Abstract: A downhole sensor apparatus may include a first surface at a first end of the downhole sensor apparatus, a sensor coupled to the downhole sensor apparatus, and an exterior surface at a second, opposite end of the downhole sensor apparatus. The downhole sensor apparatus is configured to be inserted into a recess of a drill string component such that the first surface is adjacent an interior surface within the recess. The exterior surface of the downhole sensor apparatus is configured to receive external pressure that results in a force that transfers through the downhole sensor apparatus to an interface defined by a contact area between the first surface and the interior surface. The contact area of the interface is smaller than the exterior surface. Drill string components, such as earth-boring and downhole tools, incorporating such a downhole sensor apparatus and methods of using same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an earth-boring tool to reduce a carbon footprint of the earth-boring tool includes calculating an amount of CO2 associated with forming a drill bit. The method additionally includes redesigning the drill bit to reduce the amount of CO2 associated with forming the drill bit. The method may further include forming the redesigned drill bit. Related drill bits with reduced carbon footprints are also described.

Abstract: Displacements for use in forming at least a portion of a bit body of an earth-boring rotary drill bit may comprise a machineable material portion configured to form an integral machineable material portion of the bit body. Such displacements may optionally also include a sacrificial material portion. Bit bodies resulting from the use of such displacements may comprise a main body comprised of a particle-matrix composite material and a plurality of integral machineable material portions. Earth-boring rotary drill bits may include such bit bodies. Methods of manufacturing such bit bodies, and methods of manufacturing earth-boring rotary drill bits utilizing displacements are also disclosed.

Abstract: A downhole sensor system may include at least two accelerometers having at least two axes of measurement. The at least two accelerometers may include a first accelerometer in a first position and a second accelerometer in a second position. A first axis of the second accelerometer may be substantially coaxial with a first axis of the first accelerometer and a second axis of the second accelerometer may be parallel to and offset from a second corresponding axis of the first accelerometer. The downhole sensor system may further include at least one processor, and at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions thereon that when executed by the at least one processor may cause the processor to measure a first acceleration from the first accelerometer and measure a second acceleration from the second accelerometer.

Abstract: An earth-boring tool may include a tool body and a coupling region configured to couple the earth-boring tool to an adjacent portion of a drill string. The earth-boring tool may also include one or more sensors disposed on the tool body. The earth-boring tool may further include a connector disposed in the coupling region electrically connected to the one or more sensors. The connector may be configured to enable a removable connection from an external device to the one or more sensors.

Abstract: A downhole sensor system may include at least two accelerometers having at least two axes of measurement. The at least two accelerometers may include a first accelerometer in a first position and a second accelerometer in a second position. A first axis of the second accelerometer may be substantially coaxial with a first axis of the first accelerometer and a second axis of the second accelerometer may be parallel to and offset from a second corresponding axis of the first accelerometer. The downhole sensor system may further include at least one processor, and at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions thereon that when executed by the at least one processor may cause the processor to measure a first acceleration from the first accelerometer and measure a second acceleration from the second accelerometer.

Abstract: A downhole sensor apparatus may include a structure securing a circuit board. The structure may be configured to be inserted into a recess in a tool on a drill string. The downhole sensor apparatus may include one or more sensors coupled to the circuit board and a cap over the structure. The downhole sensor apparatus may further include a data port electrically coupled to the circuit board and configured to transmit data from the sensors to an external device. The downhole sensor apparatus may include a threaded element configured to thread into complementary threads in the recess in the tool. The downhole sensor apparatus may be configured to operate in an idle condition. The downhole sensor apparatus may compare readings from at least two sensors to threshold downhole conditions and begin normal operation when the readings from the at least two sensors meet or exceed the threshold downhole conditions.

Abstract: Displacements for use in forming at least a portion of a bit body of an earth-boring rotary drill bit may comprise a machineable material portion configured to form an integral machineable portion of the bit body. Such displacements may optionally also include a sacrificial material portion. Bit bodies resulting from the use of such displacements may comprise a main body comprised of a particle-matrix composite material and a plurality of integral machineable portions. Earth-boring rotary drill bits may include such bit bodies. Methods of manufacturing such bit bodies, and methods of manufacturing earth-boring rotary drill bits utilizing displacements are also disclosed.

Abstract: An earth-boring tool may include a tool body and a coupling region configured to couple the earth-boring tool to an adjacent portion of a drill string. The earth-boring tool may also include one or more sensors disposed on the tool body. The earth-boring tool may further include a connector disposed in the coupling region electrically connected to the one or more sensors. The connector may be configured to enable a removable connection from an external device to the one or more sensors.

Abstract: Earth-boring tools may include a body, blades extending outward from the body, and cutting elements secured to the blades. An entirety of a first blade may exhibit a first, constant or continuously variable radius of curvature different from a second, constant or continuously variable radius of curvature of at least another portion of a second blade. Methods of making earth-boring tools may involve forming at least a portion of a first blade extending outward from a body to exhibit a first radius of curvature. An entirety of a second blade extending outward from the body may be formed to exhibit a second, different, constant or continuously variable radius of curvature. Cutting elements may be secured to the first and second blades.

Abstract: An earth-boring tool includes a shank. The shank may include a central bore extending partially through the shank. An end-cap may be disposed within the central bore, and the end-cap may include a first flange, a second flange, and a body portion extending between the first flange and the second flange. An annular chamber may be defined between the body portion of the end-cap and an interior wall of the central bore of the shank. At least one strain gauge may be secured to an outer surface of the body portion of the end-cap. At least one stain gauge may be secured to a cap portion welded over a recess formed in the earth-boring tool.

