Abstract: A cutter for a drag bit may include a substrate and an ultrahard layer on an end surface of the substrate. The ultrahard layer may include an exposed surface having at least three depressions extending from an interior of the exposed surface radially outward to a peripheral edge formed between the working surface and a side surface of the ultrahard layer, the at least three depressions separated from each other by at least three raised regions forming an apex of the exposed surface, the at least three raised regions connected to each other proximate the central axis and extending from proximate the central axis to the peripheral edge. Other working surfaces are also included.

Abstract: A method for selecting a bottomhole assembly (BHA) includes inputting casing while drilling BHA parameters, wellbore parameters, and casing while drilling operating parameters, performing a dynamic simulation of a first BHA based on the casing while drilling BHA parameters, wellbore parameters, and casing while drilling operating parameters, and presenting a first set of performance data of the first BHA calculated from the dynamic simulation.

Abstract: A cutting element has a sleeve with a first inner diameter and a second inner diameter, where the second inner diameter is larger than the first inner diameter and located at a lower axial position than the first inner diameter. A rotatable cutting element having an axis of rotation extending therethrough is at least partially disposed within the sleeve. The rotatable cutting element has a cutting face and a body extending axially downward from the cutting face, at least one hole extending from an outer surface of the body toward the axis of rotation, and a locking device disposed in each hole. The locking device protrudes from the hole to contact the second inner diameter of the sleeve, thereby retaining the rotatable cutting element within the sleeve.

Abstract: A cutting element includes a polycrystalline diamond layer having a cutting face and a diamond layer side surface, a substrate attached to the polycrystalline diamond layer, the substrate having a bottom surface and a substrate side surface, an interface between the diamond layer and the substrate, and a mask covering at least the bottom surface and the substrate side surface of the cutting element.

Abstract: A cutting element is provided having a substrate and an ultra hard material cutting layer over the substrate. The cutting layer includes a surface portion for making contact with a material to be cut by the cutting element. The surface portion in cross-section has a curvature that has a varying radius of curvature. A bit incorporating such a cutting element is also provided.

Abstract: A method of re-processing used TSP material layers to form cutting elements, bits with such cutting elements mounted on their bodies, and bits having re-processed TSP material layers attached to their bodies, as well as such cutting elements and bits are provided. The method includes providing a used TSP material cutting element having a TSP material layer and substrate, or a bit having a TSP material layer attached to the bit, removing the used TSP material layer from the cutting element or bit, cutting the used TSP material layer to a new shape, if necessary, optionally re-leaching the used TSP layer and re-using the TSP material layer to form a cutting element, or in forming a bit body. The formed cutting element may be mounted on a bit body.

Abstract: A fixed cutter drill bit including a bit body having a plurality of primary blades extending radially from a bit center area, wherein the bit center area includes a partial connection between at least two of the plurality of primary blades. The fixed cutter drill bit further including at least one cutter disposed on at least one of the blades. Additionally, a method of designing a fixed cutter drill bit includes modeling the fixed cutter drill bit, the fixed cutter drill bit including a plurality of primary blades extending radially from a bit center area, wherein the plurality of primary blades includes a plurality of cutters. The method further including determining a center of an innermost cutter on each primary blade, creating a partial connection between the primary blades, and outputting the model of the fixed cutter drill bit.

Abstract: Polycrystalline diamond composites comprise a polycrystalline diamond body having a plurality of ultra-hard discrete regions dispersed within a polycrystalline diamond second region. The plurality of discrete regions has an density different from of the polycrystalline diamond second region. A metallic substrate can be joined to the body. The discrete regions can be relatively more thermal stable than, have a higher diamond density than, and/or may comprise a binder material that is different from the polycrystalline diamond second region. Polycrystalline diamond composites can be formed by combining already sintered granules with diamond grains to form a mixture, and subjecting the mixture to high pressure/high temperature conditions, wherein the granules form the plurality of discrete regions, or can be made by forming a plurality of unsintered granules, combining them with diamond grains to form a mixture, and then subjecting the mixture to first and second high pressure/high temperature conditions.

Abstract: A cutting element for a drill bit includes an outer support element and an inner rotatable cutting element, a portion of which is disposed in the outer support element, where the inner rotatable cutting element has a body with a non-planar cutting face.

Abstract: Diamond bonded constructions comprise a diamond body attached to a substrate, wherein the body includes a first diamond bonded volume, and a second diamond bonded volume attached thereto. The second volume may be provided in the form of a powder or a presintered mass prior to attachment, and the first volume may be provided in the form of presintered pieces when combined with the second volume. The first volume diamond volume content is greater than about 94 percent, and is the same or greater than that of the second volume. The first volume is sintered during a first HPHT process, and the second volume is sintered and/or attached to the first volume during a second HPHT process. The first HPHT pressure is greater than the second HPHT pressure. The substrate is not an infiltration substrate used to form the first diamond volume. The diamond body may be thermally stable.

