Abstract: A roof-bolt drill bit has a bit body rotatable about a central axis and at least one coupling pocket defined in the bit body. At least one coupling pocket is defined in the bit body, the at least one coupling pocket being defined by a pocket back surface, a first pocket side surface having a substantially planar surface extending from the pocket back surface, and a second pocket side surface having a substantially planar surface extending from the pocket back surface, the second pocket side surface being nonparallel to the first pocket side surface. The first pocket side surface extends at an angle of between approximately 45° and approximately 90° relative to the second pocket side surface and the first pocket side surface and the second pocket side surface are separated from one another.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit may include a bit body rotatable about a central axis. The rotary drill bit may also include at least one cutting element coupled to the bit body. The at least one cutting element may have a cutting face, a cutting edge adjacent the cutting face, and a back surface opposite the cutting face. The at least one cutting element may be oriented so that a substantial portion of the cutting edge has a positive clearance angle, which may be defined by a first vector that is normal to the cutting face and a second vector that is tangential to a helical path traveled by the cutting edge during drilling.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein involve polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) tables and polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) that include PCD tables as well as methods and apparatuses for manufacturing thereof. Some embodiments include a canister assembly that may be used in a high-pressure/high-temperature (“HPHT”) process or other heating process to manufacture the PCD tables and/or the PDCs.

Abstract: A roof-bolt drill bit includes a bit body that is rotatable about a central axis, a coupling pocket defined in the bit body, and at least one cutting element mounted to the bit body. The at least one cutting element includes a cutting face, a cutting edge adjacent the cutting face, a back surface opposite the cutting face, and a side surface extending between the cutting edge and the back surface. The roof-bolt drill bit additionally includes a coupling attachment coupled to the bit body, the coupling attachment being positioned adjacent to a portion of the side surface of the cutting element that abuts a side surface of the coupling pocket.

Abstract: A subterranean support-bolt drill bit includes a bit body rotatable about a central axis and at least one cutting element mounted to the bit body. The at least one cutting element has a cutting face, a cutting edge adjacent the cutting face, and a back surface opposite the cutting face. A first recess is defined in the bit body and positioned adjacent the at least one cutting element. A first opening extends through a portion of the bit body, the first opening extending from the first recess. A coupling projection extends from the back surface of the at least one cutting element, the coupling projection being positioned within the first recess. A coupling attachment extends through the first opening and is attached to the coupling projection.

Abstract: A roof-bolt drill bit includes a bit body that is rotatable about a central axis, a coupling pocket defined in the bit body, and at least one cutting element mounted to the bit body. The at least one cutting element includes a cutting face, a cutting edge adjacent the cutting face, a back surface opposite the cutting face, and a side surface extending between the cutting edge and the back surface. The roof-bolt drill bit additionally includes a coupling attachment coupled to the bit body, the coupling attachment being positioned adjacent to a portion of the side surface of the cutting element that abuts a side surface of the coupling pocket.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a disc cutter for use on a tunnel boring machine may include a shaft and a cutter assembly rotatably mounted on the shaft. The cutter assembly may include a cutter ring extending circumferentially about a central axis and one or more bearing apparatuses rotatably mounting the cutter assembly to the shaft. Each bearing apparatuses may include a rotor extending circumferentially about the central axis and a first plurality of superhard bearing elements distributed circumferentially about the central axis. Each first superhard bearing element may be attached to the rotor and may include a bearing surface. The bearing apparatuses may further include a stator extending circumferentially about the central axis and a second plurality of superhard bearing elements attached to the stator that are generally opposed to the first plurality of superhard bearing elements of the rotor.

Abstract: A roof-bolt drill bit includes a bit body rotatable about a central axis and at least one cutting element coupled to the bit body. The bit body has a forward end, a rearward end axially opposite the forward end, and an internal passage defined within the bit body, with the internal passage extending from a rearward opening defined in the rearward end of the bit body through at least a portion of the bit body. The at least one cutting element includes a cutting face, a cutting edge adjacent the cutting face, and a back surface spaced away from the cutting face, the back surface being mounted to the bit body. An opening defined in the bit body is positioned adjacent to the back surface of the at least one cutting element.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a cutter assembly for use on a tunnel boring machine may include a cutter ring extending circumferentially about a central axis. The cutter ring may include a radially inner surface and a radially outer surface. The cutter assembly may also include superabrasive cutting elements distributed circumferentially about the axis. Each of the superabrasive cutting elements may be attached to the cutter ring and may include a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) body having a working surface. At least a number of the cutting elements may extend beyond the outer surface of the cutter ring.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit for drilling formations in dry-drilling environments is disclosed. The rotary drill bit may include a bit body rotatable about a central axis. The rotary drill bit may also include at least one cutting element coupled to the bit body. The at least one cutting element may have a cutting face, a cutting edge adjacent the cutting face, and a back surface opposite the cutting face. The at least one cutting element may be oriented so that a substantial portion of the cutting edge has a positive clearance angle, which may be defined by a first vector that is normal to the cutting face and a second vector that is tangential to a helical path traveled by the cutting edge during drilling.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to tunnel boring machine cutter assemblies, such as ripping and scraping cutter or tool assemblies, (collectively “cutter assemblies”), and related methods of use and manufacturing. The various embodiments of the cutter assemblies described herein may be used in tunnel boring machines (“TBMs”), earth pressure balance machines (“EPBs”), raise drilling systems, large diameter blind drilling systems, and other types of mechanical drilling and excavation systems.

