Abstract: An activation control module utilizes gravity and/or centrifugal acceleration to move a mechanical element that controls, activates or deactivates a mechanical or hydraulic mechanism, for use with a downhole tool such as a drilling tool or reamer in a wellbore. In embodiments, the activation control module described herein may utilize a combination of centrifugal acceleration and/or gravity due to an inclination of the downhole tool to move a valve, which turns off pressure to a hydro-mechanical system. The activation control modules may be utilized in applications where very little space is available for larger mechanisms. Further, the activation control modules do not require expensive and complex electro-mechanical systems, reducing or eliminating the need for batteries, wiring, electronics, motors, pumps and the like. Moreover, the activation control modules described herein do not require the use of a turbine, a centrifugal clutch or a linear actuator.

Abstract: An activation control module utilizes gravity and/or centrifugal acceleration to move a mechanical element that controls, activates or deactivates a mechanical or hydraulic mechanism, for use with a downhole tool such as a drilling tool or reamer in a wellbore. In embodiments, the activation control module described herein may utilize a combination of centrifugal acceleration and/or gravity due to an inclination of the downhole tool to move a valve, which turns off pressure to a hydro-mechanical system. The activation control modules may be utilized in applications where very little space is available for larger mechanisms. Further, the activation control modules do not require expensive and complex electro-mechanical systems, reducing or eliminating the need for batteries, wiring, electronics, motors, pumps and the like. Moreover, the activation control modules described herein do not require the use of a turbine, a centrifugal clutch or a linear actuator.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a pulsed-power drill bit including a bit body, an electrode, and a ground ring coupled to the bit body proximate to the electrode and having a first portion and a second portion located between the first portion and the bit body, the first portion including first composite material including a reinforcement material and an abrasive material infiltrated through at least one region of the reinforcement material, the second portion including a second composite material including the reinforcement material and a binder material infiltrated through the reinforcement material, the second composite material having a different composition than the first composite material. The disclosure further provides a pulsed-power drilling system containing such a bit and a method of pulsed-power drilling using such a bit.

Abstract: A drill bit for downhole pulsed-power drilling is disclosed. A pulse-power drill bit may include a bit body; an electrode coupled to a power source and the bit body; a ground ring coupled to the bit body, the electrode and the ground ring positioned such that an electric field produced by a voltage applied between the ground ring and the electrode is enhanced at a portion of the ground ring proximate to the ground ring; a reinforcement material forming portions of the ground ring; a binder material infiltrated through the reinforcement material to form a composite material and forming a first portion of the ground ring; and an machinable material forming a second portion of the ground ring, wherein the composite material has a first resistance to abrasion greater than a second resistance to abrasion of the machinable material.

Abstract: An activation control module utilizes gravity and/or centrifugal acceleration to move a mechanical element that controls, activates or deactivates a mechanical or hydraulic mechanism, for use with a downhole tool such as a drilling tool or reamer in a wellbore. In embodiments, the activation control module described herein may utilize a combination of centrifugal acceleration and/or gravity due to an inclination of the downhole tool to move a valve, which turns off pressure to a hydro-mechanical system. The activation control modules may be utilized in applications where very little space is available for larger mechanisms. Further, the activation control modules do not require expensive and complex electro-mechanical systems, reducing or eliminating the need for batteries, wiring, electronics, motors, pumps and the like. Moreover, the activation control modules described herein do not require the use of a turbine, a centrifugal clutch or a linear actuator.

Abstract: A disclosed pulsed-power drill bit includes a bit body, an electrode coupled to the bit body and having a distal portion, a ground ring coupled to the bit body and having a distal portion for engaging with sidewall surfaces of a wellbore and defining an outer diameter of the ground ring, and actuatable, electrically conductive fins each coupled to the ground ring such that the fin and the distal portion of the ground ring are electrically continuous. Each fin is positioned such that when actuated, a distal portion of the fin is extended in a direction away from the bit body, increasing the effective outer diameter of the ground ring, or is retracted, decreasing the effective outer diameter of the ground ring. The fins may be spring loaded within a track, channel, or slot between fluid flow ports and may be actuated individually or collectively.

Abstract: A disclosed pulsed-power drill bit includes a bit body, an electrode coupled to the bit body and having a distal portion, a ground ring coupled to the bit body and having a distal portion for engaging with sidewall surfaces of a wellbore and defining an outer diameter of the ground ring, and actuatable, electrically conductive fins each coupled to the ground ring such that the fin and the distal portion of the ground ring are electrically continuous. Each fin is positioned such that when actuated, a distal portion of the fin is extended in a direction away from the bit body, increasing the effective outer diameter of the ground ring, or is retracted, decreasing the effective outer diameter of the ground ring. The fins may be spring loaded within a track, channel, or slot between fluid flow ports and may be actuated individually or collectively.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a pulsed-power drill bit including a bit body, an electrode, and a ground ring coupled to the bit body proximate to the electrode and having a first portion and a second portion located between the first portion and the bit body, the first portion including first composite material including a reinforcement material and an abrasive material infiltrated through at least one region of the reinforcement material, the second portion including a second composite material including the reinforcement material and a binder material infiltrated through the reinforcement material, the second composite material having a different composition than the first composite material. The disclosure further provides a pulsed-power drilling system containing such a bit and a method of pulsed-power drilling using such a bit.

Abstract: A drill bit for downhole pulsed-power drilling is disclosed. A pulse-power drill bit may include a bit body; an electrode coupled to a power source and the bit body; a ground ring coupled to the bit body, the electrode and the ground ring positioned such that an electric field produced by a voltage applied between the ground ring and the electrode is enhanced at a portion of the ground ring proximate to the ground ring; a reinforcement material forming portions of the ground ring; a binder material infiltrated through the reinforcement material to form a composite material and forming a first portion of the ground ring; and an machinable material forming a second portion of the ground ring, wherein the composite material has a first resistance to abrasion greater than a second resistance to abrasion of the machinable material.

Abstract: A roller cone drill bit includes a pressure equalization bore defined within the roller cone drill bit that includes a lubricant chamber portion and an open portion. The drill bit also includes a lubricant passage defined within the drill bit and fluidically coupled to a first end of the lubricant chamber portion. Additionally, the roller cone drill bit includes a floating plug positioned within the pressure equalization bore between the lubricant chamber portion and the open portion. The floating plug is slidable along the pressure equalization bore and configured to seal the lubricant chamber portion from the open portion. Moreover, the roller cone drill bit includes a stop positioned at least partially within the pressure equalization bore or the lubricant passage to restrain the floating plug from sliding into the lubricant passage through the first end of the lubricant chamber portion.