Patent Publication Number: US-11396776-B2

Title: Multiple ridge cutting element

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S. Patent Application No. 62/316,453, filed on Mar. 31, 2016 and titled “Multiple Ridge Cutting Element and Tools Incorporating the Same,” which application is incorporated herein by this reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     There are several types of downhole cutting tools, such as drill bits, including roller cone bits, hammer bits, and drag bits, reamers and milling tools. Roller cone rock bits include a bit body adapted to be coupled to a rotatable drill string and include at least one “cone” that is rotatably mounted to a cantilevered shaft or journal. Each roller cone in turn supports a plurality of cutting elements that cut and/or crush the wall or floor of the borehole and thus advance the bit. The cutting elements, either inserts or milled teeth, contact with the formation during drilling. Hammer bits generally include a one piece body having a crown. The crown includes inserts pressed therein for being cyclically “hammered” and rotated against the earth formation being drilled. 
     Drag bits, often referred to as “fixed cutter drill bits,” include bits that have cutting elements attached to the bit body, which may be a steel bit body or a matrix bit body formed from a matrix material such as tungsten carbide surrounded by a binder material. Drag bits may generally be defined as bits that have no moving parts. There are, however, different types and methods of forming drag bits that are known in the art. For example, drag bits having abrasive material, such as diamond, impregnated into the surface of the material which forms the bit body are commonly referred to as “impreg” bits. Drag bits having cutting elements made of an ultra hard cutting surface layer or “table” (generally made of polycrystalline diamond material or polycrystalline boron nitride material) deposited onto or otherwise bonded to a substrate are known in the art as polycrystalline diamond compact (“PDC”) bits. 
     An example of a drag bit having a plurality of cutting elements with ultrahard working surfaces is shown in  FIG. 1 . The drill bit  100  includes a bit body  110  having a threaded upper pin end  111  and a cutting end  115 . The cutting end  115  generally includes a plurality of ribs or blades  120  arranged about the rotational axis (also referred to as the longitudinal or central axis) of the drill bit and extending radially outward from the bit body  110 . Cutting elements or cutters  150  are embedded in the blades  120  at predetermined angular orientations and radial locations relative to a working surface and with a desired back rake angle and side rake angle against a formation to be drilled. 
       FIG. 2  shows an example of a cutting element  150 , where the cutting element  150  has a cylindrical cemented carbide substrate  152  having an end face or upper surface referred to herein as a substrate interface surface  154 . An ultrahard material layer  156 , also referred to as a cutting layer, has a top surface  157 , also referred to as a working surface, a cutting edge  158  formed around the top surface, and a bottom surface, referred to herein as an ultrahard material layer interface surface  159 . The ultrahard material layer  156  may be a polycrystalline diamond or polycrystalline cubic boron nitride layer. The ultrahard material layer interface surface  159  is bonded to the substrate interface surface  154  to form an interface between the substrate  152  and ultrahard material layer  156 . 
     SUMMARY 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     In one aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a cutting element that includes a substrate; and an ultrahard layer on the substrate, the ultrahard layer including a non-planar working surface that is surrounded by a peripheral edge having a varying height around a circumference of the cutting element, the working surface also having: a plurality of cutting crests extending from an elevated portion of the peripheral edge across at least a portion of the working surface; at least one valley between the plurality of cutting crests; and a canted surface extending laterally from each of the outer plurality of cutting crests towards a depressed portion of the peripheral edge, a height between the depressed portion and the elevated portion being greater than a height between the elevated portion and the valley. 
     In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a cutting element that includes a substrate; and an ultrahard layer on the substrate, the ultrahard layer including a non-planar working surface that is surrounded by a peripheral edge having a varying height around a circumference of the cutting element, the working surface also having: at least one cutting crest extending from an elevated portion of the peripheral edge across the working surface to another elevated portion of the peripheral edge, wherein a width spanned by the least one cutting crest ranges from 10% to 70% of the width of the substrate. 
     In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a cutting element that includes a substrate; and an ultrahard layer on the substrate, the ultrahard layer including a non-planar working surface that is surrounded by a peripheral edge having a varying height around a circumference of the cutting element, the working surface also having: a plurality of cutting crests extending from an elevated portion of the peripheral edge across the working surface to another elevated portion of the peripheral edge; and at least one valley between the plurality of cutting crests, wherein crest lines extending through each of the plurality of cutting crests are on distinct planes from one another. 