Abstract: Diamond bonded construction comprise a diamond body attached to a support. In one embodiment, an initial substrate used to sinter the body is interposed between the body and support, and is thinned to less than 5 times the body thickness, or to less than the body thickness, prior to attachment to the support to relieve stress in the body. In another embodiment, the substrate is removed after sintering, and the body is attached to the support. The support has a material construction different from that of the initial substrate, wherein the initial substrate is selected for infiltration and the support for end use properties. The substrate and support include a hard material with a volume content that may be the same or different. Interfaces between the body, substrate, and/or support may be nonplanar. The body may be thermally stable, and may include a replacement material disposed therein.

Abstract: A drill bit includes a bit body, a plurality of blades extending radially from the bit body, a plurality of cutter pockets disposed on the plurality of blades, at least one rolling cutter disposed in one of the cutter pockets, wherein each rolling cutter has a substrate, a cutting face, a cutting edge, and a side surface, and at least one blocker positioned adjacent to each of the at least one rolling cutters on a leading face of the blade, wherein each blocker has a retention end and an attachment end. The retention end of each blocker is positioned adjacent to a portion of the cutting face of each rolling cutter to retain the rolling cutter in the cutter pocket and the attachment end is attached to a portion of the blade.

Abstract: PCD materials comprise a diamond body having bonded diamond crystals and interstitial regions disposed among the crystals. The diamond body is formed from diamond grains and a catalyst material at high pressure/high temperature conditions. The diamond grains have an average particle size of about 0.03 mm or greater. At least a portion of the diamond body has a high diamond volume content of greater than about 93 percent by volume. The entire diamond body can comprise high volume content diamond or a region of the diamond body can comprise the high volume content diamond. The diamond body includes a working surface, a first region substantially free of the catalyst material, and a second region that includes the catalyst material. At least a portion of the first region extends from the working surface to depth of from about 0.01 to about 0.1 mm.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a drill bit having a bit body and a plurality of blades extending radially from the bit body is disclosed, wherein the method includes adhering a first matrix material to at least a portion of a mold cavity corresponding to an outer surface of the bit body, loading a second matrix material into the other portions of the mold cavity, and heating the mold contents to form a matrix body drill bit.

Abstract: Diamond bonded construction comprise a diamond body attached to a support. In one embodiment, an initial substrate used to sinter the body is interposed between the body and support, and is thinned to less than 5 times the body thickness, or to less than the body thickness, prior to attachment to the support to relieve stress in the body. In another embodiment, the substrate is removed after sintering, and the body is attached to the support. The support has a material construction different from that of the initial substrate, wherein the initial substrate is selected for infiltration and the support for end use properties. The substrate and support include a hard material with a volume content that may be the same or different. Interfaces between the body, substrate, and/or support may be nonplanar. The body may be thermally stable, and may include a replacement material disposed therein.

Abstract: A cutting tool may include a tool body; at least one blade extending radially from the tool body; a plurality of cutters disposed on the at least one blade; and at least one retention component, each retention component contributing the retention of at least two of the plurality of cutters at a side surface thereof.

Abstract: A cutting element for a drill bit that includes an outer support element having at least a bottom portion and a side portion; and an inner rotatable cutting element, a portion of which is disposed in the outer support element, wherein the inner rotatable cutting element includes a substrate and a diamond cutting face having a thickness of at least 0.050 inches disposed on an upper surface of the substrate; and wherein a distance from an upper surface of the diamond cutting face to a bearing surface between the inner rotatable cutting element and the outer support element ranges from 0 to about 0.300 inches is disclosed.

Abstract: A cutting tool having a tool body with a plurality of blades extending radially therefrom and a plurality of rotatable cutting elements mounted on at least one of the plurality of blades is disclosed, wherein the plurality of rotatable cutting elements are mounted on the at least one blade utilizing multiple side rake angles.

Abstract: A sintered body for cutting tools that includes hard particle phase comprising a plurality of hard particles, wherein at least a portion of the hard phase particles comprise a coating deposited by atomic layer deposition disposed thereon; and a binder phase is disclosed. The hard particles that may be included in the sintered bodies may include tungsten carbide, diamond, and boron nitride particles.

Abstract: A cutter for a fixed cutter drill bit including a substrate and an ultrahard material layer disposed on an end surface of the substrate, the ultra hard material layer having an upper surface opposite the substrate end surface and a peripheral surface such that the upper surface intersects the peripheral surface along a peripheral edge. The peripheral edge continuously increases and decreases in height as measured from a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cutter.