Abstract: A drilling shaft deflection assembly for a drilling direction control device of the type comprising a rotatable drilling shaft and a housing for supporting a length of the drilling shaft for rotation therein. The deflection assembly is contained within the housing and is axially located between a first support location and a second support location for bending the drilling shaft between the first support location and the second support location. The deflection assembly includes a deflection mechanism for imparting lateral movement to the drilling shaft to bend the drilling shaft, a deflection actuator for actuating the deflection mechanism in response to longitudinal movement of the deflection actuator, and a deflection linkage mechanism between the deflection mechanism and the deflection actuator for converting longitudinal movement of the deflection actuator to lateral movement of the drilling shaft.

Abstract: An improvement in a seal assembly of the type including a seal element retained by a seal housing, where one of the seal element and the seal housing is constructed from a compressible material, where the seal element includes a seal engagement surface and where the seal housing includes a housing engagement surface. The improvement includes at least one of the seal engagement surface and the housing engagement surface defining a depression for providing an isolated gap between the seal engagement surface and the housing engagement surface.

Abstract: A fulcrum bearing assembly for rotatably supporting a shaft within a housing, including at least one row of spherical thrust bearings positioned at a first axial position within the housing, at least one row of spherical thrust bearings positioned at a second axial position within the housing and at least one row of spherical radial bearings positioned at a third axial position within the housing. The third axial position is located between the first and second axial positions. Further, a bearing preload assembly for maintaining a bearing assembly in a preloaded condition, including a thrust bearing shoulder associated with a housing and a thrust bearing collar. The bearing assembly is axially maintained within the housing between the thrust bearing shoulder and the thrust bearing collar, wherein the thrust bearing collar is axially adjustable relative to the thrust bearing shoulder in order to preload the bearing assembly therebetween.

Abstract: A method and a device for use in the placing of a suction anchor (1) with an attached anchor chain (2) on the ocean bed. The suction anchor (1) and the anchor chain (2) are to be lowered separately to the ocean bed, and be connected at the ocean bed without any use, worth mentioning, of mechanically movable parts or closing mechanisms, the process is to take place by means of gravity and in as few operations and with as few pieces of expensive utility equipment as possible. This is done in that the suction anchor (1) and the anchor chain (2) are connected by means of a guiding element (6) with a lower locking element (7) arranged thereto, and a connecting element (3). The connecting element (3) is positioned at the lower end of the anchor chain (2) and adapted for insertion into the guiding and locking elements (6, 7). The guiding and locking elements (6, 7) are positioned on the side wall (12) of the suction anchor.

Abstract: An electromagnetic antenna extension assembly for connection downhole into a pipe string between a data transmission unit and an electromagnetic antenna. Further, a method for connecting the data transmission unit with the antenna utilizing the assembly. The antenna includes an outer antenna member and an inner antenna member having a lower electrical connector. The data transmission unit includes an outer transmission member and an inner data transmission tool having an upper electrical connector connectable with the lower connector of the inner antenna member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in creating a magnetic declination profile for a borehole. The method includes the steps of making a magnetic directional measurement at a longitudinal location in the borehole and at a magnetic measurement orientation, making a reference directional measurement at a reference measurement orientation, wherein there is a known orientation relationship between the magnetic measurement orientation and the reference measurement orientation, and obtaining a value of magnetic declination at the longitudinal location in the borehole using the magnetic directional measurement, the reference directional measurement and the orientation relationship.

Abstract: An actuator for an orienting device for orienting a borehole apparatus in a borehole and an orienting device comprised of the actuator, wherein the orienting device is comprised of an orienting mechanism which is actuated by longitudinal movement. The actuator is comprised of a housing having a first end and a second end and a fluid passageway extending through the housing from the first end to the second end. Further, a longitudinally reciprocable piston, positioned within and providing a first partial obstruction of the fluid passageway, engages with the orienting mechanism such that longitudinal movement of the piston actuates the orienting mechanism.

