Abstract: A device comprising a housing having a longitudinal dimension; a linear actuator including a casing coupled to the housing; an actuator shaft having an exterior surface and configured to be longitudinally translated relative to the casing; and a seal assembly engaging the housing and sealingly engaging the exterior surface. The device also comprising a motor assembly disposed within the housing, the motor assembly including a motor case and a motor shaft, the motor shaft configured to rotate one of the seal assembly or the actuator shaft.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for generating fluid pulses in a fluid column, such as within a well. A described example fluid pulse generator has a valve member comprising a piston that is linearly movable within a piston chamber to control flow by selectively obstructing a fluid passage. The fluid passage may extend around at least a portion of the piston chamber and intersect at an angle relative to the axis of movement of the valve member. The piston is linearly movable, such as from a closed or minimal-flow position to a maximal-flow position, and optionally to any of a number or range of positions therebetween. The position of the valve member may be varied to generate fluid pulses of a selected pattern of duration, amplitude, and so forth, to generate a signal within the fluid column detectable at a location remote from the fluid pulse generator.

Abstract: A method of operating a drill string comprises independently modifying a rotary speed of a downhole portion of the drill string relative to other downhole portions of the drill string, each of the portions comprising a plurality of drill pipe sections. The modified-speed portion of the drill string can comprise a downhole end portion of the drill string extending between a downhole drill string end and a curved portion of the borehole in which the drill string is located. The downhole end portion can be rotated at an increased speed relative to a portion of the drill string coincident with the curved portion of the borehole. Independent speed modification can be effected by incorporating one or more transmission modifier devices in the drill string, the transmission modifier device being switchable between a disengaged mode in which it transfers unmodified drill string torque and rotation, and an engaged mode in which it transmits torque and rotation along the drill string at a modified speed and torque.

Abstract: A disclosed example embodiment includes an antenna assembly for use in a well logging system. The antenna assembly includes a flexible, non-conductive cylindrical core having an outer surface and an electrically conductive path positioned on the outer surface of the core. The electrically conductive path forms an electromagnetic coil operable to transmit or receive electromagnetic energy. The electrically conductive path is formed on the core without winding a wire around the core using, for example, a removal process selected from the group consisting of milling, machining, etching and laser removal, an additive process selected from the group consisting of printing with conductive and dielectric inks and silk screening with conductive and dielectric epoxies or an integrated material deposition process such as a multi-material 3D printing process. The antenna assembly may be flexible mounted on a tubular member during assembly of a well logging tool.

Abstract: A device comprising a housing having a longitudinal dimension; a linear actuator including a casing coupled to the housing; an actuator shaft having an exterior surface and configured to be longitudinally translated relative to the casing; and a seal assembly engaging the housing and sealingly engaging the exterior surface. The device also comprising a motor assembly disposed within the housing, the motor assembly including a motor case and a motor shaft, the motor shaft configured to rotate one of the seal assembly or the actuator shaft.

Abstract: A method and assembly to produce data pulses in a drilling fluid in a drill string. The assembly comprises a shear valve that includes a valve member mounted in a valve passage in fluid flow communication with a fluid flow conduit of a drill string to which the assembly is connectable. The valve member is connected to a reciprocation mechanism comprising a rocker, a driven crank arrangement, and a slider member that provides a sliding coupling between the crank arrangement and the rocker. The slider member is pivotally connected to the crank arrangement, is keyed to the rocker for angular displacement about a valve axis, and is radially slidable relative to the rocker, so actuation of the crank arrangement causes angular reciprocation of the rocker, and hence of the valve member, about the valve axis, to produce data pulses in the drilling fluid.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for generating fluid pulses in a fluid column, such as within a well. A described example fluid pulse generator has a valve member comprising a piston that is linearly movable within a piston chamber to control flow by selectively obstructing a fluid passage. The fluid passage may extend around at least a portion of the piston chamber and intersect at an angle relative to the axis of movement of the valve member. The piston is linearly movable, such as from a closed or minimal-flow position to a maximal-flow position, and optionally to any of number or range of positions therebetween. The position of the valve member may be varied to generate fluid pulses of a selected pattern of duration, amplitude, and so forth, to generate a signal within the fluid column detectable at a location remote from the fluid pulse generator.

Abstract: A disclosed example embodiment includes an antenna assembly for use in a well logging system. The antenna assembly includes a flexible, non-conductive cylindrical core having an outer surface and an electrically conductive path positioned on the outer surface of the core. The electrically conductive path forms an electromagnetic coil operable to transmit or receive electromagnetic energy. The electrically conductive path is formed on the core without winding a wire around the core using, for example, a removal process selected from the group consisting of milling, machining, etching and laser removal, an additive process selected from the group consisting of printing with conductive and dielectric inks and silk screening with conductive and dielectric epoxies or an integrated material deposition process such as a multi-material 3D printing process. The antenna assembly may be flexible mounted on a tubular member during assembly of a well logging tool.

Abstract: A fluid pulse generator for use in a drill string comprises an elongate obstruction member mounted in a fluid passage for driven pivoting about a pivot axis transverse to the fluid passage, obstruction of the fluid passage by the obstruction member being variable in relation to pivotal position of the obstruction member. Telemetry signals can be transmitted along the drill string by driven pivoting of the obstruction member, to generate data pulses in drilling fluid in the drill string. Pressure-locking of the obstruction member in a maximally obstructive position can be counteracted by provision of a bypass arrangement to allow bypass flow at a leading end of the obstruction member.

Abstract: A method of operating a drill string comprises independently modifying a rotary speed of a downhole portion of the drill string relative to other downhole portions of the drill string, each of the portions comprising a plurality of drill pipe sections. The modified-speed portion of the drill string can comprise a downhole end portion of the drill string extending between a downhole drill string end and a curved portion of the borehole in which the drill string is located. The downhole end portion can be rotated at an increased speed relative to a portion of the drill string coincident with the curved portion of the borehole. Independent speed modification can be effected by incorporating one or more transmission modifier devices in the drill string, the transmission modifier device being switchable between a disengaged mode in which it transfers unmodified drill string torque and rotation, and an engaged mode in which it transmits torque and rotation along the drill string at a modified speed and torque.

Abstract: A fluid pulse generator for use in a drill string comprises an elongate obstruction member mounted in a fluid passage for driven pivoting about a pivot axis transverse to the fluid passage, obstruction of the fluid passage by the obstruction member being variable in relation to pivotal position of the obstruction member. Telemetry signals can be transmitted along the drill string by driven pivoting of the obstruction member, to generate data pulses in drilling fluid in the drill string. Pressure-locking of the obstruction member in a maximally obstructive position can be counteracted by provision of a bypass arrangement to allow bypass flow at a leading end of the obstruction member.

Abstract: A method and assembly to produce data pulses in a drilling fluid in a drill string. The assembly comprises a shear valve that includes a valve member mounted in a valve passage in fluid flow communication with a fluid flow conduit of a drill string to which the assembly is connectable. The valve member is connected to a reciprocation mechanism comprising a rocker, a driven crank arrangement, and a slider member that provides a sliding coupling between the crank arrangement and the rocker. The slider member is pivotally connected to the crank arrangement, is keyed to the rocker for angular displacement about a valve axis, and is radially slidable relative to the rocker, so actuation of the crank arrangement causes angular reciprocation of the rocker, and hence of the valve member, about the valve axis, to produce data pulses in the drilling fluid.