Abstract: In an apparatus having a housing, a housing bore, and a shaft rotatably extending through the housing bore, a rotary seal assembly which includes a seal carrier retainer connected with the housing and defining a cavity surrounding the shaft, a seal carrier positioned within the cavity of the seal carrier retainer, wherein the seal carrier is capable of an amount of radial deflection and tilting both relative to the seal carrier retainer and wherein the seal carrier is retained by the seal carrier retainer so that rotation of the seal carrier relative to the seal carrier retainer is prevented, a rotary shaft seal carried by the seal carrier between the seal carrier and the shaft, and a seal carrier seal interposed between the seal carrier and the seal carrier retainer.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a rotary steerable tool and a gamma sensor assembly are provided. These systems may include scintillation detection sensors mounted in a pressure sleeve assembly coupled to a rotating drive shaft and/or an electronics insert of the rotary steerable tool. The sensors may each be mounted in an atmospheric pressure environment within a respective pressure sleeve. The pressure sleeves may each rotate with the drive shaft and the electronics insert. The sonde-based arrangement of the systems may facilitate relatively high sensitivity measurements taken at a rotating portion of the rotary steerable tool. This may allow directional gamma measurements and bulk gamma measurements to be determined at the rotating section of rotary steerable tool.

Abstract: A tubular string comprises a plurality of torque connectors connecting a plurality of tubular members. At least one torque connector of the plurality of torque connectors comprises a pin component threadably connected to the box component. The pin comprises a three torque shoulders corresponding to three surfaces of the box component. In at least one embodiment, a sacrificial material is deposited between one of the torque shoulders and one of the surfaces to provide additional torque capacity to the torque connector. Additional apparatus, methods, and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: Certain aspects and examples of the disclosure herein are directed to a device for allowing downhole drilling tubing to withstand greater torques. Certain examples may allow a tube segment to experience a higher torque without the need for increasing the tube or thread size. Certain examples provide for a roller or sprag configuration positioned with respect to a tube segment that allows the tube segment to withstand higher torques.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for securing a protective sleeve or wear sleeve to a rotary component which is rotatable relative to a rotary seal, such that the wear sleeve is in relatively rotating sealing engagement with the rotary seal. The wear sleeve is secured to the shaft by wedging a lock ring between the wear sleeve and the shaft. Wedging action of the lock ring can be effected by wedging formations, such as tapered surfaces, configured for causing wedging of the lock ring in response to operator-induced axial movement of the lock ring relative to the shaft and/or the wear sleeve. Wedging of the lock ring can be effected by co-operating screw threads on the lock ring and the wear sleeve, so that an operator can tighten the sleeve on the shaft by application of torque thereto.

Abstract: A method and apparatus according to which the optimal radius of a thrust bearing in a well tool is determined. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving inputs representing a plurality of geometric characteristics and material properties of the well tool, the well tool including a housing, a shaft extending within the housing, and the thrust bearing, which includes convex and concave surfaces that define an interface having a radius; determining, based on the inputs, an expected value of the bending moment of the well tool in the vicinity of the thrust bearing; determining, based on the expected value of the bending moment, one or more expected values of the radial reaction force at the interface, which values depend upon the radius of the interface; and selecting, based on the one or more expected values of the radial reaction force, an optimal radius of the interface.

Abstract: A locking nut for installation on a cylinder, including a nut body defining a nut engagement surface and a directional coupling mechanism associated with the nut body, for locking the nut body with the cylinder in response to relative rotation between the nut body and the cylinder in a locking direction. The directional coupling mechanism may include a plurality of recesses, a plurality of rolling members contained within the recesses, and a retaining device for retaining the rolling members in the recesses. A method of installing the locking nut on the cylinder, including engaging the nut engagement surface with a cylinder engagement surface, inserting the rolling members in the recesses, threadably connecting the nut body with the cylinder in order to install the locking nut on the cylinder, and connecting the retaining device with the nut body in order to retain the rolling members within the recesses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus according to which the optimal radius of a thrust bearing in a well tool is determined. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving inputs representing a plurality of geometric characteristics and material properties of the well tool, the well tool including a housing, a shaft extending within the housing, and the thrust bearing, which includes convex and concave surfaces that define an interface having a radius; determining, based on the inputs, an expected value of the bending moment of the well tool in the vicinity of the thrust bearing; determining, based on the expected value of the bending moment, one or more expected values of the radial reaction force at the interface, which values depend upon the radius of the interface; and selecting, based on the one or more expected values of the radial reaction force, an optimal radius of the interface.

