Configurable ovoid units including adjustable ovoids, earth-boring tools including the same, and related methods

Abstract

Configurable ovoid units, earth-boring tools including configurable ovoid units, and related methods are disclosed. An earth-boring tool may include a body including at least one blade. The earth-boring tool may further include a cutting element secured to the at least one blade and including at least one sensor configured to sense at least one condition of the cutting element. Moreover, the earth-boring tool may include at least one configurable ovoid unit disposed at least partially within the at least one blade and comprising an adjustable ovoid head. Additionally, the earth-boring tool may include a control module disposed within the earth-boring drilling tool. The control module may be configured to receive sensor data from the at least one sensor, and to convey at least one signal to the at least one ovoid unit for configuring the at least one ovoid unit in response to the sensor data.

1 . An earth-boring tool, comprising:
 a body including at least one blade;   a cutting element secured to the at least one blade and including at least one sensor configured to sense at least one condition of the cutting element;   at least one configurable ovoid unit disposed at least partially within the at least one blade and comprising an adjustable ovoid head; and   a control module disposed within the earth-boring tool and configured to:
 receive sensor data from the at least one sensor of the cutting element; and 
 convey at least one signal to the at least one ovoid unit for configuring the at least one ovoid unit in response to the sensor data. 
   
     
     
         2 . The earth-boring tool of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the cutting element. 
     
     
         3 . The earth-boring tool of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable ovoid head is configured to extend from the at least one blade in a first direction, wherein the adjustable ovoid head is further configured to retract in a second, opposite direction in response to one or more conditions. 
     
     
         4 . The earth-boring tool of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes at least one port for receiving at least one wire, the at least one wire coupling the control module to at least one of the cutting element and the at least one configurable ovoid unit. 
     
     
         5 . The earth-boring tool of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one configurable ovoid unit further comprises an actuator configured to generate an axial extension motion in response to the at least one signal. 
     
     
         6 . The earth-boring tool of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one configurable ovoid unit further comprises a valve configured to close in response to the axial extension motion. 
     
     
         7 . The earth-boring tool of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one configurable ovoid unit further comprises a restrictor configured to receive flow in response to the valve being in an open position. 
     
     
         8 . The earth-boring tool of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one configurable ovoid unit comprises a replaceable, configurable ovoid unit. 
     
     
         9 . The earth-boring tool of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes at least one internal chamber for receiving at least one wire, the at least one wire coupling the control module to at least one of the cutting element and the at least one configurable ovoid unit. 
     
     
         10 . An ovoid unit, comprising:
 an actuator configured to receive a signal;   a valve coupled to the actuator and configured to be in one of a first state and a second, different state based on the actuator; and   an adjustable ovoid head coupled to the actuator and configured to be in a retractable configuration in response to the valve being in the first state and a non-retractable configuration in response to the valve being in the second, different state.   
     
     
         11 . The ovoid unit of  claim 10 , wherein the adjustable ovoid head may retract in response to an external force applied thereto while in the retractable configuration. 
     
     
         12 . The ovoid unit of  claim 10 , wherein the valve is configured to be in the second, different state in response to the actuator receiving the signal. 
     
     
         13 . The ovoid unit of  claim 12 , wherein the second, different state is a closed state and the first state is an open state. 
     
     
         14 . A method of operating an earth-boring tool, the method comprising:
 sensing at least one condition of a cutting element secured to at least one blade of an earth-boring tool; and   adjusting, based on the at least one sensed condition, a configuration of at least one configurable ovoid unit at least partially disposed within the at least one blade.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein sensing the at least one condition comprises sensing a temperature of the cutting element. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein adjusting the configuration of the at least one configurable ovoid unit comprises configuring the ovoid unit to be in a non-retractable configuration in response to the temperature being greater than a temperature threshold. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the adjusting the configuration of the at least one configurable ovoid unit comprises one of opening a valve of the at least one configurable ovoid unit and closing the valve of the at least one configurable ovoid unit. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising comparing the at least one sensed condition to one or more threshold conditions. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the comparing the at least one sensed condition to the one or more threshold conditions comprises comparing at least one sensed temperature to one or more temperature thresholds. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the adjusting the configuration of the at least one configurable ovoid unit comprises:
 transmitting a signal to the at least one configurable ovoid unit to configure the ovoid unit in a non-retractable configuration in response to the temperature being greater than a first temperature threshold of the one or more temperature thresholds; and   ceasing transmission of the signal to the at least one configurable ovoid unit to configure the ovoid unit in a retractable configuration in response to the temperature being less than a second temperature threshold of the one or more temperature thresholds.