Fixed cutter drill bits with mechanically attached cutter element assemblies

A modular fixed cutter drill bit for drilling an earthen formation, the drill bit having a central axis and a cutting direction of rotation about the central axis, the drill bit comprising:

• a bit body configured to rotate about the central axis in the cutting direction of rotation, wherein the bit body includes a bit face;
• a blade extending radially along the bit face, wherein the blade has a leading side relative to the cutting direction of rotation, a trailing side relative to the cutting direction of rotation, and a cutter-supporting surface extending from the leading side to the trailing side, wherein the blade includes a socket extending from the leading side of the blade and penetrating the cutter-supporting surface of the blade;
• wherein the socket mas a central axis, an open end at the leading side of the blade, and a closed end distal the leading side of the blade;
• a cutter element assembly removably mounted to the blade and extending from the cutter-supporting surface of the blade, wherein the cutter element assembly comprises:
• a pod seated in the socket and fixably attached to the blade wherein the pod has a central axis, a leading end positioned outside the socket, and a trailing end positioned in the socket;
• wherein the pod comprises:
• a pocket extending from the leading end;
• a first section extending axially from the leading end of the pod, wherein the pocket is disposed in the first section;
• a second section extending axially from the trailing end of the pod to the first section;
• wherein the pocket has a central axis oriented at an acute angle relative to the central axis of the pod;
• a cutter element disposed in the pocket;
• wherein the pod is a split pod comprising a first pod section and a second pod section that are removably attached together to secure the cutter element within the pocket.

A modular fixed cutter drill bit for drilling an earthen formation, the drill bit having a central axis and a cutting direction of rotation about the central axis, the drill bit comprising:

• a bit body configured to rotate about the central axis in the cutting direction of rotation, wherein the bit body includes a bit face;
• a blade extending radially along the bit face, wherein the blade has a leading side relative to the cutting direction of rotation, a trailing side relative to the cutting direction of rotation, and a cutter-supporting surface extending from the leading side to the trailing side, wherein the blade includes a socket penetrating the cutter-supporting surface of the blade;
• wherein the socket has a central axis, an open end at the leading side of the blade, and a closed end distal the leading side of the blade;
• a cutter element assembly removably mounted to the blade and extending from the cutter-supporting surface of the blade, wherein the cutter element assembly comprises:
• a pod seated in the socket and mechanically and removably attached to the blade, wherein the pod has a central axis, a first end positioned outside the socket, and a second end positioned in the socket;
• wherein the pod includes a pocket extending from the first end, wherein the pocket has an open end at the first end of the pod, a closed end distal the open end, and a cylindrical surface extending from the open end;
• a cutter element disposed in the pocket;
• wherein the pod is a split pod comprising a first pod section and a second pod section that are removably attached together to capture the cutter element within the pocket, wherein the first pod section defines a first portion of the cylindrical surface of the pocket that engages the cutter element and the second pod section defines a second portion of the cylindrical surface of the pocket that engages the cutter element.