Abstract: A bearing assembly is situated to conduct axial forces between the general housing and the output shaft by way of an intermediate sleeve that is secured to the output shaft outside the general housing and is axially confined by a bearing assembly secured to the general housing.

Abstract: Manipulation of the rate of drilling fluid flow down a drill string containing the apparatus causes a drilling fluid powered linear motor, preferably a piston, to move an output shaft, hingedly attached to the general body to laterally, and selectively, deflect the longitudinal axis of the apparatus with the effect of bending an associated drill string assembly just above the drill head.

Abstract: A general housing encloses a drilling motor that can be disabled to permit optimum rotary drilling practice. A mode selector responds to manipulation of the drilling fluid flow rate and permits activation of the drilling motor to drive a drill bit. The general housing is a two part arrangement that is connected by a deflection arrangement that is activated by start-up of the motor. A one-way clutch allows the lower housing to drive the drill bit when the motor is disabled and the clutch, with drill bit rotation resistance, changes the deflection arrangement for straight rotary drilling when the drill string is rotated.

Abstract: The drill string is fitted for drilling activity in the formation expected, including a jet nozzle equipped drill head, and a near bit kick sub. The drill string is deflected to change the progressing well bore to a preferred direction. After the change in well bore direction is accomplished by jetting, the kick sub is straightened and drilling proceeds along the new well bore center line. Ideally, the kick sub responds to direction from the surface and produces a change in drilling fluid pressure at the surface to indicate which mode, straight or deflected, is being carried out down hole.

Abstract: A drilling motor is housed in the upper portion of a housing, with a drive shaft extending through a lower portion of the housing. The two portions are coupled by bearing that has an axis of rotation that is tilted a small amount relative to the axes of both portions. The lower portion is rotationally coupled to the lower housing until a small amount of drilling fluid flow, or a preselected amount of motor torque, forces a clutch to disengage the motor, rotationally, from the lower housing. The lower portion is allowed limited rotation relative to the upper portion. At one rotational limit, the housing is in the straight configuration. At the other limit, the housing is in the deflected configuration. Conversion to the straight configuration is achieved, while drilling fluid flows, when the drill string is rotated, by formation drag, which rotates the lower portion to the straight configuration.

Abstract: A drill string is fitted at the lower end with a drill string deflecting apparatus and a drill bit. The drill string deflecting apparatus is activated to deflect the drill bit from the general center line of the drill string. Drilling proceeds to enlarge a length of larger well bore. The drill bit is lifted to allow the lower end of the drill string to move, by gravity, to the low side of the enlarged well bore. The drill string deflecting apparatus is straightened and drilling bit load is applied to drill ahead along the extended center line of the lower end of the drill string.

Abstract: A hermetic seal functions as a closure between opposite ends of the coupling by combining a metal sleeve and an elastomer sleeve extension. The metal sleeve is sealingly attached to the outer surface of one end of the coupling and the elastomer sleeve, sealingly attached to the metal sleeve, is attached at the distal end to the other end of the coupling. As an alternative, the distal end may be bonded to a second metal sleeve sealingly attached to the other end of the coupling. The seal may be convoluted, with multiple convolutions.

Abstract: A timer is enclosed in a pressure tight enclosure which is attached to or is part of the motor rotor. Rotation of the rotor is sensed and the timer is turned on when the rotor is turning and is turned off when the rotor is idle. The version usable in motors of the progressing cavity type can power the timer, and provide timer control.

Abstract: As a serial element of a drill string, the drill string is adjustably bent by rotating one end of the sub relative to the other end. The opposite ends rotate about a tilted center line such that in one rotational position the sub is straight. One half turn of one end relative to the other bends the sub to the maximum angle. Between straight and maximum bend, any angle can be achieved by control of the amount of the relative rotation between the opposite ends of the sub.

Abstract: Between a drilling motor and the upwardly continuing drill string a housing contains a speed sensor rotationally connected to the motor rotor. Motor speed is sensed and if rotating at a rate less than a selected speed, a cooperating by-pass valve opens to shunt drilling fluid to the well annulus to prevent damage to the stalled motor.

Abstract: A flexible coupling has two spherical surfaces in rubbing contact to carry thrust, both surfaces having a common center of surface development each surface on an opposed coupling half, each coupling half having jaws extending toward the other half in an interdigitating relationship to conduct torque between the two halves, one half having a rigidly attached sleeve extending to position and support a peripheral seal for fluid tight contact with a peripheral surface on the other half to provide a fluid tight enclosure for the rubbing spherical surfaces and the surfaces of the jaws. A variable volume enclosure is provided as a lubricant reservoir and hydrostatic compensator to feed lubricant to the enclosed spherical surfaces and the surfaces of the jaws.

