Abstract: Electromechanical actuators for use in a MWD tool in a downhole environment, including actuators having a servo valve, comprising: a rotary actuator having a rotary actuator shaft; and a spring positioned in the servo valve such that movement of the rotary actuator shaft causes the spring to be changed between a first state and a second state, wherein gaps in the structure of the spring vary in size as the spring is changed between the first state and a second state, wherein the gaps act as fluid vents for fluid flow through the servo valve, such that movement of the rotary actuator shaft causes the fluid vents to vary in size and thereby change an amount of fluid flow through the servo valve; and an electronic control assembly configured to detect change in load within the servo valve based on the change in the amount of fluid flow.

Abstract: An assembly having a coupling component and a poppet is disclosed. The coupling component has a first end. The first end has an opening extending into the coupling component, such that the coupling component has a sidewall extending around and defining the opening, the sidewall at least partially constructed of a ductile material. The poppet is positioned within the opening. The poppet has a first end outside of the opening, a second end within the opening, and an outer surface extending between the first end and the second end. The poppet has a recess positioned between the first end and the second end, the recess being defined by at least one sidewall and a bottom. At least a portion of the ductile material of the sidewall is positioned within the recess to secure the poppet into the opening.

Abstract: A method of operating an actuator in mud having debris and lost circulation material is described. The method includes closing a servo valve positioned within a valve housing. The valve housing has a plurality of fluid vents positioned downstream of the servo valve and a plurality of debris vents positioned upstream of the servo valve. Dimensions of the plurality of fluid vents are less than dimensions of the plurality of debris vents. Closing of the servo valve creates a first fluid path such that fluid flows from a mud pump at a surface into the plurality of debris vents and out of the plurality of fluid vents shielding the servo valve from debris and lost circulation material.

Abstract: An assembly having a coupling component and a poppet is disclosed. The coupling component has a first end. The first end has an opening extending into the coupling component, such that the coupling component has a sidewall extending around and defining the opening, the sidewall at least partially constructed of a ductile material. The poppet is positioned within the opening. The poppet has a first end outside of the opening, a second end within the opening, and an outer surface extending between the first end and the second end. The poppet has a recess positioned between the first end and the second end, the recess being defined by at least one sidewall and a bottom. At least a portion of the ductile material of the sidewall is positioned within the recess to secure the poppet into the opening.

Abstract: A mud pulse telemetry valve and method including a flow tube having at least one upper hydraulic opening extending from an inner surface and at least one lower hydraulic opening extending from an inner surface, a flow restriction member positioned in the flow tube and defining an orifice, an orifice housing connected to the flow tube and supporting the flow restriction member, and a screen defining a flow path from a first end of the screen to the orifice. The orifice housing has at least one inlet port in fluid communication with the upper hydraulic opening upstream of the flow restriction member, and the screen has a plurality of filter openings positioned between the flow path and the at least one inlet port. The mud pulse telemetry valve further has a control valve assembly and a pilot valve assembly.

Abstract: A downhole valve is described. The downhole valve has a pilot valve section and a tool section. The pilot valve section has a first tube. The tool section has a second tube slidably coupled to the first tube of the pilot valve section so as to provide fluid communication between the pilot valve section and the tool section. The tool section can be in the form of a signal valve section of a mud pulse telemetry valve, a reamer, a vertical steerable tool, a rotary steerable tool, a by-pass valve, a packer, a whipstock, or stabilizer.

Abstract: A mud pulse telemetry valve and method including a flow tube having at least one upper hydraulic opening extending from an inner surface and at least one lower hydraulic opening extending from an inner surface, a flow restriction member positioned in the flow tube and defining an orifice, an orifice housing connected to the flow tube and supporting the flow restriction member, and a screen defining a flow path from a first end of the screen to the orifice. The orifice housing has at least one inlet port in fluid communication with the upper hydraulic opening upstream of the flow restriction member, and the screen has a plurality of filter openings positioned between the flow path and the at least one inlet port. The mud pulse telemetry valve further has a control valve assembly and a pilot valve assembly.

Abstract: A method of operating an actuator in mud having debris and lost circulation material is described. The method includes closing a servo valve positioned within a valve housing. The valve housing has a plurality of fluid vents positioned downstream of the servo valve and a plurality of debris vents positioned upstream of the servo valve. Dimensions of the plurality of fluid vents are less than dimensions of the plurality of debris vents. Closing of the servo valve creates a first fluid path such that fluid flows from a mud pump at a surface into the plurality of debris vents and out of the plurality of fluid vents shielding the servo valve from debris and lost circulation material.

Abstract: An assembly having a coupling component and a poppet is disclosed. The coupling component has a first end. The first end has an opening extending into the coupling component, such that the coupling component has a sidewall extending around and defining the opening, the sidewall at least partially constructed of a ductile material. The poppet is positioned within the opening. The poppet has a first end outside of the opening, a second end within the opening, and an outer surface extending between the first end and the second end. The poppet has a recess positioned between the first end and the second end, the recess being defined by at least one sidewall and a bottom. At least a portion of the ductile material of the sidewall is positioned within the recess to secure the poppet into the opening.

