Abstract: A downhole percussive tool is disclosed comprising an interior chamber and a piston element slidably sitting within the interior chamber forming two pressure chambers on either side. The piston element may slide back and forth within the interior chamber as drilling fluid is channeled into either pressure chamber. Input channels supply drilling fluid into the pressure chambers and exit orifices release that fluid from the same. An exhaust orifice allows additional drilling fluid to release from the interior chamber. The amount of pressure maintained in either pressure chamber may be controlled by the size of the exiting orifices and exhaust orifices. In various embodiments, the percussive tool may form a downhole jack hammer or vibrator tool.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a downhole tool string component has a first and second threaded end on a mandrel, the first threaded end attached to a first sleeve and the second threaded end attached to a second sleeve. An intermediate sleeve assembly is disposed circumferentially around the mandrel and intermediate the first and second threaded ends, and the intermediate sleeve assembly is primarily isolated from stress of the first or second sleeve.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, an expandable tool for an earth boring system comprises a mandrel with a sleeve positioned around the outer surface and a blade disposed in a slot formed in the sleeve. The sleeve is also configured to slide along the tubular body. The blade comprises an interior slide groove located on an interior surface and an exterior slide groove located on an exterior surface. A sleeve protrusion is configured to extend into the interior slide groove, while a mandrel protrusion is configured to extend into the exterior slide groove. The blade is configured to shift laterally out of the slot as the sleeve slides axially, wherein the interior and exterior slide grooves are oriented at different angles and as the sleeve slides axially along the length of the mandrel, the slide grooves lock the blade in a pre-determined position through a wedging effect.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a steering assembly for downhole directional drilling comprises an outer bit comprising a bore and an outer cutting area and in inner bit comprising an inner cutting area and connected to a shaft that is disposed within the bore. At least one biasing mechanism is disposed around the shaft. At least one fluid channel is disposed within the outer bit and redirects fluid to the at least one biasing mechanism causing the at least one biasing mechanism to push the shaft and alter an axis of the inner bit with respect to an axis of the outer bit.

Abstract: A system is disclosed as having first and second tubular tool string components. Each component has a first end and a second end, and the first end of the first component is coupled to the second end of the second component through mating threads. First and second inductive coils are disposed within the first end of the first component and the second end of the second component, respectively. Each inductive coil has at least one turn of an electrical conductor, and the first coil is in magnetic communication with the second coil. The first coil has more turns than the second coil.

Abstract: An impact tool for use with a driving mechanism, the impact tool including an impact tip formed from a super hard material and having an apex and an attachment end, with the attachment end being bonded to a cemented metal carbide substrate at a non-planar interface. The cemented metal carbide substrate is bonded in turn to the front end of a cemented metal carbide bolster. The carbide bolster is securable against an outer surface of a driving mechanism through a press fit.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a high impact resistant tool includes a superhard material bonded to a cemented metal carbide substrate at a non-planar interface. The superhard material has a substantially pointed geometry with a sharp apex having a radius of curvature of 0.050 to 0.125 inches. The superhard material also has a thickness of 0.100 to 0.500 inches thickness from the apex to a central region of the cemented metal carbide substrate.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, an expandable tool for an earth boring system comprises a mandrel with a sleeve positioned around the outer surface and a blade disposed in a slot formed in the sleeve. The sleeve is also configured to slide along the tubular body. The blade comprises an interior slide groove located on an interior surface and an exterior slide groove located on an exterior surface. A sleeve protrusion is configured to extend into the interior slide groove, while a mandrel protrusion is configured to extend into the exterior slide groove. The blade is configured to shift laterally out of the slot as the sleeve slides axially, wherein the interior and exterior slide grooves are oriented at different angles and as the sleeve slides axially along the length of the mandrel, the slide grooves lock the blade in a pre-determined position through a wedging effect.

Abstract: A downhole tool string component has a tubular body with an inner and outer diameter. A pocket is formed in the outer diameter and is adapted to receive downhole instrumentation. A covering is attached to the outer diameter of the component and is adapted to seal the pocket from outside debris, the pocket having a bottom floor and a plurality of side walls. A stress relief is formed in the pocket.