     In yet another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a cutting element that includes a substrate; and an ultrahard layer on the substrate, the ultrahard layer including a non-planar working surface that is surrounded by a peripheral edge having a varying height around a circumference of the cutting element, the working surface also having: a plurality of cutting crests, each having a crest line extending through a length thereof; at least one valley between the plurality of cutting crests, each valley having a valley line or curve extending through a length thereof, the valley line or curve being angled relative to the crest line. 
     In yet another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to cutting tool having a tool body and any of the cutting elements described herein included on the tool body. 
     Other aspects and features of the claimed subject matter will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a fixed cutter drill bit, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a PDC cutter, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 3-5  are various views of a cutting element, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 6 and 7  are various views of a cutting element, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of a cutting element, according to further embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 9-11  are various views of a cutting element, according to additional embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 12-15  are various views of a cutting element, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 16  is a top perspective view of a cutting element, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 17  is a side view of a cutting element, according to further embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 18  is a top view of a cutting element, according to additional embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 19  is a top view of a cutting element, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 20 and 21  are various views of a cutting element according to further embodiments of the present disclosure 
         FIG. 22  schematically illustrates various modes of fracture. 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of a hole opener, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In one aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to cutting elements having a non-planar working surface. Specifically, some embodiments are directed to cutting elements having non-planar to working surfaces including multiple cutting crests or ridges thereon. Some embodiments are directed to cutting elements having non-planar working surfaces with at least one cutting crest or ridge that distributes the applied load during cutting. In some embodiments, the cutting elements are used with downhole drill bits, reamers, mills, hole openers, or other downhole cutting tools. 
     Cutting elements of the present disclosure may include rotatable cutting elements, i.e., cutting elements that are rotatable around their longitudinal axis and relative to a downhole tool to which the cutting elements are secured. In other embodiments, the cutting elements may include fixed cutting elements that are not rotatable, but are instead are rotationally fixed into a position on a cutting tool. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3-5 , several views are provided of a non-planar cutting element according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIGS. 3-5  show a cutting element  300  having an ultrahard layer  302  and a substrate  304  (not shown separately in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). An upper or top surface of ultrahard layer  302  forms a non-planar working surface  306  of the cutting element. The ultrahard layer  302  has a peripheral edge  308  surrounding (and defining the bounds of) working surface  306 . The working surface  306  has a plurality of cutting crests  310  separated by a valley  312  therebetween. As used herein, the crest refers to a portion of the non-planar cutting element that includes the peak(s), elevated height(s), and/or convex portions of the cutting element, which extends in a generally elongated fashion, such as, but not limited to, from one side of the cutting element to the other. In one or more other embodiments, the plurality of cutting crests  310  may extend less than the diameter of the substrate  304  or even greater than the diameter of the substrate  304 . 
     As illustrated, a centerline  314  extends between the plurality of crests  310 , and in some embodiments, the valley  312  may (but does not necessarily) coincide or overlap with the centerline. Centerline  314  extends a diameter of cutting element and as referred to herein, is selected (as compared to any other line extending along a diameter of the cutting element from other points around the circumference of the cutting element) based on alignment with the plurality of cutting crests, which, in the illustrated embodiment is substantially parallel with and a line of symmetry for the plurality of cutting crests. It is appreciated that other embodiments may involve, for example, non-linear and/or asymmetric crests, in which case the centerline may be selected to be at any location that is between the crests. 
     On the sides of cutting crests  310  extending away from centerline  314  are canted surfaces  316  (sloped downward, away from the height of cutting crests  310 ), which may provide for diversion of cuttings during drilling or cutting. The presence of crests  310 , valley  312 , and canted surfaces  316  results in an undulating peripheral edge  308 . The portions of the peripheral edge  308  which are proximate the crests  310  on either side of the cutting element  300  form a cutting edge portion  318 . Canted surfaces  316  may be sloped, relative to a plane that is perpendicular to a central axis of the cutting element, at an angle that ranges from 5° to 60°. In other embodiments, the angle may be within a range having a lower limit, an upper limit, or both lower and upper limits including any of 30°, 40°, 50°, 60°, or values therebetween. As shown in  FIG. 3 , a width W may be measured between peaks of the plurality of cutting crests  310 . The width W spanned by the plurality of cutting elements, relative to a diameter of the substrate  304  (or width of a the substrate  304  for a non-cylindrical substrate  304 ), may range from 10% to 70%, or at least 20°, 30°, or 40° and up to 40°, 50°, or 60°. The width W may be described as the width of cutting edge portion  318 , given that the ends of the crests  310  (at peripheral edge  308  and cutting edge portion  318 , specifically) are designed to interact with the formation. 
