Abstract: A radial bearing apparatus including a housing with a housing bore defining a radial bearing housing surface, a shaft extending through the housing bore and defining a radial bearing shaft surface, and a radial bearing contact interface between the radial bearing housing surface and the radial bearing shaft surface for bearing a variable side force applied to the shaft. The radial bearing contact interface includes an oblique section in which the radial bearing housing surface and the radial bearing shaft surface are oblique to each other when the side force is zero and progressively increase in contact in an axial direction in response to an increasing magnitude of the side force.

Abstract: A drill string for drilling a borehole. The drill string may include a downhole motor operable to rotate the drill string and a centralizer assembly. The centralizer assembly may include an outer housing, a lower sub threadably engaged with the outer housing, and a centralizer. The centralizer may include a single eccentric blade, an internal shoulder positioned between the outer housing and the lower sub, and an alignment profile to align the centralizer in an azimuthal position relative to the drill string. The centralizer may be retainable in the aligned azimuthal position by the alignment profile and the internal shoulder being engaged by the outer housing and the lower sub.

Abstract: A rotor catch system includes a catch stem having a proximal end coupled to a rotor of a mud motor system and a distal end positioned within a sub housing of a drill string, a catch feature having a top portion and a spindle portion extending from the top portion and coupled to the distal end of the catch stem, a housing catch feature extending radially inward from an inner surface of the sub housing, and a catch bushing positioned between the top portion of the catch feature and the housing catch feature. The housing catch feature restrains axial movement of the catch bushing in the active catch state via contact between the catch bushing and the housing catch feature, and the catch bushing restrains axial movement of the catch feature in the active catch state via contact between the catch feature and the catch bushing.

Abstract: A radial bearing apparatus including a housing with a housing bore defining a radial bearing housing surface, a shaft extending through the housing bore and defining a radial bearing shaft surface, and a radial bearing contact interface between the radial bearing housing surface and the radial bearing shaft surface for bearing a variable side force applied to the shaft. The radial bearing contact interface includes an oblique section in which the radial bearing housing surface and the radial bearing shaft surface are oblique to each other when the side force is zero and progressively increase in contact in an axial direction in response to an increasing magnitude of the side force.

Abstract: This invention relates to mutant enzymes with enhanced properties and processes for oxidation of organic compound substrates using such enzymes.

Abstract: A radial bearing apparatus including a housing with a housing bore defining a radial bearing housing surface, a shaft extending through the housing bore and defining a radial bearing shaft surface, and a radial bearing contact interface between the radial bearing housing surface and the radial bearing shaft surface for bearing a variable side force applied to the shaft. The radial bearing contact interface includes an oblique section in which the radial bearing housing surface and the radial bearing shaft surface are oblique to each other when the side force is zero and progressively increase in contact in an axial direction in response to an increasing magnitude of the side force.

Abstract: A rotor catch system includes a catch stem having a proximal end coupled to a rotor of a mud motor system and a distal end positioned within a sub housing of a drill string, a catch feature having a top portion and a spindle portion extending from the top portion and coupled to the distal end of the catch stem, a housing catch feature extending radially inward from an inner surface of the sub housing, and a catch bushing positioned between the top portion of the catch feature and the housing catch feature. The housing catch feature restrains axial movement of the catch bushing in the active catch state via contact between the catch bushing and the housing catch feature, and the catch bushing restrains axial movement of the catch feature in the active catch state via contact between the catch feature and the catch bushing.

Abstract: A mud motor, system, and method for using same are disclosed. A mud motor can include a continuously formed power section stator housing having a first end, a second end, and an internal cavity comprising a series of stator lobes and a housing portion passing. The stator lobes can extend from the first end of the power section stator housing until a first end of a transition portion. The transition portion can form a unitary combination with the stator lobes. The mud motor further includes a rotor assembly including a power section rotor having rotor lobes to be disposed completely within the internal cavity. Additional apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for a downhole drilling motor can include a housing having an inner wall, an outer bearing race within the housing, and an inner bearing race. The outer bearing race can include a reduced-diameter portion forming a gap between the outer bearing race and the inner wall of the housing to allow for radial displacement of the outer bearing race relative to the housing. The design combines the functions of a bearing and a compliant feature into a single unit.

Abstract: Downhole tools such as bearing assemblies and stabilizers are described for withstanding abrasive and erosive wear in operation. These stabilizers and bearing assemblies employ wear-resistant hard materials such as TSP, PCD, leached WC, and SCD composite materials. A bond between a braze material and wear tiles constructed of a hard phase material may include a non-planar interface with the braze material. Self-lubricating materials may be provided within the braze material or the hard material in some instances.

