Abstract: Providing accurate speed and rotation of a motor of a drilling assembly allows accurate monitoring of a drilling operation, for example, direction of drilling, rate of penetration, vibration, and stability of the drilling assembly. A bi-stable magnetic device is used to provide better control of torque and rate of penetration and prevention of slip-stick issues. One such device is a downhole motor that includes a stator and a rotor with a magnetic blade. The magnetic blade includes at least one of a magnetic edge, a magnetic surface, and a magnetic core, or is entirely or partially magnetic. A sensor is positioned in the stator to detect the passing of the magnetic edge of the blade of the rotor. Detection of one or more magnetic blades may provide rotational speed or other status information of the drilling assembly.

Abstract: A first method of configuring a surface of a component exposed to fluid flow includes forming a plurality of protrusions on a surface, the plurality of protrusions separated by a plurality of channels, and depositing a coating on the surface to increase a coefficient of friction of the surface, the coating formed of a diamond-like carbon and having a wrinkled texture. A second method of configuring a surface of a component exposed to fluid flow includes forming a plurality of protrusions on a surface, the plurality of protrusions separated by a plurality of channels, and forming a plurality of nanotubes on the surface.

Abstract: An illustrative electromagnetic logging while drilling system includes a drill string having a bottomhole assembly with a bit that operates to extend a borehole; and further includes a removable add-on antenna unit that cooperates with at least one other antenna unit in the drill string to provide electromagnetic signal measurements indicative of at least one formation property. Some embodiments of the add-on antenna unit encircle an existing tool or tubular, attaching to a sidewall readout port to receive power and exchange communications over the internal tool bus with at least one other antenna unit. At least one disclosed method embodiment includes: assembling the bottomhole assembly; securing at least one add-on antenna unit around a downhole tool or tubular in the bottomhole assembly; and using the at least one add-on antenna unit in combination with at least one other antenna in the bottomhole assembly to obtain electromagnetic signal measurements formation properties.

Abstract: Providing accurate speed and rotation of a motor of a drilling assembly allows accurate monitoring of a drilling operation, for example, direction of drilling, rate of penetration, vibration, and stability of the drilling assembly. A bi-stable magnetic device is used to provide better control of torque and rate of penetration and prevention of slip-stick issues. One such device is a downhole motor that includes a stator and a rotor with a magnetic blade. The magnetic blade includes at least one of a magnetic edge, a magnetic surface, and a magnetic core, or is entirely or partially magnetic. A sensor is positioned in the stator to detect the passing of the magnetic edge of the blade of the rotor. Detection of one or more magnetic blades may provide rotational speed or other status information of the drilling assembly.

Abstract: An illustrative electromagnetic logging while drilling system includes a drill string having a bottomhole assembly with a bit that operates to extend a borehole; and further includes a removable add-on antenna unit that cooperates with at least one other antenna unit in the drill string to provide electromagnetic signal measurements indicative of at least one formation property. Some embodiments of the add-on antenna unit encircle an existing tool or tubular, attaching to a sidewall readout port to receive power and exchange communications over the internal tool bus with at least one other antenna unit.

Abstract: A downhole drilling tool may include a strain gauge inside a rolling-bearing element. For example, the downhole drilling tool may include a rolling-bearing element having an inner race, an outer race, and one or more bearings disposed between the inner and outer races; and a strain gauge disposed on an interior surface of the rolling-element bearing, the strain gauge including at least one circuit formed by (1) a first substrate and a second substrate defining a gap therebetween and having first conductive fibers and second conductive fibers, respectively, extending therefrom into the gap in an intermingling configuration, (2) an electrical connection between the first and second substrates, and (3) an electrical resistance sensor arranged within the electrical connection.

Abstract: Methods of configuring a surface of a component exposed to fluid flow are disclosed. A first method includes forming a plurality of protrusions on a surface, the plurality of protrusions separated by a plurality of channels, and depositing a coating on the surface to increase a coefficient of friction of the surface, the coating formed of a diamond-like carbon and having a wrinkled texture. A second method includes forming a plurality of protrusions on a surface, the plurality of protrusions separated by a plurality of channels, and forming a plurality of nanotubes on the surface.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises a stabilizer element attached to a downhole tool housing. The stabilizer element includes at least a portion of a surface that is not parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tool housing, and that does not contact a borehole wall during operation. An electrode element is attached to the portion of the surface.

Abstract: A downhole drilling tool may include a strain gauge inside a rolling-bearing element. For example, the downhole drilling tool may include a rolling-bearing element having an inner race, an outer race, and one or more bearings disposed between the inner and outer races; and a strain gauge disposed on an interior surface of the rolling-element bearing, the strain gauge including at least one circuit formed by (1) a first substrate and a second substrate defining a gap therebetween and having first conductive fibers and second conductive fibers, respectively, extending therefrom into the gap in an intermingling configuration, (2) an electrical connection between the first and second substrates, and (3) an electrical resistance sensor arranged within the electrical connection.

Abstract: A first riser card of an apparatus in an example substantially axially connects with a first serial connection external interface of a printed circuit board (PCB) and at least in part laterally connects with a parallel connection external interface of a first memory module. The first riser card supports the first memory module with avoidance of abutment of the first memory module with a second memory module supported by a second riser card that is adjacent to the first riser card.

Abstract: A first riser card of an apparatus in an example substantially axially connects with a first serial connection external interface of a printed circuit board (PCB) and at least in part laterally connects with a parallel connection external interface of a first memory module. The first riser card supports the first memory module with avoidance of abutment of the first memory module with a second memory module supported by a second riser card that is adjacent to the first riser card.

Abstract: A first riser card of an apparatus in an example substantially axially connects with a first serial connection external interface of a printed circuit board (PCB) and at least in part laterally connects with a parallel connection external interface of a first memory module. The first riser card supports the first memory module with avoidance of abutment of the first memory module with a second memory module supported by a second riser card that is adjacent to the first riser card.

Abstract: A translator of an apparatus in an example through a serial connection external interface of a printed circuit board (PCB) communicates between a serial memory protocol within the PCB and a parallel memory protocol outside the PCB.

Abstract: A first riser card of an apparatus in an example substantially axially connects with a first serial connection external interface of a printed circuit board (PCB) and at least in part laterally connects with a parallel connection external interface of a first memory module. The first riser card supports the first memory module with avoidance of abutment of the first memory module with a second memory module supported by a second riser card that is adjacent to the first riser card.

Abstract: A computer system includes a printed circuit board (PCB) that includes a first external interface for memory connection thereto, the first external interface employs a first memory protocol. The computer system further includes an extension circuit board and a translator module. the extension circuit board includes a second external interface for memory connection thereto and a third external interface, wherein the second external interface employs a second memory protocol different from the first memory protocol. The translator module is connectable to the first external interface of the PCB and the third external interface of the extension circuit board to provide translation between the first and second memory protocols.

Abstract: A first riser card of an apparatus in an example substantially axially connects with a first serial connection external interface of a printed circuit board (PCB) and at least in part laterally connects with a parallel connection external interface of a first memory module. The first riser card supports the first memory module with avoidance of abutment of the first memory module with a second memory module supported by a second riser card that is adjacent to the first riser card.

Abstract: A translator of an apparatus in an example through a serial connection external interface of a printed circuit board (PCB) communicates between a serial memory protocol within the PCB and a parallel memory protocol outside the PCB.