     In one or more embodiments, the height differential H 1  between the lowest point of canted surface  316  and the highest point of adjacent crest  310   a  is greater than the height differential H 2  between the highest point of that same crest  310   a  and the valley  312  extending away from that crest  310   a  towards centerline  314 . In one or more embodiments, the height differential H 1  between a crest  310  and an adjacent canted surface  316  may range from 0.060 to 0.180 in. (1.52 to 4.57 mm). The lower limit, the upper limit, or both the lower and upper limit may include any of 0.060, 0.080, 0.10, 0.12, 0.15, 0.16, 0.17, 0.18 in. (1.52, 2.03, 2.54, 3.05, 3.81, 4.06, 4.32, or 4.57 mm), or any values therebetween. In some embodiments, the height differential H 2  between a crest  310  and an adjacent valley  312  may range from 5% to 100% of H 1 . In one or more embodiments, the lower limit, the upper limit, or the lower and upper limit may include any of 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 50%, 60% 70%, 75%, 80%, 90%, 100%, or any values therebetween. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the crests  310  each have substantially the same height and are 0.30 at the substantially same height along their entire length (resulting in a linearly extending crest). In one or more embodiments, the crests  310  may vary in height along their length, but may have substantially the same peak height (such as shown, for example, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 12-15  below). Further, it is also envisioned that the plurality of crests  310  may have different peak heights (whether or not each crest  310  varies in height along its length), such as having a difference of up to 10%, relative to a diameter of the cutting element  300 . 
     Depending on the size of the cutting element, the height H 3  of the cutting crest  310  (the height from the interface to the peak of the cutting crest) may range, for example, from 0.1 inch (2.54 mm) to 0.3 inch (7.62 mm). Further, unless otherwise specified, heights of the ultrahard layer (or cutting crests) are relative to the lowest point of the interface of the ultrahard layer and substrate. As shown, the cutting crest  310  has a convex cross-sectional shape (taken along a plane perpendicular to cutting crest length, as apparent from  FIG. 3 ), where the uppermost point of the crest has a radius of curvature that tangentially transitions into the canted surface  316  and valley  312 . According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a cutting element working surface may have a cutting crest  310  with a radius of curvature ranging from 0.02 in. (0.51 mm) to 0.300 in. (7.62 mm), or in another embodiment, from 0.06 in. (1.52 mm) to 0.18 in. (4.57 mm). Further, in some embodiments, along a cross-section of each cutting crest  310  extending laterally into a canted surface  316  and valley  312 , cutting crest  310  may have an angle  311  formed between the sidewalls that may range from 110° to 160°. Further, depending on the type of upper surface geometry, it is also intended that other crest angles, including down to 60° may also be used. Further, while some embodiments may have a uniform angle  311 , radius of curvature for the cutting crest  310 , or height H 3  along the length of cutting crest  310  and/or between the plurality of cutting crests, the present disclosure is not so limited. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , another embodiment of a cutting element  600  is shown. Cutting element  600  may include an ultrahard layer  602  and a substrate  604  (not shown separately in  FIG. 7 ). An upper or top surface of ultrahard layer  602  forms a non-planar working surface  606  of the cutting element. The ultrahard layer  602  has a peripheral edge  608  surrounding (and defining the bounds of) working surface  606 . The working surface  606  has a plurality of cutting crests  610  separated by a valley  612  therebetween. Specifically, in the embodiment shown, cutting element  600  includes three cutting crests  610  (specifically,  610   a ,  610   c , and  610   e ) and two valleys  612  ( 612   b  extending between crests  610   a  and  610   c , and  612   d  extending between crests  610   c  and  610   e ) each of which extends in a generally elongated fashion from one side of the cutting element to the other. In this embodiment, a centerline  614  coincides with cutting crest  610   c.    
