Abstract: There is disclosed a turbodrill having thrust bearings received within an annular space between its shaft and case to support the shaft for rotation within the case, and a face seal closing off the lower end of the space beneath seal rings forming a lubricant chamber in which the bearings are contained. One seal ring of the face seal is carried by the case for rotation therewith, and the other seal ring thereof is carried by a sleeve for rotation therewith. The sleeve extends from within the space to a level beneath the case, and is connected to the shaft for rotation therewith. Means are provided for moving the sleeve longitudinally with respect to the shaft in order to adjust the preload applied by springs to the other seal ring of the face seal.

Abstract: A well drilling tool is disclosed as having a reservoir for supplying lubricant to a bearing chamber to replace that which is lost during operation of the tool, and a means for indicating to an operator at surface level when a predetermined volume of such lubricant has been lost.

Abstract: There is disclosed a well drilling tool having a body which is connectible as part of a drill string and which includes inner and outer members which are supported for rotation with respect to one another by bearing means contained within a lubricant chamber in an annular space between the members. A series of annular, vertically stacked buckets are carried by the inner and outer members within an annular space above seal means at the upper end of the lubricant chamber, and a body of material which acts as a liquid and is contained within each of at least the upper buckets has a specific gravity substantially greater than that of drilling fluid which is circulated through a portion of the annular space above the lubricant chamber.

Abstract: There is disclosed a turbodrill wherein excessive wear on the axial thrust bearing supporting the shaft from the housing is detectable at the surface by means of an increase in the back pressure of the drilling fluid circulating through the turbine section.

Abstract: There is disclosed a turbodrill having an axial thrust bearing section which is contained within a lubricant chamber arranged within an annular space between the case and shaft of the turbodrill above the turbine section, and which is defined between means sealing between the shaft and the case which, in use of the turbodrill, are above the drilling fluid circulating therethrough.

Abstract: A well drilling tool is disclosed as having an inner tubular member rotatably supported from an outer tubular member by means of bearings contained within an annular lubricant chamber between them. An annular chamber is formed in an inner tubular member to provide a reservoir for supplying additional lubricant to the chamber to replace that which is lost during use of the tool. An annular piston is sealably slidable within the reservoir, and drilling fluid, which is circulated through a passageway through the tool, is admitted to one end of the reservoir by a port in the inner member to urge the piston toward the other end of the reservoir which connects with the lubricant chamber.

Abstract: There is disclosed a seal assembly comprising alternate, generally "V"-shaped layers of graphite and a spring metal which are nested one within the other for sealing between the relatively movable, generally coaxial cylindrical surfaces of an annular recess in which the assembly is contained.

Abstract: There are disclosed several embodiments of a well tool which is adapted to be connected as part of a pipe string through which drilling fluid is circulated, and which comprises inner and outer members which are rotated with respect to one another by a motor between them.

Abstract: There is disclosed a tool which is connectible as part of a drill string and which is adapted, upon lifting of the drill string, to permit drilling fluid therein to by-pass a motor in the lower end of the string below the tool.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed wherein a tubular body connectible in a drill string and having a float valve arranged therein to normally close the string, as the string is lowered into a well bore, is provided with a plurality of ports connecting its bore above the float valve with its exterior, and valve means for movement from a position normally closing to a position opening the ports when the exterior fluid pressure exceeds the fluid pressure in the bore above the float valve by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: There are disclosed several embodiments of a well drilling tool which is adapted to be connected to the lower end of a drill string above the drill bit, and which comprises inner and outer members which are rotated with respect to one another by a motor between them.

Abstract: There are disclosed several embodiments of a well tool which is adapted to be connected as part of a pipe string through which drilling fluid is circulated, and which comprises inner and outer members which are rotated with respect to one another by a motor between them.