CUTTING ELEMENTS INCLUDING CUTTING TABLES WITH SHAPED FACES CONFIGURED TO PROVIDE CONTINUOUS EFFECTIVE POSITIVE BACK RAKE ANGELES, DRILL BITS SO EQUIPPED AND METHODS OF DRILLING

摘要

A cutting element for a drag-type earth-boring drill bit includes a cutting table with a face including a region that is configured cut into a formation at an effective positive back rake angle and to direct formation cuttings, or chips, that have been cut from the earth formation toward the hydraulics of the drill bit. Drill bits that include one or more cutting elements that have been configured in this manner are also disclosed. Such a drill bit may also include a wear pad for limiting the depth to which a cutting element penetrates a surface of a bore hole in an earth formation. Such a wear pad may have a substantially constant thickness. Methods for removing material from earth formations are also disclosed.