Abstract: Geologic material in a borehole is weakened by accelerating a projectile into contact with the material. A drill bit is then used to bore through the weakened material. To accelerate the projectile, an endcap is placed in a conduit using a source of gas. The endcap isolates the conduit from the external environment. A projectile is then positioned in the conduit above the endcap. Movable members within the conduit are operated in sequence to enable single endcaps and projectiles to be moved into the conduit. Gas from the conduit is evacuated into an annulus between the conduit and a surrounding conduit, and a propellant material is provided into the conduit. The propellant material applies a force to the projectile to accelerate the projectile into contact with the geologic material. A fluid is circulated down a second annulus outside of the surrounding conduit to contact the drill bit and remove debris.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cartridge (1) for a chemical heater used in down-hole operations. The cartridge (1) comprises a quantity of a chemical reaction heat source (2) wrapped in a temporary coating (3) that is capable of maintaining the shape of the cartridge (1) prior to use but which is consumed during the burn of the heater. The present invention also provides a eutectic/bismuth based alloy well plugging/sealing tool (5). The tool (5) having a tubular heater body (6) with an internal cavity (8) capable of receiving a chemical heat source and a quantity of eutectic/bismuth based alloy (7) provided in thermal communication with the heater body (6) around an outer surface of the heater body (6). The tool has a sleeve (10) provided around an outer surface of the alloy (7), which insulates and/or mechanically protects the alloy (7) down-hole. In this way the sleeve (10) enables the diameter of tool (5) to be reduced whilst maintaining its functionality.

Abstract: Systems for drilling or tunneling include an assembly for accelerating a projectile into a region of geologic material. An interaction between the projectile and the geologic material extends a borehole and forms debris. The debris may be reduced in size by moving the debris to a crushing device. The reduced-size debris is then moved toward the surface using fluid movement. Water jets or other types of devices may be used to cut or deform a perimeter of a region of geologic material before the projectile is accelerated to control the shape of the borehole and the manner in which debris is broken from the geologic material.

Abstract: Geologic material in a borehole is weakened by accelerating a projectile into contact with the material. A drill bit is then used to bore through the weakened material. To accelerate the projectile, an endcap is placed in a conduit using a source of gas. The endcap isolates the conduit from the external environment. A projectile is then positioned in the conduit above the endcap. Movable members within the conduit are operated in sequence to enable single endcaps and projectiles to be moved into the conduit. Gas from the conduit is evacuated into an annulus between the conduit and a surrounding conduit, and a propellant material is provided into the conduit. The propellant material applies a force to the projectile to accelerate the projectile into contact with the geologic material. A fluid is circulated down a second annulus outside of the surrounding conduit to contact the drill bit and remove debris.

Abstract: Systems for drilling or tunneling include an assembly for accelerating a projectile into a region of geologic material. An interaction between the projectile and the geologic material extends a borehole and forms debris. The debris may be reduced in size by moving the debris to a crushing device. The reduced-size debris is then moved toward the surface using fluid movement. Water jets or other types of devices may be used to cut or deform a perimeter of a region of geologic material before the projectile is accelerated to control the shape of the borehole and the manner in which debris is broken from the geologic material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cartridge (1) for a chemical heater used in down-hole operations. The cartridge (1) comprises a quantity of a chemical reaction heat source (2) wrapped in a temporary coating (3) that is capable of maintaining the shape of the cartridge (1) prior to use but which is consumed during the burn of the heater. The present invention also provides a eutectic/bismuth based alloy well plugging/sealing tool (5). The tool (5) having a tubular heater body (6) with an internal cavity (8) capable of receiving a chemical heat source and a quantity of eutectic/bismuth based alloy (7) provided in thermal communication with the heater body (6) around an outer surface of the heater body (6). The tool has a sleeve (10) provided around an outer surface of the alloy (7), which insulates and/or mechanically protects the alloy (7) down-hole. In this way the sleeve (10) enables the diameter of tool (5) to be reduced whilst maintaining its functionality.

Abstract: A moving or progressive cavity motor or pump is disclosed, the motor including a rotor and a stator, the stator having one or more inserts or gearing sections to limit a lateral movement of the rotor relative to the stator. In some embodiments, the motor or pump may include a rotor and a stator, the stator including: a first, helicoidal, section comprising a compliant material having a first compressibility; a second section, helicoidal, non-helicoidal, or combination thereof, having a second compressibility, wherein the second compressibility is less than the first compressibility.

Abstract: There is provided a mobile high power laser system and conveyance structure for delivering high power laser energy to and for performing high power laser operations in remote and difficult to access locations. There is further provide such systems with high power laser, handling equipment and conveyance equipment that are configured to avoid exceeding the maximum bending radius of high power optical fibers used with the conveyance structures. There are also provided embodiments of the conveyance structures having channels, lines and passages for delivering materials such as fluids.

Abstract: There is provided a mobile high power laser system and conveyance structure for delivering high power laser energy to and for performing high power laser operations in remote and difficult to access locations. There is further provide such systems with high power laser, handling equipment and conveyance equipment that are configured to avoid exceeding the maximum bending radius of high power optical fibers used with the conveyance structures. There are also provided embodiments of the conveyance structures having channels, lines and passages for delivering materials such as fluids.