     On the sides of cutting crests  610   a ,  610   e  (the outer cutting crests, as compared to inner cutting crest  616   c ) extending away from centerline  614  are canted surfaces  616  (sloped downward, away from the height of cutting crests  610 ), which may provide for cuttings diversion during drilling or cutting. The presence of crests  610 , valleys  612 , and canted surfaces  616  results in an undulating peripheral edge  608 . The portions of the peripheral edge  608 , which are proximate the crests  610  on either side of the cutting element  600  form a cutting edge portion  618 . As described with respect to  FIGS. 3-5 , canted surfaces  616  may be sloped, relative to a plane that is perpendicular to a central axis of the cutting element, at an angle that ranges from 5° to 60°. In other embodiments, the angle may be within a range having a lower limit, an upper limit, or both lower and upper limits including any of 30°, 40°, 50°, 60°, or values therebetween. As shown in  FIG. 6 , a width W may be measured as the distance between peaks of the plurality of cutting crests  610 . The width W spanned by the plurality of cutting elements, relative to a diameter of the substrate  604 , may range from 10% to 70% of the diameter or at least 20°, 30°, or 40°, up to 40°, 50°, or 60°. 
     Further, similar to other embodiments discussed herein, a height differential H 1  between the lowest point of canted surface  616  and the highest point of adjacent crest  610   a  is greater than the height differential H 2  between the highest point of that same crest  610   a  and the valley  612  extending away from that crest  610   a  towards centerline  614 . In one or more embodiments, the height differential H 1  between a crest  610  and an adjacent canted surface  616  may range from 0.060 to 0.180 in. (1.52 to 4.57 mm). The lower limit, upper limit, or lower and upper limits may be any of 0.060, 0.080, 0.10, 0.12 0.15, 0.16, 0.17, 0.18 in. (1.52, 2.03, 2.54, 3.05, 3.81, 4.06, 4.32, or 4.57 mm), or any values therebetween. In one or more embodiments, the height differential H 2  between a crest  610   a  and valley  612   b  may range from 5% to 100% of H 1 . In one or more embodiments, the lower limit, the upper limit, or the lower and upper limits may be any of 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 90%, 100%, or any values therebetween. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the crests  610  each have substantially the same height and are at substantially the same height along their entire length (resulting in a linearly extending crest). In some embodiments, the crests  610  may vary in height along their length, but may have substantially the same peak height as one another. Further, it is also envisioned that the plurality of crests  610  may have different peak heights (whether or not each crest  610  varies in height along its length). 
     While other embodiments described herein may include a cutting crest having a curvature at its upper peak, the present disclosure is not so limited. As shown in  FIG. 8 , a cutting element  800  has an ultrahard layer  802  on a substrate  804 . An upper or top surface of ultrahard layer  802  forms a non-planar working surface  806  of the cutting element. The ultrahard layer  802  has a peripheral edge  808  surrounding (and defining the bounds of) working surface  806 . The working surface  806  has a cutting crest  810 , which extends in a generally elongated fashion from one side of the cutting element to the other. In this embodiment, cutting crest  810  may have a plateau or substantially planar face for at least a portion of its width. Thus, in such embodiments, the cutting crest  810  may have a substantially infinite radius of curvature. In such embodiments, the plateau may have a radius-based transition into the sidewalls that extend to form canted surfaces  816 . In one or more embodiments, the plateau of planar cutting crest  810  may be substantially perpendicular to a central axis (not shown) of the cutting element  800 ; however, in other embodiments, it may be at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the central axis (not shown). 
