Disclosed herein are a method and apparatus for cutter analysis and mapping. In one embodiment, a computer implemented method comprises acquiring a training set of images, wherein the training set of images comprise a set of images of cutters; and training a machine learning system using the training set of images, wherein the machine learning system comprises a set of weights corresponding to one or more nodes of a neural network of the machine learning system, and wherein the machine learning system provides an output representing whether an image includes a visual representation of a cutter.

A hybrid drill bit includes a bit body having a central bit body axis, a roller cone at an end of the bit body and rotatably coupled to the bit body about a roller cone axis, and a disc at the end of the bit body and rotatably coupled to the bit body about a disc axis. The roller cone axis extends toward the central bit body axis. The disc axis is transverse to a radial of the central bit body axis through a center of the disc, and the disc includes a plurality of disc cutters.

A hybrid drill bit includes a bit body having a central bit body axis, a roller cone at an end of the bit body and rotatably coupled to the bit body about a roller cone axis, and a disc at the end of the bit body and rotatably coupled to the bit body about a disc axis. The roller cone axis extends toward the central bit body axis. The disc axis is transverse to a radial of the central bit body axis through a center of the disc, and the disc includes a plurality of disc cutters.

A hybrid drill bit includes a bit body having a central bit body axis at a center of the bit body, a blade on the bit body extending from an end of the bit body, and a roller disc rotatably coupled to the bit body about the end of the bit body to rotate on a roller disc axis. The roller disc axis extends toward the central bit body axis, and the blade includes a plurality of fixed cutting elements.

A hybrid drill bit includes a bit body having a central bit body axis at a center of the bit body, a blade on the bit body extending from an end of the bit body, and a roller disc rotatably coupled to the bit body about the end of the bit body to rotate on a roller disc axis. The roller disc axis extends toward the central bit body axis, and the blade includes a plurality of fixed cutting elements.

The invention provides an improved drill bit and a method for designing thereof. The drill bit includes a bit body, a journal depending from the bit body, and a disc rotatably mounted on the journal. The disc of the drill bit has PDC cutting elements disposed on it. Also provided is an improved cutting structure for the discs of the drill bit. The cutting structure includes a portion that is comprised from PDC.

The invention provides an improved drill bit and a method for designing thereof. The drill bit includes a bit body, a journal depending from the bit body, and a disc rotatably mounted on the journal. The disc of the drill bit has PDC cutting elements disposed on it. Also provided is an improved cutting structure for the discs of the drill bit. The cutting structure includes a portion that is comprised from PDC.

In an embodiment, a disc cutter for use on a tunnel boring machine may include a shaft and a cutter assembly rotatably mounted on the shaft. The cutter assembly may include a cutter ring extending circumferentially about a central axis and one or more bearing apparatuses rotatably mounting the cutter assembly to the shaft. Each bearing apparatuses may include a rotor extending circumferentially about the central axis and a first plurality of superhard bearing elements distributed circumferentially about the central axis. Each first superhard bearing element may be attached to the rotor and may include a bearing surface. The bearing apparatuses may further include a stator extending circumferentially about the central axis and a second plurality of superhard bearing elements attached to the stator that are generally opposed to the first plurality of superhard bearing elements of the rotor.

In an embodiment, a disc cutter for use on a tunnel boring machine may include a shaft and a cutter assembly rotatably mounted on the shaft. The cutter assembly may include a cutter ring extending circumferentially about a central axis and one or more bearing apparatuses rotatably mounting the cutter assembly to the shaft. Each bearing apparatuses may include a rotor extending circumferentially about the central axis and a first plurality of superhard bearing elements distributed circumferentially about the central axis. Each first superhard bearing element may be attached to the rotor and may include a bearing surface. The bearing apparatuses may further include a stator extending circumferentially about the central axis and a second plurality of superhard bearing elements attached to the stator that are generally opposed to the first plurality of superhard bearing elements of the rotor.