Abstract: A reduction gear system includes a pair of sets of meshing pinions and internal gears having a substantially larger diameter than the pinions, a shaft connecting the internal gear of the first set to the pinion of the second set, a second shaft supporting the pinion of the first set, a third shaft supporting the internal gear of the second set, the axes of said second and third shafts being in alignment and parallel to but spaced from the axis of the first shaft. Additional parts of sets may be connected to the first pair. When used between the motor and drill bit of an oil well drill the shafts, pinions and gears are supported in an inner housing within an outer housing with a fluid mud passageway therebetween. The inner housing includes a grease chamber and the pressure of the grease is kept greater than the mud pressure by means of a piston surrounding the shaft at the top of the housing.

Abstract: A reduction gear system includes a pair of sets of meshing pinions and internal gears having a substantially larger diameter than the pinions, a shaft connecting the internal gear of the first set to the pinion of the second set, a second shaft supporting the pinion of the first set, a third shaft supporting the internal gear of the second set, the axes of said second and third shafts being in alignment and parallel to but spaced from the axis of the first shaft. Additional parts of sets may be connected to the first pair. When used between the motor and drill bit of an oil well drill the shafts, pinions and gears are supported in an inner housing within an outer housing with a fluid mud passageway therebetween. The inner housing includes a grease chamber and the pressure of the grease is kept greater than the mud pressure by means of a piston surrounding the shaft at the top of the housing.

Abstract: A drive having a plurality of thrust bearings includes a rotatable shaft located in a housing with a space therebetween and a plurality of spaced apart thrust bearings in said space. Two members axially movable with respect to one another are provided in the space between each pair of thrust bearings. A circumferential chamber is provided between the members with a resilient ring in the chamber. The volume of the ring is less than that of the chamber when little or no load is present. Under load the ring is deformed as the volume of the chamber is decreased due to axial movement of the members with respect to one another so that better distribution of the load between bearings occurs.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting motors in tandem and particularly in vertical alignment includes a coupling for connecting the lower end of the shaft of the upper motor to the upper end of the shaft of the lower motor. A tubular member surrounds the coupling with its upper end extending into the outer housing of the upper motor and its lower end threaded into the outer housing of the lower motor. A lock ring surrounds the tubular member and has a keyed connection with the outer housing of the lower motor. The upper end of the lock ring and the lower end of the outer housing preferably have ten equally spaced keyways therein. A key extends into a pair of matching keyways of the lock ring and upper outer housing and screws hold the keys in place by passing through aligned holes in the lock ring and upper outer housing into threaded holes in the tubular member.

Abstract: A positive-displacement fluid driven motor for use with down-hole drilling tools includes a cylindrical housing having a bore in which is mounted a rotor having folding blades mounted thereon with a peripheral space therebetween. Separators on the walls of the bore separate the space into a plurality of fluid chambers having inlet ports at the trailing ends of the separators. Discharge ports are located a short distance from the leading ends of the separators. Each blade is supported at its center of pressure to limit the outward angular displacement of the blade and transmit the driving force to the rotor and also minimize binding of the blade due to the effects of the fluid pressure. The operative part of each blade is capable of limited inward linear movement in its direction of width against its inherent elasticity to accommodate imperfections in the walls of the bore and particles of grit or sand at its sealing edge to minimize wear.

Abstract: An improved positive displacement motor suitable for use in downhole drilling at the end of a drill string and driven by fluid, e.g., liquid mud, under high pressures. The motor has a novel arrangement of inlet and outlet ports in longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced rows for providing fluid at a substantially uniform pressure along substantially the length of the blades driving the motor so as to equalize the driving torque along the length of the rotor and avoid pressure differentials tending to twist the blade. A continuous ring isolates the adjacent rows of inlet and outlet ports.