Cutting element apparatuses, drill bits including same, methods of cutting, and methods of rotating a cutting element

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A system for drilling a subterranean formation, the system comprising:
a torque-generating assembly; a drill bit including a bit body and at least one cutting element rotatably coupled to the bit body, the bit body being rotatable relative to the torque-generating assembly; a structure positioned between the torque-generating assembly and the at least one cutting element, wherein the structure is configured to effect rotation of the at least one cutting element upon rotation of the bit body relative to the torque-generating assembly.