Abstract: A percussion drilling apparatus is arranged to affect at least one characteristic of a shock wave produced in a drill string. The apparatus includes an elongate energy transmission adaptor having a shock wave modification sleeve configured with a free end and an attachment end projecting radially from an outer surface of the adaptor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus facilitating radial profiling of shear slowness are disclosed. According to some aspects of the invention, acoustic tool bias is accounted for in the calculation of radial profiles. According so some aspects, acoustic tool bias is accounted for by replacing acoustic tool structure with a resonance-impedance model. The resonance-impedance modeling according to principles of the present invention is applicable to vertical, deviated, and horizontal boreholes.

Abstract: This disclosure addresses providing gigabit-rate data transmission over wireless radio links, using carrier frequencies in the millimeter-wave range (>30 GHz). More specifically, a circuit for detection of amplitude-shift keyed (ASK) or other amplitude modulations (AM) which can be easily incorporated into an integrated circuit receiver system is described, making the receiver capable of supporting both complex IQ modulation schemes and simpler, non-coherent on-off or multiple-level keying signals. Several novel radio architectures are also described which, with the addition of a frequency discriminator network, have the capability of handling frequency shift keyed (FSK) or other frequency modulations (FM), as well as AM and complex IQ modulation schemes.

Abstract: In fluid pulsing apparatus operable in a drill pipe in a well in which well drilling fluid flows, wherein pressure pulses are created by restricting one or more of several hydraulically parallel paths, constant working pressure regulating valves with a long time constant relative to the transient pulses are constructed in the hydraulically parallel paths. The valves operate to produce a more consistent pulse character allowing production of pulses at low flow rates of drilling fluid that are of sufficient amplitude to be more easily detected on the Earth's surface and restriction of amplitude of pressure pulses at high flow rates of drilling fluid to limit equipment damage and loss of hydraulic energy. The valves function by varying the flowing cross sectional area of the hydraulically parallel paths.

Abstract: A pipeline survey pig includes an elongated hollow pig body having an enclosure for supporting a generally cylindrical tubular instrument chassis which, in turn, supports an inertial reference unit and associated signal processing and recording devices. A plurality of resilient cup members support the pig body for traversal through a pipeline section under the urging of pressure fluid. The cup members are spaced apart and secured to the pig body by spacer members which may be selectively provided to predetermine the axial spacing of the cup members so that the center of stiffness of the pig is in a predetermined position. The instrument chassis is secured in the pig body by a cam mechanism which is actuatable from one end of the chassis after insertion into the pig body to wedge opposed chassis door members into engagement with the pig body to enhance heat transfer between the chassis and the pig body.

Abstract: A device for cutting oval or circle shaped forms, as well as irregular or scalloped variations thereof, in picture frame mats or the like. It consists of a cutting unit releasably securable both to a stationary arm or a reciprocating arm. When the cutting mount is secured only to the stationary arm, as the stationary arm rotates, the cutting unit mount turns and a circle or oval form is cut. If the cutting unit mount is only secured to the reciprocating arm, a chain and sprocket or gear arrangement causes the reciprocating arm and cutting unit to move in and out as the oval or circle shaped form is cut. A mechanism for adjusting the desired irregular or scalloped shape is also provided.

Abstract: The crank guide rod mechanism for performing nearly rectilinear motion is formed by using the mathematical method from which is designed the ellipsograph of the hidden cross-groove principle employing two points of support for the suspension-extension support frame. This will enable the drawing pen to move on the face of the paper in a suspended manner. The steering rod is made up of two long slabs (the rule and the steering rod) within the plane of projection, which enables the handle on the top to drive the drawing pen and describe the whole ellipse directly.

Abstract: A down-hole signal generator for a mud-pulse telemetry system comprises an annular impeller surrounding a casing and arranged to be driven by the mud passing along the drill string. The impeller serves to drive a torque control arrangement, and preferably also an electrical generator, within the casing. The torque control arrangement is switchable between two states by a signalling actuator in response to an electrical input signal. In a first state the impeller may be driven relatively easily so that it is rotated at a relatively fast speed by the mud flow, whereas, in a second state, a greater torque is required to drive the impeller so that it is rotated at a relatively slow speed. Thus suitable variation of the input signal may be used to vary the impeller speed to transmit a modulated pressure signal in the mud flow which may be sensed at the surface.