Abstract: An earth-boring tool comprising a body having first cutting elements mounted to an axially leading face, the first cutting elements each having a cutting face exposed to a height above the face of the body, the cutting faces of the first cutting elements back raked and facing a direction of intended rotation of the earth-boring tool. The earth-bring tool further comprises second cutting elements mounted to the axially leading face of the body adjacent first cutting elements in a cone region of the bit face, the second cutting elements each having a cutting face exposed to a height above the face of the body and configured for a shear-type cutting action, the cutting faces of the second cutting elements back raked to about a same or greater extent than the first cutting elements and generally facing the direction of intended rotation of the earth-boring tool.

Abstract: An earth-boring tool includes a shank. The shank may include a central bore extending partially through the shank. An end-cap may be disposed within the central bore, and the end-cap may include a first flange, a second flange, and a body portion extending between the first flange and the second flange. An annular chamber may be defined between the body portion of the end-cap and an interior wall of the central bore of the shank. At least one strain gauge may be secured to an outer surface of the body portion of the end-cap. At least one stain gauge may be secured to a cap portion welded over a recess formed in the earth-boring tool.

Abstract: An earth-boring tool includes a movable component and an additive manufacturing formed flow control device in fluid communication with the movable component and configured to control a flowrate of the hydraulic fluid through the additive manufacturing formed flow control device, wherein the additive manufacturing formed flow control device is configured to control a movement of the movable component via the flowrate of hydraulic fluid through the additive manufacturing formed flow control device. An earth-boring tool includes an additive manufacturing formed flow control device in fluid communication with one or more components of the earth-boring tool and configured to provide a cooling fluid to the one or more components of the earth-boring tool.

Abstract: An earth-boring tool includes a blade located on a body of the earth-boring tool with a pocket formed in an exposed outer surface of the blade. A formation-engaging structure is affixed within the pocket. The formation-engaging structure includes a distal end, a proximal end and a tapered sidewall therebetween. The distal end of the formation-engaging structure includes a formation-engaging surface. The tapered sidewall engages a tapered inner surface of the pocket. The tapered sidewall of the formation-engaging structure and the tapered inner surface of the pocket are each sized and configured to provide an interference fit between the formation-engaging structure and the pocket of the blade. In additional embodiments, instead of retention by interference fit, the formation-engaging structure is retained to the blade by a threaded fastener threaded within a tapped bore extending through the blade. The threaded fastener is received within a receiving formation of the formation-engaging structure.

Abstract: A fastening apparatus includes a retaining member comprising a shape memory material configured to transform, responsive to application of a stimulus, from a first solid phase to a second solid phase. The retaining member is disposed within a hole in a body and secured within the hole by phase change which creates an interference fit to secure the retaining member against rotational and axial movement. The hole has a second axial cross-sectional shape. The retaining member has a first axial cross-sectional shape that is preferably either circular or rectangular.

Abstract: A tool for forming or servicing a wellbore includes a first body, a second body, and a retaining member located between a surface of the first body and a surface of the second body. The retaining member at least partially retains the second body with respect to the first body. The retaining member comprises a shape memory material configured to transform, responsive to application of a stimulus, from a first solid phase to a second solid phase. A method of forming a tool for forming or servicing a wellbore includes disposing a retaining member comprising a shape memory material in a space between a first body and a second body and transforming the shape memory material from a first solid phase to a second solid phase by application of a stimulus to cause the retaining member to create a mechanical interference.

Abstract: An earth-boring tool includes a blade located on a body of the earth-boring tool with a pocket formed in an exposed outer surface of the blade. A formation-engaging structure is affixed within the pocket. The formation-engaging structure includes a distal end, a proximal end and a tapered sidewall therebetween. The distal end of the formation-engaging structure includes a formation-engaging surface. The tapered sidewall engages a tapered inner surface of the pocket. The tapered sidewall of the formation-engaging structure and the tapered inner surface of the pocket are each sized and configured to provide an interference fit between the formation-engaging structure and the pocket of the blade. In additional embodiments, instead of retention by interference fit, the formation-engaging structure is retained to the blade by a threaded fastener threaded within a tapped bore extending through the blade. The threaded fastener is received within a receiving formation of the formation-engaging structure.

Abstract: An earth-boring tool includes a body having a longitudinal axis. The earth-boring tool also includes blades extending longitudinally and generally radially from the body. The earth-boring tool may also include one or more polished superabrasive cutting elements located on at least one blade in at least one region of a face of the earth-boring tool, and one or more non-polished superabrasive cutting elements located on the at least one blade in at least another region of the face of the earth-boring tool. Methods include drilling a subterranean formation including engaging a formation with one or more polished superabrasive cutting elements and one or more non-polished superabrasive cutting elements of the earth-boring tool secured at selected locations of one or more regions of blades extending from a body of the earth-boring tool.

Abstract: An earth-boring tool comprises a body, a plurality of blades, and cutting elements. The body has a face at a leading end thereof and comprises a cone region, a nose region, a flank region, a shoulder region, and a gage region. The plurality of blades extends longitudinally and radially over the face. The cutting elements are disposed within the shoulder region of the body on different blades of the plurality of blades than one another, a first of the cutting elements exhibiting a different size than a second of the cutting elements. A method of forming an earth-boring tool and a method of forming a borehole in a subterranean formation are also described.