ROTARY DRILL BITS WITH PROTECTED CUTTING ELEMENTS AND METHODS

摘要

A rotary drill bit with cutting elements operable to control depth of cut and rate of penetration during formation of a wellbore are provided. Respec tive sets of secondary cutting elements and primary cutting elements may als o be disposed on exterior portions of a rotary drill bit. A number of blades may extend from exterior portions of the drill bit with a number of cutting elements disposed on exterior portions of each blade. Each cutting element may include a substrate with a cutting surface disposed thereon. A respectiv e protector may extend from the cutting surface of one or more cutting eleme nts to limit depth of penetration of the associated cutting element into adj acent portions of a downhole formation and/or to control rate of penetration of an associated rotary drill bit.