Abstract: A shank adapter, forming part of a drilling assembly, has a main body extending axially between a first end and a second end, an externally threaded male spigot portion provided at the second end, and a non-threaded shank positioned axially intermediate the main body and the threaded section. A radially projecting shoulder is positioned axially between the main body and the male spigot portion. The shank has a transition section positioned adjacent to the shoulder at the second end having an outside diameter that increases in a direction from the spigot portion to the shoulder.

Abstract: A drill string rod is arranged to form part of an assembly of connected drill string rods. The drill string rod includes an elongate central rod portion extending axially between a male and female end. The central rod portion is a hollow-cylindrical defined by an inner first diameter (drod) and an outer second diameter (Drod). The male end includes a spigot having a base projecting axially from a shoulder that axially separates the spigot and the central rod portion. The female end includes a sleeve portion configured to fit to the spigot. The base has an outer thread and the sleeve portion has an inner thread, the inner thread corresponding to the outer thread such that the inner thread of the sleeve portion is attachable to the outer thread of the base of the spigot of a further drill string rod of the assembly.

Abstract: A drill string including an elongate hollow main length section and a male spigot portion provided at the second end and having an externally threaded section and a non-threaded shank positioned axially intermediate the main length section and the threaded section. The shank includes a transition section positioned adjacent the main length section or a radially projecting shoulder at the second end. The transition section has an outside diameter that increases in a direction from the male spigot portion to the main length section or the shoulder. The cross-sectional shape profile of the outer surface of the transition section in the plane of the longitudinal axis has a segment of an ellipse having semi-major axis (a) and a semi-minor axis (b), wherein the ratio of the semi-major to semi-minor axes (a:b) is within the range 2b<a<8b.

Abstract: A coupling for connecting downhole tubulars includes a tubular body, a female coupling part, a male coupling part, and at least one of: a male screw thread formed on an outer surface of the body, and a female screw thread formed in an inner surface of the body. The at least one thread has a thread-form including a crest, a root, and a pair of flanks. The crest and the root are each cambered about a respective first and second camber radius, Rb, Rb-T along the entire length of the thread-form, and each camber radius, Rb, Rb-T, is greater than an outer diameter of the coupling. The male screw thread has a camber radius, Rbm, and the female screw thread has a camber radius, Rbf, wherein the ratio of the male thread camber radius to the female thread camber radius (Rbm/Rbf) is between <1.0 and ?1.1.

Abstract: A coupling for connecting downhole tubulars includes a tubular body, a female coupling part, a male coupling part, and at least one of: a male screw thread formed on an outer surface of the body, and a female screw thread formed in an inner surface of the body. The at least one thread having a thread-form including a crest, a root, and a pair of flanks. The crest and the root are each cambered about a respective first and second camber radius, Rb, Rb?T along the entire length of the thread-form, and each camber radius, Rb, Rb?T, is greater than an outer diameter of the coupling. The male screw thread has a camber radius, Rbm, and the female screw thread has a camber radius, Rbf, wherein each camber radius (Rb, Rb?T) is between 700-1900 mm.

Abstract: A coupling for connecting downhole tubulars includes a tubular body, a female coupling part, a male coupling part, and at least one of: a male screw thread formed on an outer surface of the body, and a female screw thread formed in an inner surface of the body. The at least one thread has a thread-form including a crest, a root, and a pair of flanks. The crest and the root are each cambered about a respective first and second camber radius, Rb, Rb-T along the entire length of the thread-form, and each camber radius, Rb, Rb-T, is greater than an outer diameter of the coupling. The male screw thread has a camber radius, Rbm, and the female screw thread has a camber radius, Rbf, wherein the ratio of the male thread camber radius to the female thread camber radius (Rbm/Rbf) is between <1.0 and ?1.1.

Abstract: A coupling for connecting downhole tubulars includes a tubular body, a female coupling part, a male coupling part, and at least one of: a male screw thread formed on an outer surface of the body, and a female screw thread formed in an inner surface of the body. The at least one thread having a thread-form including a crest, a root, and a pair of flanks. The crest and the root are each cambered about a respective first and second camber radius, Rb, Rb?T along the entire length of the thread-form, and each camber radius, Rb, Rb?T, is greater than an outer diameter of the coupling. The male screw thread has a camber radius, Rbm, and the female screw thread has a camber radius, Rbf, wherein each camber radius (Rb, Rb?T) is between 700-1900 mm.

Abstract: A drill string rod is arranged to form part of an assembly of connected drill string rods. The drill string rod includes an elongate central rod portion extending axially between a male and female end. The central rod portion is a hollow-cylindrical defined by an inner first diameter (drod) and an outer second diameter (Drod). The male end includes a spigot having a base projecting axially from a shoulder that axially separates the spigot and the central rod portion. The female end includes a sleeve portion configured to fit to the spigot. The base has an outer thread and the sleeve portion has an inner thread, the inner thread corresponding to the outer thread such that the inner thread of the sleeve portion is attachable to the outer thread of the base of the spigot of a further drill string rod of the assembly.

Abstract: A drill string including an elongate hollow main length section and a male spigot portion provided at the second end and having an externally threaded section and a non-threaded shank positioned axially intermediate the main length section and the threaded section. The shank includes a transition section positioned adjacent the main length section or a radially projecting shoulder at the second end. The transition section has an outside diameter that increases in a direction from the male spigot portion to the main length section or the shoulder. The cross-sectional shape profile of the outer surface of the transition section in the plane of the longitudinal axis has a segment of an ellipse having semi-major axis (a) and a semi-minor axis (b), wherein the ratio of the semi-major to semi-minor axes (a:b) is within the range 2b<a<8b.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for estimating systematic yaw misalignment of a wind turbine. The method comprising the steps of: receiving yaw data from the wind turbine indicative of the degrees of rotation of the nacelle for a plurality of yaw operations; receiving performance data from the wind turbine indicative of the alignment of the nacelle of the wind turbine with the wind direction before and after each of the plurality of yaw operations. The yaw data and the performance data being recorded during normal operation of the wind turbine, and the yaw data and the performance data is processed together to estimate the systemic yaw misalignment of the wind turbine.

Abstract: A percussive rock drill bit includes a head provided with an elongate shank. A plurality of front cutting inserts are distributed at a front face of the head and are grouped into a plurality of sets, with each set being positioned at a different radial distance from a central axis. Each set of inserts includes the same number of inserts to maximize drilling rate and service lifetime of the drill bit.