Abstract: An actuation apparatus includes a housing comprising a housing bore extending through the housing, an adjustment shaft comprising an adjustment shaft bore extending through the adjustment shaft, the adjustment shaft positioned at least partially within housing bore, and a steering shaft positioned at least partially within the adjustment shaft bore and rotatable with respect to the adjustment shaft.

Abstract: Systems and methods of counteracting downhole reactive forces within a directional drilling tool are disclosed. The directional drilling tool includes a steering mechanism for selectively pivoting a bit shaft with respect to an elongate housing. A preloaded flexible member may be provided between an upper end of the bit shaft and an elongate housing to counteract reactive forces applied by a geological formation on a drill bit at a lower end of the bit shaft. Where sufficient reactive forces are transmitted through the bit shaft to overcome the preload, the flexible member will be induced to flex, permitting some movement of the upper end of the bit shaft. This movement limits the force that may be applied by the steering mechanism, which can extend the useful life of the directional drilling tool and may permit the power required to drive the drill bit to be maintained at a consistent value.

Abstract: A system and method for determining drilling parameters based on hydraulic pressure associated with a directional drilling system are disclosed. A drilling parameter associated with a directional drilling system may be determined by measuring hydraulic pressure associated with the directional drilling system during drilling of a wellbore, detecting a change in the hydraulic pressure, and determining a drilling parameter based on the detected change in hydraulic pressure.

Abstract: Multi-functional fluid-driven power generation units, modular power generation units, and drilling systems with a power generation unit are presented herein. A power generation unit for powering one or more downhole tools in a drill string is disclosed. The power generation unit includes a housing that is configured to couple to a downhole portion of the drill string and receive at least a portion of fluid flowing through the drill string. The power generation unit also includes a fluid-driven motor assembly with a drive shaft configured to output rotational drive forces generated by the motor assembly. An electrical generator is operatively coupled to the drive shaft and configured to convert the rotational drive forces generated by the motor assembly into electrical power. In addition, a hydraulic pump is operatively coupled to the drive shaft and configured to convert the rotational drive forces generated by the motor assembly into hydraulic power.

Abstract: Directional control of a rotary steerable drilling assembly can be facilitated by a flow control module for maintaining a geostationary position or orientation of components of the assembly. The drilling assembly can include a bit shaft and an offset mandrel for adjusting a longitudinal axis of the bit shaft. A drive mechanism can rotate the offset mandrel independently of the bit shaft to maintain the offset mandrel in a geostationary position or orientation relative to a formation of the earth and/or a wellbore. A flow control module controllably directs a fluid flow to the drive mechanism. The flow control module can include an inner body and an outer body, defining an annulus there between and one or more blades within the annulus, each of the blades being rotatable to provide a range of angles with respect to a longitudinal axis of the flow control module.

Abstract: An actuation apparatus includes a housing comprising a housing bore extending through the housing, an adjustment shaft comprising an adjustment shaft bore extending through the adjustment shaft, the adjustment shaft positioned at least partially within housing bore, and a steering shaft positioned at least partially within the adjustment shaft bore and rotatable with respect to the adjustment shaft.

Abstract: Drilling shaft deflection device (750) for establishing a deflection angle and azimuthal toolface direction of a drill bit (22) in a rotary steerable subterranean drill (20). The drilling shaft deflection device (750) includes a drilling shaft (24) rotatably supported in a housing (46) and a drilling shaft deflection assembly (92) contained within the housing (46) that transitions the drilling shaft (24) between deflected and undeflected configurations. The deflection device (750) further contains a pair of drive motors (760a, 760b) anchored to the housing (46) and respectively interconnected to eccentric ring actuators (156, 158) for deflecting and rotating the shaft (24).

Abstract: A system and method for determining drilling parameters based on hydraulic pressure associated with a directional drilling system are disclosed. A drilling parameter associated with a directional drilling system may be determined by measuring hydraulic pressure associated with the directional drilling system during drilling of a wellbore, detecting a change in the hydraulic pressure, and determining a drilling parameter based on the detected change in hydraulic pressure.

