Abstract: A drilling motor and method of making a drill motor are disclosed. The drilling motor includes a stator having a bore therethrough and inner surface and a rotor having an outer surface configured to be disposed in the stator. The outer surface of the rotor comes in contact with the inner surface of the stator. At least one of the inner surface of the stator and the outer surface of the rotor includes a coating of a diamond-like carbon material.

Abstract: A method of forming polycrystalline diamond includes forming metal nanoparticles having a carbon coating from an organometallic material; combining a diamond material with the metal nanoparticles having the carbon coating; and processing the diamond material and the metal nanoparticles having the carbon coating to form the polycrystalline diamond. Processing includes catalyzing formation of the polycrystalline diamond by the metal nanoparticles; and forming interparticle bonds that bridge the diamond material by carbon from the carbon coating.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining a condition of a cutter coupled to a drill bit is disclosed. A support is configured to dispose the drill bit and the cutter at a selected location. A positioning device positions an ultrasonic transducer relative to the drill bit. The ultrasonic transducer and generates an ultrasonic pulse. A reflection of the ultrasonic pulse at a reflective surface of the cutter is obtained at the ultrasonic transducer. A processor receives the reflected pulse and forms an image of the reflective surface of the cutter using the reflected ultrasonic pulse while the cutter is coupled to the drill bit.

Abstract: A method of forming polycrystalline diamond includes forming metal nanoparticles having a carbon coating from an organometallic material; combining a diamond material with the metal nanoparticles having the carbon coating; and processing the diamond material and the metal nanoparticles having the carbon coating to form the polycrystalline diamond. Processing includes catalyzing formation of the polycrystalline diamond by the metal nanoparticles; and forming interparticle bonds that bridge the diamond material by carbon from the carbon coating.

Abstract: In aspects, the disclosure provides a drilling motor that includes a stator and a rotor disposed in the stator, wherein the inner surface of the stator and/or outer surface of the stator includes a coating of a diamond-like carbon material.

Abstract: Control of the carbide volume in the matrix in an impregnated bit is accomplished by coating the hard particles in the matrix to space them further apart to increase the soft binder percentage in a controllable manner. The softer binder due to lower volume content of hard particles allows more rapid matrix wear in the softer formations to allow more diamond grit to cut better before getting flat spots and to be replaced faster with additional diamond grit further into the matrix as the higher content of the softer binder and the softer coating on the hard particles in the matrix promotes more effective cutting with more frequent emergence of diamond grit on the bit face as cutting progresses.

Abstract: A diamond impregnated drill bit features layered encapsulation of the diamond grit where the innermost layer is hardest or most abrasion resistant while succeeding layers are generally softer and less wear resistant. This can be accomplished by manipulating several variables in the encapsulation layers such as particle size or hard particle concentration. The outer layers can have added binder to make them softer. The encapsulated grit can be sintered or pre-sintered to make it less friable when handled.

Abstract: Methods and associated tools and components related to generating and obtaining performance data during drilling operations of a subterranean formation is disclosed. Performance data may include thermal and mechanical information related to earth-boring drilling tool during a drilling operation are disclosed. For example, a cutter of an earth-boring drilling tool may include a substrate with a cutting surface thereon. The cutter may further include at least one diamond sensor coupled with the cutting surface, and a conductive pathway operably coupled with the at least one diamond sensor. The at least one diamond sensor may be configured to generate a piezoelectric signal in response to an applied stimulus.

Abstract: A rock drilling bit having PDC radial bearings has journal and cone bearing surfaces with increased contact area to increase load support. The radius of curvature of the bearing pin journal and cone bearing surfaces are matched or conformed on the bearing pressure side. The conformal journal surfaces may be formed on the main journal bearing, the pilot pin radial bearing, or both surfaces. In addition, diamond inlays may be located on the bearing surfaces of the cone, the bearing pin, or both components.

Abstract: A rock drilling bit having PDC radial bearings has journal and cone bearing surfaces with increased contact area to increase load support. The radius of curvature of the bearing pin journal and cone bearing surfaces are matched or conformed on the bearing pressure side. The conformal journal surfaces may be formed on the main journal bearing, the pilot pin radial bearing, or both surfaces. In addition, diamond inlays may be located on the bearing surfaces of the cone, the bearing pin, or both components.

