Abstract: A system and method for assembling a communication system in a drilling system configured to drill a borehole in an earthen formation. The communication system has a first antenna assembly and a second antenna assembly that are communicatively coupled together. The method includes attaching a first antenna to the first drill string component and attaching a second antenna to a second antenna assembly. The communication system is configured such that the first drill string component and the second drill string component are communicatively coupled together.

Abstract: A system and method for assembling a communication system in a drilling system configured to drill a borehole in an earthen formation. The communication system has a first antenna assembly and a second antenna assembly that are communicatively coupled together. The method includes attaching a first antenna to the first drill string component and attaching a second antenna to a second antenna assembly. The communication system is configured such that the first drill string component and the second drill string component are communicatively coupled together.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a system for rotating and guiding a drill bit in an underground bore includes a drilling motor and a drive shaft coupled to drilling motor so that drill bit can be rotated by the drilling motor. The system further includes a guidance module having an actuating arm movable between an extended position wherein the actuating arm can contact a surface of the bore and thereby exert a force on the housing of the guidance module, and a retracted position.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a system for rotating and guiding a drill bit in an underground bore includes a drilling motor and a drive shaft coupled to drilling motor so that drill bit can be rotated by the drilling motor. The system further includes a guidance module having an actuating arm movable between an extended position wherein the actuating arm can contact a surface of the bore and thereby exert a force on the housing of the guidance module, and a retracted position.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a system for rotating and guiding a drill bit in an underground bore includes a drilling motor and a drive shaft coupled to drilling motor so that drill bit can be rotated by the drilling motor. The system further includes a guidance module having an actuating arm movable between an extended position wherein the actuating arm can contact a surface of the bore and thereby exert a force on the housing of the guidance module, and a retracted position.

Abstract: A rotary pulser for transmitting information to the surface from down hole in a well by generating pressure pulses encoded to contain information. The pressure pulses travel to the surface where they are decoded so as to decipher the information. The pulser includes housing containing a stator forming passages through which drilling fluid flows on its way to the drill bit, a rotor, and a replaceable wear sleeve enclosing the rotor. The rotor has blades that are capable of imparting a varying obstruction to the flow of drilling fluid through the stator passages depending on the circumferential orientation of the rotor, so that rotation of the rotor by a motor generates the encoded pressure pulses.

Abstract: A latching system for maintaining the position of a component within a downhole drill string section during operation of a drill string. One preferred latching system embodiment has a shoe member including a cavity for receiving a component, a chamber opening into the shoe member cavity, an engagement member movable in the chamber between a retracted position and an engagement position, a first passage in fluid communication with the chamber and extending to an end surface of the shoe member, and a second passage extending from an outer side surface of the shoe member to the first passage. A pressure differential between pressure in the first passage and pressure in the second passage alters the position of the engagement member.

Abstract: A latching system for maintaining the position of a component within a downhole drill string section during operation of a drill string. One preferred latching system embodiment has a shoe member including a cavity for receiving a component, a chamber opening into the shoe member cavity, an engagement member movable in the chamber between a retracted position and an engagement position, a first passage in fluid communication with the chamber and extending to an end surface of the shoe member, and a second passage extending from an outer side surface of the shoe member to the first passage. A pressure differential between pressure in the first passage and pressure in the second passage alters the position of the engagement member.

Abstract: Drill string sections are provided comprising internal passages that may be used to facilitate the electrical or hydraulic connection of multiple devices, such as sensors, arranged at spaced apart positions along the length of the drill sections. Methods of manufacturing the drill string sections are also provided, wherein the internal passages are formed by a first passage, a second passage, and a connecting passage therebetween.

Abstract: A lifting assembly for a chassis having structural members wherein the lifting assembly comprises a first lift handle sub-assembly and a second lift handle sub-assembly. Each lift handle sub-assembly includes a first lifting bracket slidably mounted to a first chassis structural member and a second lifting bracket slidably mounted to a second chassis structural member positioned from the first lifting bracket. A lift handle is attached at each end thereof to one end of the first and second lifting brackets. Attached to a second end of the first and second lifting brackets is a lower stop bar sliding within the chassis structural-members. Attached to the chassis structural members in the path of movement of the lower stop bar is a slide stop bar that establishes the limit of movement of the lift handle to a gripping position.

Abstract: An apparatus for skimming floating debris from an enclosed vessel of water wherein a circular current of water occurs, said apparatus comprising a frame defining an inlet portion positioned upstream and an outlet portion covered with netting positioned downstream. A collection area, also covered with netting and located at one end of the inlet portion, extends upstream from and with its open end perpendicular to the inlet portion so that the leading edge of the collection area sufficiently impedes the current along its permeable leading edge. This impediment induces a lateral current internal to the apparatus which causes a substantial portion of the floating debris entering the apparatus to be accumulated in the collection area out of the main flow of the current, rather than accumulating at the netting-covered outlet portion of the apparatus.

Abstract: A lifting assembly for a chassis having structural members wherein the lifting assembly comprises a first lift handle sub-assembly and a second lift handle subassembly. Each lift handle sub-assembly includes a first lifting bracket slidably mounted to a first chassis structural member and a second lifting bracket slidably mounted to a second chassis structural member positioned from the first lifting bracket. A lift handle is attached at each end thereof to one end of the first and second lifting brackets. Attached to a second end of the first and second lifting brackets is a lower stop bar sliding within the chassis structural-members. Attached to the chassis structural members in the path of movement of the lower stop bar is a slide stop bar that establishes the limit of movement of the lift handle to a gripping position.

Abstract: An apparatus for skimming floating debris from an enclosed pool of water wherein a circular current of water occurs, said apparatus comprising a frame defining an inlet portion positioned upstream and an outlet portion covered with netting positioned downstream. A collection basket, also covered with netting and located at one end of the inlet portion, extends upstream from and with its open end perpendicular to the inlet portion so that the leading edge of the collection basket sufficiently impedes the current along its permeable leading edge. This impediment induces a lateral current internal to the apparatus which causes a substantial portion of the floating debris entering the apparatus to be accumulated in the collection basket out of the main flow of the current, rather than accumulating at the netting-covered outlet portion of the apparatus.

Abstract: A coupling that makes electrical connections across a joint joining adjacent tubular members, such as drill pipe sections in a drill string. A male sleeve, made from an electrical insulating material, is attached to the male end of one pipe section. A number of axially spaced apart male contact members, such as ring segments or buttons, are formed on the outside surface of the male end. The male contact members are spring biased radially outward. Each of the male contact members is radially displaced from the axial centerline of the pipe section by a progressively increasing amount. A female sleeve, also made from an electrical insulating material, is attached to the female end of the other pipe section. A number of female contact members, such as ring segments or buttons, are formed on the inside surface of the female end. Each of the female contact members is radially displaced from the axial centerline of the pipe section by a progressively increasing amount.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating with a device downhole in a well, such as a bottom hole assembly in a drill string. Pressure pulses, such as those generated by the pistons of the mud pump, are transmitted through the drilling mud to a pressure pulsation sensor in the bottom hole assembly. The pressure pulsation sensor features a piezoceramic element that generates a varying voltage signal in response to the received pressure pulsations. The pressure pulsation sensor also has electronic components that allow it to analyze a characteristic of the pressure pulsations, such as their frequency. Based on its analysis of the pressure pulsations, the sensor can decipher a command from the surface, for example, that directs the steering of a steerable drill string, or that can determine whether the mud pumps are operating.

Abstract: A fluid handling device such as a helicoidal pump or motor having a stator formed by an elastomer material in which a plurality of fibers are encapsulated. Preferably, the fibers form a network of interlaced fibers extending in two or more directions. The fiber network preferably forms multiple layers of flexible fabric encircling the stator axis. In addition, a group of the fibers can extend radially through the fabric layers. The fibers increase the strength and stiffness of the elastomer and also create heat conduction paths that improve the heat transfer within the stator core, thereby preventing overheating of the elastomer.

Abstract: An apparatus for joining one pipe section that contains a pressurized fluid, such as a pipe section formed from a non-metallic material in the sensing section of a drill string, to another pipe section so as to minimize the pressure gradient acting across the joint. An inner sleeve is installed within the pipe section so as to extend across the joint, thereby forming an annular chamber between the inner sleeve and the joint. Seals at the ends of the inner sleeve prevent the fluid flowing within the pipe section from flowing into the annular chamber. A vent hole allows fluid flowing outside the pipe section to enter the annular chamber and pressurize it to the same pressure as the fluid, thereby equalizing the pressure across the joint. Alternatively, the annular chamber can be filled with an incompressible fluid and a pressure balancing piston used to equalize the internal and external pressures acting on the joint.

Abstract: An elastomeric joint that can be used, as part of an articulated coupling in a progressive cavity device, including using the articulated coupling for converting the complex motion of the rotor into simple rotation. The coupling includes two shafts coupled to one another by coupling assemblies connected to opposite ends of an intermediate shaft. The coupling assemblies include interlocked threaded and tapered portions and an elastomer filling the spaces between the threaded portions. Under loading the male and female portion move relative to one another so that the elastomer is subject to both compression and shear. Should the elastomer fail, the threaded portions simply lock together thereby allowing fail safe operation. Provisions are also made to protect the integrity of the coupling under reverse torque. The moving components within the coupling are perfectly isolated from the surrounding environment.

Abstract: An apparatus for joining one pipe section that contains a pressurized fluid, such as a pipe section formed from a non-metallic material in the sensing section of a drill string, to another pipe section so as to minimize the pressure gradient acting across the joint. An inner sleeve is installed within the pipe section so as to extend across the joint, thereby forming an annular chamber between the inner sleeve and the joint. Seals at the ends of the inner sleeve prevent the fluid flowing within the pipe section from flowing into the annular chamber. A vent hole allows fluid flowing outside the pipe section to enter the annular chamber and pressurize it to the same pressure as the fluid, thereby equalizing the pressure across the joint. Alternatively, the annular chamber can be filled with an incompressible fluid and a pressure balancing piston used to equalize the internal and external pressures acting on the joint.