Abstract: Systems and methods of counteracting downhole reactive forces within a directional drilling tool are disclosed. The directional drilling tool includes a steering mechanism for selectively pivoting a bit shaft with respect to an elongate housing. A preloaded flexible member may be provided between an upper end of the bit shaft and an elongate housing to counteract reactive forces applied by a geological formation on a drill bit at a lower end of the bit shaft. Where sufficient reactive forces are transmitted through the bit shaft to overcome the preload, the flexible member will be induced to flex, permitting some movement of the upper end of the bit shaft. This movement limits the force that may be applied by the steering mechanism, which can extend the useful life of the directional drilling tool and may permit the power required to drive the drill bit to be maintained at a consistent value.

Abstract: Steering assemblies including a housing having an actuator positioned therein and operable to rotate a drive shaft. A planetary gearbox is positioned in the housing and includes a ring gear operatively coupled to the housing, a sun gear coupled to the drive shaft, and a planet carrier. A mechanical coupling operatively couples the ring gear to the housing such that rotation of the housing rotates the ring gear. The mechanical coupling is selected based on an ability of one or more mechanical parameters of the mechanical coupling to mitigate the stick-slip disturbance transmitted between the housing and the ring gear. An offset mandrel coupled to one of the sun gear and the planet carrier such that rotation of the one of the sun gear and the planet carrier causes the offset mandrel to correspondingly rotate, wherein the offset mandrel is independently rotatable with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A system and method for determining drilling parameters based on hydraulic pressure associated with a directional drilling system are disclosed. A drilling parameter associated with a directional drilling system may be determined by measuring hydraulic pressure associated with the directional drilling system during drilling of a wellbore, detecting a change in the hydraulic pressure, and determining a drilling parameter based on the detected change in hydraulic pressure.

Abstract: A rotary steerable drilling system includes a housing, a drive shaft passing through the housing, a shaft/housing locking mechanism disposed to selectively engage the drive shaft and the housing, and an anti-rotation mechanism disposed to engage a wellbore wall. Shaft/housing locking mechanism includes a first configuration in which rotation of the drive shaft is independent of the housing, and a second configuration in which rotation of the drive shaft causes rotation of the housing. Anti-rotation mechanism includes a first configuration in which the anti-rotation mechanism extends radially relative to the drive shaft, and a second configuration in which the anti-rotation mechanism retracts from engagement with the wellbore wall. A timing mechanism may be employed to transition the anti-rotation mechanism from the first configuration to the second configuration before the shaft/housing locking mechanism transitions from the first configuration to the second configuration.

Abstract: Directional control of a rotary steerable drilling assembly can be facilitated by a flow control module for maintaining a geostationary position or orientation of components of the assembly. The drilling assembly can include a bit shaft and an offset mandrel for adjusting a longitudinal axis of the bit shaft. A drive mechanism can rotate the offset mandrel independently of the bit shaft to maintain the offset mandrel in a geostationary position or orientation relative to a formation of the earth and/or a wellbore. A flow control module controllably directs a fluid flow to the drive mechanism. The flow control module can include an inner body and an outer body, defining an annulus there between and one or more blades within the annulus, each of the blades being rotatable to provide a range of angles with respect to a longitudinal axis of the flow control module.

Abstract: Systems and methods of downhole power generation are disclosed, which provide for the generation of electrical power in a downhole environment by the use of an electrical generator coupled to a hydraulic circuit that receives energy from a source in the downhole environment. The hydraulic circuit can receive energy from flowing drilling fluid and/or from kinetic energy of one or more portions of the drill string. A direct or indirect coupling can be used to transfer energy from the downhole environment to a pump in the hydraulic circuit, which can act as a hydraulic flow source, providing flow through a flow regulation device or control circuit. The hydraulic fluid under such control can then be used to turn a hydraulic motor, which is used to turn an electric generator for the generation of electricity for downhole tools such as logging tools, related telemetry, and the like.

Abstract: A rotary steerable drilling system includes a gear box driven by a driveshaft having an input rotatable in a first direction and an output rotatable in an opposite direction. An output of the gear box has a first axis of rotation, and a rotatable tubular bit sleeve annularly arranged around a distal portion of the driveshaft is pivotable to have a second axis of rotation and includes a connector assembly on a distal end of the bit sleeve for coupling the bit sleeve to a drill bit. A spherical CV joint couples the bit sleeve to the drive-shaft, eccentric cams are movably positioned on the driveshaft, a differential gearing system is connected to the eccentric cams, and a pressure applying device is connected to the eccentric cams. When activated, the pressure applying device applies pressure to modify the speed of rotation of the eccentric cams. A method of rotary steerable drilling is disclosed.

Abstract: Steering assemblies including a housing having an actuator positioned therein and operable to rotate a drive shaft. A planetary gearbox is positioned in the housing and includes a ring gear operatively coupled to the housing, a sun gear coupled to the drive shaft, and a planet carrier. A mechanical coupling operatively couples the ring gear to the housing such that rotation of the housing rotates the ring gear. The mechanical coupling is selected based on an ability of one or more mechanical parameters of the mechanical coupling to mitigate the stick-slip disturbance transmitted between the housing and the ring gear. An offset mandrel coupled to one of the sun gear and the planet carrier such that rotation of the one of the sun gear and the planet carrier causes the offset mandrel to correspondingly rotate, wherein the offset mandrel is independently rotatable with respect to the housing.

Abstract: Drilling shaft deflection device (750) for establishing a deflection angle and azimuthal toolface direction of a drill bit (22) in a rotary steerable subterranean drill (20). The drilling shaft deflection device (750) includes a drilling shaft (24) rotatably supported in a housing (46) and a drilling shaft deflection assembly (92) contained within the housing (46) that transitions the drilling shaft (24) between deflected and undeflected configurations. The deflection device (750) further contains a pair of drive motors (760a, 760b) anchored to the housing (46) and respectively interconnected to eccentric ring actuators (156, 158) for deflecting and rotating the shaft (24).

Abstract: A rotary steerable drilling system includes a gear box driven by a drill string having an input rotatable in a first direction and an output rotatable in an opposite direction. A drive shaft coupled to the output has a first axis of rotation, and a rotatable tubular bit sleeve annularly arranged around a distal portion of the drive shaft is pivotable to have a second axis of rotation and includes a connector assembly on a distal end of the bit sleeve for coupling the bit sleeve to a drill bit. A spherical CV joint couples the bit sleeve to the drive shaft, eccentric cams are movably no positioned on the drive shaft, a differential gearing system is connected to the eccentric cams, and a pressure applying device is connected to the eccentric cams. When activated, the pressure applying device applies pressure to modify the speed of rotation of the eccentric cams. A method of rotary steerable drilling is disclosed.

Abstract: Multi-functional fluid-driven power generation units, modular power generation units, and drilling systems with a power generation unit are presented herein. A power generation unit for powering one or more downhole tools in a drill string is disclosed. The power generation unit includes a housing that is configured to couple to a downhole portion of the drill string and receive at least a portion of fluid flowing through the drill string. The power generation unit also includes a fluid-driven motor assembly with a drive shaft configured to output rotational drive forces generated by the motor assembly. An electrical generator is operatively coupled to the drive shaft and configured to convert the rotational drive forces generated by the motor assembly into electrical power. In addition, a hydraulic pump is operatively coupled to the drive shaft and configured to convert the rotational drive forces generated by the motor assembly into hydraulic power.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a tool string positionable in a wellbore that includes a spur gear driven by a source of input rotation, a planetary gearbox having an attachment structure to connect to the spur gear. The gearbox includes a central sun gear, a collection of planet gears disposed in a planet gear carrier disposed around the central sun gear, and a ring gear disposed around the planet gears and planet gear carrier. The attachment structure drives a hydraulic pump or electrical generator at a rotational speed different than a rotational speed of the source of input rotation.