Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention relate to bearing assemblies, apparatuses and motor assemblies that include geometric features configured to impart a selected amount of heat transfer and/or hydrodynamic film formation. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly may include a plurality of superhard bearing pads distributed circumferentially about an axis. At least some of the plurality of superhard bearing pads may include a plurality of sub-superhard bearing elements defining a bearing surface. At least some of the plurality of sub-superhard bearing elements may be spaced from one another by one or more voids to impart a selected amount of heat transfer and hydrodynamic film formation thereon during operation. The bearing assembly may also include a support ring that carries the plurality of superhard bearing pads. In addition, at least a portion of the sub-superhard bearing elements may extend beyond the support ring.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a bearing apparatus comprises a first bearing assembly including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced first bearing elements each of which includes a first bearing surface. The bearing apparatus further includes a second bearing assembly including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced second bearing elements each of which includes a second bearing surface oriented to engage the first bearing surfaces of the first bearing assembly during operation. At least one of the second bearing elements may be circumferentially spaced from an adjacent one of the second bearing elements by a lateral spacing greater than a lateral dimension of the at least one of the second bearing elements.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a bearing apparatus comprises a first bearing assembly including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced first bearing elements each of which includes a first bearing surface. The bearing apparatus further includes a second bearing assembly including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced second bearing elements each of which includes a second bearing surface oriented to engage the first bearing surfaces of the first bearing assembly during operation. At least one of the second bearing elements may be circumferentially spaced from an adjacent one of the second bearing elements by a lateral spacing greater than a lateral dimension of the at least one of the second bearing elements.

Abstract: A cutting element assembly for use on a rotary drill bit for forming a borehole in a subterranean formation. A cutting element assembly includes a cutting element having a substrate. The cutting element assembly additionally includes a superabrasive material bonded to the substrate. The substrate extends from an end surface to a back surface. A base member is also coupled to the back surface of the substrate. Additionally, a recess is defined in the base member and a structural element is coupled to the base member. The cutting element assembly also includes a biasing element configured to selectively bias the structural element.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a bearing assembly may include a support ring to which one or more superhard bearing elements may be mounted. The support ring may include one or more relief features configured to reduce residual stresses in the superhard bearing elements that are induced by brazing the superhard bearing elements to the support ring, operational loads, other processes, or combinations of the foregoing. Reducing the residual stresses in the superhard bearing elements may help prevent damage to the superhard bearing elements. The bearing assembly may be used in subterranean drilling systems and/or other types of systems.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an abrasive element is disclosed. The abrasive element includes an abrasive body having a plurality of superabrasive grains, and at least one interstitial material interstitially disposed within the plurality of superabrasive grains. The at least one interstitial material exhibits a negative coefficient of thermal expansion over a selected temperature range.

Abstract: Bearing components, bearing assemblies and related methods are provided. In one embodiment, a bearing element includes a base layer and a polycrystalline diamond (PCD) layer comprising a plurality of PCD elements coupled with the base layer wherein each PCD element comprising a substrate and a diamond table. The plurality of PCD elements may be fit together to form a substantially continuous bearing surface. For example, the diamond tables may exhibit substantially square or rectangular geometries that are fit together to define the bearing surface. In other embodiments, the bearing elements may be spaced apart from one another. In other embodiments, the bearing element may include a single PCD element formed from a prefabricated PCD compact or cutting tool blank. Various bearing assemblies may incorporate such a bearing element including, for example, thrust bearings, journal bearings, and tilting pad bearing assemblies.

