Abstract: A tool for removing material includes a body, an ultrahard insert, and a matrix. The body has a forward portion, an opposing rear portion, and a longitudinal axis therebetween. The ultrahard insert includes an ultrahard material, and the ultrahard insert is mounted to and contacts the body proximate the forward portion. The matrix contacts the body and the ultrahard insert. The matrix is mechanically interlocked with the body and at least a portion of the matrix is positioned circumferentially around at least a portion of the forward portion of the body.

Abstract: A bolster for a degradation pick includes a transverse cross section that is non-circular. Non-circular cross sections include square, triangular, hexagonal and other shapes. The bolster is made from a wear and/or erosion resistant material. The wear and/or erosion resistant material helps to protect the shank of the degradation pick. The bolster has a matching shape to the shape of the shank of the degradation pick.

Abstract: A tool for removing material includes a body, an ultrahard insert, and a matrix. The body has a forward portion, an opposing rear portion, and a longitudinal axis therebetween. The ultrahard insert includes an ultrahard material, and the ultrahard insert is mounted to and contacts the body proximate the forward portion. The matrix contacts the body and the ultrahard insert. The matrix is mechanically interlocked with the body and at least a portion of the matrix is positioned circumferentially around at least a portion of the forward portion of the body.

Abstract: A degradation pick or holder shank for facilitating installation, retention and removal is disclosed. The shank may comprise an axially compressive portion that may contract radially when stretched axially and then expand again radially when released. An installation tool may be used to stretch the shank axially during insertion into a bore and then release the shank to retain it within the bore.

Abstract: An adapter may allow for non-rotating degradation tips to be secured to holders traditionally used for accepting rotatable bits. Such an adapter may comprise a body comprising an interface on one surface and a seat on an opposing surface. The interface may comprise a form complementary to an end of a holder and the seat may comprise a form for accepting a hardened tip.

Abstract: A degradation pick for degrading a surface comprises a substantially conical body with a pointed end. A shank is attached to the substantially conical body opposite the pointed end. At least one cutter is disposed within at least one cavity which itself is disposed on an exterior surface of the substantially conical body between the pointed end and the shank.

Abstract: A body of a degradation pick may comprise a substantially conical frustum. A hammer element may be integrally formed with the substantially conical frustum and extend there from in one radial direction. A shank may protrude from the body opposite a narrow end of the substantially conical frustum.

Abstract: Pick tool assemblies for use with formation degradation machines, such as road milling, mining, trenching or drilling machines, may be disposed on rotatable drums, wheels, continuous chains, drill bits or the like and brought into engagement with such formations as rock, asphalt, coal or concrete to break up or otherwise degrade the formations. Such pick tool assemblies may comprise a shank comprising a forward end and a rearward end wherein the rearward end may be formed for retention in a bore of a block attached to a driving mechanism and the forward end may comprise a body detachably and nonrotatably fastened thereto. Further, an impact tip may be bonded opposite the rearward end.

Abstract: A drill bit has an axis of rotation and a working face with a plurality of blades extending outwardly from a bit body. The blades form, in part, an inverted conical region, and a plurality of cutters with a cutting surface is arrayed along the blades. A jack element is coaxial with the axis of rotation and extends within the inverted conical region within a range defined by the cutting surface of at least one cutter.

