Abstract: A sectional drive and coupling system for transmitting rotational power to an output, which system includes multiple, splined drive and receiving segments that are connected, nested and interlocked in the ends of successive segment housings to define a drive string that is rotatable in a selected straight or curved path. The top one of the segments cooperates with a drive mechanism to effect rotation of the drive string in concert and the bottom one of the segments connects to an output such as a drill bit.

Abstract: A sectional drive and coupling system for transmitting rotational power to an output, which system includes multiple, splined drive and receiving segments that are connected, nested and interlocked in the ends of successive segment housings to define a drive string that is rotatable in a selected straight or curved path. The top one of the segments cooperates with a drive mechanism to effect rotation of the drive string in concert and the bottom one of the segments connects to an output such as a drill bit.

Abstract: A sectional drive system for transmitting rotational power to an output, which system includes multiple splined drive segments which are nested and interlocked as a drive string that is rotatable in a selected straight or curved path. The top one of the drive segments cooperates with a drive mechanism to effect rotation of the nested drive segments in concert, and the bottom one of the drive segments connects to a suitable output such as a drill bit. Multiple, tapered and truncated exterior splines on each of the drive segments mesh with complementary interior splines on the adjacent drive segment to enable slight angular positioning of the drive segments on each other and facilitate dampening of drive vibration and bending of the drive string in or out of the chosen path in any desired direction as the drive string transmits rotational power in a curved path of desired magnitude from the drive mechanism to the output.

Abstract: A sectional drive system for transmitting power linearly or in a curved path to an output, which system includes multiple, tapered and splined, interlocking drive segments which are nested and stacked as a segment string that is rotatable in a selected path. The top one of the segments cooperates with a drive mechanism to effect rotation of the nested segments in concert and the bottom one of the segments connects to a suitable output such as a drill bit. Articulation of the segments with respect to each other due to matching asymmetrical splines and companion spline slots having drive faces and spline support faces of dissimilar size, facilitates dampening of drive vibration and bending of the segment string in or out of the chosen path in any desired direction to facilitate transmitting power in a curved path of desired magnitude from the drive mechanism to the output.

Abstract: A sectional drive system for transmitting power linearly or in a curved path to an output, which system includes multiple, tapered and splined, interlocking driving segments which are nested and stacked as a segment string that is rotatable in a guide path. The top one of the segments cooperates with a drive mechanism to effect rotation of the nested segments in concert and the bottom one of the segments connects to a suitable output such as a drill bit. Articulation of the segments with respect to each other due to matching asymmetrical splines and companion spline slots facilitates dampening of drive vibration and bending of the segment string in the guide path in any desired direction to facilitate transmitting power in a curved path of desired magnitude from the drive mechanism to the output.