Cutting element apparatuses, drill bits including same, methods of cutting, and methods of rotating a cutting element
First Claim
1. A subterranean drilling system, comprising:
- a torque-generating assembly; and
a rotary drill bit, the rotary drill bit comprising;
a bit body having a plurality of pockets formed therein; and
a plurality of rotatable cutting elements, each of the plurality of rotatable cutting elements being disposed within an associated one of the plurality of pockets and being coupled to the torque-generating assembly;
wherein each of the plurality of rotatable cutting elements rotates within its associated pocket in response to torque applied by the torque-generating assembly.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
91 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A subterranean drilling system, comprising:
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a torque-generating assembly; and a rotary drill bit, the rotary drill bit comprising; a bit body having a plurality of pockets formed therein; and a plurality of rotatable cutting elements, each of the plurality of rotatable cutting elements being disposed within an associated one of the plurality of pockets and being coupled to the torque-generating assembly; wherein each of the plurality of rotatable cutting elements rotates within its associated pocket in response to torque applied by the torque-generating assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A rotary drill bit for drilling a subterranean formation, the rotary drill bit comprising:
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a bit body; and a plurality of substantially cylindrical cutting elements coupled to the bit body, the plurality of substantially cylindrical cutting elements each having a central axis extending therethrough; at least one torque-generating assembly coupled to at least one of the plurality of cutting elements, such that the at least one cutting element rotates in a first direction about its central axis in response to torque applied by the at least one torque-generating assembly, and wherein the at least one cutting element is limited from rotating in a direction opposite of the first direction. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification