Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and products for downhole operations. Embodiments include downhole tools comprising an outer member configured for conveyance in the borehole; a pressure barrel positioned inside the outer member; a substantially cylindrical pod positioned inside the pressure barrel; and at least one downhole electronic component mounted between the exterior surface and the frame. The pod comprises at least one rigid outer surface forming an exterior surface of the pod and supported by a central frame extending across a diameter of the pod, such as a plurality of outer rigid surfaces. The pod may include a plurality of coupled rigid elongated semicircular metallic shells, wherein each shell of the plurality comprises a rigid outer surface of the plurality of outer rigid surfaces. Each of the at least one downhole electronic component may be sealingly enclosed within a corresponding shell.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting an electronics module used in a borehole may include an enclosure disposed along a drill string. The electronics module may be attached to the enclosure by at least one joint. The at least one joint allows a predetermined bending between the electronics module and the enclosure that does not mechanically overload the electronics module. In some embodiments, the joint may be a ball joint.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and products for downhole operations. Embodiments include downhole tools comprising an outer member configured for conveyance in the borehole; a pressure barrel positioned inside the outer member; a substantially cylindrical pod positioned inside the pressure barrel; and at least one downhole electronic component mounted between the exterior surface and the frame. The pod comprises at least one rigid outer surface forming an exterior surface of the pod and supported by a central frame extending across a diameter of the pod, such as a plurality of outer rigid surfaces. The pod may include a plurality of coupled rigid elongated semicircular metallic shells, wherein each shell of the plurality comprises a rigid outer surface of the plurality of outer rigid surfaces. Each of the at least one downhole electronic component may be sealingly enclosed within a corresponding shell.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and products for downhole operations. Embodiments include downhole tools comprising an outer member configured for conveyance in the borehole; a pressure barrel positioned inside the outer member; a substantially cylindrical pod positioned inside the pressure barrel; and at least one downhole electronic component mounted between the exterior surface and the frame. The pod comprises at least one rigid outer surface forming an exterior surface of the pod and supported by a central frame extending across a diameter of the pod, such as a plurality of outer rigid surfaces. The pod may include a plurality of coupled rigid elongated semicircular metallic shells, wherein each shell of the plurality comprises a rigid outer surface of the plurality of outer rigid surfaces. Each of the at least one downhole electronic component may be sealingly enclosed within a corresponding shell.

Abstract: A removable modular control assembly includes a structure including a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion. A first interlock feature is arranged at the first end portion and a second interlock feature is arranged at the second end portion spaced from the first end portion. At least one shell member includes a first end section, a second end section and an intermediate section having at least one control module receiving section formed therein. The first end section includes a first interlock element engageable with the first interlock feature and the second end section includes a second interlock element engageable with the second interlock feature. The at least one shell member is configured to be strain locked to the structure through a lengthening of the intermediate portion.

Abstract: A removable modular control assembly includes a structure including a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion. A first interlock feature is arranged at the first end portion and a second interlock feature is arranged at the second end portion spaced from the first end portion. At least one shell member includes a first end section, a second end section and an intermediate section having at least one control module receiving section formed therein. The first end section includes a first interlock element engageable with the first interlock feature and the second end section includes a second interlock element engageable with the second interlock feature. The at least one shell member is configured to be strain locked to the structure through a lengthening of the intermediate portion.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and products for downhole operations. Embodiments include downhole tools comprising an outer member configured for conveyance in the borehole; a pressure barrel positioned inside the outer member; a substantially cylindrical pod positioned inside the pressure barrel; and at least one downhole electronic component mounted between the exterior surface and the frame. The pod comprises at least one rigid outer surface forming an exterior surface of the pod and supported by a central frame extending across a diameter of the pod, such as a plurality of outer rigid surfaces. The pod may include a plurality of coupled rigid elongated semicircular metallic shells, wherein each shell of the plurality comprises a rigid outer surface of the plurality of outer rigid surfaces. Each of the at least one downhole electronic component may be sealingly enclosed within a corresponding shell.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting an electronics module used in a borehole may include an enclosure disposed along a drill string. The electronics module may be attached to the enclosure by at least one joint. The at least one joint allows a predetermined bending between the electronics module and the enclosure that does not mechanically overload the electronics module. In some embodiments, the joint may be a ball joint.

Abstract: A bottomhole assembly (BHA) coupled to a drill string includes one or more controllers, and a hole enlargement device that selectively enlarges the diameter of the wellbore formed by the drill bit. The hole enlargement device includes an actuation unit that may move extendable cutting elements of the hole enlargement device between a radially extended position and a radially retracted position. The actuation unit may be responsive to a signal that is transmitted from a downhole and/or a surface location. The hole enlargement device may also include one or more position sensors that transmit a position signal indicative of a radial position of the cutting elements. In an illustrative operating mode, one or more operating parameters of the hole enlargement device may be adjusted based on one or more measured parameters. This adjustment may be done in a closed-loop or automated fashion and/or by human personnel.