Abstract: An electrically insulating gap subassembly for inclusion in a pipe string (30) comprising a pair of tubular members (90, 98) having an electrically insulating isolation subassembly (94) threadably disposed therebetween is disclosed. The electrically insulating isolation subassembly (94) has an anodized aluminum surface that provides electrical isolation to interrupt electrical contact between the two tubular members (90, 98) such that electromagnetic waves (46, 54) carrying information may be generated thereacross.

Abstract: In a drilling apparatus of the type comprising a housing, a proximal seal, a distal seal, a fluid chamber defined by an interior of the housing between the proximal seal and the distal seal, the fluid chamber containing a lubricating fluid having a fluid chamber pressure, a pressure compensation system for compensating for the effects of an ambient pressure exerted on an exterior of the apparatus. The pressure compensation system includes a pressure port in the housing so that the ambient pressure can be communicated to the fluid chamber and a supplementary pressure source for exerting a supplementary pressure on the lubricating fluid contained in the fluid chamber so that the fluid chamber pressure is maintained higher than the ambient pressure.

Abstract: A plastic fitting for plastic tubing is disclosed. The plastic fitting comprises a main body (10) having a tip sleeve (16) at one end of and an externally threaded portion (14) at the other end thereof, a cylindrical cap nut (20, 52, 64) threadedly attachable to the main body (10) in a manner to compress a flared end (36) of the plastic tubing down against the tip sleeve (16) of the main body, and a resiliently deformable split ring (30, 42, 60) that resides within an annular internal recess (28, 50, 72) in the cap nut (20, 52, 64) for retaining the flared end (36) of the plastic tubing in position around the main body tip sleeve (16). The resiliently deformable split ring (30, 42, 60) includes a plurality of inwardly facing bosses (38, 46) that cooperate with respective spaced apertures (40) formed in the plastic tubing flared end (36).

Abstract: A tensionable mine roof bolt is constructed of multi-strand steel cable. The head end of the bolt is formed of an outer sleeve that is externally threaded at least part of the way from the end, in order to accept a conventional tension nut. The cable bolt shaft includes an enlarged section that is slightly larger than the diameter of the axial bore through the bolt head sleeve so that the cable enlarged section interferes with the bolt head sleeve as the enlarged section is pressed into the outer sleeve to form the cable bolt. The cable enlarged section is formed by the addition of a spacer sleeve around the cable center strand (king wire) and between the cable center strand and peripheral strands, or by the addition of a cable sleeve around the cable at the appropriate location.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data transmission or telemetry system and a method for communicating information axially along a drill string. The method includes the step of conducting an axial electrical signal embodying the information between a first axial position in the drill string and a second axial position in the drill string through an axial conducting loop formed by the drill string, which axial conducting loop extends between the first and second axial positions. The system includes the axial conducting loop for conducting the axial electrical signal embodying the information between the first and second axial positions and a transmitter for transmitting the information to the axial conducting loop. The system further preferably includes a receiver for receiving the information from the axial conducting loop. Finally, the portion of the drill string forming the axial conducting loop is preferably comprised of a downhole motor drilling assembly.

Abstract: A method for orienting a rotary drilling system comprised of a rotatable drilling string, a drilling string communication system and a drilling direction control device, the drilling direction control device comprising a deflectable drilling shaft connected with the drilling string. The method for orienting the rotary drilling system may involve the steps of orienting the drilling string at a desired orientation and sensing the desired orientation of the drilling string with the drilling string communication system. Further, the method involves the steps of communicating a desired orientation of the drilling string to a drilling direction control device and then actuating the drilling direction control device to deflect the drilling shaft to reflect the desired orientation of the drilling shaft. The desired orientation of the drilling shaft may be communicated directly to the drilling direction control device or to the drilling direction control device through a drilling string communication system.

Abstract: A pack-off bushing for placement inside an outer conduit while a fluid is passed through an inner conduit positioned within the outer conduit. The bushing includes a mandrel having a mandrel passage extending axially therethrough, a housing carried on the mandrel and capable of axial movement relative to the mandrel and a balancing system associated with the mandrel and the housing for applying a balancing force to the mandrel to oppose an axial mandrel force applied to the mandrel.