Abstract: A rigid composite structure has a first bore formed in a metallic material and a second bore formed by a super hard interior segment or segments disposed within the first bore. Each segment may be lined adjacent to one another and held under compression within the first bore. The segments may be made of super hard materials such as natural diamond, synthetic diamond, polycrystalline diamond, single crystalline diamond, cubic boron nitrate or other superhard composite materials which exhibit low thermal expansion rates and are generally chemically inert. The resultant rigid composite structure may possess higher tolerances to high pressures and high temperatures within the second bore.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a cartridge assembly for connection to the frame of a high-pressure, high-temperature press comprises a front end comprising a back-up intermediate and coaxial with an anvil and a piston, the anvil comprising a proximal end in contact with the back-up and a distal end that forms part of a pressurized chamber within the frame, the back-up comprising a proximal end comprising a first diameter proximate an interface with a distal end of the piston, and a distal end comprising a second diameter proximate an interface with the proximal end of the anvil, the back-up comprising one or more circumferential reliefs disposed on the first diameter.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a machine for degrading a natural and/or man-made formation has picks connected to a drum of the machine and at least one accelerometer mounted to the machine adapted to measure forces acting on the machine. Electronic equipment is in communication with the at least one accelerometer and the electronic equipment has a processor adapted to determine a change in the formation based off of input from the at least one accelerometer. The electronic equipment also is in communication with a mechanism adapted to control, at least in part, a location of the drum.

Abstract: A retention assembly, comprises a carbide bolster comprising a cavity formed in its base end. A shaft comprises an inserted end disposed within the cavity. The shaft is disposed within a hollow shank which comprises a first end contacting the bolster and a loaded end in mechanical communication with the shaft. The inserted end is interlocked to an inner surface of the cavity through a casting.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention a downhole drill string assembly includes a bore there through to receive a flow of drilling fluid, a signal generator that produces a signal in the drilling fluid by rotating within the flow, a processing unit disposed within the assembly, and a flow guide that directs drilling fluid to the signal generator. The flow guide is in communication with the processing unit so that in response to commands received from the processing unit, the signal generator produces a signal in the drilling fluid by the flow guide changing its position.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a drill bit comprises an axis of rotation and a drill bit body that comprises a central bore and a working face, the working face comprising a plurality of fixed element cutting elements, a jack element extending from the working face and being coaxial with the axis of rotation, the jack element comprising a proximal end in mechanical communication with an oscillating hammer mechanism, the jack element also comprising a channel in fluid communication with the central bore, the channel directing a fluid flow into a formation, wherein a fluid volume defined by the hammer mechanism and the central bore is evacuated through the channel.

Abstract: A downhole tool string component that includes a tubular body with an inner surface, an outer surface and a shoulder extending from the outer surface at one end of the tubular body, a sleeve disposed about the outer surface having an end face in contact with the shoulder. The downhole tool string component further includes a loading member disposed about the outer surface near the other end of the tubular body and which is adapted for loading the sleeve against the shoulder. The loading member includes an internal threadform that is adapted to threadingly engage an external threadform formed into the outer surface of the tubular body.

Abstract: A retention assembly has a carbide bolster with a first and second segment brazed together, each segment forming at least part of a cavity formed of the bolster. A shaft has an inserted end is interlocked within the cavity.

Abstract: A downhole electric power generator is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including an inlet channel formed in a bore of a downhole tool string component for conveying a moving downhole fluid and a turbine coupled to the inlet channel to receive the downhole fluid. The turbine converts the energy of the moving downhole fluid into rotational energy where it is stored using a flywheel. The flywheel may then be coupled to an electrical generator to convert the rotational energy to electrical energy. In certain embodiments, a continuously variable transmission may be inserted between the turbine and the flywheel. The entire generator may, in certain embodiments, be designed small enough to reside in the wall of a downhole tool.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a drill bit assembly is configured for downhole drilling. The drill bit assembly comprises an outer bit with a plurality of outer blades and a bore disposed within an outer cutting face. In addition, the outer bit comprises a rotational axis. The drill bit assembly comprises an inner cutting face that is configured to cut a hole with an inner gauge diameter in front of the outer bit. At least one outer blade on the outer bit comprises a central most cutter configured to degrade the inner gauge diameter. The central most cutter is axially and laterally displaced from the second most central cutter on the at least blade such that less than fifty percent of the central most cutter axially and laterally overlaps the second most central cutter.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a drill bit has an axis of rotation and drill bit body intermediate a threaded end and a working face. The drill bit body houses a jack element protruding from the drill bit body and the jack element has a plurality of inserts disposed on the indenting end.