Abstract: An underreamer for increasing a diameter of a wellbore. The underreamer may include a body having an axial bore extending at least partially therethrough. An electromagnetic activation system may be disposed at least partially within the bore of the body. A valve may be disposed within the bore of the body and coupled to the electromagnetic activation system. The valve may include a mobile element and a static element. The mobile element may be coupled to the electromagnetic activation system and move from a first position where the mobile element obstructs fluid flow through the valve to a second position where the mobile element permits fluid flow through the valve. A cutter block may be movably coupled to the body and move radially-outward as the mobile element moves from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A downhole turbine assembly may comprise a tangential turbine disposed within a section of drill pipe. A portion of a fluid flowing through the drill pipe may be diverted to the tangential turbine generally perpendicular to the turbine's axis of rotation. After rotating the tangential turbine, the diverted portion may be discharged to an exterior of the drill pipe.

Abstract: A method for determining influential broadcast messages in which a processing device identifies a plurality of re-posts of a post, wherein each re-post comprises a time stamp, determines whether the time stamp of the re-post is within a first time interval or a second time interval, increments a first count associated with the first time interval when the time stamp is within the first time interval or a second count associated with the second time interval when the time stamp is within the second time interval, and determines a public sentiment attribute associated with the post in view of a comparison between the first count and the second count.

Abstract: Downhole drilling often requires passing drilling fluid containing water mixed with mud through a downhole drill pipe. Such drill pipe may comprise cavities therein for working units such as motors, generators, solenoids and the like. It may be desirable to lubricate and cool such working units with water from the drilling fluid, however, mud particulate may damage such devices. The present invention comprises various embodiments of a dynamic seal assembly designed to allow fluid communication between a cavity and a fluid flow while blocking certain particulate matter within the fluid flow from entering the cavity. The fluid communication may occur through and the particulate matter may be blocked by a defined clearance between two complementary surfaces that are movable relative to each other.

Abstract: A piston assembly may comprise a housing with a wall, and at least one chamber formed in the wall. A piston may be disposed within the chamber and at least one passageway may pass through the piston. At least one pin may be disposed within the passageway and attached to the chamber, and the piston may be free to translate relative to the pin.

Abstract: An anchoring assembly in a downhole tool, the assembly including a first tubular member, a second tubular member coupled to the first tubular member, and an anchoring block disposed between the first tubular member and the second tubular member. The anchoring block includes a body having a central axis defined therethrough and a central bore formed therethrough, a contact crown, in which at least one annular flow channel is formed between the contact crown and the body, and a contact ring configured to engage at least a portion of the first tubular member.

Abstract: A safety knife comprises a knife body (10), a blade carrier (16) movable within the knife body (10) between a retracted position and an extended position, biasing means (24) urging the blade carrier (16) towards its retracted position, latch means to latch the blade carrier (16) in its extended position, and a weight (36) movable along a passage (32) relative to the knife body (10) and engageable with release means (40) to release the latch means.

Abstract: An underreamer for increasing a diameter of a wellbore. The underreamer may include a body having an axial bore extending at least partially therethrough. An electromagnetic activation system may be disposed at least partially within the bore of the body. A valve may be disposed within the bore of the body and coupled to the electromagnetic activation system. The valve may include a mobile element and a static element. The mobile element may be coupled to the electromagnetic activation system and move from a first position where the mobile element obstructs fluid flow through the valve to a second position where the mobile element permits fluid flow through the valve. A cutter block may be movably coupled to the body and move radially-outward as the mobile element moves from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a steering assembly for downhole directional drilling comprises an outer bit comprising a bore and an outer cutting area and in inner bit comprising an inner cutting area and connected to a shaft that is disposed within the bore. At least one biasing mechanism is disposed around the shaft. At least one fluid channel is disposed within the outer bit and redirects fluid to the at least one biasing mechanism causing the at least one biasing mechanism to push the shaft and alter an axis of the inner bit with respect to an axis of the outer bit.

Abstract: A method for determining influential broadcast messages in which a processing device identifies a plurality of re-posts of a post, wherein each re-post comprises a time stamp, determines whether the time stamp of the re-post is within a first time interval or a second time interval, increments a first count associated with the first time interval when the time stamp is within the first time interval or a second count associated with the second time interval when the time stamp is within the second time interval, and determines a public sentiment attribute associated with the post in view of a comparison between the first count and the second count.

