Abstract: In the method of providing for well tubular member magnetization, the steps include providing a magnetizing structure comprising an electrical coil defining an axis, relatively displacing the member and the structure, with the coil positioned and guided in close, centered proximity to the member, while supplying electric current to flow in the coil, thereby creating magnetic flux passage through the member and core to magnetize the member, or a part of the member, and displacing the member in a wellbore.

Abstract: An apparatus for borehole electric-field telemetry that comprises a source of modulated voltage or current, at least one axially non-conductive collar connected between pipe sections in a pipe string, and a system of insulated wireline components providing electrical connections, insulated from drilling fluids, between the ends of the one or more aforementioned insulated collars in the pipe string, to transmit the voltage to current.

Abstract: An apparatus for borehole electric field telemetry includes a source of modulated voltage or current, at least one axially extending collar collar connected between pipe sections in a pipe string, and a system of insulated wireline components providing electrical connections, insulated from drilling fluids, between the ends of the one or more aforementioned insulative collars in the pipe string, to transmit the voltage or current. The source of modulated voltage or current comprises an electrical pulse-producer for producing short duration pulse wave forms selected to obtain optimum transmission characteristics in the underground formation. The electrical connections are to the drillstring, and there are upper and lower instrument housings associated with the electrical connections, which are upper and lower connections. The housings are supported within the pipe string, the upper housing located above at least one of the insulative collars, and the lower housing projecting below the insulative collar.

Abstract: A method to determine the earth's magnetic field vector along a sub-surface wellpath having unknown and possibly changing azimuth, in the presence of a magnetic disturbance caused by a magnetic source external to the wellpath includes estimating the three components of the earth field along the three axes of a magnetic sensor package by a polynomial function of measured depth along the wellpath. Magnetic survey accuracy is thereby improved. Upon removal of the earth's magnetic field from the measurements, the resultant magnetic field of the disturbance is determined and can be used to determine the position and orientation of the source of the disturbance.

Abstract: An apparatus for borehole electric field telemetry includes a source of modulated voltage or current, at least one axially extending collar connected between pipe sections in a pipe string, and a system of insulated wireline components providing electrical connections, insulated from drilling fluids, between the ends of the one or more aforementioned insulative collars in the pipe string, to transmit the voltage or current. The source of modulated voltage or current comprises an electrical pulse-producer for producing short duration pulse wave forms selected to obtain optimum transmission characteristics in the underground formation. The electrical connections are to the drillstring, and there are upper and lower instrument housings associated with the electrical connections, which are upper and lower connections. The housings are supported within the pipe string, the upper housing located above at least one of the insulative collars, and the lower housing projecting below the insulative collar.

Abstract: Pressure pulses in a flowing stream are generated by movement radially of an elastomer membrane surrounding a perforated tube. Movement outward of the membrane is initiated by closing of a pilot valve in the tube, but is accelerated by pressure increases from decreasing flow area around the membrane. Opening of the pilot valve allows the membrane to return to its collapsed condition. Selection of flow area around the expanded membrane allows selection of pulse amplitude. Signals from a variety of downhole instruments are provided to a driver of the pilot valve, so that pressure pulses from operation of the membrane can be detected uphole in a well.

Abstract: In fluid pulsing apparatus operable in a drill pipe in a well in which well drilling fluid flows, wherein pressure pulses are created by restricting one or more of several hydraulically parallel paths, constant working pressure regulating valves with a long time constant relative to the transient pulses are constructed in the hydraulically parallel paths. The valves operate to produce a more consistent pulse character allowing production of pulses at low flow rates of drilling fluid that are of sufficient amplitude to be more easily detected on the Earth's surface and restriction of amplitude of pressure pulses at high flow rates of drilling fluid to limit equipment damage and loss of hydraulic energy. The valves function by varying the flowing cross sectional area of the hydraulically parallel paths.

Abstract: A downhole drill bit drive motor assembly which provides a bilateral low resistance path from the upper end of a downhole drill bit drive motor to the lower end of such a motor by employing an insulated wire or group of several wires through the rotor of the motor. The drive motors provide a drive torque to a drill bit based on the flow of drilling fluids through the motor and includes an outer case, a motor stator, a motor rotor, a coupling to connect the motor rotor to an output shaft and a bearing to support both axial and radial loads. Fixed electrical contacts are provided at the upper end of the drill bit drive motor to provide connection to wireline for transmission of data from that point to the surface or other higher points. Rotary electrical contacts that provide continuous electrical contact as a rotary portion rotates with respect to a stationary portion are provided at the upper, lower, or both ends of the rotor.

Abstract: A borehole instrument that detects the joints of successive axial lengths of magnetic material enclosing a borehole while traveling along the inside of the enclosure by detecting anomalous magnetic fields indicative of the enclosure's joints.

Abstract: An apparatus for the protection of instrumentation placed within a drill string in a well, as during drilling comprising support structure, including a carrier sized for reception in the string, and; elastomeric structure carried by the support structure and including multiple elastomeric pads spaced about a longitudinal axis defined in the well, the pads extending generally longitudinally, and protruding in directions radially of the axis to absorb radial loading and torsional loading exerted in direction about the axis, and to deflect in said directions of radial and torsional loading.

