Earth-boring tools including selectively actuatable cutting elements and related methods
First Claim
1. A method of operating an earth-boring tool, comprising:
- extending a selectively actuatable cutting element from a first, retracted position in which the selectively actuatable cutting element is underexposed relative to a rotationally leading shearing cutting element, outward from a face of the earth-boring tool, to a second, extended position in which the selectively actuatable cutting element is overexposed relative to the shearing cutting element;
at least one of gouging or crushing a portion of an underlying earth formation by a cutting action utilizing the selectively actuatable cutting element in response to extension of the cutting element to the second, extended position;
subsequently retracting the selectively actuatable cutting element from the second, extended position to the first, retracted position; and
cycling the selectively actuatable cutting element between the first, retracted position and the second, extended position at least once per second.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods of operating earth-boring tools may involve extending a selectively actuatable cutting element outward from a face of the earth-boring tool. A portion of an underlying earth formation may be crushed by a crushing cutting action utilizing the selectively actuatable cutting element in response to extension of the cutting element. The selectively actuatable cutting element may subsequently be retracted. Earth-boring tools may include a selectively actuatable cutting element mounted to a blade, the selectively actuatable cutting element configured to move between a retracted state in which the selectively actuatable cutting element does not engage with an underlying earth formation and an extended state in which the selectively actuatable cutting element engages with the underlying earth formation. The selectively actuatable cutting element may be configured to perform a gouging or crushing cutting action at least upon initial positioning into the extended state.
52 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of operating an earth-boring tool, comprising:
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extending a selectively actuatable cutting element from a first, retracted position in which the selectively actuatable cutting element is underexposed relative to a rotationally leading shearing cutting element, outward from a face of the earth-boring tool, to a second, extended position in which the selectively actuatable cutting element is overexposed relative to the shearing cutting element; at least one of gouging or crushing a portion of an underlying earth formation by a cutting action utilizing the selectively actuatable cutting element in response to extension of the cutting element to the second, extended position; subsequently retracting the selectively actuatable cutting element from the second, extended position to the first, retracted position; and cycling the selectively actuatable cutting element between the first, retracted position and the second, extended position at least once per second. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An earth-boring tool, comprising:
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a body; blades extending outward from the body to a face; shearing cutting elements mounted to the blades proximate rotationally leading surfaces of the blades; and a selectively actuatable cutting element mounted to a blade, the selectively actuatable cutting element configured to cycle between a retracted state in which the selectively actuatable cutting element does not engage with an underlying earth formation and is underexposed relative to the shearing cutting elements and an extended state in which the selectively actuatable cutting element engages with the underlying earth formation and is overexposed relative to the shearing cutting elements at least once per second, the selectively actuatable cutting element configured to perform at least one of a gouging or crushing cutting action at least upon initial positioning into the extended state. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification