Abstract: A stator and a method of manufacturing at least a portion of a progressive cavity motor or pump include disposing a cylindrical shell within a cylindrical housing, disposing a stator mold within the cylindrical shell, disposing an elastomeric material between the stator mold and the cylindrical shell, removing the stator mold from within the elastomeric material, thereby forming an elastomeric material layer having a stator profile within the cylindrical shell, and removing the cylindrical shell from within the cylindrical housing, thereby forming a cartridge having the elastomeric material layer disposed within the cylindrical shell.

Abstract: Diamond bonded constructions include a diamond body comprising intercrystalline bonded diamond and interstitial regions. The body has a working surface and an interface surface, and may be joined to a metallic substrate. The body has a gradient diamond volume content greater about 1.5 percent, wherein the diamond content at the interface surface is less than 94 percent, and increases moving toward the working surface. The body may include a region that is substantially free of a catalyst material otherwise disposed within the body and present in a gradient amount. An additional material may be included within the body and be present in a changing amount. The body may be formed by high-pressure HPHT processing, e.g., from 6,200 MPa to 10,000 MPa, to produce a sintered body having a characteristic diamond volume fraction v. average grain size relationship distinguishable from that of diamond bonded constructions form by conventional-pressure HPHT processing.

Abstract: A stator and a method of manufacturing at least a portion of a progressive cavity motor or pump include disposing a cylindrical shell within a cylindrical housing, disposing a stator mold within the cylindrical shell, disposing an elastomeric material between the stator mold and the cylindrical shell, removing the stator mold from within the elastomeric material, thereby forming an elastomeric material layer having a stator profile within the cylindrical shell, and removing the cylindrical shell from within the cylindrical housing, thereby forming a cartridge having the elastomeric material layer disposed within the cylindrical shell.

Abstract: Elastomeric compositions containing a combination of selected carbon blacks. The resultant elastomers have improved durability and/or power generation. Such elastomers may be used in oilfield products, for example, as seals or stator liners. Methods of producing these elastomeric compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Diamond bonded constructions comprise a body comprising a plurality of bonded together diamond grains with interstitial regions disposed between the grains that are substantially free of the catalyst material used to initially sinter the body. A metallic substrate is attached to the body, and a braze joint is interposed between the body and the substrate. The body is metallized to include a metallic material disposed along a substrate attachment surface in contact with the braze joint, wherein the metallic material is different from the braze joint material. The metallic material may exist within a region of the body extending fully or partially into the body, and/or may exist as a layer extending away from the substrate attachment surface. The body includes a working surface characterized by empty interstitial regions or by interstitial regions filled with an infiltrant material, wherein the infiltrant material is different from the metallizing material.

Abstract: Diamond bonded constructions include a diamond body comprising intercrystalline bonded diamond and interstitial regions. The body has a working surface and an interface surface, and may be joined to a metallic substrate. The body has a gradient diamond volume content greater about 1.5 percent, wherein the diamond content at the interface surface is less than 94 percent, and increases moving toward the working surface. The body may include a region that is substantially free of a catalyst material otherwise disposed within the body and present in a gradient amount. An additional material may be included within the body and be present in a changing amount. The body may be formed by high-pressure HPHT processing, e.g., from 6,200 MPa to 10,000 MPa, to produce a sintered body having a characteristic diamond volume fraction v. average grain size relationship distinguishable from that of diamond bonded constructions form by conventional-pressure HPHT processing.

Abstract: Diamond bonded constructions comprise a body comprising a plurality of bonded together diamond grains with interstitial regions disposed between the grains that are substantially free of the catalyst material used to initially sinter the body. A metallic substrate is attached to the body, and a braze joint is interposed between the body and the substrate. The body is metallized to include a metallic material disposed along a substrate attachment surface in contact with the braze joint, wherein the metallic material is different from the braze joint material. The metallic material may exist within a region of the body extending fully or partially into the body, and/or may exist as a layer extending away from the substrate attachment surface. The body includes a working surface characterized by empty interstitial regions or by interstitial regions filled with an infiltrant material, wherein the infiltrant material is different from the metallizing material.

Abstract: Diamond bonded constructions include a diamond body comprising intercrystalline bonded diamond and interstitial regions. The body has a working surface and an interface surface, and may be joined to a metallic substrate. The body has a gradient diamond volume content greater about 1.5 percent, wherein the diamond content at the interface surface is less than 94 percent, and increases moving toward the working surface. The body may include a region that is substantially free of a catalyst material otherwise disposed within the body and present in a gradient amount. An additional material may be included within the body and be present in a changing amount. The body may be formed by high-pressure HPHT processing, e.g., from 6,200 MPa to 10,000 MPa, to produce a sintered body having a characteristic diamond volume fraction v. average grain size relationship distinguishable from that of diamond bonded constructions form by conventional-pressure HPHT processing.

Abstract: A tool is provided that is capable of friction stir processing, friction stir mixing, and friction stir welding of high melting temperature and low melting temperature materials, wherein the collar is now divided into at least an inner and an outer collar coupled to the shank and the FSW tip, wherein new thermal barriers enable expansion of the inner collar to be directed inward to thereby create compression on the FSW tip instead of allowing the FSW tip to become loose in the tool at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: Diamond bonded constructions include a diamond body comprising intercrystalline bonded diamond and interstitial regions. The body has a working surface and an interface surface, and may be joined to a metallic substrate. The body has a gradient diamond volume content greater about 1.5 percent, wherein the diamond content at the interface surface is less than 94 percent, and increases moving toward the working surface. The body may include a region that is substantially free of a catalyst material otherwise disposed within the body and present in a gradient amount. An additional material may be included within the body and be present in a changing amount. The body may be formed by high-pressure HPHT processing, e.g., from 6,200 MPa to 10,000 MPa, to produce a sintered body having a characteristic diamond volume fraction v. average grain size relationship distinguishable from that of diamond bonded constructions form by conventional-pressure HPHT processing.

