Abstract: An apparatus for use downhole is disclosed that, in one configuration includes a downhole tool configured to operate in an active position and an inactive position and an actuation device, which may include a control unit. The apparatus includes a telemetry unit that sends a first pattern recognition signal to the control unit to move the tool into the active position and a second pattern recognition signal to move the tool into the inactive position. The apparatus may be used for drilling a subterranean formation and include a tubular body and one or more extendable features, each positionally coupled to a track of the tubular body, and a drilling fluid flow path extending through a bore of the tubular body for conducting drilling fluid therethrough. A push sleeve is disposed within the tubular body and coupled to the one or more features.

Abstract: An apparatus for use downhole is disclosed that, in one configuration includes a downhole tool configured to operate in an active position and an inactive position and an actuation device, which may include a control unit. The apparatus includes a telemetry unit that sends a first pattern recognition signal to the control unit to move the tool into the active position and a second pattern recognition signal to move the tool into the inactive position. The apparatus may be used for drilling a subterranean formation and include a tubular body and one or more extendable features, each positionally coupled to a track of the tubular body, and a drilling fluid flow path extending through a bore of the tubular body for conducting drilling fluid therethrough. A push sleeve is disposed within the tubular body and coupled to the one or more features.

Abstract: An apparatus for use downhole is disclosed that, in one configuration includes a downhole tool configured to operate in an active position and an inactive position and an actuation device, which may include a control unit. The apparatus includes a telemetry unit that sends a first pattern recognition signal to the control unit to move the tool into the active position and a second pattern recognition signal to move the tool into the inactive position. The apparatus may be used for drilling a subterranean formation and include a tubular body and one or more extendable features, each positionally coupled to a track of the tubular body, and a drilling fluid flow path extending through a bore of the tubular body for conducting drilling fluid therethrough. A push sleeve is disposed within the tubular body and coupled to the one or more features.

Abstract: A wellbore is formed by using an apparatus that may include a shaft having an end portion, a drill bit body tiltable about the end portion, and at least one actuator configured to apply a tilting force to the drill bit body.

Abstract: An apparatus for use downhole is disclosed. The apparatus includes a downhole device and an actuation device that includes: a housing including an annular chamber configured to house a first fluid therein and a piston in the annular chamber that divides the annular chamber into a first section and a second section. The piston is to a biasing member. A control unit enables movement of the first fluid from the first section to the second section to supply a second fluid under pressure to the tool to move the tool into an active position and from the second section to the first section to stop the supply of the second fluid to the tool to cause the tool to move into an inactive position.

Abstract: An apparatus for use downhole is disclosed that, in one configuration includes a downhole tool configured to operate in an active position and an inactive position and an actuation device, which may include a control unit. The apparatus includes a telemetry unit that sends a first pattern recognition signal to the control unit to move the tool into the active position and a second pattern recognition signal to move the tool into the inactive position. The apparatus may be used for drilling a subterranean formation and include a tubular body and one or more extendable features, each positionally coupled to a track of the tubular body, and a drilling fluid flow path extending through a bore of the tubular body for conducting drilling fluid therethrough. A push sleeve is disposed within the tubular body and coupled to the one or more features.

Abstract: An apparatus for use downhole is disclosed that, in one configuration includes a downhole tool configured to operate in an active position and an inactive position and an actuation device, which may include a control unit. The apparatus includes a telemetry unit that sends a first pattern recognition signal to the control unit to move the tool into the active position and a second pattern recognition signal to move the tool into the inactive position. The apparatus may be used for drilling a subterranean formation and include a tubular body and one or more extendable features, each positionally coupled to a track of the tubular body, and a drilling fluid flow path extending through a bore of the tubular body for conducting drilling fluid therethrough. A push sleeve is disposed within the tubular body and coupled to the one or more features.

Abstract: A method of drilling boreholes is provided. The method, according to one embodiment, may include drilling a borehole, transmitting a signal into the earth formation, receiving signals at least three spaced sensors responsive to the transmitted signals and estimating a path of the borehole using the signals received by the at least three sensors. In another aspect, the method may include drilling a borehole, transmitting signals into the earth formation from at least three spaced transmitters, receiving signals at least one sensor responsive to the transmitted signals and estimating a path of the borehole using the signals received by the at least one sensor.

Abstract: An expandable apparatus may comprise a tubular body, a valve piston and a push sleeve. The tubular body may comprise a fluid passageway extending therethrough, and the valve piston may be disposed within the tubular body, the valve piston configured to move axially within the tubular body responsive to a pressure of drilling fluid passing through the fluid passageway and configured to selectively control a flow of fluid into an annular chamber. The push sleeve may be disposed within the tubular body and coupled to at least one expandable feature, the push sleeve configured to move axially responsive to a flow of fluid into the annular chamber extending the at least one expandable feature.

Abstract: An expandable apparatus may comprise a tubular body, a valve piston and a push sleeve. The tubular body may comprise a fluid passageway extending therethrough, and the valve piston may be disposed within the tubular body, the valve piston configured to move axially within the tubular body responsive to a pressure of drilling fluid passing through the fluid passageway and configured to selectively control a flow of fluid into an annular chamber. The push sleeve may be disposed within the tubular body and coupled to at least one expandable feature, the push sleeve configured to move axially responsive to a flow of fluid into the annular chamber extending the at least one expandable feature.

Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for use downhole is disclosed that in one configuration includes a downhole device configured to be in an active position and an inactive position and an actuation device that includes: a housing including an annular chamber configured to house a first fluid therein, a piston in the annular chamber configured to divide the annular chamber into a first section and a second section, the piston being coupled to a biasing member, a control unit configured to enable movement of the first fluid from the first section to the second section to supply a second fluid under pressure to the tool to move the tool into the active position and from the second section to the first section to stop the supply of the second fluid to the tool to cause the tool to move into the inactive position.

Abstract: A wellbore is formed by using an apparatus that may include a shaft having an end portion, a drill bit body tiltable about the end portion, and at least one actuator configured to apply a tilting force to the drill bit body.

Abstract: A method of drilling boreholes is provided. The method, according to one embodiment, may include drilling a borehole, transmitting a signal into the earth formation, receiving signals at least three spaced sensors responsive to the transmitted signals and estimating a path of the borehole using the signals received by the at least three sensors. In another aspect, the method may include drilling a borehole, transmitting signals into the earth formation from at least three spaced transmitters, receiving signals at least one sensor responsive to the transmitted signals and estimating a path of the borehole using the signals received by the at least one sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for use downhole is disclosed that, in one configuration includes a downhole tool configured to operate in an active position and an inactive position and an actuation device, which may include a control unit. The apparatus includes a telemetry unit that sends a first pattern recognition signal to the control unit to move the tool into the active position and a second pattern recognition signal to move the tool into the inactive position. The apparatus may be used for drilling a subterranean formation and include a tubular body and one or more extendable features, each positionally coupled to a track of the tubular body, and a drilling fluid flow path extending through a bore of the tubular body for conducting drilling fluid therethrough. A push sleeve is disposed within the tubular body and coupled to the one or more features.

Abstract: A system for controlling sensor motion during a time-dependent measurement, comprising a drilling assembly having a drill bit at one end and engaged with a drill string extending to a surface location at an opposite end thereof. A sensor is disposed in the drilling assembly for making a measurement of a formation parameter of interest. A non-rotating stabilizer is disposed in the drilling assembly proximate the sensor. The non-rotating stabilizer is adapted to reduce motion of the sensor below a predetermined level during the measurement. In one embodiment the rotational axis of the stabilizer is eccentric with respect to the borehole. In another embodiment, the non-rotating stabilizer has an extendable rib for changing the effective diameter of the stabilizer.

Abstract: A system for controlling sensor motion during a time-dependent measurement, comprising a drilling assembly having a drill bit at one end and engaged with a drill string extending to a surface location at an opposite end thereof. A sensor is disposed in the drilling assembly for making a measurement of a formation parameter of interest. A non-rotating stabilizer is disposed in the drilling assembly proximate the sensor. The non-rotating stabilizer is adapted to reduce motion of the sensor below a predetermined level during the measurement. In one embodiment the rotational axis of the stabilizer is eccentric with respect to the borehole. In another embodiment, the non-rotating stabilizer has an extendable rib for changing the effective diameter of the stabilizer.

Abstract: A system for controlling sensor motion during a time-dependent measurement, comprising a drilling assembly having a drill bit at one end and engaged with a drill string extending to a surface location at an opposite end thereof. A sensor is disposed in the drilling assembly for making a measurement of a formation parameter of interest. A non-rotating stabilizer is disposed in the drilling assembly proximate the sensor. The non-rotating stabilizer is adapted to reduce motion of the sensor below a predetermined level during the measurement. In one embodiment the rotational axis of the stabilizer is eccentric with respect to the borehole. In another embodiment, the non-rotating stabilizer has an extendable rib for changing the effective diameter of the stabilizer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electromagnetic telemetry apparatus and methods that include an insulating connector that comprises an outer metallic female member that has an inner conical longitudinal surface. In one embodiment, a tubular metallic male member is disposed in the female member, thereby crating an axial conical gap between the male and female members. A conical metallic sleeve having dimensions that substantially correspond to the axial conical gap is disposed in the axial conical gap. The outer tubular surface of the male member is coated with an insulating material, such as a ceramic material. A shoulder at one end of the male member prevents axial movement of the sleeve in one direction and a parallel key between the female member and a stabilizer member prevents rotational movement between the male and female members. The sleeve remains stationary relative to the insulated surface of the male member when the male and female members move longitudinally relative to each other.

Abstract: A system for controlling sensor motion during a time-dependent measurement, comprising a drilling assembly having a drill bit at one end and engaged with a drill string extending to a surface location at an opposite end thereof. A sensor is disposed in the drilling assembly for making a measurement of a formation parameter of interest. A non-rotating stabilizer is disposed in the drilling assembly proximate the sensor. The non-rotating stabilizer is adapted to reduce motion of the sensor below a predetermined level during the measurement. In one embodiment the rotational axis of the stabilizer is eccentric with respect to the borehole. In another embodiment, the non-rotating stabilizer has an extendable rib for changing the effective diameter of the stabilizer.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for conveying electrical power and data signals between a first location and a second location in a well borehole. The apparatus comprises a first drill pipe disposed at the first location, and a second drill pipe disposed at the second location. A second end of the second drill pipe is coupled to a first end of the first drill pipe. A first plurality of conductive pathways such as insulated wires extend longitudinally through at least a portion of the first drill pipe and terminate at the first end. A second plurality of conductive pathways extend longitudinally through at least a portion of the second drill pipe and terminate at the second end. A verification device is operatively associated with the first and second pluralities of conductive pathways for verifying electrical continuity between the first and second pluralities of conductive pathways.