A cutting element has a cutting face with a geometry including at least one protrusion spaced a radial distance apart from an edge of the cutting element, the edge extending around an entire periphery of the cutting face, and a lower portion extending within the distance between the at least one protrusion and the edge, wherein a lower portion axial height measured between the edge and a base of the at least one protrusion is less than 30 percent of a greatest axial height of the at least one protrusion measured between the base of the at least one protrusion and an axially highest point of the at least one protrusion.

Embodiments relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) including a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table in which a metal-solvent catalyst is alloyed with at least one alloying element to improve thermal stability of the PCD table. In an embodiment, a PDC includes a substrate and a PCD table bonded to the substrate. The PCD table includes diamond grains defining interstitial regions. The PCD table includes an alloy comprising at least one Group VIII metal and at least one metallic alloying element that lowers a temperature at which melting of the at least one Group VIII metal begins. The alloy includes one or more solid solution phases comprising the at least one Group VIII metal and the at least one metallic alloying element and one or more intermediate compounds comprising the at least one Group VIII metal and the at least one metallic alloying element.

Embodiments relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) including a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table in which a metal-solvent catalyst is alloyed with at least one alloying element to improve thermal stability of the PCD table. In an embodiment, a PDC includes a substrate and a PCD table bonded to the substrate. The PCD table includes diamond grains defining interstitial regions. The PCD table includes an alloy comprising at least one Group VIII metal and at least one metallic alloying element that lowers a temperature at which melting of the at least one Group VIII metal begins. The alloy includes one or more solid solution phases comprising the at least one Group VIII metal and the at least one metallic alloying element and one or more intermediate compounds comprising the at least one Group VIII metal and the at least one metallic alloying element.

Methods for attaching cutting elements to an earth-boring bit rely on keying the cutting elements inside cavities formed in the earth-boring bit. The attachment methods may involve specific shapes of the cutting elements and the cavities in which the cutting elements are received, and/or mechanical retainers. Preferably, the blade of the earth-boring bit is thicker around the opening in the edge of the blade than when the cavity is shaped for receiving a cutting element that has a circular cross-section.

Automated systems and methods for drilling while driving foundation components are provided. In some cases, based on detected conditions, it may be desirable for an automated controller to change the bore diameter of a drill bit during a drilling and driving operation. The need for this may be determined based on monitoring the output of one or more sensors related to one or more corresponding performance metrics of the drilling and driving operation.

Automated systems and methods for drilling while driving foundation components are provided. In some cases, based on detected conditions, it may be desirable for an automated controller to change the bore diameter of a drill bit during a drilling and driving operation. The need for this may be determined based on monitoring the output of one or more sensors related to one or more corresponding performance metrics of the drilling and driving operation.

Cutting elements for earth-boring tools may include a cutting edge located proximate to a periphery of the cutting element. The cutting edge may be positioned and configured to contact an earth formation during an earth-boring operation. The cutting edge may include a first portion having a first radius of curvature and a second portion having a second, larger radius of curvature. The second portion may be circumferentially offset from the first portion.

Cutting elements for earth-boring tools may include a cutting edge located proximate to a periphery of the cutting element. The cutting edge may be positioned and configured to contact an earth formation during an earth-boring operation. The cutting edge may include a first portion having a first radius of curvature and a second portion having a second, larger radius of curvature. The second portion may be circumferentially offset from the first portion.

A cutting element includes a base and a cutting face at opposite axial ends, a side surface extending between the base and the cutting face, an edge formed between the cutting face and the side surface, an edge chamfer having a uniform size around the entire edge, and a geometric shape formed on the cutting face and defined by a concave boundary with respect to a longitudinal axis of the cutting element. The concave boundary includes multiple rounded vertices, each rounded vertex located proximate to the edge chamfer and forming a cutting tip and multiple geometric shape sides connecting the rounded vertices, wherein the geometric shape sides are concave with respect to the longitudinal axis.

Bearing assemblies that include a plurality of polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) bearing elements, bearing apparatuses including such bearing assemblies, and methods of operating and fabricating such bearing assemblies and apparatuses are disclosed. In an embodiment, the plurality of PCD bearing elements of one or more of the bearing assemblies disclosed herein include at least one first PCD bearing element. At least a portion of the first PCD bearing element exhibits a coercivity of about 125 Oersteds or more and a specific magnetic saturation of about 14 Gauss.Math.cm.sup.3/gram or less. The first PCD bearing element includes a bearing surface with at least one groove formed therein. In an embodiment, the plurality of PCD bearing elements also include at least one second PCD bearing element. The second PCD bearing element exhibits a coercivity that is less than and a specific magnetic saturation that is greater than the first PCD bearing element.