Abstract: An insert for a drill bit may include a metallic carbide body; an outer layer of polycrystalline diamond material on the outermost end of the insert, the polycrystalline diamond material comprising a plurality of interconnected first diamond grains and a first binder material in interstitial regions between the interconnected first diamond grains; and at least two transition layers between the metallic carbide body and the outer layer, the at least two transition layers comprising: an outermost transition layer comprising a composite of second diamond grains, first metal carbide or carbonitride particles, and a second binder material; and an innermost transition layer comprising a composite of third diamond grains, second metal carbide or carbonitride particles, and a third binder material wherein a thickness of the outer layer is lesser than that of each of the at least two transition layers.

Abstract: An insert for a drill bit may include a metallic carbide body; an outer layer of polycrystalline diamond material on the outermost end of the insert, the polycrystalline diamond material comprising a plurality of interconnected first diamond grains and a first binder material in interstitial regions between the interconnected first diamond grains; and at least one transition layer between the metallic carbide body and the outer layer, the at least one transition layer comprising a composite of second diamond grains, first metal carbide particles, and a second binder material, wherein the second diamond grains have a larger grain size than the first diamond grains.

Abstract: A cutting element that includes a substrate; and an outer layer of polycrystalline diamond material disposed upon the outermost end of the cutting element, wherein the polycrystalline diamond material: a plurality of interconnected diamond particles; and a plurality of interstitial regions disposed among the bonded diamond particles, wherein the plurality of interstitial regions contain a plurality of metal carbide phases and a plurality of metal binder phases together forming a plurality of metallic phases, wherein the plurality of metal carbide phases are formed from a plurality of metal carbide particles; wherein the plurality of interconnected diamond particles form at least about 60 to at most about 80% by weight of the polycrystalline diamond material; and wherein the plurality of metal carbide phases represent at least 50% by weight of the plurality of metallic phases is disclosed.

Abstract: Diamond bonded constructions comprise a body comprising a plurality of bonded together diamond grains with interstitial regions disposed between the grains that are substantially free of the catalyst material used to initially sinter the body. A metallic substrate is attached to the body, and a braze joint is interposed between the body and the substrate. The body is metallized to include a metallic material disposed along a substrate attachment surface in contact with the braze joint, wherein the metallic material is different from the braze joint material. The metallic material may exist within a region of the body extending fully or partially into the body, and/or may exist as a layer extending away from the substrate attachment surface. The body includes a working surface characterized by empty interstitial regions or by interstitial regions filled with an infiltrant material, wherein the infiltrant material is different from the metallizing material.

Abstract: A tool is provided that is capable of friction stir processing, friction stir mixing, and friction stir welding of high melting temperature and low melting temperature materials, wherein the collar is now divided into at least an inner and an outer collar coupled to the shank and the FSW tip, wherein new thermal barriers enable expansion of the inner collar to be directed inward to thereby create compression on the FSW tip instead of allowing the FSW tip to become loose in the tool at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: Self relieving seals of this invention comprise an elastomeric seal body having a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface for contact with respective drill bit sealing surfaces. The seal includes a pair of external surfaces that each extend along the seal body between the first and second sealing surfaces. The seal includes one or more relief ports that are disposed through the seal body and that have openings through each of the seal body external surfaces. The relief port can be specially configured, e.g., have different diameter sections of constant or variable dimensions, to provide a degree of control over pressure equalization through the seal body when the seal is loaded within the drill bit. The seal may include an element, e.g., solid, tubular, or porous, disposed within the relief port to provide a further desired degree of control over pressure equalization through the seal when the seal is loaded within the drill bit.

Abstract: A method for designing a drill bit including characterizing a plurality of formation segments, identifying relevant characteristics for drilling in the characterized formation segments, prioritizing at least two of the identified relevant characteristics based upon the characterizing of the formation segments, and selecting a drill bit design based upon the prioritizing.

Abstract: A method for designing a drill bit including selecting a characteristic associated with a failure mode. A first value of the characteristic of a first cutting element and a second value for the characteristic of a second cutting element are determined. The method also includes determining whether a difference between the first value and the second value is within a predetermined range. A cutting element design parameter for the first cutting element is adjusted if the difference is outside the predetermined range. The determining first and second values, determining the difference, and adjusting a cutting element design parameter are repeated until the difference is within the predetermined range.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved drill bit and a method for designing thereof. The drill bit includes a bit body, a journal depending from the bit body, and a disc rotatably mounted on the journal. The disc of the drill bit has PDC cutting elements disposed on it. Also provided is an improved cutting structure for the discs of the drill bit. The cutting structure includes a portion that is comprised from PDC.

Abstract: A drill bit with a drill bit body having a cutting structure face. A pin is formed on the drill bit body for attaching the drill bit body to a drill string. The pin has a first central axis to be aligned with the drill string when attached and the cutting structure face has a second central axis. The second central axis is misaligned relative to the first central axis.