Abstract: A shaft protection washer to protect a rotating shaft in a “measurement while drilling” (MWD) tool. Use of the shaft protection washer renders the rotating shaft less susceptible to erosion from the drilling fluid flowing between the rotating component and the stationary component.

Abstract: A spindle for a mud pulse telemetry tool includes a seal section having an outer surface for contacting a lip seal of a spindle housing in which the spindle is mounted; a top section attachable to at least part of a valve assembly for generating mud pulses; and a base section having a proximal end attachable to a drive motor for moving the spindle and a distal end attachable to the top section such that the annular seal is fixed between the top and base sections. The seal section can be made of a ceramic material such as yttrium-stabilized zirconia.

Abstract: A gap sub assembly can be used to form an electrical isolation in a drill string, across which a voltage is applied to generate a carrier signal for an electromagnetic (EM) telemetry system. The assembly comprises two conductive generally cylindrical components fashioned with a matching set of male and female rounded coarse threads, held such that a relatively uniform interstitial space is formed in the overlap space between them. The third component is a substantially dielectric electrical isolator component placed into the gap between the threads that effectively electrically isolates the two conductive components. Injecting the dielectric material under high pressure forms a tight bond resistant to the ingress of conductive drilling fluids (liquids, gases or foam), thus forming a high pressure insulating seal.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for receiving downhole acoustic signals, processing the signals into electric signals, then transmitting the signals wirelessly to a remote above-surface monitoring station. The apparatus is mountable to an above-surface rotatable component used in borehole application. The apparatus includes an instrument housing, and a clamping assembly attached to the housing and having sufficient length and flexibility to enable the apparatus to surround the perimeter of the rotatable component.

Abstract: A rotatable plug and socket for establishing electrical communication in a hazardous environment, each of said plug and socket having biased slidable protective members covering electrical contacts on each of said plug and socket, which are each slidably displaced during mating engagement of the plug with the socket. The slidable protective members ensure protection of the electrical contacts on each of the plug and socket members when such plug and socket connectors are not engaged, or not fully engaged.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for receiving downhole acoustic signals, processing the signals into electric signals, then transmitting the signals wirelessly to a remote above-surface monitoring station. The apparatus is mountable to an above-surface rotatable component used in borehole application. The apparatus includes an instrument housing, and a clamping assembly attached to the housing and having sufficient length and flexibility to enable the apparatus to surround the perimeter of the rotatable component.