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: Embodiments relate to tilting superhard bearing element bearing assemblies and apparatuses. The disclosed assemblies/apparatuses may be employed in downhole motors of a subterranean drilling system or other mechanical systems. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly may include a support ring and a plurality of superhard bearing elements each of which is tilted and/or tiltably secured relative to the support ring and distributed circumferentially about an axis. Each of the superhard bearing elements includes a bearing surface and a base portion. The base portion of the at least one of the superhard bearing elements may include a tilting feature configured to allow the at least one of the superhard bearing elements to be tiltable about a tilt axis. The bearing assembly includes retaining features that secure the superhard bearing elements to the support ring.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a bearing assembly may include a support ring to which one or more superhard bearing elements may be mounted. The support ring may include one or more relief features configured to reduce residual stresses in the superhard bearing elements that are induced by brazing the superhard bearing elements to the support ring, operational loads, other processes, or combinations of the foregoing. Reducing the residual stresses in the superhard bearing elements may help prevent damage to the superhard bearing elements. The bearing assembly may be used in subterranean drilling systems and/or other types of systems.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a roller bearing apparatus may include a rotor having first superhard raceway elements distributed circumferentially about an axis. Each first superhard raceway element includes a raceway surface positioned/configured to form a first portion of a raceway. The apparatus includes a stator including second superhard raceway elements generally opposed to the first superhard raceway elements. Each second superhard raceway element includes a raceway surface positioned/configured to form a second portion of the raceway. The apparatus includes rolling elements interposed between the rotor and stator and positioned and configured to roll on the raceway. One or more of the rolling elements may be configured to elastically deform on the raceway during use. At least a portion of the raceway exhibits a first modulus of elasticity greater than a second modulus of elasticity of at least a portion of the one or more of the rolling elements.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods are disclosed for evaluating a superabrasive material by a three-dimensional model generated using a computed tomography scanner. The model is analyzed to identify a superabrasive matrix within the model and at least one performance characteristic of the superabrasive material is determined according to at least one property of the superabrasive matrix. Methods are also disclosed for characterizing crystal-to-crystal bonding regions and non-superabrasive material within an interstitial matrix of the superabrasive matrix.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit is disclosed. The rotary drill bit may include a bit body, a cutting pocket defined in the bit body, and a cutting element rotatably coupled to the bit body. The cutting element may be positioned at least partially within the cutting pocket. The rotary drill bit may also include a rotation-inducing member adjacent to the cutting element for inducing rotation of the cutting element relative to the cutting pocket. The rotation-inducing member may include a resilient member or a vibrational member. The rotary drill bit may also include protrusions extending from an interior of the cutting pocket adjacent to an outer diameter of the cutting element. A method of drilling a formation is also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to tilting superhard bearing element bearing assemblies and apparatuses. The disclosed assemblies/apparatuses may be employed in downhole motors of a subterranean drilling system or other mechanical systems. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly may include a support ring and a plurality of superhard bearing elements each of which is tilted and/or tiltably secured relative to the support ring and distributed circumferentially about an axis. Each of the superhard bearing elements includes a bearing surface and a base portion. The base portion of the at least one of the superhard bearing elements may include a tilting feature configured to allow the at least one of the superhard bearing elements to be tiltable about a tilt axis. The bearing assembly includes retaining features that secure the superhard bearing elements to the support ring.

Abstract: A bearing ring for use in bearing apparatuses is disclosed. Such a bearing ring may comprise a body having a first array and a second array of bearing elements mounted to the body. The body may have an annular shape and the first array and the second array may be a concentric elliptical shapes, including circles. The body may comprise a plurality of bearing element pockets into which the bearing elements are disposed. In one aspect of the instant disclosure, the material of the bearing elements comprises polycrystalline diamond. A bearing apparatus comprising a first bearing ring and a second bearing ring is also disclosed. A drilling system for use in drilling subterranean formations employing the bearing apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: Bearing components, bearing assemblies and related methods are provided. In one embodiment, a bearing element includes a base layer and a polycrystalline diamond (PCD) layer comprising a plurality of PCD elements coupled with the base layer wherein each PCD element comprising a substrate and a diamond table. The plurality of PCD elements may be fit together to form a substantially continuous bearing surface. For example, the diamond tables may exhibit substantially square or rectangular geometries that are fit together to define the bearing surface. In other embodiments, the bearing elements may be spaced apart from one another. In other embodiments, the bearing element may include a single PCD element formed from a prefabricated PCD compact or cutting tool blank. Various bearing assemblies may incorporate such a bearing element including, for example, thrust bearings, journal bearings, and tilting pad bearing assemblies.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a roller bearing apparatus may include a rotor having first superhard raceway elements distributed circumferentially about an axis. Each first superhard raceway element includes a raceway surface positioned/configured to form a first portion of a raceway. The apparatus includes a stator including second superhard raceway elements generally opposed to the first superhard raceway elements. Each second superhard raceway element includes a raceway surface positioned/configured to form a second portion of the raceway. The apparatus includes rolling elements interposed between the rotor and stator and positioned and configured to roll on the raceway. One or more of the rolling elements may be configured to elastically deform on the raceway during use. At least a portion of the raceway exhibits a first modulus of elasticity greater than a second modulus of elasticity of at least a portion of the one or more of the rolling elements.

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: Embodiments of the invention relate to tilting pad bearing assemblies and apparatuses. The disclosed tilting pad bearing assemblies and apparatuses may be employed in downhole motors of a subterranean drilling system or other mechanical systems. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly or apparatus includes a support ring and a plurality of tilting pads. Each tilting pad is tilted and/or tiltably secured relative to the support ring. In some embodiments, one or more of the tilting pads include a plurality of superhard bearing segments assembled to form a superhard bearing surface. One or more seams may be positioned between adjacent superhard bearing segments of the superhard bearing segments. In other embodiments, one or more of the tilting pads may include at least one or only one superhard bearing segment, such as a polycrystalline diamond bearing segment.

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.