Abstract: A toolless clamp, toolless clamping system, and methods of use comprising a torque-limited rotation system operatively coupled to a ball-lock pin. The rotational system may be manually tightened without use of a tool to advance a spring-actuated spindle of the ball-lock system to engage lock balls. The clamp shank has a D-shaped cross-section corresponding to a D-shaped bushing in the fixture to inhibit rotational movement of the clamp during tightening. The clamp and D-shaped bushing may be used with a receiver bushing in the subplate to receive and retain the lock balls when deployed from the ball-lock pin.

Abstract: A quick-release captive clamping pin that uses a ball-lock pin and an endcap assembly to provide a tooling assembly with both holding and clamping action with a quick-release function. The captive clamping pin may include an adjustable-length ball-lock pin inserted through the tool and workpiece, where the length adjustment is used to apply clamping force.

Abstract: A quick-release captive clamping pin that uses a ball-lock pin and an endcap assembly to provide a tooling assembly with both holding and clamping action with a quick-release function. The captive clamping pin may include an adjustable-length ball-lock pin inserted through the tool and workpiece, where the length adjustment is used to apply clamping force.

Abstract: A quick-release captive clamping pin that uses a ball-lock pin and an endcap assembly to provide a tooling assembly with both holding and clamping action with a quick-release function. The captive clamping pin may include an adjustable-length ball-lock pin inserted through the tool and workpiece, where the length adjustment is used to apply clamping force.

Abstract: A bushing handle for use with a renewable bushing. The bushing handle facilitates a quick-change configuration by using a liner bushing disposed in a through bore. The liner bushing can accept a plurality of different renewable bushings having various inner diameters and other characteristics, eliminating the need to stock and store a multitude of different bushing handles. The liner bushing may be a lock liner, which facilitates the quick-change function, and provides a ground inner diameter, which is more resistant to wear and tear than the light metal construction of the handle itself.

Abstract: A bushing handle for use with a renewable bushing. The bushing handle facilitates a quick-change configuration by using a liner bushing disposed in a through bore. The liner bushing can accept a plurality of different renewable bushings having various inner diameters and other characteristics, eliminating the need to stock and store a multitude of different bushing handles. The liner bushing may be a lock liner, which facilitates the quick-change function, and provides a ground inner diameter, which is more resistant to wear and tear than the light metal construction of the handle itself.

Abstract: A bushing handle for use with a renewable bushing. The bushing handle facilitates a quick-change configuration by using a liner bushing disposed in a through bore. The liner bushing can accept a plurality of different renewable bushings having various inner diameters and other characteristics, eliminating the need to stock and store a multitude of different bushing handles. The liner bushing may be a lock liner, which facilitates the quick-change function, and provides a ground inner diameter, which is more resistant to wear and tear than the light metal construction of the handle itself.

Abstract: A bushing handle for use with a renewable bushing. The bushing handle facilitates a quick-change configuration by using a liner bushing disposed in a through bore. The liner bushing can accept a plurality of different renewable bushings having various inner diameters and other characteristics, eliminating the need to stock and store a multitude of different bushing handles. The liner bushing may be a lock liner, which facilitates the quick-change function, and provides a ground inner diameter, which is more resistant to wear and tear than the light metal construction of the handle itself.

Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the present invention discloses a system, method and computer program product to efficiently and accurately create new frame structures by adjustment of specific design parameters. In operation, the computer program product of the present invention utilizes design guidelines to efficiently calculated and determine a solution for a given framing situation. The computer program product is further designed to receive a plurality of parameters regarding a proposed framing structure and to receive user adjustments to selected parameters.

Abstract: This invention relates to a torque control device for a downhole drilling assembly, the torque control device being adapted for connection to a drill bit. The torque control device includes an outer sleeve and an inner shaft, the outer sleeve being movable longitudinally relative to the inner shaft. The torque control device has a cylinder, a piston located within the cylinder, and a rotary valve to control the volume of the cylinder. The volume of the cylinder can be changed by way of the rotary valve whereby to adjust the weight on bit and thereby control the torque upon the drill bit.