Abstract: A dirigible drilling head is provided with a hydraulic pulser in its rotating inner tube in the form of a spindle piston which can obstruct the flushing medium passage and is displaced by a hydraulic circuit including a hydraulic valve. The hydraulic valve is in turn actuated by a miniature electronic circuit so that a variety of input parameters from respective sensors can be delivered to the circuit and transformed into respective hydraulic pulses which are monitored by a differential pressure pickup connected to the line feeding the flushing liquid to the string.

Abstract: A down-hole signal transmitter for a mud pulse telemetry system comprises a flow constrictor defining a throttle orifice for the mud flow, a throttling member displaceable to vary the throughflow cross-section of the throttle orifice, and a pump for displacing the throttling member against the mud flow in order to modulate the mud flow. The displacement of the throttling member is controlled by a hydraulic amplifier, comprising a main pressure relief valve and a subsidiary control valve, and a solenoid to which the output signal of a measuring instrument is supplied. When the main valve is close, the pump displaces a ram, coupled to the throttling member, upwardly.

Abstract: A system for providing measurements while drilling a well in which a drill string, made up of standard lengths of drill pipes, some of which may be drill collars, extends from the earth's surface in a borehole, drilling fluid being circulated in the drill string and borehole, the measurements being transmitted to the earth by a pulser which produces, in response to electrical signals from a measuring instrument, pressure pulses in the drilling fluid which are detected and decoded at the earth's surface, the pulser being mounted in a special pulser sub which is of short length and enlarged internal diameter compared to a standard drill pipe and which is threadably secured at each end in the drill string, and an elongated housing supported by the pulser sub, the housing having an outside diameter less than the internal diameter of the drill pipe and being slidably received in drill pipe adjacent the special sub, the elongated housing containing instrumentation or batteries, or both which are connected to the pu

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encoding and synchronizing and sequencing pulse encoded data in a pulse telemetry system. The time intervals between successive pulses in a pulse train are representative of the magnitude of the data parameters. Redundant pulses are included in the pulse trains at predetermined time locations with respect to the pulses so as to enhance the ability to recognize or distinguish data pulses over noise signals. Synchronization pulses are employed to enable identification of the particular data parameters even though one or more of the data pulses is obscured by noise. The sequence of the production of the pulse code signals is continuously monitored to enable the telemetering system to be activated promptly after a shutdown at the place in the train of data where it would be if the shutdown had not occurred.

Abstract: A hydraulic power unit is provided for a downhole instrument of a measurement while drilling system for a well drilling. The hydraulic power unit is enclosed within a drill collar that is connected in the drill string of a rotary drilling rig. An outer body sleeve is rigidly mounted in the instrument drill collar. A fixed inner sleeve is connected to the outer body sleeve in a concentric relation with a longitudinally movable plunger assembly supported therebetween and movable in the telescopic fashion between an extended position and a retracted position to provide hydraulic power fluid for the hydraulically powered circuits of the instrument.

Abstract: In the preferred and illustrated embodiment of the present apparatus, a drilling orientation tool is disclosed utilizing a mud pressure charging system where the pressure charge is converted into hydraulic oil pressure. The hydraulic oil flows is supplied to a four-way, three-position, solenoid operated valve having a closed center position, the valve forming a control signal delivered to an adjustable constriction in the mud flow path through the tool. Variables are encoded dependent on opening and closing of the constriction. Consecutive variables are transmitted in the form of fine and coarse measures. The electrically operated solenoid valve thus encodes two or more variables for transmission to the surface by detecting mud pressure variations in the mud flow line at the surface.

Abstract: A well tool for detecting well bore deviation which includes a tool adapted to be connected between adjacent components of a drill string, including a longitudinal opening through which drilling fluid can be circulated. At least one vent hole is located in the tool wall for communicating the longitudinal opening with the space outside the tool through which drilling fluid is circulated back to the surface, the vent hole being selectively blocked and unblocked. The angle the tool has deviated from vertical is measured and the vent is unblocked at a time interval after weight is placed on the bit which is determined by the amount of deviation of the tool, the unblocking of the vent causing a pressure drop in the drilling fluid in the tool the timing of which indicates the amount of deviation.

