Abstract: Provided is an anti-rotation system and method of operating a downhole tool. The anti-rotation system, in one embodiment, includes a housing defining a longitudinal axis, and a carriage mounted within the housing, the carriage including at least one anti-rotation blade configured to engage a formation and resist rotation of the housing about the longitudinal axis. The carriage, in accordance with this embodiment, is configured to rotate about a carriage axis and tilt the at least one anti-rotation blade from a first extended position to a second at least partially retracted position.

Abstract: Transmitting torque from a housing to a drive shaft by configuring contact surfaces between a housing and shaft to increase the transmission of torque. Tools such as drilling tools often require torque to be transmitted from a rotating housing to a driveshaft. This is often accomplished through threaded connections or splines. A threaded connection can be used to transmit torque by allowing two pieces to be securely joined by rotating and tightening to a specified torque. A splined connection can also be used to transmit torque, providing sufficient clearance for one member to slidingly receive the other without rotating and torqueing. A tapered polygon may be used to transmit torque that by virtue of tapering can take up clearances between the torque carrying components. As such, the tapered polygon does not introduce significant stress concentrations into the components.

Abstract: A hybrid Rotary Steerable System (RSS) includes both exterior steering pads as in a push-the-bit system and, internal shaft pistons as in a point-the-bit system. The steering pads and the shaft pistons may cooperate to permit the RSS to achieve tighter turning radii. The steering pads and the shaft pistons may be independently or collectively controllable by diverting a portion of drilling fluid flowing through the RSS. In some embodiments, the steering pads and shaft pistons may extend in opposite directions to steer the drill bit, and on other embodiments, the steering pads and shaft pistons may extend in the same direction.

Abstract: A seal assembly in an apparatus including a housing, a housing bore defined by the housing, a shaft extending through the housing bore, and a shaft bore defined by the shaft. The housing bore includes an annular seal chamber between the housing and the shaft. The seal assembly includes a flexible tubular seal surrounding the shaft within the seal chamber. The tubular seal has a shaft end sealingly connected with the shaft and a housing end sealingly connected with the housing. The tubular seal divides the seal chamber into an interior seal chamber which is sealed from an exterior of the housing and an exterior seal chamber which is sealed from an interior space of the housing. At least one seal pressure balancing port is defined by the shaft and extends between the shaft bore and the exterior seal chamber.

Abstract: A hybrid Rotary Steerable System (RSS) includes both exterior steering pads as in a push-the-bit system and, internal shaft pistons as in a point-the-bit system. The steering pads and the shaft pistons may cooperate to permit the RSS to achieve tighter turning radii. The steering pads and the shaft pistons may be independently or collectively controllable by diverting a portion of drilling fluid flowing through the RSS. In some embodiments, the steering pads and shaft pistons may extend in opposite directions to steer the drill bit, and on other embodiments, the steering pads and shaft pistons may extend in the same direction.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to transmission of torque from a housing to a drive shaft. More specifically, the disclosure relates to configuration of contact surfaces between a housing and shaft to increase transmission of torque. Tools such as drilling tools often require torque to be transmitted from a rotating housing to a driveshaft. This is often accomplished through threaded connections or splines. A threaded connection can be effective for transmitting torque by allowing two pieces to be securely joined by rotating and tightening to a specified torque. A splined connection can also be effective for transmitting torque, providing sufficient clearance for one member to slidingly receive the other without rotating and torqueing. A tapered polygon is another effective way to transmit torque that by virtue of tapering can take up clearances between the torque carrying components. As such, the tapered polygon does not introduce significant stress concentrations into the components.

Abstract: An apparatus including a housing defining a housing bore and a shaft extending within the housing bore. The shaft is deflectable and tillable within the housing bore. The apparatus further includes a fulcrum for tiltably supporting the shaft within the housing bore, a shaft deflector contained within the housing for providing a deflection of the shaft within the housing bore so that the shaft tilts about the fulcrum, and a deflection adjusting mechanism. The deflection adjusting mechanism includes a biasing device which responds to an external force exerted on the shaft in order to adjust the deflection of the shaft provided by the shaft deflector and thereby provide an adjusted deflection of the shaft.

Abstract: Control valves can allow for a steering assembly of a drill string. An exemplary control valve can include a first valve element including a first orifice, the first valve element being movable by actuation by a motor, and a second valve element including an orifice, wherein flow passing through the first valve element orifice passes through the second orifice and into a flow channel to be in fluid communication with a piston bore to exert pressure against a piston movable within the piston bore, the piston being coupled to a steering pad for applying force against the wellbore wall to steer a direction of the drill string. The first valve element is movable with respect to the second valve element to change flow through the first valve element orifice and the second valve element orifice to modify fluid pressure within the flow channel that is exerted against the piston.

Abstract: Control valves can allow for a steering assembly of a drill string. An exemplary control valve can include a first valve element including a first orifice, the first valve element being movable by actuation by a motor, and a second valve element including an orifice, wherein flow passing through the first valve element orifice passes through the second orifice and into a flow channel to be in fluid communication with a piston bore to exert pressure against a piston movable within the piston bore, the piston being coupled to a steering pad for applying force against the wellbore wall to steer a direction of the drill string. The first valve element is movable with respect to the second valve element to change flow through the first valve element orifice and the second valve element orifice to modify fluid pressure within the flow channel that is exerted against the piston.

Abstract: A steering assembly includes an outer housing and a drive shaft extended longitudinally within the outer housing and defining a plurality of pockets. A plurality of torque transfer features transfer torsional loads from the outer housing to the drive shaft, each torque transfer feature including a shank received within a corresponding one of the plurality of pockets. One or more elastic mounts positioned within each pocket interpose the shank and an inner wall of each pocket.

Abstract: Provided is an anti-rotation system and method of operating a downhole tool. The anti-rotation system, in one embodiment, includes a housing defining a longitudinal axis, and a carriage mounted within the housing, the carriage including at least one anti-rotation blade configured to engage a formation and resist rotation of the housing about the longitudinal axis. The carriage, in accordance with this embodiment, is configured to rotate about a carriage axis and tilt the at least one anti-rotation blade from a first extended position to a second at least partially retracted position.

Abstract: A seal assembly in an apparatus including a housing, a housing bore defined by the housing, a shaft extending through the housing bore, and a shaft bore defined by the shaft. The housing bore includes an annular seal chamber between the housing and the shaft. The seal assembly includes a flexible tubular seal surrounding the shaft within the seal chamber. The tubular seal has a shaft end sealingly connected with the shaft and a housing end sealingly connected with the housing. The tubular seal divides the seal chamber into an interior seal chamber which is sealed from an exterior of the housing and an exterior seal chamber which is sealed from an interior space of the housing. At least one seal pressure balancing port is defined by the shaft and extends between the shaft bore and the exterior seal chamber.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a drilling system, and a method of operating a downhole tool. The drilling system, in one embodiment, includes a housing defining a first longitudinal dimension, a driveshaft positioned within the housing and defining a second longitudinal dimension. In this embodiment, the housing and driveshaft are operable to slide relative to one another along the first longitudinal dimension and the second longitudinal dimension, and rotate relative to one another. The drilling system, in accordance with this embodiment, further includes a load sensor operable to sense the housing and driveshaft sliding relative to one another, and a locking mechanism operable to lock or unlock the relative rotation of the housing and the driveshaft in response to the load sensor sensing the housing and driveshaft sliding relative to one another thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus including a housing defining a housing bore and a shaft extending within the housing bore. The shaft is deflectable and tillable within the housing bore. The apparatus further includes a fulcrum for tiltably supporting the shaft within the housing bore, a shaft deflector contained within the housing for providing a deflection of the shaft within the housing bore so that the shaft tilts about the fulcrum, and a deflection adjusting mechanism. The deflection adjusting mechanism includes a biasing device which responds to an external force exerted on the shaft in order to adjust the deflection of the shaft provided by the shaft deflector and thereby provide an adjusted deflection of the shaft.

