Abstract:
Method of operating earth-boring tools may involve activating a selectively activatable hydraulic fracturing device secured to the earth-boring tool to impact an underlying earth formation with a fluid from the selectively activatable hydraulic fracturing device. A crack may be at least one of initiated or propagated in a portion of the underlying earth formation utilizing the fluid in response to activation of the selectively activatable hydraulic fracturing device. The selectively activatable hydraulic fracturing device may be subsequently deactivated. Earth-boring tools may include a selectively activatable hydraulic fracturing device configured to transition between an activated state in which fluid is permitted to flow through the selectively activatable hydraulic fracturing device to engage with an underlying earth formation and a deactivated state in which fluid does not flow through the selectively activatable hydraulic fracturing device. The selectively activatable hydraulic fracturing device may be configured to at least one of initiate or propagate cracks.
Abstract:
An earth-boring tool includes a blade located on a body of the earth-boring tool with a pocket formed in an exposed outer surface of the blade. A formation-engaging structure is affixed within the pocket. The formation-engaging structure includes a distal end, a proximal end and a tapered sidewall therebetween. The distal end of the formation-engaging structure includes a formation-engaging surface. The tapered sidewall engages a tapered inner surface of the pocket. The tapered sidewall of the formation-engaging structure and the tapered inner surface of the pocket are each sized and configured to provide an interference fit between the formation-engaging structure and the pocket of the blade. In additional embodiments, instead of retention by interference fit, the formation-engaging structure is retained to the blade by a threaded fastener threaded within a tapped bore extending through the blade. The threaded fastener is received within a receiving formation of the formation-engaging structure.
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 fastening apparatus includes a retaining member comprising a shape memory material configured to transform, responsive to application of a stimulus, from a first solid phase to a second solid phase. The retaining member is disposed within a hole in a body and secured within the hole by phase change which creates an interference fit to secure the retaining member against rotational and axial movement. The hole has a second axial cross-sectional shape. The retaining member has a first axial cross-sectional shape that is preferably either circular or rectangular.
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:
An earth-boring tool includes primary and secondary cutting elements mounted to a tool body. The secondary cutting elements define a secondary cutting profile. The secondary cutting profile is recessed relative to the primary cutting profile, which is defined by the primary cutting elements. In an unworn condition, the primary cutting elements engage and cut a formation material while the secondary cutting elements do not. Each secondary cutting element includes a flat surface oriented at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis thereof and extending between a front cutting face and a peripheral side surface thereof. The secondary cutting elements are oriented on the tool body such that a surface area of the flat surface thereof will engage the formation material at least substantially simultaneously when the primary cutting elements reach a worn condition. Methods of forming the earth-boring tool and methods of using the earth-boring tool are also disclosed.
Abstract:
Earth-boring tools include a cutting element mounted to a body that comprises a metal or metal alloy, such as steel. A cutting element support member is mounted to the body rotationally behind the cutting element. The cutting element support member has an at least substantially planar support surface at a first end thereof, and a lateral side surface extending from the support surface to an opposing second end of the cutting element support member. The cutting element has a volume of superabrasive material on a first end of a substrate, and a lateral side surface extending from the first end of the substrate to an at least substantially planar back surface. The at least substantially planar back surface of the cylindrical substrate abuts an at least substantially planar support surface of the cutting element support member.
Abstract:
An earth-boring tool comprises a body, a plurality of blades, and cutting elements. The body has a face at a leading end thereof and comprises a cone region, a nose region, a flank region, a shoulder region, and a gage region. The plurality of blades extends longitudinally and radially over the face. The cutting elements are disposed within the shoulder region of the body on different blades of the plurality of blades than one another, a first of the cutting elements exhibiting a different size than a second of the cutting elements. A method of forming an earth-boring tool and a method of forming a borehole in a subterranean formation are also described.
Abstract:
An earth-boring tool includes a body having a longitudinal axis. The earth-boring tool also includes blades extending longitudinally and generally radially from the body. The earth-boring tool may also include one or more polished superabrasive cutting elements located on at least one blade in at least one region of a face of the earth-boring tool, and one or more non-polished superabrasive cutting elements located on the at least one blade in at least another region of the face of the earth-boring tool. Methods include drilling a subterranean formation including engaging a formation with one or more polished superabrasive cutting elements and one or more non-polished superabrasive cutting elements of the earth-boring tool secured at selected locations of one or more regions of blades extending from a body of the earth-boring tool.
Abstract:
A method of forming an earth-boring tool includes forming a tool body including at least one inverted cutting element pocket, at least a portion of the at least one inverted cutting element pocket having a profile substantially matching a profile of an actual cutting element to be secured within a cutting element pocket to be formed by subsequently machining the at least one inverted cutting element pocket. Hardfacing material may be applied to portions of the tool body. The actual cutting element pocket is formed by removing material of the tool body within the at least one inverted cutting element pocket subsequent to applying the hardfacing material to portions of the tool body. A cutting element is affixed within the actual cutting element pocket.