Method and apparatus for collecting drill bit performance data

A drill bit for drilling a subterranean formation, comprising:

• a bit body bearing at least one cutting element;
• a shank including a central bore formed therethrough, the shank secured to the bit body and adapted for coupling to a drillstring;
• and
• an end-cap configured for disposition in the central bore, the end-cap comprising:
• an end-cap body having a bore extending therethrough;
• a first flange extending radially from the end-cap body;
• and
• a second flange spaced from the first flange and extending radially from the end-cap body;
• wherein the first flange and the second flange each form a protective seal with at least one wall of the central bore to form an annular chamber within the shank between the end-cap body, the first flange, the second flange and the at least one wall of the central bore.

A drill bit for drilling a subterranean formation, comprising:

• a bit body bearing at least one cutting element;
• a shank including a central bore formed therethrough, the shank secured to the bit body and adapted for coupling to a drillstring,
• an electronics module configured as an annular ring disposed in the central bore;
• and
• an end-cap extending through an inside diameter of the annular ring and disposed in the central bore, the end-cap having structure in cooperative contact with at least one wall of the central bore to substantially seal the electronics module in an annular chamber between the end-cap and the at least one wall of the central bore.

A drill bit for drilling a subterranean formation, comprising:

• a bit body bearing at least one cutting element and adapted for coupling to a drillstring;
• an annular chamber formed within the drill bit, the annular chamber configured for maintaining a pressure substantially near a surface atmospheric pressure while drilling the subterranean formation;
• one or more sensors disposed in the chamber and configured for sensing at least one physical parameter;
• a data analysis module disposed in the chamber;
• an initiation sensor configured for detecting at least one initiation parameter and generating a power enable signal responsive to the at least one initiation parameter;
• and
• a power gating module coupled to the initiation sensor, a power supply, and the data analysis module, wherein the power gating module is configured for operably coupling the power supply to the data analysis module when the power enable signal is asserted.