Abstract: Techniques relate to a moving cavity motor or pump, such as a mud motor, including a rotor, a stator, and one or more apparatus for constraining (i.e., controlling or limiting) the movement of the rotor relative to the stator, where the apparatus for constraining is operable with the rotor catch. The motor may include a top sub, power section having a progressive cavity motor with a stator and rotor, a rotor catch, and an apparatus between a proximal and distal end of the rotor catch shaft. The apparatus may constrain the radial and/or tangential movement of the rotor catch shaft and the rotor.

Abstract: A downhole motor drive shaft assembly includes a drive shaft having a longitudinal rotational axis, a plurality of drive key sockets, an end housing having a longitudinal rotational axis, a plurality of circumferentially spaced axial keyways, and a concave spherical thrust bearing surface, and a drive key operatively connecting each drive key socket with a respective axial keyway for transferring torque from the drive shaft to the end housing. The drive key includes a substantially planar drive face slidably engaging the axial keyway, and a radiused, cylindrical back portion rotatably engaging the drive key socket, the substantially planar drive face and radiused, cylindrical back portion forming a nominal half-circle.

Abstract: A moving cavity motor or pump, such as a mud motor, comprising: a rotor, a stator, and one or more apparatus for constraining (i.e., controlling or limiting) the movement of the rotor relative to the stator, where the apparatus for constraining is operable with the rotor catch.

Abstract: Techniques relate to a moving cavity motor or pump, such as a mud motor, including a rotor, a stator, and one or more apparatus for constraining (i.e., controlling or limiting) the movement of the rotor relative to the stator, where the apparatus for constraining is operable with the rotor catch. The motor may include a top sub, power section having a progressive cavity motor with a stator and rotor, a rotor catch, and an apparatus between a proximal and distal end of the rotor catch shaft. The apparatus may constrain the radial and/or tangential movement of the rotor catch shaft and the rotor.

Abstract: An assembly to restrict fluid flow through the bearing section of a positive displacement or progressive cavity pump or motor. The assembly fits within the bearing chamber and includes an upper ring member, a lower ring member, an outer ring member and a floating member. The floating ring member is axially disposed between the upper and lower ring members. The floating ring member is also disposed at least partially around a drive shaft and is radially movable and constrained inwardly of the outer ring member. The floating ring member has a radial clearance between the drive shaft and a floating ring member inner surface with the radial clearance varying depending on the relative position of the floating ring member to the outer ring member.

Abstract: An apparatus with a high power laser-mechanical bit for use with a laser drilling system and a method for advancing a borehole. The laser-mechanical bit has a beam path and mechanical removal devices that provide for the removal of laser-affected rock to advance a borehole.

Abstract: There is provided a mobile high power laser system and conveyance structure for delivering high power laser energy to and for performing high power laser operations in remote and difficult to access locations. There is further provide such systems with high power laser, handling equipment and conveyance equipment that are configured to avoid exceeding the maximum bending radius of high power optical fibers used with the conveyance structures. There are also provided embodiments of the conveyance structures having channels, lines and passages for delivering materials such as fluids.

Abstract: A Moineau style stator includes a stator tube having a plurality of rigid helical lobes formed on an inner surface thereof. The helical lobes define a major internal tube diameter that is greater than a pass through diameter of the tube such that the major diameter undercuts the pass through diameter of the tube. A major liner diameter may also be less than the pass through diameter so as to provide a suitable interference fit between rotor and stator.

Abstract: An assembly to restrict fluid flow through the bearing section of a positive displacement or progressive cavity pump or motor. The assembly fits within the bearing chamber and includes an upper ring member, a lower ring member, an outer ring member and a floating member. The floating ring member is axially disposed between the upper and lower ring members. The floating ring member is also disposed at least partially around a drive shaft and is radially movable and constrained inwardly of the outer ring member. The floating ring member has a radial clearance between the drive shaft and a floating ring member inner surface with the radial clearance varying depending on the relative position of the floating ring member to the outer ring member.

Abstract: An assembly, apparatus, and method relate to a downhole motor drive shaft assembly drilling a subterranean wellbore. The assembly includes a drive shaft having a longitudinal rotational axis, a plurality of drive key sockets, an end housing having a longitudinal rotational axis, a plurality of circumferentially spaced axial keyways, and a concave spherical thrust bearing surface, and a drive key operatively connecting each drive key socket with a respective axial keyway for transferring torque from the drive shaft to the end housing. The drive key includes a substantially planar drive face slidably engaging the axial keyway, and a radiused, cylindrical back portion rotatably engaging the drive key socket, the substantially planar drive face and radiused, cylindrical back portion forming a nominal half-circle.

Abstract: A locking clutch to selectively transmit torque from a stator of a downhole tool to a rotor of the downhole tool includes at least one locking pawl disposed upon the rotor, wherein the at least one locking pawl comprises a load path, at least one pivot axis, and a mass center, wherein the at least one locking pawl is biased into an engaged position by a biasing mechanism, wherein the at least one locking pawl transmits force from the stator to the rotor along the load path when in the engaged position, and wherein centrifugal force urges the at least one locking pawl into a disengaged position when the rotor is rotated above a disengagement speed.