Abstract: An apparatus for boring a wellbore, including a bit body having a first end, an inner cavity, and a second end. The first end is connected to a workstring that is configured to deliver a rotational force to the bit body. The inner cavity contains a profile having a first radial cam surface. The second end includes a working face containing a cutting member. The apparatus also includes a pilot bit rotatively connected within the inner cavity. A second radial cam surface is contained on a first end of the pilot bit. The first and second radial cam surfaces are operatively configured to deliver a hammering force. A second end of the pilot bit may include an engaging surface configured to engage a formation surrounding the wellbore. The bit body rotates relative to the pilot bit.

Abstract: An apparatus including a rotating segment having a first radial surface, a non-rotating segment having a second radial surface, a housing disposed around the first and second radial surfaces, and one or more rolling elements disposed between and in contact with the first and second radial surfaces for transferring the non-rotating segment in an axial direction upon rotation of the rotating segment. The non-rotating element may be a second rotating element that rotates at a different rotational rate than the rotating element. Each rolling element moves 360 degrees along a circular path relative to the first radial surface and the second radial surface. The first or second radial surface has a tapered section.

Abstract: An apparatus for boring a wellbore, including a bit body having a first end, an inner cavity, and a second end. The first end is connected to a workstring that is configured to deliver a rotational force to the bit body. The inner cavity contains a profile having a first radial cam surface. The second end includes a working face containing a cutting member. The apparatus also includes a pilot bit rotatively connected within the inner cavity. A second radial cam surface is contained on a first end of the pilot bit. The first and second radial cam surfaces are operatively configured to deliver a hammering force. A second end of the pilot bit may include an engaging surface configured to engage a formation surrounding the wellbore. The bit body rotates relative to the pilot bit.

Abstract: An apparatus for boring a wellbore, including a bit body having a first end, an inner cavity, and a second end. The first end is connected to a workstring that is configured to deliver a rotational force to the bit body. The inner cavity contains a profile having a first radial cam surface. The second end includes a working face containing a cutting member. The apparatus also includes a pilot bit rotatively connected within the inner cavity. A second radial cam surface is contained on a first end of the pilot bit. The first and second radial cam surfaces are operatively configured to deliver a hammering force. A second end of the pilot bit may include an engaging surface configured to engage a formation surrounding the wellbore. The bit body rotates relative to the pilot bit.

Abstract: A downhole vibration assembly includes a valve positioned above a rotor that is disposed at least partially within a stator. The rotor is operatively suspended within an inner bore of a housing and configured to rotate within the stator as a fluid flows through the vibration assembly. The valve includes a rotating valve segment and a stationary valve segment each including at least one fluid passage. The rotating valve segment rotates with a rotation of the rotor. In an open position, the fluid passages of the valve segments are aligned and a fluid flows through the valve. In a restricted position, the fluid passages of the valve segments are partially or completely unaligned, thereby temporarily restricting the fluid flow through the valve to create a pressure pulse. The unobstructed pressure pulse is transmitted through the drill string or coiled tubing above the valve.

Abstract: An apparatus for boring a wellbore, including a bit body having a first end, an inner cavity, and a second end. The first end is connected to a workstring that is configured to deliver a rotational force to the bit body. The inner cavity contains a profile having a first radial cam surface. The second end includes a working face containing a cutting member. The apparatus also includes a pilot bit rotatively connected within the inner cavity. A second radial cam surface is contained on a first end of the pilot bit. The first and second radial cam surfaces are operatively configured to deliver a hammering force. A second end of the pilot bit may include an engaging surface configured to engage a formation surrounding the wellbore. The bit body rotates relative to the pilot bit.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus connected to a workstring within a wellbore. The workstring is connected to a bit member. The apparatus includes a mandrel operatively connected to a downhole motor mechanism, an anvil member operatively formed on the bit member, the anvil member being operatively connected to the mandrel, a radial bearing housing unit operatively connected to the workstring, with the radial bearing housing unit being disposed about the mandrel, and a hammer member slidably attached to the radial bearing housing unit.

Abstract: An apparatus including a rotating segment having a first radial surface, a non-rotating segment having a second radial surface, a housing disposed around the first and second radial surfaces, and one or more rolling elements disposed between and in contact with the first and second radial surfaces for transferring the non-rotating segment in an axial direction upon rotation of the rotating segment. The non-rotating element may be a second rotating element that rotates at a different rotational rate than the rotating element. Each rolling element moves 360 degrees along a circular path relative to the first radial surface and the second radial surface. The first or second radial surface has a tapered section.

