Abstract: An adjustable bent housing includes an outer tubular member having an interior surface defining an interior bore. The outer tubular member has a first angular offset. An inner tubular member is provided and has an exterior surface. The inner tubular member has a second angular offset. The inner tubular member has at least one engagement end received within the interior bore of the outer tubular member. A desired cumulative angular offset is selected by relative rotation of the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member to adjust the positioning of the first angular offset relative to the second angular offset. A rotational stop is provided that limits relative rotation of the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member to a limited rotational range. A locking sleeve locks the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member in a selected rotational position to fix the cumulative angular offset.

Abstract: A drive connection for a downhole drilling motor includes a tubular outer housing with an inner mandrel. The outer housing has a motor end, a bit end and defines an interior bore. An angular offset is provided toward the bit end of the outer housing. The inner mandrel, positioned within the interior bore of the outer housing, includes a motor end section, a bit end section and an intermediate section connecting the motor end section and the bit end section. The intermediate section has an upper articulating engagement that is coupled to rotate with the motor end section and a lower articulating engagement that is coupled to rotate with the bit end section. The motor end section, intermediate section and bit end section rotate together, with the upper articulating engagement and the lower articulating engagement accommodating rotation that is offset due to the angular offset.

Abstract: An adjustable bent housing includes an outer tubular member having an interior surface defining an interior bore. The outer tubular member has a first angular offset. An inner tubular member is provided and has an exterior surface. The inner tubular member has a second angular offset. The inner tubular member has at least one engagement end received within the interior bore of the outer tubular member. A desired cumulative angular offset is selected by relative rotation of the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member to adjust the positioning of the first angular offset relative to the second angular offset. A rotational stop is provided that limits relative rotation of the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member to a limited rotational range. A locking sleeve locks the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member in a selected rotational position to fix the cumulative angular offset.

Abstract: A drive connection for a downhole drilling motor includes a tubular outer housing with an inner mandrel. The outer housing has a motor end, a bit end and defines an interior bore. An angular offset is provided toward the bit end of the outer housing. The inner mandrel, positioned within the interior bore of the outer housing, includes a motor end section, a bit end section and an intermediate section connecting the motor end section and the bit end section. The intermediate section has an upper articulating engagement that is coupled to rotate with the motor end section and a lower articulating engagement that is coupled to rotate with the bit end section. The motor end section, intermediate section and bit end section rotate together, with the upper articulating engagement and the lower articulating engagement accommodating rotation that is offset due to the angular offset.

Abstract: A flow bearing includes a first tubular body and a second tubular body. The first tubular body has a first outer surface and a first inner surface defining a first bore. A first bearing surface is positioned on the first inner surface. The second tubular body has a second outer surface and a second inner surface defining a second bore. A second bearing surface is positioned on the second inner surface. The second tubular body is concentrically disposed within the first bore of the first tubular body, with the first inner surface facing the second outer surface. The first bearing surface and the second bearing surface are engaged in close fitting relation and define a mud lubricated flow gap. A metering valve is positioned one of upstream or downstream of the flow gap to meter flow through the flow gap.

Abstract: A threaded connection includes an externally threaded pin connection and an internally threaded box connection. The pin connection has a proximate end, a distal end, a pin shoulder at the proximate end and a distal contact surface at the distal end. The box connection has a proximate end, a distal end, an internal contact surface at the proximate end and an external shoulder at the distal end. At least one deformable element is positioned either between the pin shoulder of the pin connection and the external shoulder of the box connection or between the distal contact surface of the pin connection and the internal contact surface of the box connection. The deformable element is of a softer material than that of the pin connection and the box connection, such that the deformable element deforms in response to a momentary torque overload.