Abstract: A downhole drilling assembly including a housing having an upper end for connection to a drill string and a lower end, a fluid passage extending through the housing from the upper end to the lower end, a power unit contained within the housing, a drive assembly extending within the housing between the power unit and the lower end of the housing such that a mandrel chamber is defined between the drive assembly and the housing, a radially movable first stabilizer associated with the housing and located between the power unit and the lower end of the housing, an axially movable mandrel contained within the mandrel chamber, the mandrel being associated with a stabilizer actuator for causing radial movement of the first stabilizer in response to axial movement of the mandrel, and a sensor apparatus located between the power unit and the lower end of the housing for sensing at least one drilling parameter.

Abstract: A diaphragm (10) for a fluid pump, accumulator, pressure regulator, or similar device comprises two major components: (1) a central body portion (12) having a first degree of flexibility; and (2) a peripheral portion (14) having a second degree of flexibility that is less than that of the central body portion. In one embodiment, this lesser degree of flexibility is effected by forming the peripheral portion (14) of the diaphragm into a material thickness that is greater than that of the central body portion (12). In another embodiment, the lesser degree of flexibility of the peripheral portion (14) is effected by forming the peripheral portion from a material that is dissimilar to that of the central body portion (12), the peripheral portion material having a degree of flexibility that is less than that of the central body portion.

Abstract: A drilling assembly and a method for directional drilling using the drilling assembly. The drilling assembly comprises a drilling bit, a near bit stabilizer and an adjustable gauge stabilizer. The near bit stabilizer is located a first axial distance from a distal end of the drilling assembly and has a near bit stabilizer gauge which is greater than a nominal drilling assembly gauge. The adjustable gauge stabilizer is located a second axial distance from the distal end, which is greater than the first axial distance, and is adjustable between an extended and retracted gauge. The retracted gauge is less than the near bit stabilizer gauge. A bit drop angle is created between the drilling assembly and the drilling bit, while a stabilizer angle is created between the near bit stabilizer and the adjustable gauge stabilizer.

Abstract: An end connector for fuse with composite coiled tubing for use in downhole wellbore operations is disclosed. The connector comprises intermediate portions of first and second end portions connected thereto. The first end portion has threads defined thereon to mate with threads defined on the inner surface of the composite coiled tubing. The outer surface of the end connector is flush with the outer surface of a composite coiled tubing when connected thereto. The connector has a means for providing a seal between the end connector and the composite coiled tubing and is adapted to be connected to apparatus, tools and equipment used in downhole wellbore operations in which coiled tubing is utilized.

Abstract: A drilling direction control device, improvements in drilling direction control devices, methods for orienting a rotary driling system, and methods for rotary drilling. The drilling direction control device includes a rotatable drilling shaft, a housing for rotatably supporting a length of the drilling shaft, and a deflection assembly contained within the housing for bending the drilling shaft between a first support location and a second support location. The deflection assembly includes an outer ring which is rotatably supported on a circular inner peripheral surface of the housing and which has a circular inner peripheral surface that is eccentric with respect to the housing. The deflection assembly also includes an inner ring which is rotatably supported on the circular inner peripheral surface of the outer ring and which has a circular inner peripheral surface which engages the drilling shaft and which is eccentric with respect to the circular inner peripheral surface of the outer ring.

Abstract: A system and method of fail safe communication of information between surface equipment and downhole equipment are disclosed. The system comprises two or more repeaters (34, 35, 36) disposed within a wellbore (38) such that two repeaters (34, 35) will receive each signal carrying information that is telemetered. The repeater (35) that is farther from the source (44) will include a memory device (292) that stores the information carried in the signal. A timer device (293) also in the repeater (35) that is farther from the source (44) will trigger the retransmission of the information after a predetermined time period unless the repeater (35) that is farther from the source (44) has detected a signal carrying the information generated by the repeater (34) that is closer to the source (44).