Abstract: A downhole valve is described. The downhole valve has a pilot valve section and a tool section. The pilot valve section has a first tube. The tool section has a second tube slidably coupled to the first tube of the pilot valve section so as to provide fluid communication between the pilot valve section and the tool section. The tool section can be in the form of a signal valve section of a mud pulse telemetry valve, a reamer, a vertical steerable tool, a rotary steerable tool, a by-pass valve, a packer, a whipstock, or stabilizer.

Abstract: A mud pulse telemetry valve assembly and method including a mud valve sub and a mud pulse telemetry valve. The mud pulse telemetry valve having a flow tube positioned within the mud valve sub in a way that at least a portion of an outer surface of the flow tube is spaced a distance from at least a portion of an inner surface of the mud valve sub to form a hydraulic passageway having an upstream end and a downstream end. The mud pulse telemetry valve further having a control valve assembly and a pilot valve assembly.

Abstract: An assembly having a coupling component and a poppet is disclosed. The coupling component has a first end. The first end has an opening extending into the coupling component, such that the coupling component has a sidewall extending around and defining the opening, the sidewall at least partially constructed of a ductile material. The poppet is positioned within the opening. The poppet has a first end outside of the opening, a second end within the opening, and an outer surface extending between the first end and the second end. The poppet has a recess positioned between the first end and the second end, the recess being defined by at least one sidewall and a bottom. At least a portion of the ductile material of the sidewall is positioned within the recess to secure the poppet into the opening.

Abstract: A downhole valve is described. The downhole valve has a pilot valve section and a tool section. The pilot valve section has a first tube. The tool section has a second tube slidably coupled to the first tube of the pilot valve section so as to provide fluid communication between the pilot valve section and the tool section. The tool section can be in the form of a signal valve section of a mud pulse telemetry valve, a reamer, a vertical steerable tool, a rotary steerable tool, a by-pass valve, a packer, a whipstock, or stabilizer.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuator having a servo valve is described. The servo valve has a valve housing having a wall surrounding the servo valve, the valve housing having a first end and a second end with the servo valve positioned between the first end and the second end. The valve housing also includes at least one debris vent positioned on an exterior surface of the wall between the servo valve and the first end of the valve housing, the debris vent having a first dimension; and, at least one fluid vent positioned on the exterior surface of the wall between the servo valve and the second end of the valve housing, the fluid vent having a second dimension. The first dimension is smaller than the second dimension.

Abstract: A mud pulse telemetry valve assembly and method including a mud valve sub and a mud pulse telemetry valve. The mud pulse telemetry valve having a flow tube positioned within the mud valve sub in a way that at least a portion of an outer surface of the flow tube is spaced a distance from at least a portion of an inner surface of the mud valve sub to form a hydraulic passageway having an upstream end and a downstream end. The mud pulse telemetry valve further having a control valve assembly and a pilot valve assembly.

Abstract: A mud pulse telemetry valve assembly and method including a mud valve sub and a mud pulse telemetry valve. The mud pulse telemetry valve having a flow tube positioned within the mud valve sub in a way that at least a portion of an outer surface of the flow tube is spaced a distance from at least a portion of an inner surface of the mud valve sub to form a hydraulic passageway having an upstream end and a downstream end. The mud pulse telemetry valve further having a control valve assembly and a pilot valve assembly.

Abstract: A mud pulse telemetry valve assembly and method including a mud valve sub and a mud pulse telemetry valve. The mud pulse telemetry valve having a flow tube positioned within the mud valve sub in a way that at least a portion of an outer surface of the flow tube is spaced a distance from at least a portion of an inner surface of the mud valve sub to form a hydraulic passageway having an upstream end and a downstream end. The mud pulse telemetry valve further having a control valve assembly and a pilot valve assembly.

Abstract: An assembly having a coupling component and a poppet is disclosed. The coupling component has a first end. The first end has an opening extending into the coupling component, such that the coupling component has a sidewall extending around and defining the opening, the sidewall at least partially constructed of a ductile material. The poppet is positioned within the opening. The poppet has a first end outside of the opening, a second end within the opening, and an outer surface extending between the first end and the second end. The poppet has a recess positioned between the first end and the second end, the recess being defined by at least one sidewall and a bottom. At least a portion of the ductile material of the sidewall is positioned within the recess to secure the poppet into the opening.

Abstract: A downhole valve is described. The downhole valve has a pilot valve section and a tool section. The pilot valve section has a first tube. The tool section has a second tube slidably coupled to the first tube of the pilot valve section so as to provide fluid communication between the pilot valve section and the tool section. The tool section can be in the form of a signal valve section of a mud pulse telemetry valve, a reamer, a vertical steerable tool, a rotary steerable tool, a by-pass valve, a packer, a whipstock, or stabilizer.

Abstract: A downhole valve is described. The downhole valve has a pilot valve section and a tool section. The pilot valve section has a first tube. The tool section has a second tube slidably coupled to the first tube of the pilot valve section so as to provide fluid communication between the pilot valve section and the tool section. The tool section can be in the form of a signal valve section of a mud pulse telemetry valve, a reamer, a vertical steerable tool, a rotary steerable tool, a by-pass valve, a packer, a whipstock, or stabilizer.