     A centerline  814  extends through crest  810 . On the lateral sides of cutting crest  810 , extending away from centerline  814 , are canted surfaces  816 . The presence of crest  810  and canted surfaces  816  results in an undulating peripheral edge  808 . The portions of the peripheral edge  808  which are proximate the crest  810  on either side of the cutting element  800  form a cutting edge portion  818 . Canted surfaces  816  may be sloped, relative to a plane that is perpendicular to a central axis  812  of the cutting element, at an angle that ranges from 5° to 60°. In other embodiments, the angle may be within a range having a lower limit, an upper limit, or both lower and upper limits including any of 30°, 40°, 50°, 60°, or values therebetween. As shown in  FIG. 8 , a width W spanned by the cutting crest  810 , relative to a diameter of the substrate  804 , may range from 10% to 70% of the diameter, or at least 20°, 30°, or 40° up to 40°, 50°, or 60°. Further, while not specifically illustrated, a height differential H 1  between the cutting crest  810  and the lowest point on canted surface  816  may range from 0.060 to 0.180 in. (1.52 to 4.57 mm). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9-11 , another embodiment of a cutting element  900  is shown. Cutting to element  900  includes ultrahard layer  902  on a substrate  904 . An upper or top surface of ultrahard layer  902  forms a non-planar working surface  906  of the cutting element. The ultrahard layer  902  has a peripheral edge  908  surrounding (and defining the bounds of) working surface  906 . The working surface  906  has a plurality of cutting crests  910 , which extend in a generally elongated fashion from one side of the cutting element to the other, and which are separated by a valley  912 . As illustrated, a centerline  914  extends between the crests  910  and coincides with valley  912 . On the sides of cutting crests  910  extending away from centerline  914  are planar landings  916  (which are substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the cutting element  900 ), which may provide for cuttings diversion during drilling or cutting. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , a width W may be measured between peaks of the plurality of cutting crests  310 . The width W spanned by the plurality of cutting elements, relative to a diameter of the substrate  304 , may range from 10% to 70% of the diameter, or at least 20°, 30°, or 40° up to 40°, 50°, or 60°. In one or more embodiments, the height differential H 1  between a crest  910  and an adjacent canted surface  916  may range from 0.060 to 0.180 in. (1.52 to 4.57 mm) The lower limit, the upper limit, or the lower and upper limits may be any of 0.060, 0.080, 0.10, 0.12 0.15, 0.16, 0.17, 0.18 in. (1.52, 2.03, 2.54, 3.05, 3.81, 4.06, 4.32, or 4.57 mm), or values therebetween. In one or more embodiments, the height differential H 1  between the planar landing  916  and the highest point of adjacent crest  910   a  is greater than the height differential H 2  between the highest point of that same crest  910   a  and the valley  912  extending away from that crest  910   a  towards centerline  914 . In one or more embodiments, the height differential H 2  between a crest  910  and an adjacent valley  912  may range from 5% to 100% of H 1 . In one or more embodiments, the lower limit, the upper limit, or the lower and upper limits may be any of 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 90%, 100%, or any values therebetween. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 12-15 , another embodiment of a cutting element  1200  is shown. Cutting element  1200  includes ultrahard layer  1202  on a substrate  1204 . An upper or top surface of ultrahard layer  1202  forms a non-planar working surface  1206  of the cutting element  1200 . The ultrahard layer  1202  has a peripheral edge  1208  surrounding (and defining the bounds of) working surface  1206 . The working surface  1206  has a plurality of cutting crests  1210 , which extends in a generally elongated fashion from one side of the cutting element to the other, and which are separated by a valley  1212 . The crests  1210  may have height differentials and a spanned width relative to cutting element (or substrate) diameter as discussed herein. Unlike some other embodiments described herein, the plurality of cutting crests  1210  have varying heights along their lengths. As a result, lines  1220  extending along the length of each of cutting crests  1210  (“crest lines”) are on distinct planes from one another. When the crest lines  1220  are projected into a plane on which a central axis  1222  of the cutting element lies (shown in  FIG. 13 ), an angle α between lines  1220  ranges from greater than 0° to 20°. Other embodiments may include an angle α within a range having a lower limit, an upper limit, or lower and upper limits including any of 1°, 2°, 5°, 8°, 10°, 12°, 15°, 18°, 20°, or any values therebetween. When crest lines  1220  are projected into plane that is perpendicular to a central axis  1222  of cutting element  1200  (shown in  FIG. 14 ), the crest lines may be substantially parallel to each other. In one or more embodiments, the crest lines (when projected onto a plane that is perpendicular to central axis  1222 ), the crest lines are not parallel. 
     As illustrated, a centerline  1214  extends between crests  1210 , but unlike some other embodiments described herein, the centerline  1214  may not coincide with (or pass through) valley  1212 . Rather, valley  1212  is angled relative to centerline  1214  as well as crests  1210 . Specifically, a line  1224  extending through the length of valley  1212  (“valley line”) may be angled relative to crest lines  1220 , when all of the lines are projected onto a plane that is perpendicular to a central axis  1222 . In some embodiments, projected angle β ranging from 5° to 20° is formed between valley line  1224  and each of the crest lines  1220 . Some embodiments may include a projected angle β within a range having a lower limit, an upper limit, or lower and upper limits including any of 5°, 6°, 7°, 10°, 12°, 15°, 18°, 20°, or any values therebetween. In some embodiments, where the crest lines  1220  are parallel to each other, the valley line  1224  may form the same angle with each of the crest lines  1220 ; however, the angles may vary when the crest lines are line parallel to each other. 