Abstract: An assembly for use in a wellbore can include a drill string having an outer housing and a thrust bearing sleeve positioned within the outer housing of the drill string. The assembly can also include a stationary thrust bearing positioned within the thrust bearing sleeve and coaxially around a mandrel extending through a longitudinal length of the thrust bearing sleeve. The assembly can further include an interlocking component including a first end coupled to the stationary thrust bearing and a second end positioned in a recessed portion of a housing of the drill string for preventing the stationary thrust bearing from rotating about a central axis of the mandrel, and for allowing the stationary thrust bearing to rotate about one or more axes perpendicular to the central axis. The assembly can include a flexible member for opposing a rotational force applied to the stationary thrust bearing by another thrust bearing.

Abstract: A radial bearing apparatus including a housing with a housing bore defining a radial bearing housing surface, a shaft extending through the housing bore and defining a radial bearing shaft surface, and a radial bearing contact interface between the radial bearing housing surface and the radial bearing shaft surface for bearing a variable side force applied to the shaft. The radial bearing contact interface includes an oblique section in which the radial bearing housing surface and the radial bearing shaft surface are oblique to each other when the side force is zero and progressively increase in contact in an axial direction in response to an increasing magnitude of the side force.

Abstract: An interference apparatus is provided for a motor shaft transmission assembly. The interference apparatus may include split-ring shells and a retaining device. The interference apparatus may be mounted to an intermediate sleeve of the motor shaft transmission assembly. The interference apparatus is configured to prevent the loss of certain motor shaft transmission assembly components downhole in the event of a failure of the motor transmission due to dynamic loads.

Abstract: This invention relates to mutant enzymes with enhanced properties and processes for oxidation of organic compound substrates using such enzymes.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to bearing assembly for drilling a subterranean formation and methods of using the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of drilling a subterranean formation. The method includes flowing a drilling fluid through a drill string disposed in the subterranean formation, with the drill string including a bottom hole assembly including a bearing assembly including a low flow bearing. The method includes flowing a first part of the drilling fluid into contact with the low flow bearing, while simultaneously flowing a second part of the drilling fluid through a bypass channel around the low flow bearing. The method also includes discharging the first and second part of the drilling fluid between the bottom hole assembly and the subterranean formation.

Abstract: This invention relates to mutant enzymes with enhanced properties and processes for oxidation of organic compound substrates using such enzymes.

Abstract: A radial bearing for transmitting a radial load, including a first radial bearing component defining a first radial bearing surface and an orientable second radial bearing component defining a second radial bearing surface. At least a portion of the first radial bearing surface is provided by a first radial bearing material. A portion of the second radial bearing surface is provided by a second radial bearing material. The first radial bearing component and the second radial bearing component interact to transmit the radial load between the first radial bearing component and the second radial bearing component at a radial load location on the second radial bearing component. The second radial bearing material is provided as the portion of the second radial bearing surface such that the second radial bearing material is concentrated at the radial load location.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to bearing assembly for drilling a subterranean formation and methods of using the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of drilling a subterranean formation. The method includes flowing a drilling fluid through a drill string disposed in the subterranean formation, with the drill string including a bottom hole assembly including a bearing assembly including a low flow bearing. The method includes flowing a first part of the drilling fluid into contact with the low flow bearing, while simultaneously flowing a second part of the drilling fluid through a bypass channel around the low flow bearing. The method also includes discharging the first and second part of the drilling fluid between the bottom hole assembly and the subterranean formation.

Abstract: A downhole drilling motor, system, and method for using same are disclosed. A downhole drilling motor can include a power section stator having a first end, a second end, an internal cavity passing therethrough. The downhole drilling motor can further include a rotor assembly positioned and fully encased in the internal cavity. The rotor assembly includes a power section rotor, a drivetrain operably coupled to the power section rotor and a bearing set. The power section rotor is positioned at the first end within the internal cavity of the power section stator. The power section rotor, the drivetrain, and the bearing set are fully encased in the internal cavity of the power section stator. Additional apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Downhole tools such as bearing assemblies and stabilizers are described for withstanding abrasive and erosive wear in operation. These stabilizers and bearing assemblies employ wear-resistant hard materials such as TSP, PCD, leached WC, and SCD composite materials. A bond between a braze material and wear tiles constructed of a hard phase material may include a non-planar interface with the braze material. Self-lubricating materials may be provided within the braze material or the hard material in some instances.