Abstract: An apparatus for the protection of instrumentation placed within a drill string in a well, as during drilling comprising support structure, including a carrier sized for reception in the string, and; elastomeric structure carried by the support structure and including multiple elastomeric pads spaced about a longitudinal axis defined in the well, the pads extending generally longitudinally, and protruding in directions radially of the axis to absorb radial loading and torsional loading exerted in direction about the axis, and to deflect in said directions of radial and torsional loading.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting instrumentation in a drill collar in a well, such instrumentation being subject to travel in the well to and from the drill collar comprising instrumentation having upper and lower end portions and being elongated between the end portions; there being tongue and groove interfit elements to suspend the instrumentation at the drill collar; one of the elements carried by the drill collar, and the other of the elements carried by the upper portion of the instrumentation, whereby the elements interfit as the instrumentation is traveled downwardly in the drill collar with the instrumentation lower portion hanging freely below the level of the elements.

Abstract: A releasable and reseatable electrical connection between female and male members associated with disconnectible sections of wireline used in a drill string in a borehole comprising the male member defining a first axis and having an externally exposed electrical contact ring, extending about the axis; the female member defining a second axis and having a conductive part extending at least part way about the second axis; and a spring element in electrical connection with the part and inwardly exposed for making electrical contact with the contact ring upon telescopic interfitting of the members.

Abstract: A rope socket assembly for making a combined electrical and mechanical connection in a wireline having an inner electrical conductor, a coaxial insulation layer about the conductor, and an outer protection wire covering about the insulation layer for survey, steering or logging use in a borehole, the wireline having opposite end portions and associated inner conductor end portions comprising a rope socket housing having a bore to receive the opposite end portions of the wireline; two tubular threading plugs positioned in the bore for receiving the respective end portions of the wireline; two sleeves positioned in the bore to extend about the respective plugs; and an insulator block received in the bore between the sleeves, and structure within the block for establishing electrical connection between the inner conductor end portions associated with the wireline end portions.

Abstract: An apparatus for borehole electromagnetic telemetry is provided comprising a direct switching element to couple energy from a downhole energy source to the earth-drillstring system, a downhole energy source that may be adapted to a variety of voltage levels, a system to control the switching element in response to the desired information to be telemetered, a system to adapt the voltage level of the downhole energy source to the desired level for the conditions of usage, and an insulated joint so that the energy to be transmitted can be injected into the earth-drillstring system.

Abstract: Land vehicle navigation apparatus combining an inertial angular rate sensor having a sensitive axis, with an inertial acceleration or tilt sensor having at least two sensitive axes, these sensitive axes having a known relationship to the inertial angular rate sensor's sensitive axis. Also provided is circuitry to accept from an external source an initial input valve (or self initialization, by rotary multiple positioning) of the vehicle's azimuthal orientation angles, roll, pitch, and azimuth, with respect to an Earth-fixed coordinate set as the land vehicle travels over the Earth surface. Changes to the azimuth angle during travel are determined by integration of the output of the inertial angular rate sensor.

Abstract: A land vehicle navigation apparatus incorporates an inertial angular rate sensor on the vehicle and having a sensitive axis, and an inertial acceleration or tilt sensor having at least two sensitive axes; the latter two sensitive axes are typically located at the vehicle in a plane parallel to the Earth's surface; and a rotary drive is operatively connected to the sensors to rotate them about an axis extending generally at the vehicle in a plane parallel to the Earth's surface; and, circuitry is operatively connected with the sensors to determine three vehicle orientation angles, roll, pitch, and azimuth, with respect to an Earth-fixed coordinate set at a first location, and also to determine the three vehicle orientation angles as the land vehicle travels over the Earth surface; and changes to the azimuth angle during travel are determined by integration of the output of the rate sensor; also, the sensor, drive and circuitry are typically carried by the vehicle.

Abstract: A borehole survey apparatus includes an angular rate sensor, a tilt sensor, a rotary drive to rotate the sensors about an axis extending in the direction of the borehole, circuitry connected with said sensors to determine the azimuthal direction of tilt of the borehole at a first location therein, drive control circuitry and a switch operatively connected with the sensors whereby they may be connected in feedback relation with the rotary drive so that an axis defined by a support for the rate sensor is maintained at predetermined orientation relative to horizontal during travel of the apparatus in a borehole relative to the first location, and integration circuitry connected with the rate sensor whereby changes in borehole alignment during travel may be determined.

Abstract: A borehole survey apparatus including(a) angular rate sensor means having a sensitive axis,(b) tilt sensor means,(c) a rotary drive operatively connected to said (a) and (b) sensor means to rotate same about an axis extending generally in the direction of the borehole,(d) and circuitry operatively connected with said (a) and (b) sensor means to determine the azimuthal direction of tilt of the borehole at a first location therein, said (a) sensor means also connected in feedback relation with the drive whereby the sensitive axis of the (a) sensor means is maintained at a predetermined orientation relative to horizontal during travel of said apparatus in the borehole relative to said first location, and whereby changes in borehole alignment during said travel may be determined.

Abstract: Bore-hole mapping, or surveying, or tool steering in a bore-hole is accomplished using selected combinations of sensors, with sensor signal compensation being provided, in the hole or at the surface. Typical sensors include an angular rate sensor or sensors, a linear acceleration sensor or sensors, and an angular acceleration sensor or sensors. The sensor group is typically rotated in the bore-hole, and the sensors may have selected sensitive axis angularity relative to the travel axis in the bore-hole.