Abstract: An apparatus for making orientation measurements in a drill string within a well bore comprising a tubular housing (22) adapted for insertion into the drill string and first (13) and second (15) measuring devices in the housing for measuring first and second orientation characteristics, respectively, of the drill string. A signal generator (23) is responsive to the two measuring devices to provide a signal which is representative of the orientation characteristics measured. The measuring devices are operated alternately so that the signal from the signal generator is alternately representative of the first and second orientation characteristics. The signal from the signal generator, when the latter is controlled by the first measuring device, is different from the signal when the latter is controlled by the second measuring device so that it is readily apparent which of the two measuring devices is reporting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously logging while drilling a well bore with a rotary drilling rig comprising a drill string, a jet type drill bit, and mud pump means for circulating fluid under pressure. The apparatus generally includes means for sensing one or more downhole parameters near the drill bit, means for generating a sequence of electrical pulses representative of said parameter, and means for generating negative mud pressure pulses in the drilling fluid ("drilling mud") within the drill string in response to said electrical pulses. Receiving means at the earth's surface detect the negative mud pressure pulses and utilize the sequence of these pulses to produce signals representative of said parameter. The receiving means employ means to substantially eliminate the effects of the pressure pulsations generated by the mud pump and to extract the negative mud pressure pulses the sequence of which represent the downhole parameter.

Abstract: A measuring while drilling tool is disclosed. The preferred embodiment incorporates an outer shell which is connected in a drill string above the drill bit and among the drill collars. The apparatus utilizes mud pressure variations to pump oil with a piston to energize a closed hydraulic circuit. The oil is delivered via a distribution and manifold system to first fill and scan five hydraulic signals sequentially. The sequential scan of the five hydraulic signals is then conveyed to an output mechanism comprising a choke which is placed in the lower end of the tool which choke varies the mud throughput, thereby varying upstream pressure in the mud circuit, forming an output which can be detected at the surface.

Abstract: Improved apparatus for measuring the angular deviation from the vertical of the end of the drill string which includes a housing adapted for insertion in the drill string, a pendulum pivotally mounted in the housing and capable of swinging through large angles, and a substantially perfectly balanced catch link pivoted at the same point as the pendulum and normally coaxially aligned with the end of the drill string. Means are provided for coupling the pendulum and catch link together at a preselected angle and for measuring the deflection of the coupled pendulum and catch link from the axis of the end of the drill string so that the angular deviation from the vertical of the end of the drill string may be determined. Means are provided for signalling the measure of the deflection to the surface.

Abstract: Measuring and transmitting apparatus is the subject matter of the preferred embodiment which comprises an elongate tubular member functioning as a drill collar and adapted to be placed in a drill string. The apparatus utilizes a mud driven motor, while the mud flows therethrough functioning as a drill collar and out the bottom. The motor creates electric power which is used to operate selected transducers. The transducers form measurements which are encoded. The encoding portion of the equipment utilizes an oil reservoir, a mud driven pump, a valve which dumps the oil back to the reservoir if there is no signal and which otherwise delivers it to a two-position, four-way spool valve which drives a modulated signal generator. The signal generator modulates the back pressure in the mud flow by restricting the mud flow, thereby forming a signal which is sensed in the mud flow path.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for use attached to a pipe string in a well drilling, service or servicing operation to create a signal in a fluid stream flowing in the pipe string and in material of the pipe string in response to indications of down hole sensors. The signal created consists of brief pulses created down hole and detectable at the earth surface as pressure changes in fluid flowing in the pipe string. Alternately, periodic bursts of higher frequency stress variations in the pipe string walls are transmitted as pulses. The repetition rate of the pulses varies over a preselected range as the down hole sensor output changes over a preselected range. The transmitter, which may be lowered and recovered through the pipe string bore, derives its power from the fluid pressure differential used to create pressure pulses. The pulse repetition rate variation dictated by a sensor output is controlled without taking energy from the sensor.