Abstract: Control of the carbide volume in the matrix in an impregnated bit is accomplished by coating the hard particles in the matrix to space them further apart to increase the soft binder percentage in a controllable manner. The softer binder due to lower volume content of hard particles allows more rapid matrix wear in the softer formations to allow more diamond grit to cut better before getting flat spots and to be replaced faster with additional diamond grit further into the matrix as the higher content of the softer binder and the softer coating on the hard particles in the matrix promotes more effective cutting with more frequent emergence of diamond grit on the bit face as cutting progresses.

Abstract: A method of constructing an earth-boring, diamond-impregnated drill bit has a first step of coating diamond grit with tungsten to create tungsten-coated diamond particles. These coated particles are then encapsulated in a layer of carbide powder held by an organic green binder material. The encapsulated granules are then mixed along with a matrix material and placed in a mold. The matrix material includes a matrix binder and abrasive particles. The mixture is heated in the mold at atmospheric pressure to cause the matrix binder to melt and infiltrate the encapsulated granules and abrasive particles.

Abstract: A diamond impregnated drill bit features layered encapsulation of the diamond grit where the innermost layer is hardest or most abrasion resistant while succeeding layers are generally softer and less wear resistant. This can be accomplished by manipulating several variables in the encapsulation layers such as particle size or hard particle concentration. The outer layers can have added binder to make them softer. The encapsulated grit can be sintered or pre-sintered to make it less friable when handled. As a result the encapsulated diamonds are retained in the matrix longer with higher protrusion to improve bit longevity and penetration rates.

Abstract: Earth-boring tools and components thereof include a particle-matrix composite material having encapsulated diamond particles embedded within a matrix material. Diamonds in the particles comprise less than about 25% by volume of the composite material, the matrix material comprises less than about 50% by volume of the composite material, and encapsulant material surrounding the diamonds at least substantially comprises a remainder of the volume of the composite material. Methods of forming at least a portion of an earth-boring tool include embedding encapsulated diamond particles in a volume of matrix material to form a particle-matrix composite material. The composite material is formed in such a manner as to cause diamonds to comprise less than about 25% of the composite material, the matrix material to comprise less than about 50% of the composite material, and encapsulant material surrounding the diamonds to at least substantially comprise a remainder of the composite material.

Abstract: A rock drilling bit having PDC radial bearings has journal and cone bearing surfaces with increased contact area to increase load support. The radius of curvature of the bearing pin journal and cone bearing surfaces are matched or conformed on the bearing pressure side. The conformal journal surfaces may be formed on the main journal bearing, the pilot pin radial bearing, or both surfaces. In addition, diamond inlays may be located on the bearing surfaces of the cone, the bearing pin, or both components.

Abstract: Downhole tool bearings are provided with diamond enhanced materials. The diamond enhanced materials comprise diamond grains in a matrix of tungsten or silicon carbide. A brazed diamond grit or diamond particles coated with a reactive braze may be utilized for bearing applications. Bearing rings formed at least in part with diamond enhanced material are installed on at least one of the bearing pin journal, the nose and the cone cavity. The bearing rings may be continuous rings or partial rings and attached to the journal pin or cone cavity. These may include thrust bearings, rollers, roller race, balls and ball races made of diamond enhanced material. These bearing surfaces also are formed at least in part with diamond enhanced material and attached to portions of the journal or cone bearing surfaces.

Abstract: A method of constructing an earth-boring, diamond-impregnated drill bit has a first step of coating diamond grit with tungsten to create tungsten-coated diamond particles. These coated particles are then encapsulated in a layer of carbide powder held by an organic green binder material. The encapsulated granules are then mixed along with a matrix material and placed in a mold. The matrix material includes a matrix binder and abrasive particles. The mixture is heated in the mold at atmospheric pressure to cause the matrix binder to melt and infiltrate the encapsulated granules and abrasive particles.