Abstract: This invention relates to an articulating component (16) of a downhole assembly, and to a downhole steering assembly. There is provided an articulating component (16) having a first end (40) and a second end (42), the articulating component being adapted to transmit torque between the first end and the second end. The articulating component has a pivotable coupling (46) between its first and second ends and at least one control element for the pivotable coupling, the control element(s) having an active condition in which the pivotable coupling is substantially locked against pivoting movement, and an inactive condition in which the pivotable coupling is unlocked. In a downhole steering assembly the articulating component is located downhole of the steering component whereby to protect the steering component from unwanted vibrations generated downhole, or uphole of the steering component whereby to protect the steering component from unwanted vibrations generated uphole, or both.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for controlling a part of a downhole assembly, and to the downhole assembly. The downhole assembly may include a steering mechanism adapted to steer a drill bit in a chosen direction, and the steering mechanism may be the part of the downhole assembly which is controlled by the apparatus. The downhole assembly includes a drill bit and a motor, the motor having a stator and a rotor, the rotor being driven to rotate relative to the stator by the passage of a drilling fluid along a drilling fluid path between the rotor and the stator. The motor has a conduit through which the drilling fluid can pass, the conduit being separate from the drilling fluid path, and the apparatus has a valve to control the flow of drilling fluid through the conduit. The invention provides a robust and reliable means of delivering high pressure drilling fluid downstream of the motor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a controllable deflection tool. The controllable deflection tool is likely to have its greatest utility as part of a downhole assembly to steer a drill bit during drilling for oil and gas. There is provided a controllable deflection tool having a first end and a second end, the tool having: a conduit for a working fluid; a rotary element adapted for rotation within the tool; a deflection member; a vane motor configured to rotate the deflection member relative to the rotary element; and a valve for controlling the flow of working fluid to the vane motor. There is also provided a downhole steering assembly and a method of steering a downhole drilling assembly incorporating the controllable deflection tool.

Abstract: This invention relates to a torque control device for a downhole drilling assembly, the torque control device being adapted for connection to a drill bit. The torque control device includes an outer sleeve and an inner shaft, the outer sleeve being movable longitudinally relative to the inner shaft. The torque control device has a cylinder, a piston located within the cylinder, and a rotary valve to control the volume of the cylinder. The volume of the cylinder can be changed by way of the rotary valve whereby to adjust the weight on bit and thereby control the torque upon the drill bit.

Abstract: This invention relates to a torque control device for a downhole drilling assembly. The torque control device is adapted for connection to a drill bit, and has an outer sleeve and an inner shaft, the outer sleeve being movable longitudinally relative to the inner shaft. The torque control device also has a cylinder, a piston located within the cylinder, and a controller to control the volume of the cylinder. Changing the volume of the cylinder causes relative longitudinal movement between the outer sleeve and the inner shaft. The controller can receive inputs from a torque sensor and/or an accelerometer in order to determine if a threshold torque has been exceeded. Alternatively the controller can comprise a rotary valve which automatically responds to torque in the assembly.

Abstract: This invention relates to an articulating component (16) of a downhole assembly, and to a downhole steering assembly. There is provided an articulating component (16) having a first end (40) and a second end (42), the articulating component being adapted to transmit torque between the first end and the second end. The articulating component has a pivotable coupling (46) between its first and second ends and at least one control element for the pivotable coupling, the control element(s) having an active condition in which the pivotable coupling is substantially locked against pivoting movement, and an inactive condition in which the pivotable coupling is unlocked. In a downhole steering assembly the articulating component is located downhole of the steering component whereby to protect the steering component from unwanted vibrations generated downhole, or uphole of the steering component whereby to protect the steering component from unwanted vibrations generated uphole, or both.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for controlling a part of a downhole assembly, and to the downhole assembly. The downhole assembly may include a steering mechanism adapted to steer a drill bit in a chosen direction, and the steering mechanism may be the part of the downhole assembly which is controlled by the apparatus. The downhole assembly includes a drill bit and a motor, the motor having a stator and a rotor, the rotor being driven to rotate relative to the stator by the passage of a drilling fluid along a drilling fluid path between the rotor and the stator. The motor has a conduit through which the drilling fluid can pass, the conduit being separate from the drilling fluid path, and the apparatus has a valve to control the flow of drilling fluid through the conduit. The invention provides a robust and reliable means of delivering high pressure drilling fluid downstream of the motor.

Abstract: An intervertebral joint prosthesis having a ball component (22) for engagement with a first vertebra (26) and a trough component (24) for engagement with a second vertebra (27) adjacent to the first vertebra is disclosed. The trough component (24) includes a generally concave surface (50) having a substantially flat portion (52). When the ball component (22) and the trough component (24) are engaged to their respective vertebrae, the ball component (72) and the trough component (24) engage each other, permitting rotation and translation of the vertebrae with respect to each other. Both components include a flange (34, 56) for engaging a vertebra. The invention also contemplates a method for and a tool for use in implanting a two-piece intervertebral joint prosthesis.