Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a choke valve that includes a choke body, a choke trim disposed in the choke body, where the choke trim is configured to adjust a cross-sectional area of a flow path in the choke body to adjust a fluid flow through the choke valve, a needle of the choke trim disposed in the flow path of the fluid flow, where the needle includes a first portion having a superhard material, a seat of the choke trim, where the needle is configured to move along an axis extending through an opening of the seat to adjust the fluid flow through the choke valve.

Abstract: A cutting element includes a substrate that is axially symmetric about a central axis. The substrate has a radius perpendicular to the central axis and that extends from the central axis to an outer surface of the substrate. A super-hard material is coupled to the substrate, and the central axis passes through the super-hard material. The super-hard material has an external surface defining at least one ridge protruding from a remainder of the external surface. A central point on the central axis is offset from the external surface of the super-hard material by a distance equal to the radius of the substrate. A distance measured from the external surface of the super-hard material to the central point is greatest at a position between 25° and 45° from the central axis of the substrate.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a tool body and an actuator coupled to and selectively extendible relative to the tool body. The actuator has a working face that contacts a downhole formation, and which includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion has a tapered surface that is directed radially inwardly and axially downwardly relative to the first portion, with at least a portion of the tapered surface including an ultrahard material having a different coefficient of friction as compared to a first material of the upper portion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a choke valve that includes a choke body, a choke trim disposed in the choke body, where the choke trim is configured to adjust a cross-sectional area of a flow path in the choke body to adjust a fluid flow through the choke valve, a needle of the choke trim disposed in the flow path of the fluid flow, where the needle includes a first portion having a superhard material, a seat of the choke trim, where the needle is configured to move along an axis extending through an opening of the seat to adjust the fluid flow through the choke valve.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a tool body and an actuator coupled to and selectively extendible relative to the tool body. The actuator has a working face that contacts a downhole formation, and which includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion has a tapered surface that is directed radially inwardly and axially downwardly relative to the first portion, with at least a portion of the tapered surface including an ultrahard material having a different coefficient of friction as compared to a first material of the upper portion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a choke valve that includes a choke body, a choke trim disposed in the choke body, where the choke trim is configured to adjust a cross-sectional area of a flow path in the choke body to adjust a fluid flow through the choke valve, a needle of the choke trim disposed in the flow path of the fluid flow, where the needle includes a first portion having a superhard material, a seat of the choke trim, where the needle is configured to move along an axis extending through an opening of the seat to adjust the fluid flow through the choke valve.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a tool body and an actuator coupled to and selectively extendible relative to the tool body. The actuator has a working face that contacts a downhole formation, and which includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion has a tapered surface that is directed radially inwardly and axially downwardly relative to the first portion, with at least a portion of the tapered surface including an ultrahard material having a different coefficient of friction as compared to a first material of the upper portion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a choke valve that includes a choke body, a choke trim disposed in the choke body, where the choke trim is configured to adjust a cross-sectional area of a flow path in the choke body to adjust a fluid flow through the choke valve, a needle of the choke trim disposed in the flow path of the fluid flow, where the needle includes a first portion having a superhard material, a seat of the choke trim, where the needle is configured to move along an axis extending through an opening of the seat to adjust the fluid flow through the choke valve.

Abstract: A cutting element may include a substrate including a plurality of metal carbide particles and a first metal binder having a first metal binder content; an outer layer of polycrystalline diamond material at an end of the cutting element, the polycrystalline diamond material including a plurality of interconnected diamond particles; and a plurality of interstitial regions disposed among the interconnected diamond particles, the plurality of interstitial regions containing a second metal binder having a second metal binder content. The cutting element also includes at least one transition zone between the substrate and the outer layer, the at least one transition zone including a plurality of refractory metal carbide particles and a third metal binder having a third metal binder content, the third metal binder content being less than the first metal binder content and the second metal binder content.

Abstract: A choke valve for regulating a flow rate, a pressure or other parameters of a fluid flow may comprise a choke cage comprising a passage therethrough and a choke plug slidable within the passage. At least one conduit may pass through a wall of the choke cage and into the passage such that as the choke plug slides it may at least partially cover the conduit. A ring comprising a sintered superhard material may be secured within the conduit enhancing durability and wear resistance of the choke cage. A method for manufacturing such a choke cage may comprise subjecting grains of superhard material to high-pressure, high-temperature conditions sufficient to sinter at least some of the grains together, hollowing out the sintered superhard material to form a ring, and securing the ring within a conduit.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a tool body and an actuator coupled to and selectively extendible relative to the tool body. The actuator has a working face that contacts a downhole formation, and which includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion has a tapered surface that is directed radially inwardly and axially downwardly relative to the first portion, with at least a portion of the tapered surface including an ultrahard material having a different coefficient of friction as compared to a first material of the upper portion.

