Abstract: A downhole tool for use in a downhole drill string is provided. The downhole tool includes a rotor movably coupled within a stator, and a drive shaft movably coupled within a bearing housing. The drive shaft has a first end coupled with the rotor and a second end coupled with a drill bit. Bearing assemblies interfaces engagement between the drive shaft and the bearing housing, including polycrystalline diamond elements, each with an engagement surface, and an opposing engagement surface of a non-superhard metal.

Abstract: A roller ball assembly is provided. The assembly includes a primary roller ball supported by a support element that is composed of a superhard material. The assembly includes a cup defining a cavity within which the support element is positioned. A cap is coupled with the cup and positioned to retain the primary roller ball within the cavity. Also, a cup is disclosed for supporting roller halls. Additionally, disclosed are system and apparatus incorporating the assembly, as well as to methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: Directional drilling is an extremely important area of technology for the extraction of oil and gas from earthen formations. The technology of the present application relates to improved non-stabilizer guidance positioning members for directional drilling assemblies and for drill strings. It also relates to an improved method for analyzing the fit and engagement of a directional drilling assembly in curved and straight wellbores in order to produce improved guidance positioning members. It also relates to a method of designing guidance positioning members for directional drilling. It also relates to drilling directional wellbores using the guidance positioning members of the present technology.

Abstract: A method of assembly of impeller (12) and turbine (14) shells (116) for torque converters (10). Vanes (116) are capacitance discharge welded with a high energy pulse into the shells (112).