Abstract: A system for extending an electrical cable through a tubular member, including the electrical cable, a first cable hanger component for connecting with a first tubular member end, and a second cable hanger component for connecting with a second tubular member end. A method for extending an electrical cable through a tubular member, including mechanically and electrically connecting the electrical cable with the second cable hanger component, extending the electrical cable through the tubular member, connecting the second cable hanger component with the second tubular member end, extending the electrical cable through the first cable hanger component, connecting the first cable hanger component with the first tubular member end, mechanically and electrically connecting the electrical cable with the first cable hanger component, and tensioning the electrical cable.

Abstract: In an apparatus of the type comprising a first assembly, a second assembly, an orientable rotatable connection between the first assembly and the second assembly, and a control device associated with the orientable rotatable connection, a method for controlling the actuation of the control device. Particular embodiments of the method include comparing an actual orientation of the second assembly with a target orientation, actuating the control device to perform a control device actuation cycle if the actual orientation is not acceptable, determining an updated actual orientation of the second assembly, comparing the updated actual orientation with the target orientation, and repeating the control device actuation cycle if the updated target orientation is not acceptable. A first exemplary embodiment of the method represents a target approach to achieving the target orientation. A second exemplary embodiment of the method represents an incremental approach to achieving the target orientation.

Abstract: A downhole drilling motor comprises a housing located in a drill string. A power sleeve is located inside the housing and is operatively coupled to a drill bit. The power sleeve has a spiral lobed, elastomer covered internal surface. The power sleeve is rotatable with respect to the outer housing. A lobed shaft is located within the power sleeve. The lobed shaft has a spiral lobed outer surface. An anchoring assembly is engaged between the lobed shaft and the outer housing to limit rotation of the lobed shaft with respect to the housing such that a fluid flow through the downhole drilling motor causes the power sleeve to rotate with respect, to the outer housing and the lobed shaft.

Abstract: Rotational locking mechanisms for drill string assemblies, bottom hole assemblies, and drilling motors are presented herein. A fluid-driven motor assembly is disclosed for use in a drill string to drill a borehole in an earth formation. The drill string includes a drill pipe and a drill bit. The motor assembly includes a housing that is configured to operatively connect to the drill pipe of the drill string to receive drilling fluid therefrom. A stator, which is disposed within the housing, is configured to rotate at a stator speed. A rotor is disposed within the stator and coupled to the drill bit. The rotor is configured to rotate at a rotor speed. The motor assembly also includes a rotational locking assembly operatively coupled to the rotor and the housing. The rotational locking assembly is configured to prevent the stator speed of the stator from exceeding the rotor speed of the rotor.

Abstract: In an apparatus having a housing, a housing bore, and a shaft rotatably extending through the housing bore, a rotary seal assembly which includes a seal carrier retainer connected with the housing and defining a cavity surrounding the shaft, a seal carrier positioned within the cavity of the seal carrier retainer, wherein the seal carrier is capable of an amount of radial deflection and tilting both relative to the seal carrier retainer and wherein the seal carrier is retained by the seal carrier retainer so that rotation of the seal carrier relative to the seal carrier retainer is prevented, a rotary shaft seal carried by the seal carrier between the seal carrier and the shaft, and a seal carrier seal interposed between the seal carrier and the seal carrier retainer.

Abstract: A slip ring apparatus which includes a housing, a contact assembly recess defined by the housing, a slip ring rotor assembly contained within the interior of the housing adjacent to the contact assembly recess, a slip ring contact assembly mounted within the interior of the housing, wherein the slip ring contact assembly is insertable and removable from the interior of the housing via an exterior recess side of the contact assembly recess, and a hatch cover for covering the contact assembly recess, wherein the hatch cover is removable and replaceable via the exterior recess side of the contact assembly recess. A method of servicing a slip ring apparatus which includes removing a hatch cover, servicing the slip ring apparatus, and replacing the hatch cover, all via an exterior recess side of the contact assembly recess.

