Abstract: A method of operating a wellbore using a plurality of acoustic emission transducers. The method comprises deploying acoustic emission transducers in association with at least one of a member of a drill string, a bottomhole assembly, and a drill bit coupled to the drill string in a wellbore. The acoustic emission transducers are coupled to a controller comprising a processor and memory. The processor is programmed to determine one or more of a frequency of the acoustic emissions, an amplitude of the acoustic emissions, an energy of the acoustic emissions, a duration of the acoustic emissions, a rise time of the acoustic emissions, and a frequency centroid of the acoustic emissions. The method includes measuring acoustic emissions generated by acoustic events originating within the wellbore with the acoustic emission transducers. Downhole acoustic systems for monitoring drilling operations of a wellbore are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of determining a rate of penetration of a downhole tool. The method comprises introducing a downhole tool including a drill bit configured to drill through a subterranean formation in a wellbore, the downhole tool comprising at least one reader configured to communicate with identification tags using electromagnetic radiation. The method includes advancing the wellbore with the drill bit and placing, with a component of a bottomhole assembly of the downhole tool, a first identification tag at a first location proximate the wellbore and at least a second identification tag at a second location proximate the wellbore and separated from the first location by a distance. An interrogation signal is transmitting from the at least one reader toward a wall of the wellbore and response signals from the identification tags are received by the at least one reader to determine proximity of the identification tags to the reader.

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 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 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 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: A method of determining a rate of penetration of a drill bit using acoustic technology. The method comprises providing a drill string including a drill bit configured to drill through a subterranean formation in a wellbore and operably coupling an array of acoustic transducers to a member of the drill string. Acoustic waves are emitted toward a wall of the wellbore with at least one acoustic transducer and a frequency of the acoustic waves reflected from the wall of the wellbore are measured with at least one acoustic transducer. The array of acoustic transducers is operably coupled to a controller comprising a memory and a processor to determine a frequency shift between the emitted acoustic waves and the reflected acoustic waves. A rate of penetration of the drill bit is determined with the processor based at least in part on the frequency shift. Downhole acoustic systems for determining a rate of penetration of a drill string are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of operating a wellbore using a plurality of acoustic emission transducers. The method comprises deploying acoustic emission transducers in association with at least one of a member of a drill string, a bottomhole assembly, and a drill bit coupled to the drill string in a wellbore. The acoustic emission transducers are coupled to a controller comprising a processor and memory. The processor is programmed to determine one or more of a frequency of the acoustic emissions, an amplitude of the acoustic emissions, an energy of the acoustic emissions, a duration of the acoustic emissions, a rise time of the acoustic emissions, and a frequency centroid of the acoustic emissions. The method includes measuring acoustic emissions generated by acoustic events originating within the wellbore with the acoustic emission transducers. Downhole acoustic systems for monitoring drilling operations of a wellbore are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of determining a rate of penetration of a downhole tool. The method comprises introducing a downhole tool including a drill bit configured to drill through a subterranean formation in a wellbore, the downhole tool comprising at least one reader configured to communicate with identification tags using electromagnetic radiation. The method includes advancing the wellbore with the drill bit and placing, with a component of a bottomhole assembly of the downhole tool, a first identification tag at a first location proximate the wellbore and at least a second identification tag at a second location proximate the wellbore and separated from the first location by a distance. An interrogation signal is transmitting from the at least one reader toward a wall of the wellbore and response signals from the identification tags are received by the at least one reader to determine proximity of the identification tags to the reader.

Abstract: An earth-boring tool includes a body comprising a pocket in a leading end thereof for accepting at least a portion of a bearing element assembly. A bearing element assembly may be disposed within the pocket, and the bearing element assembly may include a retaining element at least partially disposed in a groove in a sidewall of the pocket and a bearing element. The bearing element may include a distal end having a bearing surface, a proximal end, and a side surface between the distal end and the proximal end, the side surface comprising a feature configured to abut the retaining element, wherein mechanical interference between the feature and the retaining element axially retains the bearing element within the pocket. Methods include disengaging a mechanical retention device retaining a bearing element within a pocket in a body of the earth-boring tool, and removing the bearing element from the pocket.

Abstract: A data acquisition module comprising a base sized and configured for disposition within a shank of a drill bit bore and an extension protruding therefrom having electrical contacts on an exterior surface thereof for connection to electrical contacts on an interior surface of a sub secured to the bit shank. A drill bit equipped with a data acquisition module, a bottom hole assembly including a drill bit bearing a data acquisition module operably coupled to a sub secured to the drill bit, and a method of transferring data from a data acquisition module carrying a data acquisition module to a sub secured to the drill bit.

Abstract: An apparatus for use downhole is disclosed that, in one configuration includes a downhole tool configured to operate in an active position and an inactive position and an actuation device, which may include a control unit. The apparatus includes a telemetry unit that sends a first pattern recognition signal to the control unit to move the tool into the active position and a second pattern recognition signal to move the tool into the inactive position. The apparatus may be used for drilling a subterranean formation and include a tubular body and one or more extendable features, each positionally coupled to a track of the tubular body, and a drilling fluid flow path extending through a bore of the tubular body for conducting drilling fluid therethrough. A push sleeve is disposed within the tubular body and coupled to the one or more features.

Abstract: A data acquisition module comprising a base sized and configured for disposition within a shank of a drill bit bore and an extension protruding therefrom having electrical contacts on an exterior surface thereof for connection to electrical contacts on an interior surface of a sub secured to the bit shank. A drill bit equipped with a data acquisition module, a bottom hole assembly including a drill bit bearing a data acquisition module operably coupled to a sub secured to the drill bit, and a method of transferring data from a data acquisition module carrying a data acquisition module to a sub secured to the drill bit.

Abstract: Drill bits and methods for sampling sensor data associated with the state of a drill bit are disclosed. A drill bit for drilling a subterranean formation comprises a bit body and a shank. The shank further includes a central bore formed through an inside diameter of the shank and configured for receiving a data analysis module. The data analysis module comprises a plurality of sensors, a memory, and a processor. The processor is configured for executing computer instructions to collect the sensor data by sampling the plurality of sensors, analyze the sensor data to develop a severity index, compare the sensor data to at least one adaptive threshold, and modify a data-sampling mode responsive to the comparison. A method comprises collecting sensor data by sampling a plurality of physical parameters associated with a drill bit state while in various sampling modes and transitioning between those sampling modes.

Abstract: An apparatus for use downhole is disclosed that, in one configuration includes a downhole tool configured to operate in an active position and an inactive position and an actuation device, which may include a control unit. The apparatus includes a telemetry unit that sends a first pattern recognition signal to the control unit to move the tool into the active position and a second pattern recognition signal to move the tool into the inactive position. The apparatus may be used for drilling a subterranean formation and include a tubular body and one or more extendable features, each positionally coupled to a track of the tubular body, and a drilling fluid flow path extending through a bore of the tubular body for conducting drilling fluid therethrough. A push sleeve is disposed within the tubular body and coupled to the one or more features.