     The angle of the valley  1212  relative to the crests  1210  may result in asymmetrical widths of each crest  1210  (for a given cutting edge portion), as shown in  FIG. 14 . Such asymmetrical crests  1210  may, however, also be used in combination with any of the other embodiments described herein. In some embodiments, the asymmetrical crests  1210  may be used so that the wider crest  1210  experiences the highest depth of cut when engaging with the formation. Similarly, such alignment of a crest  1210  with the expected highest depth of cut may also occur for other types of asymmetry, such as crests of even width but varying distance from a centerline, or for symmetrical crests as well, as shown, for example, in  FIG. 16 . Specifically  FIG. 16  shows alignment of cutting crest  1610  with peak of expected depth of cut  1630 . 
     In at least some of the other embodiments described herein, a cross-section of each cutting crest may also be described as the cross-section of a cone with a rounded apex, i.e., two angled sidewalls tangentially transitioning into the rounded apex (having the radius of curvature ranges described herein). In the same or other embodiments, sidewalls with curvature (e.g., concave, convex, or combinations thereof) may be used. Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 17 , a non-planar working surface  1706  of cutting element  1700  may include a plurality of cutting crests  1710  with a valley  1712  therebetween. Canted surfaces  1716  extend laterally from cutting crests  1710 , away from a centerline (not shown, but coinciding with valley  1712  in the illustrated embodiment). As shown, canted surface  1716   a  may be concave and canted surface  1716   b  may be convex and each may be used in place of a planar canted surface  1716 . Other embodiments may use various combinations of concave, convex, or planar surfaces. 
     At least some of the previously discussed embodiments may include a cutting crest extending from one side of a cutting element to the other, with a length that may be slightly less than a diameter of the cutting element. As discussed herein, the present disclosure is not so limited. For example, referring to  FIGS. 18 and 19 , additional embodiments of cutting elements are shown.  FIG. 18  shows a cutting element  1800  having a non-planar working surface  1806  that is surrounded by (and the bounds of which are defined by) a peripheral edge  1808 . Working surface  1806  is formed of a plurality of cutting crests  1810  and a valley  1812  between the plurality of cutting crests  1810 , and the portions of the undulating peripheral edge  1808  which are proximate the crests  1810  form cutting edge portions  1818 . In this embodiment, there are three “sets”  1811  of cutting crests  1810 , forming three cutting edge portions  1818 . In some other embodiments described herein, there may be two cutting edge portions, however, because the cutting crests extend across the entire working surface of the cutting element, there are not distinct sets of cutting crests; rather each crest has two cutting edge portions. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 18 , each “set”  1811  of cutting crests extends towards a central or interior region of the working surface  1806  (without extending to the other side of the cutting element) and optionally intersects other “sets”. Thus, each crest  1810  forms a single cutting edge portion. Each “set”  1811  of cutting crests  1810  includes a plurality (two as illustrated) of cutting crests  1810 . Referring now to  FIG. 19 , another embodiment of a cutting element  1900  is shown. In this embodiment, cutting element  1900  has a non-planar working surface  1906  that is surrounded by (and the bounds of which are defined by) an undulating peripheral edge  1908 . Working surface  1906  is formed of a plurality of cutting crests  1910  and a valley  1912  between the plurality of cutting crests  1910 , and the portions of the peripheral edge  1908  which are proximate the crests  1910  form cutting edge portions  1918 . In this embodiment, there are four “sets”  1911  of cutting crests  1910 , forming four cutting edge portions  1918 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 20 and 21 , another embodiment of a cutting element is shown.  FIGS. 20 and 21  show a cutting element  2000  having an ultrahard layer  2002  and a substrate  2004  (not shown separately in  FIGS. 21 and 22 ). An upper or top surface of ultrahard layer  2002  forms a non-planar working surface  2006  of the cutting element  2000 . The ultrahard layer  2002  has a peripheral edge  2008  surrounding (and defining the bounds of) working surface  2006 . The working surface  2006  has a plurality of cutting crests  2010  separated by a valley  2012  therebetween. In the embodiment shown, the plurality of cutting crests  2010  form two distinct crests at the peripheral edge  2008  (on each side of the cutting element  2000 ) but at an interior region of the cutting element  2000  and working surface  2006 , the cutting crests  2010  are bridged together  2013 . Thus, there are in fact two valleys  2012 , each one on opposite sides of the cutting element  2000  between the cutting crests  2010 . Valleys  2012  are illustrated as being sloped upward (i.e., away from the substrate  2004 ) from the peripheral edge  2008 , increasing in height relative to the substrate  2004  as the distance from a central axis of the cutting element  2000  decreases, so that the working surface  2006  transitions from valley  2012  to bridge  2013 . In one or more embodiments, however, valley  2012  may be curved along its length to transition into bridge  2013 . Further, while not illustrated, it is also envisioned that the sloped or curved valley (relative to the crest) may be used on working surfaces in which no bridge is present between cutting crests. Thus, a line extending through the length of valley, when transposed onto a plane (parallel to a central axis of the cutting element and on which centerline  2014  lies) on which a crest line (extending through each end of cutting crest) lays, may be angled relative to the crest line (and optionally intersect). It is believed that these types of valleys  2012  may aid in removal of cuttings away from the working surface  2006 . 
