Abstract: Control valves can allow a well operator to steer a drill string. An exemplary control valve can include a valve body with an axial bore and a radial orifice in fluid communication with the axial bore, wherein flow passing through the axial bore passes through the radial orifice and into a piston flow channel to be in fluid communication with a piston bore to exert pressure against a piston movable within the piston bore, the piston being coupled a steering pad for applying force against the wellbore wall. A rotary valve element is disposed within the axial bore and including an actuation flow channel, wherein the rotary valve element is rotatable with respect to the axial bore to change flow through the actuation channel and the radial orifice to modify fluid pressure within the piston flow channel that is exerted against the piston.

Abstract: A drill string readout port connector assembly including a receptacle body and a connector body. The receptacle body is located in an aperture in a sidewall of a drill collar and a mounting surface of the receptacle body includes a mounting surface ring-shaped electrically conductive structure. The connector body has an insertion end shaped to fit inside the aperture and to face the mounting surface and a landing surface of the insertion end includes a corresponding a landing surface ring-shaped electrically conductive structure positioned to align with and physically contact the mounting surface ring-shaped electrically conductive structure.

Abstract: A drill string readout port connector assembly including a receptacle body and a connector body. The receptacle body is located in an aperture in a sidewall of a drill collar and a mounting surface of the receptacle body includes a mounting surface ring-shaped electrically conductive structure. The connector body has an insertion end shaped to fit inside the aperture and to face the mounting surface and a landing surface of the insertion end includes a corresponding a landing surface ring-shaped electrically conductive structure positioned to align with and physically contact the mounting surface ring-shaped electrically conductive structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus according to which an output of a power generation system is controlled. In one embodiment, the power generation system includes a turbine and a feedback control system. The turbine includes a rotor to which a first portion of a power fluid is communicated, the first portion imparting torque to the rotor; a shaft to which the rotor is connected; a shroud extending circumferentially about the rotor and the shaft; and a bypass gap between the rotor and the shroud, through which a second portion of the power fluid is communicated. The feedback control system axially displaces the shroud relative to the rotor, thereby adjusting the size of the bypass gap and, consequently, the ratio of the first portion relative to the second portion.

Abstract: Control valves can allow a well operator to steer a drill string. An exemplary control valve can include a valve body with an axial bore and a radial orifice in fluid communication with the axial bore, wherein flow passing through the axial bore passes through the radial orifice and into a piston flow channel to be in fluid communication with a piston bore to exert pressure against a piston movable within the piston bore, the piston being coupled a steering pad for applying force against the wellbore wall. A rotary valve element is disposed within the axial bore and including an actuation flow channel, wherein the rotary valve element is rotatable with respect to the axial bore to change flow through the actuation channel and the radial orifice to modify fluid pressure within the piston flow channel that is exerted against the piston.

Abstract: Well systems comprise communicating devices for use in subterranean formations. An example well system comprises a mud valve system having a stator and a rotor to modulate drilling mud flow to provide increased pulse amplitude signals up-hole for improved and faster signaling from down-hole tools while also providing for better detection capability up-hole. The improved signaling technique permits for deeper well applications.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a mud pulse telemetry tool includes a body having a channel, a motor, and a valve coupled to the motor and disposed within the channel. The valve includes a plurality of lobes, with at least one of the plurality of lobes having a cavity formed therein.

Abstract: Systems and methods divide flow in a wellbore into a plurality of flow paths. A first one of the flow paths extends to a down-hole turbine that is responsive to fluid flow to provide rotational motion to an electric generator or other down-hole tool. A second flow path may extend to an independent down-hole tool, to a port communicating with the wellbore, to a bypass channel extending around the turbine, or to any other down-hole location. The turbine includes a stator having adjustable blades such that an open flow area through the turbine may be selectively controlled. A flow distribution between the first and second flow paths can be controlled where specific flow areas are needed at specific flow rates, for example.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a mud pulse telemetry tool includes a body having a channel, a motor, and a valve coupled to the motor and disposed within the channel. The valve includes a plurality of lobes, with at least one of the plurality of lobes having a cavity formed therein.

Abstract: Well systems comprise communicating devices for use in subterranean formations. An example well system comprises a mud valve system having a stator and a rotor to modulate drilling mud flow to provide increased pulse amplitude signals up-hole for improved and faster signaling from down-hole tools while also providing for better detection capability up-hole. The improved signaling technique permits for deeper well applications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus according to which an output of a power generation system is controlled. In one embodiment, the power generation system includes a turbine and a feedback control system. The turbine includes a rotor to which a first portion of a power fluid is communicated, the first portion imparting torque to the rotor; a shaft to which the rotor is connected; a shroud extending circumferentially about the rotor and the shaft; and a bypass gap between the rotor and the shroud, through which a second portion of the power fluid is communicated. The feedback control system axially displaces the shroud relative to the rotor, thereby adjusting the size of the bypass gap and, consequently, the ratio of the first portion relative to the second portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods divide flow in a wellbore into a plurality of flow paths. A first one of the flow paths extends to a down-hole turbine that is responsive to fluid flow to provide rotational motion to an electric generator or other down-hole tool. A second flow path may extend to an independent down-hole tool, to a port communicating with the wellbore, to a bypass channel extending around the turbine, or to any other down-hole location. The turbine includes a stator having adjustable blades such that an open flow area through the turbine may be selectively controlled. A flow distribution between the first and second flow paths can be controlled where specific flow areas are needed at specific flow rates, for example.