Abstract: An anchoring assembly in a downhole tool, the assembly including a first tubular member, a second tubular member coupled to the first tubular member, and an anchoring block disposed between the first tubular member and the second tubular member. The anchoring block includes a body having a central axis defined therethrough and a central bore formed therethrough, a contact crown, in which at least one annular flow channel is formed between the contact crown and the body, and a contact ring configured to engage at least a portion of the first tubular member.

Abstract: A piston assembly may comprise a housing with a wall, and at least one chamber formed in the wall. A piston may be disposed within the chamber and at least one passageway may pass through the piston. At least one pin may be disposed within the passageway and attached to the chamber, and the piston may be free to translate relative to the pin.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a tool comprises a head and a shank assembly. The shank assembly has a tensioned element axially disposed within a bore of a structural element and a distal end of the tensioned element is secured within or below the bore. The head has a cavity formed in its base end and is adapted to receive a proximal end of the tensioned element. The tensioned element has a radially extending catch adapted to interlock within the cavity of the head. The head is harder than the tensioned element.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a downhole drill string assembly comprises a bore there through to receive drilling fluid. A turbine may be disposed within the bore and exposed to the drilling fluid. At least one flow guide may be disposed within the bore and exposed to the drilling fluid wherein the flow guide acts to redirect the flow of the drilling fluid across the turbine. The flow guide may be adjusted by an actuator. Adjustments to the flow guide may be controlled by a downhole telemetry system, a processing unit, a control loop, or any combination thereof. In various embodiments the turbine may comprise rotatable turbine blades.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, an inductive coupling comprises a pin section and a box section. The pin section comprises an inner electrical conductor supported in an exterior tapered surface of the pin section. The box section comprises an outer electrical conductor supported in an interior tapered surface of the box section. The exterior and interior tapered surfaces are configured to align each other such that the interior and exterior tapered surfaces are coaxial with each other when fully engaged.

Abstract: A downhole tool string component has at least one end adapted to connect to an adjacent tool sting component and a bore adapted to accommodate a flow of drilling fluid. A turbine is disposed within the bore and an actuating assembly is arranged such that a clutch may mechanically connect and disconnect with the turbine.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a downhole tool string component has at least one end adapted to connect to an adjacent tool sting component and a bore adapted to accommodate a flow of drilling fluid. A turbine is disposed within the bore and an actuating assembly is arranged such that a clutch may mechanically connect and disconnect with the turbine.

Abstract: A tool comprising a fluid path defined by a bore formed within a tubular body includes a guided sleeve and a reciprocating sleeve disposed within the bore. A gearwheel is located on an outer surface of the guided sleeve and at least one pawl located on an inner surface of the reciprocating sleeve. When the reciprocating sleeve translates axially, it rotates in a first direction. As the reciprocating sleeve rotates, the at least one pawl pushes the gearwheel and causes the guided sleeve to rotate in the first direction into a new position.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a system for a downhole string comprises a fluid path defined by a bore formed within a tubular component. A reciprocating valve is located within a wall of the bore hydraulically connecting the bore with a fluid passage. The valve comprises a substantially cylindrical shaped housing. First and second ports are disposed on a circumference of the housing, and a fluid pathway is disposed intermediate the first and second ports. The valve comprises an axially slidable spool disposed within and coaxial with the housing and comprises a blocker. The blocker is configured to slide axially so to block and unblock the fluid pathway to control a flow from the bore to the fluid passage. The valve comprises a plurality of seals. Each seal is disposed opposite of the blocker causing pressure to be equally applied to the blocker and the plurality of seals.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a system for a downhole string comprises a fluid path defined by a bore formed within a tubular component. A reciprocating valve is located within a wall of the bore hydraulically connecting the bore with a fluid passage. The valve comprises a substantially cylindrical shaped housing. First and second ports are disposed on a circumference of the housing, and a fluid pathway is disposed intermediate the first and second ports. The valve comprises an axially slidable spool disposed within and coaxial with the housing and comprises a blocker. The blocker is configured to slide axially so to block and unblock the fluid pathway to control a flow from the bore to the fluid passage. The valve comprises a plurality of seals. Each seal is disposed opposite of the blocker causing pressure to be equally applied to the blocker and the plurality of seals.