     On the sides of cutting crests  2010   a  extending away from centerline  2014  are canted surfaces  2016  (sloped downward, away from the height of cutting crests  2010 ), which may provide for cuttings diversion during drilling or cutting. The presence of crests  2010 , valleys  2012 , and canted surfaces  2016  results in an undulating peripheral edge  2008 . The portions of the peripheral edge  2008  that are proximate the crests  2010  on either side of the cutting element  2000  form a cutting edge portion  2018 . As described with respect to  FIGS. 3-5 , canted surfaces  2016  may be sloped, relative to a plane that is perpendicular to a central axis of the cutting element, at an angle that ranges from 5° to 60°. A width W may be measured between peaks of the plurality of cutting crests  2010 . The width W spanned by the plurality of cutting elements, relative to a diameter of the substrate  2004 , may range from 10% to 70% of the diameter or at least 20°, 30° or 40° and up to 40°, 50°, or 60°. 
     Further, similar to other embodiments described herein, a height differential H 1  between the lowest point of canted surface  2016  and the highest point of adjacent crest  2010   a  is greater than the height differential H 2  between the highest point of that same crest  2010   a  and the valley  2012  extending away from that crest  2010   a  towards centerline  2014 . In one or more embodiments, the height differential H 1  between a crest  2010  and an adjacent canted surface  2016  may range from 0.060 to 0.180 in. (1.52 to 4.57 mm). The lower limit, the upper limit, or the lower and upper limits may be any of 0.060, 0.080, 0.10, 0.12 0.15, 0.16, 0.17, 0.18 in. (1.52, 2.03, 2.54, 3.05, 3.81, 4.06, 4.32, or 4.57 mm), or any values therebetween. In some embodiments, the height differential H 2  between a crest  2010   a  and valley  2012  may range from 5% to 100% of H 1 . In one or more embodiments, the lower limit, the upper limit, or the lower and upper limits may be any of 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 90%, 100%, or any values therebetween. 
     In one or more embodiments, the embodiments of the present disclosure may advantageously allow for fracturing of rock by multiple fracture modes, and in some embodiments, may advantageously allow for fracturing by all three types of fracturing modes. These fracturing modes, shown in  FIG. 22 , include Fracture Mode I  2201  (an Opening mode due to a tensile stress normal to the plane of the crack); Fracture Mode II  2203  (a Sliding mode due to a shear stress acting parallel to the plane of the crack and perpendicular to the crack front); and Fracture Mode III  2205  (a Tearing mode due to shear stress acting parallel to the plane of the crack and parallel to the crack front). While conventional PDC cutters fracture rock by Fracture Mode II, the incorporation of cutting crests into a cutting element may allow for fracturing by Fracture Mode I, and incorporation of angled cutting crests and/or angled valleys between crests may allow for fracturing by Fracture Mode III. 
     Substrates according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be formed of cemented carbides, such as tungsten carbide, titanium carbide, chromium carbide, niobium carbide, tantalum carbide, vanadium carbide, or combinations thereof cemented with iron, nickel, cobalt, or alloys thereof. For example, a substrate may be formed of cobalt-cemented tungsten carbide. Ultrahard layers according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be formed of, for example, polycrystalline diamond, such as formed of diamond crystals bonded together by a metal catalyst such as cobalt or other Group VIII metals under sufficiently high pressure and high temperatures (sintering under HPHT conditions), thermally stable polycrystalline diamond (polycrystalline diamond having at least some or substantially all of the catalyst material removed), or cubic boron nitride. Further, it is also within the scope of the present disclosure that the ultrahard layer may be formed from one or more layers, which may have a gradient or stepped transition of diamond content therein. In such embodiments, it is intended that one or more transition layers (as well as the other layer) may include metal carbide particles therein. Further, when such transition layers are used, the combined transition layers and outer layer may collectively be referred to as the ultrahard layer, as that term has been used in the present application. That is, the interface surface on which the ultrahard layer (or plurality of layers including an ultrahard material) may be formed is that of the cemented carbide substrate. Further, while certain interfaces may not be described herein, it is intended that any type of interface may be used, including planar and non-planar interfaces. 
