Abstract: Systems and methods for producing forced axial vibration of a drillstring. Systems include a cam housing positioned above a drill bit in a drillstring, a rotatable cam positioned internal of the cam housing, the rotatable cam having at least one cam surface exhibiting reciprocating axial movement upon rotation of the rotatable cam, and a non-rotatable cam follower positioned internal surface of the cam housing and having at least one cam follower surface engaging the cam surface. The cam follower transfers the reciprocating axial movement to the drill bit. The rotatable cam is rotated by a fluid-powered positive displacement power section positioned above and mechanically attached to the rotatable cam in the drillstring to effect the rotation of the rotatable cam, and thus effect the reciprocating axial movement of the drill bit.

Abstract: A mud motor radial bearing, a combination flow diverter and integral radial mud motor bearing, and a mud motor bearing assembly including the combination. The flow diverter includes a body defining threaded box ends, a concentric longitudinal bore, a generally cylindrical outer surface, and a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal bore fluidly connects the first and second threaded box ends. The first threaded box end connects to a pin of a transmission of a mud motor rotor, and the second threaded box end connects to a pin of a mandrel. A portion of the generally cylindrical outer surface of the body in a region of the second threaded box end has bonded thereto a bearing material. The bearing material includes a plurality of tungsten carbide portions surrounded by a hard metal alloy matrix binder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising an instruction analyzer. The instruction analyzer is configured to receive a movement instruction for an aircraft during movement of the aircraft. The instruction analyzer is further configured to generate a number of volumes of airspace defining a desired movement of the aircraft using the movement instruction during the movement of the aircraft.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing forced axial vibration of a drillstring. Systems include a cam housing positioned above a drill bit in a drillstring, a rotatable cam positioned internal of the cam housing, the rotatable cam having at least one cam surface exhibiting reciprocating axial movement upon rotation of the rotatable cam, and a non-rotatable cam follower positioned internal surface of the cam housing and having at least one cam follower surface engaging the cam surface. The cam follower transfers the reciprocating axial movement to the drill bit. The rotatable cam is rotated by a fluid-powered positive displacement power section positioned above and mechanically attached to the rotatable cam in the drillstring to effect the rotation of the rotatable cam, and thus effect the reciprocating axial movement of the drill bit.

Abstract: A mud motor radial bearing, a combination flow diverter and integral radial mud motor bearing, and a mud motor bearing assembly including the combination. The flow diverter includes a body defining threaded box ends, a concentric longitudinal bore, a generally cylindrical outer surface, and a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal bore fluidly connects the first and second threaded box ends. The first threaded box end connects to a pin of a transmission of a mud motor rotor, and the second threaded box end connects to a pin of a mandrel. A portion of the generally cylindrical outer surface of the body in a region of the second threaded box end has bonded thereto a bearing material. The bearing material includes a plurality of tungsten carbide portions surrounded by a hard metal alloy matrix binder.

Abstract: A mud motor universal joint assembly includes a pair of cylindrical drivers and a cylindrical driven member. Each drive member is configured to attach to a drive unit at one end, and to a driven member at second ends through interlocking tangs. Each cylindrical drive member has an internal blind tapered bore within the interlocking tang portion containing a hard cylindrical load bearing member. The assembly is connected by hardened cylindrical rod members inserted into the internal blind tapered bores of each drive member and retained therein by a plurality of balls in recesses. The drive members, connecting rods, and bearing members may be surface hardened to improve wear. Tang portions may include cavities with rubber inserts therein to reduce slack and slapping during use down hole.

Abstract: A mud motor universal joint assembly includes a pair of cylindrical drivers and a cylindrical driven member. Each drive member is configured to attach to a drive unit at one end, and to a driven member at second ends through interlocking tangs. Each cylindrical drive member has an internal blind tapered bore within the interlocking tang portion containing a hard cylindrical load bearing member. The assembly is connected by hardened cylindrical rod members inserted into the internal blind tapered bores of each drive member and retained therein by a plurality of balls in recesses. The drive members, connecting rods, and bearing members may be surface hardened to improve wear. Tang portions may include cavities with rubber inserts therein to reduce slack and slapping during use down hole.

Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising an instruction analyzer. The instruction analyzer is configured to receive a movement instruction for an aircraft during movement of the aircraft. The instruction analyzer is further configured to generate a number of volumes of airspace defining a desired movement of the aircraft using the movement instruction during the movement of the aircraft.

Abstract: A retaining apparatus is provided for preventing the separation and loss of a down-hole drive motor and associated drill bit from the drill string due to gyroscopic precession of the motor housing resulting from counter torque produced by the drill bit. The retaining apparatus includes a collet, an expander with interchangeable nozzles and a fluid bypass flange.

Abstract: A mud motor universal joint assembly that includes a pair of adjacent cylindrical joints having threaded connection means at one end and interlocking jaws at the other, each cylindrical joint having an internal blind tapered bore within the interlocking jaw portion containing a hard cylindrical load bearing member. The two joints are connected by a hardened cylindrical rod member inserted into the internal blind tapered bore of each joint and retained therein by perpendicular retaining pins. The joints, connecting rod, and bearing members are surface hardened to improve wear. No balls or seals are required and the internal hardened connecting rod and bearing members are easily replaced if necessary at a nominal cost.

Abstract: An adjustable bent housing adapter for downhole mud motor directional drilling operations including a cylindrical housing having a first and a second end defining a central bore there through, the housing being divided into first and second body members, the body members being axially offsetable to one another, said first body member having a mandrel portion insertable along a portion of its length into the bore of the second body member with angularity between the first and second body members achieved by rotational displacement of a first outer indexing sleeve, having non-parallel ends, disposed annularly about the mandrel and a second inner eccentric sleeve also disposed annularly about the mandrel, the inner sleeve having a locking member for connecting to the outer sleeve and being axially movable relative to the mandrel in response to rotation of the outer sleeve, and a locking means provided for securing the outer sleeve to prevent rotation between the outer indexing sleeve and the first body member.