Abstract: A subterranean drilling system may include a drill string and a rotary drill bit coupled to the drill string. The rotary drill bit may include a bit body and a cutting element coupled to the bit body, with the cutting element being structured to rotate in response to torque applied to the cutting element. The system also may include a cam assembly coupled to the drill string, a cam follower assembly in contact with a cam surface of the cam assembly, and a torque-applying structure coupled to the cam follower assembly. The torque-applying structure may be configured to apply torque to the cutting element in response to relative rotation between the cam assembly and the cam follower assembly.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit for drilling a subterranean formation may comprise a bit body, a cutting element coupled to the bit body, and a torque-generating assembly configured to apply torque, either continuously or periodically, to the cutting element. The torque-generating assembly may be powered by the rotary motion of the rotary drill bit or may be hydraulically or electrically powered. The cutting element may comprise a substrate, a table of superabrasive material disposed on an end of the substrate, and at least one impelling feature formed along the exterior surface of the substrate. In addition, a method of rotating a cutting element coupled to a drill bit for drilling a subterranean formation may comprise providing a cutting element comprising a table bonded to a substrate, coupling the substrate of the cutting element to a drill bit body, and applying torque to the substrate of the cutting element.

Abstract: Bearing apparatuses (e.g., thrust bearings and radial bearings) are disclosed. Such bearing apparatuses may comprise a rotor including a rotor surface comprising a first superhard material and a stator surface comprising a second superhard material. In one embodiment, the first superhard material may be structured differently than the second superhard material. In another embodiment, the first superhard material may exhibit an average grain size that is smaller than an average grain size of the second superhard material. Mechanical systems including such a bearing apparatus are disclosed, such as, for example, a motor for use in subterranean drilling. Methods of operating and designing bearing apparatuses are disclosed.

Abstract: A bearing apparatus is disclosed. Such a bearing apparatus may comprise a rotor including at least one bearing element mounted to the rotor and a stator including at least one bearing element mounted to the stator. At least one compliant member may be positioned between at least one selected bearing element of the at least one bearing element mounted to the rotor and the at least one bearing element mounted to the stator. Mechanical systems including such a bearing apparatus are disclosed, such as, for example, a motor for use in subterranean drilling. A method of assembling a bearing apparatus is disclosed. More specifically, a rotor and a stator each including at least one bearing element may be provided and a compressive force may be applied to the rotor and the stator to compress the bearing surfaces of the rotor and the stator against one another. Rotors and stators are disclosed.

Abstract: Bearing apparatuses including contacting bearing surfaces comprising superhard materials are disclosed. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to bearings including polycrystalline diamond inserts or compacts defining a plurality of surfaces that move relative to one another and contact one another. For example, apparatuses may include radial bearings, or other bearings including arcuate bearing surfaces that more in relation to one another, without limitation. In one embodiment, a superhard bearing element may comprise a superhard table (e.g., polycrystalline diamond) forming an arcuate bearing surface. Further, such a superhard bearing element may comprise a chamfer formed about at least a portion of a periphery of the arcuate bearing surface. Bearing apparatuses including such bearing elements and various mechanical systems are disclosed.

Abstract: A cutting element assembly for use on a rotary drill bit for forming a borehole in a subterranean formation. A cutting element includes a substrate having a base member affixed to a back surface of the substrate is disclosed, wherein the base member includes a recess configured to secure the base member to a rotary drill bit. An inner member may be positioned within the recess of the base member. Also, a structural element may be coupled to the inner member or to the base member. A rotary drill bit may include a cutting element assembly. In addition, a method of securing a cutting element to a rotary drill bit may include providing a base member affixed to a cutting element and positioning the base member within a recess of the rotary drill bit.