Abstract: A subterranean support-bolt drilling assembly has a drill bit rotatable about a central axis and including at least one cutting edge. The drilling assembly also includes a spacer coupled to a rearward end of the drill bit. A reamer member is coupled to a rearward end of the spacer, the reamer member having at least one cutting element, the at least one cutting element having a cutting edge that extends radially beyond an outer peripheral portion of the drill bit relative to the central axis. A subterranean support-bolt drill bit includes a bit body and at least one cutting element coupled to the bit body. The support-bolt drill bit has a central pilot extending from the bit body in an axially forward direction. The cutting edge of the at least one cutting element extends radially beyond the central pilot relative to a central axis of the drill bit.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a roof-bolt drill bit includes providing a bit body rotatable about a rotational axis, the bit body having at least two cutting element support structures, each of the at least two cutting element support structures including a mounting surface for mounting a cutting element to the bit body and a trailing support surface. The method includes forming an internal passage within the bit body, the internal passage extending from a rearward opening defined in the rearward end of the bit body through at least a portion of the bit body, and forming a fluid port within each of the at least two cutting element support structures, each fluid port extending from the internal passage to a port opening defined in the corresponding cutting element support structure, each port opening being positioned adjacent to the mounting surface of the corresponding cutting element support structure.

Abstract: A roof-bolt drill bit. The roof-bolt drill bit may include a bit body rotatable about a central axis and a cutting element coupled to the bit body. The bit body may comprise a forward end, a rearward end axially spaced away from the forward end, and an internal passage defined within the bit body, with the internal passage extending from a rearward opening defined in the rearward end of the bit body through at least a portion of the bit body. A fluid port is configured to direct fluid from the internal passage through a port opening in a direction that forms an angle with respect to a forward direction of the central axis.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein involve polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) tables and polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) that include PCD tables as well as methods and apparatuses for manufacturing thereof. Some embodiments include a canister assembly that may be used in a high-pressure/high-temperature (“HPHT”) process or other heating process to manufacture the PCD tables and/or the PDCs.

Abstract: A roof-bolt drill bit has a bit body rotatable about a central axis and at least one coupling pocket defined in the bit body. At least one coupling pocket is defined in the bit body, the at least one coupling pocket being defined by a pocket back surface, a first pocket side surface having a substantially planar surface extending from the pocket back surface, and a second pocket side surface having a substantially planar surface extending from the pocket back surface, the second pocket side surface being nonparallel to the first pocket side surface. The first pocket side surface extends at an angle of between approximately 45° and approximately 90° relative to the second pocket side surface and the first pocket side surface and the second pocket side surface are separated from one another.

Abstract: A roof-bolt drill bit may include at least one cutting element having a cutting face and a cutting edge adjacent the cutting face. The roof-bolt drill bit may also include a bit body rotatable about a rotational axis in a rotational direction, with the rotational axis extending between a forward end and a rearward end of the bit body. The at least one cutting element may be mounted to the bit body at the forward end. The bit body may include at least one debris port defined in a side portion of the bit body located axially rearward from at least a portion of the at least one cutting element. The bit body may also include an internal passage defined within the bit body and at least one debris channel defined in the bit body.

Abstract: A roof-bolt drill bit may have a bit body rotatable about a central axis. At least one coupling pocket may be defined in the bit body. At least one cutting element may be at least partially disposed in the at least one coupling pocket. The at least one cutting element may include a cutting face, an element back surface, and an element side surface extending around an outer periphery of the cutting face. The element side surface may include a first element side surface abutting a first pocket side surface of the at least one coupling pocket and a second element side surface abutting a second pocket side surface of the at least one coupling pocket. At least one of the first element side surface and the second element side surface may have a substantially planar surface.

Abstract: A flexible, scalable hardware input device for interacting with a variety of devices ranging from a phone, to a media playback device to a steering wheel or a tablet PC is provided. The input device includes a set of mechanical input controls, each mapping to one or more independent functions and a set of touch sensitive input control areas (e.g., capacitive), where each touch sensitive input control area receives touch input independently. In addition, one or more of the touch sensitive input control areas interchangeably overlay one or more of the mechanical input controls, whereby interaction with the touch sensitive input control areas is processed together to determine a corresponding function for controlling the application, service or computing device.

Abstract: A roof-bolt drill bit includes a bit body that is rotatable about a central axis, a coupling pocket defined in the bit body, and at least one cutting element mounted to the bit body. The at least one cutting element includes a cutting face, a cutting edge adjacent the cutting face, a back surface opposite the cutting face, and a side surface extending between the cutting edge and the back surface. The roof-bolt drill bit additionally includes a coupling attachment coupled to the bit body, the coupling attachment being positioned adjacent to a portion of the side surface of the cutting element that abuts a side surface of the coupling pocket.