Abstract: A method of assembling a drill bit with a jack element that includes obtaining a bit body intermediate a shank and a working face, with the working face including a plurality of blades having of at least one cutting element and a receptacle formed proximate a center of the working face. The method further includes attaching a pocket having a central hollow within the receptacle, and securing the jack element within the central hollow with a press fit such that the centerline of the jack element is substantially coaxial with the axis of rotation of the drill bit.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a drill bit has an axis of rotation and a working face with a plurality of blades extending outwardly from a bit body. The blades form in part an inverted conical region, and a plurality of cutters with a cutting surface is arrayed along the blades. A jack element is coaxial with the axis of rotation and extends within the conical region within a range defined by the cutting surface of at least one cutter.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a drill bit has an axis of rotation and a working face with a plurality of blades extending outwardly from a bit body. The blades form in part an inverted conical region and a plurality of cutters with a cutting surface are arrayed along the blades. A jack element is coaxial with the axis of rotation and extend within the conical region within a range defined by the cutting surface of at least one cutter.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention a drill bit assembly has a body portion intermediate a shank portion and a working portion, the working portion having at least one cutting element. A shaft is supported by the body portion and extends beyond the working portion. The shaft also has a distal end that is rotationally isolated from the body portion. In another aspect of the invention, a method for steering a downhole tool string has the following steps: providing a drill bit assembly attached to an end of the tool string disposed within a bore hole; providing a shaft extending beyond a working portion of the assembly; engaging a subterranean formation with a distal end of the shaft; and angling the drill bit assembly with the shaft along a desired drilling trajectory.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention a drill bit assembly has a body portion intermediate a shank portion and a working portion, the working portion having at least one cutting element. A shaft is supported by the body portion and extends beyond the working portion. The shaft also has a distal end that is rotationally isolated from the body portion. In another aspect of the invention, a method for steering a downhole tool string has the following steps: providing a drill bit assembly attached to an end of the tool string disposed within a bore hole; providing a shaft extending beyond a working portion of the assembly; engaging a subterranean formation with a distal end of the shaft; and angling the drill bit assembly with the shaft along a desired drilling trajectory.

Abstract: A method of assembling a drill bit with a bit body intermediate a shank and a working face with a plurality of blades comprised of at least one cutting element. The working face also comprising a jack element disposed within a pocket that may be substantially coaxial with the axis of rotation of the drill bit. The jack element may comprise an abrasion resistant material comprised of a material selected from the following including natural diamond, polycrystalline diamond, boron nitride, tungsten carbide or combinations thereof The jack element may be press fit within a pocket that is brazed within a receptacle of the drill bit such that it is substantially centered coaxial to the rotation of the drill bit.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention a drill bit assembly has a body portion intermediate a shank portion and a working portion, the working portion having at least one cutting element. A shaft is supported by the body portion and extends beyond the working portion. The shaft also has a distal end that is rotationally isolated from the body portion. In another aspect of the invention, a method for steering a downhole tool string has the following steps: providing a drill bit assembly attached to an end of the tool string disposed within a bore hole; providing a shaft extending beyond a working portion of the assembly; engaging a subterranean formation with a distal end of the shaft; and angling the drill bit assembly with the shaft along a desired drilling trajectory.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention a drill bit assembly has a body portion intermediate a shank portion and a working portion. The working portion has at least one cutting element and the body portion has at least a portion of a jackleg apparatus. The jackleg apparatus has at least a portion of a shaft disposed within a chamber; the shaft has a distal end. The jackleg apparatus has a hydraulic compartment adapted to displace the distal end of the shaft relative to the working portion. The chamber also has an opening proximate the working portion of the assembly. The hydraulic compartment may be part of a hydraulic circuit which has a pump. The pump may have a first section with is rotationally fixed to the body portion and a second section rotationally isolated from the body portion.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a drill bit has an axis of rotation and a working face with a plurality of blades extending outwardly from a bit body. The blades form in part an inverted conical region and a plurality of cutters with a cutting surface are arrayed along the blades. A jack element is coaxial with the axis of rotation and extend within the conical region within a range defined by the cutting surface of at least one cutter.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention a drill bit assembly has a body portion intermediate a shank portion and a working portion. The working portion has at least one cutting element and the body portion has at least a portion of a jackleg apparatus. The jackleg apparatus has at least a portion of a shaft disposed within a chamber; the shaft has a distal end. The jackleg apparatus has a hydraulic compartment adapted to displace the distal end of the shaft relative to the working portion. The chamber also has an opening proximate the working portion of the assembly. The hydraulic compartment may be part of a hydraulic circuit which has a pump. The pump may have a first section with is rotationally fixed to the body portion and a second section rotationally isolated from the body portion.