     The cutting elements described herein may be used on a drill bit, such as the type shown in  FIG. 1 . Cutting elements of the embodiments of the present disclosure may be used in any location along the cutting profile of a bit (i.e., at any radial distance from the bit axis), and one, some, or all cutting elements may be of the same type, may be of different types described herein, or may include other cutting element types. Thus, cutting elements of the present disclosure may be used in combination with other types of planar or non-planar working surfaces, including cutting elements with a single crest or pointed cutting elements, as well as with conventional cutters with planar working surfaces. As discussed herein, the distance of the cutting crest from a centerline may be selected, in part, based on the cutting/wear profile expected for a given cutting element location on a bit. Thus, it is envisioned that the placement of the cutting elements may be selected based on the cutting/wear profile and varying embodiments of the cutting elements of the present disclosure may be used together based on cutting element location. Further, it is intended that the cutting elements of the present disclosure may be used as a primary and/or back-up cutting element. Further, the cutting elements of the present disclosure may be used with conventional side rake angles and at back rake angles ranging from 5° to 85°. Such rake angle may be as the angle between a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the cutting element and a line that is normal to the formation being cut. 
     Further, it is also intended that the cutting elements may be used on other types of downhole tools, including for example, a reamer, hole opener, mill, or the like.  FIG. 23  shows a hole opener  830  that includes one or more cutting elements of the present disclosure. The hole opener  830  includes a tool body  832  and a plurality of blades  838  at selected azimuthal locations about a circumference thereof. The hole opener  830  generally comprises connections  834 ,  836  (e.g., threaded connections) so that the hole opener  830  may be coupled to adjacent drilling tools that comprise, for example, a drillstring and/or bottom hole assembly (BHA) (not shown). The tool body  832  generally includes a bore therethrough so that drilling fluid may flow through the hole opener  830  as it is pumped from the surface (e.g., from surface mud pumps (not shown)) to a bottom of the wellbore (not shown). 
     It should be understood that while elements or features are described herein in relation to depicted embodiments, each element or feature may be combined with other elements of other embodiments. Also, while embodiments of cutting elements and cutting tools have been primarily described with reference to downhole tools, the devices described herein may be used in applications other than the drilling or downhole environments. In other embodiments, cutting elements according to the present disclosure may be used outside a wellbore or other downhole environment used for the exploration or production of natural resources. For instance, tools and assemblies of the present disclosure may be used in a wellbore used for placement of utility lines, or other industries (e.g., aquatic, manufacturing, automotive, etc.). Accordingly, cutting elements, devices, tools, systems, assemblies, or methods of the present disclosure are not limited to any particular industry, field, or environment. 
     The articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements in the preceding descriptions. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Numbers, percentages, ratios, or other values stated herein are intended to include that value, and also other values that are “about” or “approximately” the stated value, as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art encompassed by embodiments of the present disclosure. A stated value should therefore be interpreted broadly enough to encompass values that are at least close enough to the stated value to perform a desired function or achieve a desired result. The stated values include at least the variation to be expected in a suitable manufacturing or production process, and may include values that are within 5%, within 1%, within 0.1%, or within 0.01% of a stated value. Where a range of values includes various lower and/or upper limits, any two values may define the bounds of the range (e.g., 10% to 50%, or any single value may define an upper limit (e.g., up to 50%) or a lower limit (at least 50%). 
     A person having ordinary skill in the art should realize in view of the present disclosure that equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that various changes, substitutions, and alterations may be made to embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure may therefore be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or characteristics of the present disclosure. The described embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the scope of the disclosure is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. 
     Changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. Equivalent constructions, including functional “means-plus-function” clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function, including both structural equivalents that operate in the same manner, and equivalent structures that provide the same function. It is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke means-plus-function or other functional claiming for any claim except for those in which the words ‘means for’ appear together with an associated function. Each addition, deletion, and modification to the embodiments that falls within the meaning and scope of the claims is to be embraced by the claims.