Abstract: A flush joint high torque thread that achieves superior tensile efficiency and compression efficiency. In one example, the thread of a pin member and a box member includes a thread a chamfer with angled shoulders on each side of the thread to achieve increased torque. The stab flanks each contain a lead-in chamfer extending no further than a thread pitch line. The load flanks are each tapered. The stab flanks engage each other during assembly, but not upon assembly. The load flanks do not engage each other during assembly, and do engage each other upon assembly. The pipe achieves both a 70% tensile efficiency and a 90% compression efficiency.

Abstract: A flush joint high torque thread that achieves superior tensile efficiency and compression efficiency. In one example, the thread of a pin member and a box member includes a thread a chamfer with angled shoulders on each side of the thread to achieve increased torque. The stab flanks each contain a lead-in chamfer extending no further than a thread pitch line. The load flanks are each tapered. The stab flanks engage each other during assembly, but not upon assembly. The load flanks do not engage each other during assembly, and do engage each other upon assembly. The pipe achieves both a 70% tensile efficiency and a 90% compression efficiency.

Abstract: A flush joint high torque thread that achieves superior tensile efficiency and compression efficiency. In one example, the thread of a pin member and a box member includes a thread a chamfer with angled shoulders on each side of the thread to minimize radial plastically deformation of the shoulders. The stab flanks each contain a lead-in taper extending no further than a thread pitch line from the thread crest. The load flanks are each perpendicular. The stab flanks engage each other during assembly, but not upon assembly. The load flanks do not engage each other during assembly, and do engage each other upon assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting off concrete, wooden, and/or metal piles, casing, conductor pipe and other metal tubulars, uses a metal frame and a metal blade linearly moveable within the frame, the blade being hydraulically and/or pneumatically driven to puncture and then slice and split through the metal being cut off, the cutting surface of the blade having a removable, centralized puncture point located essentially at the projected intersection between two concave cutting surfaces.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a bearing. The bearing may be used in a tool disposed within a bore hole. The process comprises providing a tubular sleeve and applying a hard facing material on the outer diameter of the tubular sleeve so that the hard facing material is fused onto the outer diameter, and thereafter applying a material layer on the outer diameter so that the material layer is fused onto the outer diameter. The method further includes machining the outer diameter so that a portion of the material layer is removed, and then machining the inner diameter so that only the hard facing material is left as an inner diameter. The method further includes machining the outer diameter and the inner diameter in order to form the bearing. In the most preferred embodiment, the method further includes placing the bearing into a housing, and inserting a mandrel into the bearing, and wherein a hard coating of the mandrel abuts the bearing. A mud motor for rotating a bit in a well bore is also disclosed.

Abstract: An inflatable sealing assembly integrated with a flow carrier which seals the inside of the flow carrier upon detection of a physical condition (e.g. fluid pressure). The inflatable sealing assembly includes a housing, a compartment in the interior of the housing for storing an inflatable sealing device, an inflating mechanism, and a sensor. Upon detection of the physical condition in the exterior and/or interior of the flow carrier, the sensor activates the inflating mechanism, preferably automatically, to inflate and deploy the inflatable sealing device which seals off the inside of the flow carrier. The inflatable sealing device may be an air bag.

Abstract: A percussion apparatus and method of using the percussion apparatus. The apparatus may be used for delivering an impact to a tubular string. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical member having an internal bore containing an anvil and a first guide profile. The apparatus further includes a rotor disposed within the internal bore, and wherein the rotor member comprises a body having an outer circumference with a second guide profile thereon, and wherein the rotor contains a radial hammer face. In a first position, the second external guide profile of the rotor will engage with the first guide profile of the cylindrical member so that the radial hammer face can contact the anvil. In a second position, the second guide profile of the rotor will engage with the first guide profile of the cylindrical member so that the radial hammer face is separated from the anvil shoulder. Multiple rotors and multiple stators may be employed. The rotor may be operatively associated with a stator that directs flow into the rotor.

Abstract: A downhole motor operated by circulating mud fluid in the wellbore is revealed. The motor has nested rotors and is geared to a bit drive. The motor is a dual-rotor pump that is operated as a motor with mud flow through the rotor housing on end connections. The structures of the rotor housing and the rotors can be made of the same material. An angular offset can be incorporated between the centerline of the output of the motor and the bit drive. In the preferred embodiment, the motor output is through a gear located within a bigger gear connected to the bit so as to provide a speed reducer. The gear on the bit shaft is preferably made of spaced rods to mesh with the gear on the motor output shaft. The drive between the rotors and the bit can accommodate angular offsets of a predetermined amount for directional drilling. The design is compact and can be used to drill wellbores as small as about 2½″ in diameter, or even smaller.

Abstract: A simple torque-testing tool, particularly for downhole progressing-cavity motors, easily bolts on to the bearing housing on one end and the bit box on the other end. The assembly is first screwed together where a predetermined amount of preload is applied to opposing clutch surfaces. Opposite ends of the housing are affixed to the bearing housing uphole and the bit box downhole and a predetermined amount of flow is run through the stator housing. If the downhole motor is close to its design operating parameters for a given flow rate, it should be able to drive the bit box despite the drag applied by the opposing clutch surfaces. Failure of the downhole motor to be able to overcome the resistance from the device at the predetermined flow rate indicates that the motor is worn. Torque resistance is applied preferably by stacked Belleville washers which can be stacked in a number of arrangements to alter the amount of force.

