Cutting element apparatuses, drill bits including same, methods of cutting, and methods of rotating a cutting element

• US 8,210,285 B2
• Filed: 11/04/2011
• Issued: 07/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation (ChampionX Corporation)
• Original Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation (ChampionX Corporation)
• Inventors: Cooley, Craig H., Sexton, Timothy N., Peterson, S. Barrett, Lund, Jeffrey, Johnson, Christopher F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stephenson, Daniel P
• Application Number:
  US13/289,871
• Publication Number:
  US 20120048622A1
• Time in Patent Office: 242 Days
• Field of Search: 175/342, 175/383, 175/426, 175/432
• US Class Current: 175/383
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 27/12 with a continuously-rotated circular cutting edge; Holders therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/08 Roller bits E21B10/26 takes precedence; roller core bits E21B10/06; characterised by wear resisting parts E21B10/50
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/55 with preformed cutting elements
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/567 with preformed cutting elements mounted on a distinct support, e.g. polycrystalline inserts
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/62 characterised by parts, e.g. cutting elements, which are detachable or adjustable E21B10/64 takes precedence; for roller bits E21B10/20; for augers E21B10/44
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/633 independently detachable

Abstract

A subterranean drilling system may include a drill string and a rotary drill bit coupled to the drill string. The rotary drill bit may include a bit body and a cutting element coupled to the bit body, with the cutting element being structured to rotate in response to torque applied to the cutting element. The system also may include a cam assembly coupled to the drill string, a cam follower assembly in contact with a cam surface of the cam assembly, and a torque-applying structure coupled to the cam follower assembly. The torque-applying structure may be configured to apply torque to the cutting element in response to relative rotation between the cam assembly and the cam follower assembly.

Claims

1. A method of operating a rotary drill bit, the method comprising:

engaging a subterranean formation with a rotary drill bit;

actuating at least one torque-generating device to provide torque at a first magnitude;

amplifying the torque from the first magnitude to a second magnitude;

applying the amplified torque at a second magnitude to at least one cutting element of the rotary drill bit to rotate the at least one cutting element relative to a body of the rotary drill bit in a first direction.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein amplifying the torque to a second magnitude includes applying the torque at the first magnitude to a gear assembly.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein applying the torque at the first magnitude to a gear assembly includes applying the torque at the first magnitude to a first rotary gear having a plurality of teeth, engaging a second rotary gear having a plurality of teeth with the first rotary gear, and defining the second rotary gear to have a larger number of teeth than the first rotary gear.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising coupling the first rotary gear with a shaft and coupling the shaft with at least a portion of the at least one torque generating device.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising defining the at least a portion of the at least one torque generating device to include a structure having a plurality of engagement features.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein actuating at least one torque-generating device includes engaging one or more of the plurality of engagement features with a push rod.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising preventing the at least one cutting element from rotating in a direction opposite to the first direction.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising defining the at least one cutting element to include a superabrasive table bonded to a substrate.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising defining the superabrasive table to include polycrystalline diamond.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising defining the substrate to include cobalt.

11. The method according to claim 8, applying the amplified torque at a second magnitude to the at least one cutting element includes applying the amplified torque to the substrate.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising decoupling the at least one cutting element from the at least one torque-generating device when a specified threshold of torque has been reached or exceeded by the at least one torque-generating device.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein decoupling the cutting element from the torque-generating device includes actuating a clutch mechanism.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising forming the cutting element to include at least a portion of the clutch mechanism.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cutting element includes a plurality of cutting elements.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein actuating at least one torque-generating device to provide torque at a first magnitude includes actuating a plurality of a torque-generating devices and associating each of the plurality of torque-generating devices with one or more of the plurality of cutting elements.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein actuating at least one torque-generating device to provide torque at a first magnitude includes actuating a hydraulic assembly.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein actuating at least one torque-generating device to provide torque at a first magnitude includes actuating a cam assembly.

19. The method according to claim 1, wherein applying the amplified torque at a second magnitude to at least one cutting element of the rotary drill bit to rotate the at least one cutting element relative to a body of the rotary drill bit in a first direction includes rotating the at least one cutting element at periodic increments.

20. The method according to claim 1, wherein applying the amplified torque at a second magnitude to at least one cutting element of the rotary drill bit to rotate the at least one cutting element relative to a body of the rotary drill bit in a first direction includes rotating the at least one cutting element less than 360 degrees.

21. The method according to claim 1, further comprising rotating the at least one cutting element in a second direction opposite to the first direction.