond-to-diamond bonded matrix extending throughout the diamond body; and a second phase comprising a binder/catalyst within interstitial regions of intercrystalline bonded diamond matrix. The first phase is substantially free of the binder/catalyst material. The metallic substrate is in direct contact with the diamond body. The diamond body includes a first region comprising the catalyst/binder material and a second region is substantially free of the binder/catalyst. The second region may be positioned along a wear surface of the superabrasive compact.

Abstract: The drilling system withstands downhole conditions at the bottom of the borehole and drilling conditions due to the constant movement and vibration. The drilling system includes a drill bit and a sensor system with a system housing, a primary power supply and interior sensor. The primary power supply includes piezoelectric panels for converting radial vibration into energy. The interior sensor is locally powered by the primary power supply at the remote downhole location at the bottom of the borehole. The interior sensor collects data related to a downhole condition and is in communication with the primary power supply to generate confirmed data based on the amount of energy generated by the primary power supply. The confirmed data is more accurate and reliable than the data collected by the interior sensor and can be used to guide the path of the drill bit through the rock formation in drilling operations.

Abstract: The drilling system withstands downhole conditions at the bottom of the borehole and drilling conditions due to the constant movement and vibration. The drilling system includes a drill bit and a sensor system with a system housing, a primary power supply and interior sensor. The primary power supply includes piezoelectric panels for converting radial vibration into energy. The interior sensor is locally powered by the primary power supply at the remote downhole location at the bottom of the borehole. The interior sensor collects data related to a downhole condition and is in communication with the primary power supply to generate confirmed data based on the amount of energy generated by the primary power supply. The confirmed data is more accurate and reliable than the data collected by the interior sensor and can be used to guide the path of the drill bit through the rock formation in drilling operations.

Abstract: An impregnated diamond cutter and a method of making the impregnated diamond cutter are disclosed. An impregnated diamond cutter may comprise a superabrasive volume. The superabrasive volume may have a plurality of diamond particles and a metal binder. The metal binder may comprise CoCuFeP.

Abstract: A superabrasive compact and a method of making the superabrasive compact are disclosed. A superabrasive compact may comprise a diamond table and a substrate. The diamond table may be attached to the substrate. The diamond table may include bonded diamond grains defining interstitial channels. The interstitial channels may be filled with non-catalytic binder materials in some regions. The interstitial channels in some other regions may be filled with catalytic materials from the substrate.

Abstract: A superabrasive compact and a method of making the superabrasive compact are disclosed. A superabrasive compact may comprise a diamond table and a substrate. The diamond table may be attached to the substrate. The diamond table may include bonded diamond grains defining interstitial channels. The interstitial channels may be filled with non-catalytic binder materials in some regions. The interstitial channels in some other regions may be filled with a catalytic materials from the substrate.

Abstract: The multi-directional force modulation cartridge system has a modular relationship the drill bit so that the cutting profile of a cutter in the drill bit can be adjusted without requiring modification of the drill bit itself. The force modulation cartridge system includes a cutter and a cartridge. The cutter can be independently replaced due to wear or replaced when the cartridge is replaced. The cartridge includes a holder, a seat, and a cartridge force member. The cartridge can have different holders and seats adjusted for different formations and drilling conditions. The alignment of the holder and the seat is set by a holder sliding angle and a seat sliding angle with the holder sliding surface and the seat sliding surface being parallel and in sliding engagement. A seat post supports the cartridge force member to exert a restoring force according to the holder sliding angle and the seat sliding angle.

Abstract: A drill bit for cutting formation comprises a bit body, a plurality of cutters, and a plurality of blades with pockets to accommodate the cutters, respectively. In an embodiment, the plurality of cutters comprise a substrate, an ultra-hard layer, a concave surface on the top of the ultra-hard layer, wherein the concave surface comprises a plurality of planar and curved surfaces.

Abstract: A drill bit for cutting formation comprises a bit body, a plurality of cutters, and a plurality of blades with pockets to accommodate the cutters, respectively. Each of the plurality of cutters has a substrate, an ultra-hard layer, an inclined surface on the top of the ultra-hard layer, wherein the inclined surface slants downward from a cutting edge to a trailing edge. The cutter can improve cutting efficiency and service life.

Abstract: The force modulation system for a drill bit includes a cutter, a blade cap, a cap retention device, and a first force member. The cutter or cutters fit in the blade cap, and the blade cap fits to the drill bit. The cap retention device exerts a cap retention force in a first direction. The first force member exerts a first force in a second direction. The cutting profile of the force modulation system is now variable in more than one direction so as to avoid excessive forces from more than one direction for each cutter on the blade cap. There can also be a second force member to exert a second force in the first direction for more variability of the cutting profile in the first direction and a third force member to exert a third force in an opposite second direction.

Abstract: The force modulation system for a drill bit includes a cutter, a holder, a holder retention device, and a first force member. The cutter fits in the holder, and the holder fits in the drill bit. The holder retention device exerts a holder retention force in a first direction. The first force member exerts a first force in a second direction. The second direction is angled offset to the first direction so as that the cutting profile of the force modulation system is now variable in the second direction, according to the first force. There can also be a second force member to exert a second force in the first direction for more variability of the cutting profile in the first direction. The second force member can be made integral with the first force member.

Abstract: The method for forming cutters includes applying a protective layer on an O-ring so as to form a protected O-ring. The protected O-ring is placed around a cutter body having a substrate section and diamond section with a metallic binder. The method includes inserting the cutter body into the pod cavity and leaching the metallic binder through an end portion of the diamond section for at least one day at 60 degrees Celsius or higher so as to form a polycrystalline diamond compact cutter from the cutter body. The protected O-ring seals the substrate section during the step of leaching. The step of leaching forms an exposed O-ring from the protected O-ring with a hardness reduction and a modulus reduction that identifies a time window for maintaining a sealing force to protect the substrate, while achieving the target profile of the diamond table for a high quality and reliable cutter.

Abstract: The force modulation system for a drill bit includes a cutter, a holder, a holder retention device, and a first force member made of a first woven material. The cutter fits in the holder, and the holder fits in the drill bit. The holder retention device exerts a holder retention force in a first direction. The first force member exerts a first force in a second direction. The second direction is angled offset to the first direction so as that a cutting profile of the force modulation system is variable. There can also be a second force member of a second woven material to exert a second force in the first direction for more variability of the cutting profile in the first direction. The second force member can be made integral with the first force member, including the first woven material and the second woven material being the same material.

Abstract: The force modulation system for a drill bit includes a cutter, a blade cap, a cap retention device, and a first force member. The cutter or cutters fit in the blade cap, and the blade cap fits to the drill bit. The cap retention device exerts a cap retention force in a first direction. The first force member exerts a first force in a second direction. The cutting profile of the force modulation system is now variable in more than one direction so as to avoid excessive forces from more than one direction for each cutter on the blade cap. There can also be a second force member to exert a second force in the first direction for more variability of the cutting profile in the first direction and a third force member to exert a third force in an opposite second direction.

Abstract: The force modulation system for a drill bit includes a cutter, a holder, a holder retention device, and a first force member. The cutter fits in the holder, and the holder fits in the drill bit. The holder retention device exerts a holder retention force in a first direction. The first force member exerts a first force in a second direction. The second direction is angled offset to the first direction so as that the cutting profile of the force modulation system is now variable in the second direction, according to the first force. There can also be a second force member to exert a second force in the first direction for more variability of the cutting profile in the first direction. The second force member can be made integral with the first force member.