Abstract: A multiple channel rotary electrical connector can include multiple first contacts which are radially spaced apart from each other, and multiple second contacts which electrically contact respective ones of the first contacts while there is relative rotation between the first and second contacts. The second contacts may be radially spaced apart from each other. A well tool can include one section which rotates relative to another section of the well tool, and a multiple channel rotary electrical connector which includes multiple annular-shaped contacts that rotate relative to each other. A method of operating a well tool in a subterranean well can include producing relative rotation between sections of the well tool, and communicating multiple channels of electrical signals between the sections while there is relative rotation between the sections. The communicating can include electrically contacting multiple annular-shaped contacts with each other.

Abstract: A system for extending an electrical cable through a tubular member, including the electrical cable, a first cable hanger component for connecting with a first tubular member end, and a second cable hanger component for connecting with a second tubular member end. A method for extending an electrical cable through a tubular member, including mechanically and electrically connecting the electrical cable with the second cable hanger component, extending the electrical cable through the tubular member, connecting the second cable hanger component with the second tubular member end, extending the electrical cable through the first cable hanger component, connecting the first cable hanger component with the first tubular member end, mechanically and electrically connecting the electrical cable with the first cable hanger component, and tensioning the electrical cable.

Abstract: A slip ring apparatus which includes a housing, a contact assembly recess defined by the housing, a slip ring rotor assembly contained within the interior of the housing adjacent to the contact assembly recess, a slip ring contact assembly mounted within the interior of the housing, wherein the slip ring contact assembly is insertable and removable from the interior of the housing via an exterior recess side of the contact assembly recess, and a hatch cover for covering the contact assembly recess, wherein the hatch cover is removable and replaceable via the exterior recess side of the contact assembly recess. A method of servicing a slip ring apparatus which includes removing a hatch cover, servicing the slip ring apparatus, and replacing the hatch cover, all via an exterior recess side of the contact assembly recess.

Abstract: A method includes a rotary torque limiting assembly including a rotary input member having an internal cavity having sprag receptacles. A rotary output member is disposed within the internal cavity, the secondary rotary member having radial protrusions and recesses. Radial ratchet members are disposed radially between the input member and the output member, each ratchet member having a radially inner surface, and a radially outward surface that includes at least one radially protruding sprag. Bearings are disposed radially between the ratchet members and the output member. A retaining assembly is adapted to provide a compliant force to maintain contact among the ratchet members, bearings, and second rotary member. Each bearing is partly retained between one of the ratchet members and the second rotary member, and each sprag is partly retained within a corresponding sprag receptacle.

Abstract: A method includes a rotary torque limiting assembly including a rotary input member having an internal cavity having sprag receptacles. A rotary output member is disposed within the internal cavity, the secondary rotary member having radial protrusions and recesses. Radial ratchet members are disposed radially between the input member and the output member, each ratchet member having a radially inner surface, and a radially outward surface that includes at least one radially protruding sprag. Bearings are disposed radially between the ratchet members and the output member. A retaining assembly is adapted to provide a compliant force to maintain contact among the ratchet members, bearings, and second rotary member. Each bearing is partly retained between one of the ratchet members and the second rotary member, and each sprag is partly retained within a corresponding sprag receptacle.

Abstract: Rotational locking mechanisms for drill string assemblies, bottom hole assemblies, and drilling motors are presented herein. A fluid-driven motor assembly is disclosed for use in a drill string to drill a borehole in an earth formation. The drill string includes a drill pipe and a drill bit. The motor assembly includes a housing that is configured to operatively connect to the drill pipe of the drill string to receive drilling fluid therefrom. A stator, which is disposed within the housing, is configured to rotate at a stator speed. A rotor is disposed within the stator and coupled to the drill bit. The rotor is configured to rotate at a rotor speed. The motor assembly also includes a rotational locking assembly operatively coupled to the rotor and the housing. The rotational locking assembly is configured to prevent the stator speed of the stator from exceeding the rotor speed of the rotor.