Rotary drill bits may include one or more cutting element assemblies which include a cutter and a mounting system. In one embodiment, the mounting system includes a housing, a first bearing component disposed within the housing, and a second bearing component associated with the cutting element. In certain embodiments, the bearing components may comprise a table of superhard material bonded with a substrate. In one or more embodiments, the bearing components may include bearing surfaces that are arcuate. For example, the bearing surfaces may be substantially spherical (a portion of a sphere). The bearing components may be arranged to act as a radial bearing as well as a thrust bearing for the cutting element, enabling the cutting element to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the cutter, relative to the housing, while also enabling the longitudinal axis of the cutter to be displaced (change angles) relative to the housing.

A drill bit includes a shank and drill bit head, which are both centered on a longitudinal axis, a gauge, and a front face with a peripheral edge adjacent to the gauge. An area within the peripheral edge defines a total area of the front face. The front face includes a central island at its radially innermost section, a plurality of peripheral platforms at its radially outermost section adjacent to the peripheral edge, and a recessed section positioned radially between the central island and the peripheral platforms. The central island and the peripheral platforms are axially raised compared to the recessed section. A plurality of inner front inserts are positioned on the central island and at least one outer front insert is positioned on each of the peripheral platforms. The area of the recessed section is >62% of the area of the total area of the front face.

A drill bit includes a shank and drill bit head, which are both centered on a longitudinal axis, a gauge, and a front face with a peripheral edge adjacent to the gauge. An area within the peripheral edge defines a total area of the front face. The front face includes a central island at its radially innermost section, a plurality of peripheral platforms at its radially outermost section adjacent to the peripheral edge, and a recessed section positioned radially between the central island and the peripheral platforms. The central island and the peripheral platforms are axially raised compared to the recessed section. A plurality of inner front inserts are positioned on the central island and at least one outer front insert is positioned on each of the peripheral platforms. The area of the recessed section is >62% of the area of the total area of the front face.

A cutting element has an ultrahard layer on a substrate, the ultrahard layer having a non-planar working surface. The non-planar working surface is formed from a first region and a second region, where the first region encompasses at least a cutting edge or tip of the cutting element and has a differing composition than the second region.

A cutting element has an ultrahard layer on a substrate, the ultrahard layer having a non-planar working surface. The non-planar working surface is formed from a first region and a second region, where the first region encompasses at least a cutting edge or tip of the cutting element and has a differing composition than the second region.

A cutting element includes a cutting end extending a depth from a cutting face to an interface surface opposite from the cutting face, and a spindle, the spindle axially separated from the cutting end by a transition region. The spindle has a spindle diameter measured between a spindle side surface, which is less than a cutting end diameter. A guide length, measured from a point of transition to the transition region to a retention feature, is longer than 75% of a total length of the spindle.

A cutting element includes a cutting end extending a depth from a cutting face to an interface surface opposite from the cutting face, and a spindle, the spindle axially separated from the cutting end by a transition region. The spindle has a spindle diameter measured between a spindle side surface, which is less than a cutting end diameter. A guide length, measured from a point of transition to the transition region to a retention feature, is longer than 75% of a total length of the spindle.

The invention relates to reamers used in downhole oil well drilling operations, particularly in reaming while drilling applications. Presented is a reamer having an interior channel which runs along an elongate axis of the entire body of the reamer, wherein there are openings along both ends of the reamer, exposing the interior channel. Additionally presented in the reamer are a plurality of paths extending parallel to the interior channel along the exterior of the body of the reamer, and running in a helical pattern along the entirety of the exterior of the body of the reamer. Disposed within the helical paths are a plurality of cutting inserts, which cutting inserts are enabled to provides a uniform cutting surface against a well bore, which preferably improves cutting action and reduces strain on the reamer.

The invention relates to reamers used in downhole oil well drilling operations, particularly in reaming while drilling applications. Presented is a reamer having an interior channel which runs along an elongate axis of the entire body of the reamer, wherein there are openings along both ends of the reamer, exposing the interior channel. Additionally presented in the reamer are a plurality of paths extending parallel to the interior channel along the exterior of the body of the reamer, and running in a helical pattern along the entirety of the exterior of the body of the reamer. Disposed within the helical paths are a plurality of cutting inserts, which cutting inserts are enabled to provides a uniform cutting surface against a well bore, which preferably improves cutting action and reduces strain on the reamer.

A cutting element assembly includes a sleeve having a cutter-receiving aperture extending through the sleeve, a cutting element, and a rotation restriction element. The cutting element may include a first plurality of retention elements extending substantially radially from an outer surface of the cutting element and engaging the sleeve to retain the cutting element within the sleeve. The rotation restriction element may be coupled to the cutting element and may include a second plurality of retention elements extending axially from a bottom surface of the rotation restriction element and engaging the sleeve to restrict rotation of the cutting element within the sleeve.