Abstract: An improved lubricant cooling system for a sealed bearing section used in drilling with downhole motors comprises a radial bearing or bearings which preferably contain internal and external spiral grooves such that rotation of the central hollow shaft which supports the drillbit forces lubricant up the external grooves toward the upper seal and then back down in the internal grooves along the cooled hollow shaft which has drilling mud flowing through it. Similarly, the rotation of the hollow shaft forces lubricant through an internal spiral in a lower radial bearing or bearings until it reaches the lower seal at which time it is forced into the external spirals past the thrust bearings in the bearing section. This axial circulation effect allows the removal of heat efficiently from the lubricant by virtue of circulating drilling mud in the hollow shaft and in the outer annulus returning to the surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting lubricant reservoir levels, particularly in bearing sections for downhole mud motors, is revealed. This allows rig personnel to more exactly ascertain the remaining bearing life of the assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly is pulled out of the hole and comprises of a signal source. A hand-held device is placed next to the bearing housing and the location of the strongest signal is a direct measurement of the position of the floating piston in the lubricant reservoir. The rig personnel can then readily obtain a level reading on the fluid level in the reservoir. An alternative design is also revealed where the position of the floating piston is sensed in real-time by receivers mounted at spaced locations in the lubricant reservoir.

Abstract: A downhole motor operated by circulating mud fluid in the wellbore is revealed. The motor has nested rotors and is geared to a bit drive. The motor is a dual-rotor pump that is operated as a motor with mud flow through the rotor housing on end connections. The structures of the rotor housing and the rotors can be made of the same material. An angular offset can be incorporated between the centerline of the output of the motor and the bit drive. In the preferred embodiment, the motor output is through a gear located within a bigger gear connected to the bit so as to provide a speed reducer. The drive between the rotors and the bit can accommodate angular offsets of a predetermined amount for directional drilling. The design is compact and can be used to drill wellbores as small as about 21/2" in diameter, or even smaller.

Abstract: An adjustable bend connection is provided which desirably extends from the power section of a downhole progressing-cavity-type mud motor. The joint is secured internally so that any reverse rotation of the bend housings that may occur does not result in undoing the bend connection. Torque is transmitted separately from the portion of the connection which is used to secure the angle selected. The output shaft from the mud motor extends internally through the bend connection and through the components which retain the preselected angle. A tool can be inserted with the bit removed to secure or to change the angle desired.

Abstract: A mechanism for arients and maintains a key in a sub for guiding directional measurement equipment of a directional drilling assembly with respect to the drillbit. The orienting sub has an outer sleeve which is supported on an inner shoulder in the orienting sub. An inner sleeve which holds the key has an outer wedged profile which follows the shape of the outer sleeve. The outer sleeve can be longitudinally, obliquely, or spirally segmented and has a thread on one end so that a jam nut can be installed to advance the inner sleeve with the key until a wedging action occurs between the inner and outer sleeves and the sub. At that point, the key is oriented without any bores through the wall of the sub. Provisions can be made in the assembly to provide a biasing force on the inner sleeve which holds the key to compensate for vibrational loads on the assembly.

Abstract: A bypass valve, particularly useful for allowing a tubing string to fill or drain during tripping in and tripping out, is disclosed. The bypass valve can be used in conjunction with a downhole motor operated through a tubing string. The bypass valve features a movable tapered valve member which has a smaller taper than the valve seat to prevent dragging the sealing element across sharp edges as the valve closes. Ports are provided through the valve to conduct upstream pressure in the valve behind the sealing element so that upon contact of the sealing element on the valve member with the seat, a boost force is applied to help retain the seal.

Abstract: A non-rotating drill pipe/casing protector is disclosed. The protector has a bi-directional thrust bearing which can be mounted uphole or downhole from the protector. The bi-directional thrust bearing comprises a female and male part where the female is fixed to the tube and the male can relatively rotate with respect to the pipe. The protector has an insert which extends longitudinally out of the sleeve and is used as the male component in the thrust bearing. Thrust loads are absorbed by metallic component contact, thereby eliminating edge wear of the non-rotating sleeve. The thrust bearing components may have wear pads that are replaceable. Roller bearings can also be used to facilitate the relative rotation between the drillpipe and the sleeve. Wear pads can also be employed on the outside of the sleeve to increase its life.

Abstract: In the context of an oil and gas drilling rig flare system, a purge system is introduced so that in the event of a flammable gas release at the rig, the purge system can be activated. Activation of the system shuts off gas supply from a separator in the mud return system to the flare line and initiates a purge of an inert gas. Any ignition sources in the flare line are immediately turned off. The purging cools the flare line to a point where it cannot act as an ignition source itself. The inert gas prevents the presence of oxygen in the flare line to additionally prevent combustion within the flare line. The flowing inert gas cools the flare line to the point where it cannot ignite any escaping gas from the rig floor. The system can be manually or automatically actuated.