Abstract: A bottom hole assembly (BHA) coupled to a drill string includes a steering device, one or more controllers, and a hole enlargement device that selectively enlarges the diameter of the wellbore formed by the drill bit. In an automated drilling mode, the controller controls drilling direction by issuing instructions to the steering device. In one arrangement, the hole enlargement device is integrated into a shaft of a drilling motor that rotates the drill bit. The hole enlargement device includes an actuation unit and an electronics package that cooperate to translate extendable cutting elements between a radially extended position and a radially retracted position. The electronics package may be responsive to a signal that is transmitted from a downhole and/or a surface location. The hole enlargement device may also include one or more position sensors that transmit a position signal indicative of a radial position of the cutting elements.

Abstract: A wellbore is formed by using an apparatus that may include a shaft having an end portion, a drill bit body tiltable about the end portion, and at least one actuator configured to apply a tilting force to the drill bit body.

Abstract: A bottomhole assembly (BHA) coupled to a drill string includes one or more controllers, and a hole enlargement device that selectively enlarges the diameter of the wellbore formed by the drill bit. The hole enlargement device includes an actuation unit that may move extendable cutting elements of the hole enlargement device between a radially extended position and a radially retracted position. The actuation unit may be responsive to a signal that is transmitted from a downhole and/or a surface location. The hole enlargement device may also include one or more position sensors that transmit a position signal indicative of a radial position of the cutting elements. In an illustrative operating mode, one or more operating parameters of the hole enlargement device may be adjusted based on one or more measured parameters. This adjustment may be done in a closed-loop or automated fashion and/or by human personnel.

Abstract: A bottomhole assembly (BHA) coupled to a drill string includes one or more controllers, and a hole enlargement device that selectively enlarges the diameter of the wellbore formed by the drill bit. The hole enlargement device includes an actuation unit that may move extendable cutting elements o the hole enlargement device between a radially extended position and a radially retracted position. The actuation unit may be responsive to a signal that is transmitted from a downhole and/or a surface location. The hole enlargement device may also include one or more position sensors that transmit a position signal indicative of a radial position of the cutting elements. In an illustrative operating mode, one or more operating parameters of the hole enlargement device may be adjusted based on one or more measured parameters. This adjustment may be done in a closed-loop or automated fashion and/or by human personnel.

Abstract: A wellbore is formed by using an apparatus that may include a shaft having an end portion, a drill bit body tiltable about the end portion, and at least one actuator configured to apply a tilting force to the drill bit body.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore is provided that in one aspect includes: a drilling assembly configured to carry a first drill bit at an end thereof, a second drill bit disposed uphole of the first drill bit, and a connection device that is configured to selectively connect the second drill bit to the drilling assembly and disconnect the second drill bit from the drilling assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system in which signals from the surface are sent by changing flow rate of the drilling fluid supplied to the drill string during drilling of a wellbore. The signals are sent based on a fixed or dynamic time period schemes so that the sent signals cross a dynamic threshold value in a known manner. A controller downhole sets the dynamic threshold and determines the number of times a parameter, such as voltage, relating to the changes in the flow rate crosses the set dynamic threshold. Based on the number of the number of crossings and/or the number of crossings and the timing of such crossings, the controller ascertains the signal sent from the surface for use downhole.

Abstract: A bottomhole assembly (BHA) coupled to a drill string includes one or more controllers, and a hole enlargement device that selectively enlarges the diameter of the wellbore formed by the drill bit. The hole enlargement device includes an actuation unit that may move extendable cutting elements o the hole enlargement device between a radially extended position and a radially retracted position. The actuation unit may be responsive to a signal that is transmitted from a downhole and/or a surface location. The hole enlargement device may also include one or more position sensors that transmit a position signal indicative of a radial position of the cutting elements. In an illustrative operating mode, one or more operating parameters of the hole enlargement device may be adjusted based on one or more measured parameters. This adjustment may be done in a closed-loop or automated fashion and/or by human personnel.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore is disclosed that in one aspect includes a drilling assembly configured for use in drilling the wellbore, a liner disposed outside a portion of the drilling assembly that includes a feature at a selected location of the liner, and a liner orientation sensor for providing signals representative of the displacement or movement of the feature relative to the drilling assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system in which signals from the surface are sent by changing flow rate of the drilling fluid supplied to the drill string during drilling of a wellbore. The signals are sent based on a fixed or dynamic time period schemes so that the sent signals cross a threshold value in a known manner. A detector measures the changes in the flow rate. A controller downhole determines the number of times a downhole parameter, such as voltage, relating to the changes in the flow rate crosses a predefined threshold value. Based on the number of the crossings and the timing of such crossings, signals are assigned to commands. The controller controls or operates a steering device based on the commands.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore is disclosed that in one aspect includes a drilling assembly configured for use in drilling the wellbore, a liner disposed outside a portion of the drilling assembly that includes a feature at a selected location of the liner, and a liner orientation sensor for providing signals representative of the displacement or movement of the feature relative to the drilling assembly.