A cutting element has a cutting face at an opposite axial end from a base, a side surface extending from the base to the cutting face, an edge formed at the intersection between the cutting face and the side surface, and an elongated protrusion formed at the cutting face and extending between opposite sides of the edge, wherein the elongated protrusion has a geometry including a border extending around a concave surface and sloped surfaces extending between the border and the edge, and wherein the concave surface has a major axis dimension measured between opposite sides of the border and a minor axis dimension measured perpendicularly to the major axis dimension and ranging from 50 percent to 99 percent of the major axis dimension.

A cutting element has a cutting face at an opposite axial end from a base, a side surface extending from the base to the cutting face, an edge formed at the intersection between the cutting face and the side surface, and an elongated protrusion formed at the cutting face and extending between opposite sides of the edge, wherein the elongated protrusion has a geometry including a border extending around a concave surface and sloped surfaces extending between the border and the edge, and wherein the concave surface has a major axis dimension measured between opposite sides of the border and a minor axis dimension measured perpendicularly to the major axis dimension and ranging from 50 percent to 99 percent of the major axis dimension.

An instrumented cutter including a polycrystalline diamond table bonded to a substrate with a sensor, for monitoring the condition of the polycrystalline compact diamond table, embedded in the substrate. Further the instrumented cutter includes a wireless transmitter equipped with a power supply to power to the wireless transmitter.

The force modulation system for a drill bit includes a cutter, a holder, a holder retention device, and a first force member made of a first woven material. The cutter fits in the holder, and the holder fits in the drill bit. The holder retention device exerts a holder retention force in a first direction. The first force member exerts a first force in a second direction. The second direction is angled offset to the first direction so as that a cutting profile of the force modulation system is variable. There can also be a second force member of a second woven material to exert a second force in the first direction for more variability of the cutting profile in the first direction. The second force member can be made integral with the first force member, including the first woven material and the second woven material being the same material.

The force modulation system for a drill bit includes a cutter, a holder, a holder retention device, and a first force member made of a first woven material. The cutter fits in the holder, and the holder fits in the drill bit. The holder retention device exerts a holder retention force in a first direction. The first force member exerts a first force in a second direction. The second direction is angled offset to the first direction so as that a cutting profile of the force modulation system is variable. There can also be a second force member of a second woven material to exert a second force in the first direction for more variability of the cutting profile in the first direction. The second force member can be made integral with the first force member, including the first woven material and the second woven material being the same material.

A cutting element may include a fluid passage passing through the cutting element. The cutting element may further include a cutting edge and an aperture proximate the cutting edge. The aperture may be coupled to the fluid passage.

A cutting element may include a fluid passage passing through the cutting element. The cutting element may further include a cutting edge and an aperture proximate the cutting edge. The aperture may be coupled to the fluid passage.

Embodiments relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”), methods of fabricating PDCs, and applications for such PDCs. In an embodiment, a method includes providing an at least partially leached polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) body. A residual amount of acid may remain in and/or on the at least partially leached PCD body. The method further includes removing and/or neutralizing at least some of the residual amount of acid from the at least partially leached PCD body and/or a substrate to which the at least partially leached PCD body is attached.

Embodiments relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”), methods of fabricating PDCs, and applications for such PDCs. In an embodiment, a method includes providing an at least partially leached polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) body. A residual amount of acid may remain in and/or on the at least partially leached PCD body. The method further includes removing and/or neutralizing at least some of the residual amount of acid from the at least partially leached PCD body and/or a substrate to which the at least partially leached PCD body is attached.

A rotary drill bit for use with a horizontal directional drill string. A coupler at a proximal axial end is configured to attach the rotary drill bit to a drill head at a distal end of the drill string. A cutting portion at a distal axial end is provided with a plurality of vanes with respective cutters that operate to cut a hole in earth when the rotary drill bit is rotated about a central axis. The plurality of vanes project radially outwardly from a surface of the cutting portion such that the surface forms respective troughs circumferentially interspersed with the plurality of vanes. A plurality of engagement features is positioned axially within the cutting portion and radially inward of an outer cutting diameter to facilitate attachment of a product pullback device between the plurality of vanes without removing the rotary drill bit, or any portion thereof, from the drill head.