Abstract: A CV joint for a downhole drilling motor includes a center shaft including a top shaft section and a bottom shaft section. The top shaft section is at least partially housed within a cavity of a first insert, which is housed within a cavity of a rotor adapter. The bottom shaft section is at least partially housed within a cavity of a second insert, which is housed within a cavity of a drive shaft adapter. An outer surface of the top and bottom shaft sections may include multiple top shaft pockets and multiple bottom shaft pockets, respectively. The first and second inserts may each include a series of recesses. Top shear members may be partially housed within the top shaft pockets and the recesses of the first insert. Bottom shear members may be partially housed within the bottom shaft pockets and the recesses of the second insert.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus connected to a workstring within a wellbore. The workstring is connected to a bit member. The apparatus includes a mandrel operatively connected to a downhole motor mechanism, an anvil member operatively formed on the bit member, the anvil member being operatively connected to the mandrel, a radial bearing housing unit operatively connected to the workstring, with the radial bearing housing unit being disposed about the mandrel, and a hammer member slidably attached to the radial bearing housing unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for boring a wellbore, including a bit body having a first end, an inner cavity, and a second end. The first end is connected to a workstring that is configured to deliver a rotational force to the bit body. The inner cavity contains a profile having a first radial cam surface. The second end includes a working face containing a cutting member. The apparatus also includes a pilot bit rotatively connected within the inner cavity. A second radial cam surface is contained on a first end of the pilot bit. The first and second radial cam surfaces are operatively configured to deliver a hammering force. A second end of the pilot bit may include an engaging surface configured to engage a formation surrounding the wellbore. The bit body rotates relative to the pilot bit.

Abstract: A bearing section for a mandrel at least partially disposed within an inner bore of a housing. A radial bearing and a thrust bearing are each disposed around the mandrel and within the inner bore of the housing. The radial bearing includes an outer cylindrical member, an inner cylindrical member, and a series of spherical members disposed within a space between an inner surface of the outer cylindrical member and an outer surface of the inner cylindrical member. One of the inner surface of the outer cylindrical member or the outer surface of the inner cylindrical member includes a flat profile and the other includes a series of circumferential grooves. The flat profile allows relative axial movement between the inner and outer cylindrical members without the radial bearing absorbing any thrust load.

Abstract: An apparatus including a rotating segment having a first radial surface, a non-rotating segment having a second radial surface, a housing disposed around the first and second radial surfaces, and one or more rolling elements disposed between and in contact with the first and second radial surfaces for transferring the non-rotating segment in an axial direction upon rotation of the rotating segment. The non-rotating element may be a second rotating element that rotates at a different rotational rate than the rotating element. Each rolling element moves 360 degrees along a circular path relative to the first radial surface and the second radial surface. The first or second radial surface has a tapered section.

Abstract: A boring apparatus includes an upper member and a bit body configured to rotate relative to a pilot bit. A first end of the upper member is connected to a workstring. An inner cavity of the upper member includes a first radial cam surface. A first end of the bit body is connected to a second end of the upper member such that the bit body rotates with the upper member. A second end of the bit body includes a working face. The pilot bit includes a first end disposed within the inner cavity of the upper member, and includes a second radial cam surface configured to cooperate with the first radial cam surface to deliver a hammering force. The pilot bit extends through a central bore of the bit body, and includes an engaging surface on its second end configured to engage a formation surrounding the wellbore.

Abstract: A bearing section for a mandrel at least partially disposed within an inner bore of a housing. A radial bearing and a thrust bearing are each disposed around the mandrel and within the inner bore of the housing. The radial bearing includes an outer cylindrical member, an inner cylindrical member, and a series of spherical members disposed within a space between an inner surface of the outer cylindrical member and an outer surface of the inner cylindrical member. One of the inner surface of the outer cylindrical member or the outer surface of the inner cylindrical member includes a flat profile and the other includes a series of circumferential grooves. The flat profile allows relative axial movement between the inner and outer cylindrical members without the radial bearing absorbing any thrust load.

Abstract: A downhole drilling motor includes a motor housing having an inner bore and an outer surface. A power section includes a stator elastomer at least partially disposed within the inner bore of the motor housing. A bearing section includes an upper bearing at least partially disposed within the inner bore of the motor housing. The motor housing further includes an opening extending from the inner bore to the outer surface to provide a bypass fluid path for a fluid in the inner bore. The opening is disposed on the motor housing between a lower end of the stator elastomer and an upper end of the upper bearing. The bypass fluid path allows the downhole drilling motor to accommodate a higher flow rate of a fluid through the stator elastomer of the power section than through the upper bearing of the bearing section.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a valve assembly and a shock absorbing assembly. The valve assembly includes a valve spring operatively connected to a valve body. The shock absorbing assembly includes a spring operatively connected to a shock absorbing body having a fluid passage therethrough. The valve body is configured to selectively engage the shock absorbing body to create a fluid tight seal over the fluid passage in a first position, and to allow a fluid flow through the fluid passage in a second position. The repeated movement cycle of the selective engagement between the valve body and the shock absorbing body generates a pressure pulse or a varying pressure differential across the downhole tool. The repeated movement cycle is powered by a fluid flow. The tool may be selectively activated and deactivated.