Abstract: An actuator for use in a directional steering assembly includes an ultrahard insert positioned on a working face. The ultrahard insert is positioned along at least a portion of the perimeter of the working face. The ultrahard insert has a coefficient of friction less than a material of the remainder of the working face.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a choke valve that includes a choke body, a choke trim disposed in the choke body, where the choke trim is configured to adjust a cross-sectional area of a flow path in the choke body to adjust a fluid flow through the choke valve, a needle of the choke trim disposed in the flow path of the fluid flow, where the needle includes a first portion having a superhard material, a seat of the choke trim, where the needle is configured to move along an axis extending through an opening of the seat to adjust the fluid flow through the choke valve.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a choke valve that includes a choke body, a choke trim disposed in the choke body, where the choke trim is configured to adjust a cross-sectional area of a flow path in the choke body to adjust a fluid flow through the choke valve, a needle of the choke trim disposed in the flow path of the fluid flow, where the needle includes a first portion having a superhard material, a seat of the choke trim, where the needle is configured to move along an axis extending through an opening of the seat to adjust the fluid flow through the choke valve.

Abstract: A choke valve for regulating a flow rate, a pressure or other parameters of a fluid flow may comprise a choke cage comprising a passage therethrough and a choke plug slidable within the passage. At least one conduit may pass through a wall of the choke cage and into the passage such that as the choke plug slides it may at least partially cover the conduit. A ring comprising a sintered superhard material may be secured within the conduit enhancing durability and wear resistance of the choke cage. A method for manufacturing such a choke cage may comprise subjecting grains of superhard material to high-pressure, high-temperature conditions sufficient to sinter at least some of the grains together, hollowing out the sintered superhard material to form a ring, and securing the ring within a conduit.

Abstract: An actuator for use in a directional steering assembly includes an ultrahard insert positioned on a working face. The ultrahard insert is positioned along at least a portion of the perimeter of the working face. The ultrahard insert has a coefficient of friction less than a material of the remainder of the working face.

Abstract: A cutting element may include a substrate including a plurality of metal carbide particles and a first metal binder having a first metal binder content; an outer layer of polycrystalline diamond material at an end of the cutting element, the polycrystalline diamond material including a plurality of interconnected diamond particles; and a plurality of interstitial regions disposed among the interconnected diamond particles, the plurality of interstitial regions containing a second metal binder having a second metal binder content. The cutting element also includes at least one transition zone between the substrate and the outer layer, the at least one transition zone including a plurality of refractory metal carbide particles and a third metal binder having a third metal binder content, the third metal binder content being less than the first metal binder content and the second metal binder content.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a choke valve that includes a choke body, a choke trim disposed in the choke body, where the choke trim is configured to adjust a cross-sectional area of a flow path in the choke body to adjust a fluid flow through the choke valve, a needle of the choke trim disposed in the flow path of the fluid flow, where the needle includes a first portion having a superhard material, a seat of the choke trim, where the needle is configured to move along an axis extending through an opening of the seat to adjust the fluid flow through the choke valve.

Abstract: A cutting element includes a substrate that is axially symmetric about a central axis. The substrate has a radius perpendicular to the central axis and that extends from the central axis to an outer surface of the substrate. A super-hard material is coupled to the substrate, and the central axis passes through the super-hard material. The super-hard material has an external surface defining at least one ridge protruding from a remainder of the external surface. A central point on the central axis is offset from the external surface of the super-hard material by a distance equal to the radius of the substrate. A distance measured from the external surface of the super-hard material to the central point is greatest at a position between 25° and 45° from the central axis of the substrate.

Abstract: A cutting element may include a substrate including a plurality of metal carbide particles and a first metal binder having a first metal binder content; an outer layer of polycrystalline diamond material at an end of the cutting element, the polycrystalline diamond material including a plurality of interconnected diamond particles; and a plurality of interstitial regions disposed among the interconnected diamond particles, the plurality of interstitial regions containing a second metal binder having a second metal binder content. The cutting element also includes at least one transition zone between the substrate and the outer layer, the at least one transition zone including a plurality of refractory metal carbide particles and a third metal binder having a third metal binder content, the third metal binder content being less than the first metal binder content and the second metal binder content.