Abstract: A steering assembly includes an outer housing and a drive shaft extended longitudinally within the outer housing and defining a plurality of pockets. A plurality of torque transfer features transfer torsional loads from the outer housing to the drive shaft, each torque transfer feature including a shank received within a corresponding one of the plurality of pockets. One or more elastic mounts positioned within each pocket interpose the shank and an inner wall of each pocket.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a drilling system, and a method of operating a downhole tool. The drilling system, in one embodiment, includes a housing defining a first longitudinal dimension, a driveshaft positioned within the housing and defining a second longitudinal dimension. In this embodiment, the housing and driveshaft are operable to slide relative to one another along the first longitudinal dimension and the second longitudinal dimension, and rotate relative to one another. The drilling system, in accordance with this embodiment, further includes a load sensor operable to sense the housing and driveshaft sliding relative to one another, and a locking mechanism operable to lock or unlock the relative rotation of the housing and the driveshaft in response to the load sensor sensing the housing and driveshaft sliding relative to one another thereto.

Abstract: Adjustable drill string housings are described for use in the directional drilling of wellbores, e.g. wellbores for hydrocarbon recovery wells. The adjustable drill string housings permit adjustment of a bend angle in the housings without removing the housings from a wellbore. In some exemplary embodiments, the bend angle can be adjusted by changing the internal stresses in a support member carried by the housings. In other embodiments, the bend angle may be adjusted by causing failure of sacrificial support members carried by the housings, and the failure may be caused by delivering chemicals through a chemical delivery system to the sacrificial support members. Methods of operating the adjustable drill string housings include multi-lateral drilling operations wherein the bend angle is adjusted when a casing window has been detected.

Abstract: Adjustable drill string housings are described for use in the directional drilling of wellbores, e.g. wellbores for hydrocarbon recovery wells. The adjustable drill string housings permit adjustment of a bend angle in the housings without removing the housings from a wellbore. In some exemplary embodiments, the bend angle can be adjusted by changing the internal stresses in a support member carried by the housings. In other embodiments, the bend angle may be adjusted by causing failure of sacrificial support members carried by the housings, and the failure may be caused by delivering chemicals through a chemical delivery system to the sacrificial support members. Methods of operating the adjustable drill string housings include multi-lateral drilling operations wherein the bend angle is adjusted when a casing window has been detected.

Abstract: Adjustable drill string housings are described for use in the directional drilling of wellbores, e.g. wellbores for hydrocarbon recovery wells. The adjustable drill string housings permit adjustment of a bend angle in the housings without removing the housings from a wellbore. In some exemplary embodiments, the bend angle can be adjusted by changing the internal stresses in a support member carried by the housings. In other embodiments, the bend angle may be adjusted by causing failure of sacrificial support members carried by the housings, and the failure may be caused by delivering chemicals through a chemical delivery system to the sacrificial support members. Methods of operating the adjustable drill string housings include multi-lateral drilling operations wherein the bend angle is adjusted when a casing window has been detected.

Abstract: Adjustable drill string housings are described for use in the directional drilling of wellbores, e.g. wellbores for hydrocarbon recovery wells. The adjustable drill string housings permit adjustment of a bend angle in the housings without removing the housings from a wellbore. In some exemplary embodiments, the bend angle can be adjusted by changing the internal stresses in a support member carried by the housings. In other embodiments, the bend angle may be adjusted by causing failure of sacrificial support members carried by the housings, and the failure may be caused by delivering chemicals through a chemical delivery system to the sacrificial support members. Methods of operating the adjustable drill string housings include multi-lateral drilling operations wherein the bend angle is adjusted when a casing window has been detected.