Abstract: A by-pass valve is part of an apparatus arranged to function as a serial element of a drill string. An arbor is attached to the top end of a tubular motor rotor and extends some distance along the generally central opening of the housing which is attached to the top end of the motor housing. A head on the arbor comprises a normally closed valve which is capable of conducting fluid from inside the housing to the well annulus outside the drill string by way of the bore of the tubular rotor. The valve is opened by downward movement, in excess of a selected amount, of the rotor of the motor. The excessive downward movement of the rotor indicates problems in the motor bearing structure, or disruptive failure elsewhere in the bottom hole assembly. The opening of the by-pass valve reduces standpipe pressure which is a signal detectable at the surface. The signal indicates disruptive failure in the down hole assembly.

Abstract: Opposite ends, or terminals, of the sub are connected by a tubular arbor with threaded pins on each end. The arbor is bent in the middle. A mating threaded box on the upper terminal is tilted an amount equal to the bend angle of the arbor and mates with the bent end of the arbor. If the arbor is rotated in the box, the centerline of the other threaded end describes a cone. One line on the cone is the axis of rotation of the upper terminal. If the lower terminal is locked in that position, the sub is in the straight configuration. Locked in any other rotational position, the sub is bent an angle that is a function of the amount of arbor rotation. To make the arbor adjustable from the outside, an indicator ring is mounted on splines on the arbor. The ring can slide axially on the arbor. The lower terminal can be tightened on the lower end of the arbor to jam the indicator against the upper arbor, locking the assembly for use.

Abstract: The apparatus has a housing arranged to function as a length of drill string, including a fluid tight fluid conducting bore, with means at each end for connecting to a continuing drill string. The housing has two principal portions bearingly connected for rotation and axial constraint. A spring loaded one way clutch connects the two portions such that torque can be conducted therethrough in only one rotational direction. The clutch has one, spring loaded, axially moving element to actuate the clutch unless locked by optional provisions. The axial movement, optionally, actuates a valve in the fluid conducting bore to create a pressure drop in the fluid stream when the clutch is disengaged to provide a pressure signal that can be detected at the surface to indicate that the clutch is disengaged.

Abstract: The coupler is a ball and socket arrangement with retaining, sealing and lubricating features, and torque transmitting elements to rotationally connect the ball and socket. The torque transmitting elements include cams secured to the ball and sliding, to allow flexure, in slots in the socket surface. The retainer, which limits axial separation of ball and socket, preferably, also has a convex spherical surface with an origin common to that of the ball to provide a sealing surface to retain lubricant in the ball and socket region. A spring biased seal carrier has seals to engage the retainer convex surface and the element carrying the ball to form a closure. In an alternate form, the sealing elements comprise a tubular elastomer element attached at each end to the opposite terminals of the coupler.

Abstract: The housing of the orienting motor serves as a length of pipe string and rotates the lower end relative to the upper end. Rotation is in preselected increments each time the rate of fluid flow in the pipe string is changed between preselected limits. Once rotated an increment the housing is rotationally locked as long as flow rate is maintained greater than a preselected amount. When fluid flow is stopped, the actuation system resets, in time, to the starting position but a one way clutch retains the previous rotational relationship between opposite ends of the housing. Resetting time is adjustable to permit a preselected activity period before flow restart without further changes in the orienting action.

Abstract: An orienting motor has an elongated body consisting of a housing end and an arbor end with a swivel arrangement to allow relative rotation of opposite ends for service as a length element of a drill string. The body has a bore to conduct drilling fluid moving in the drill string bore. A sensor in the body responds to commands transmitted from the surface in the form of drilling fluid flow rate manipulations to activate a drilling fluid powered motor to rotate opposite ends of the body, and hence, opposite ends of the attached drill string to change the azimuthal orientation of the lower end of the drill string relative to earth.

Abstract: A method for causing a drill string to progressively deflect at preselected length intervals in proportion to the rate of flow therethrough allowing the drill string to follow a resulting curved well bore is described. The drill string utilizes a plurality of axially spaced deflection subs each of which responds to preselected manipulations of the rate of fluid flow therethrough to deflect its center line. Flow control signals at the surface describe when the deflection of particular subs become activated.

Abstract: A deflection control sub to be used with or as part of a down hole drilling motor, is a drill string element consisting of an upper and a lower portion connected by bearings for relative rotation about an axis that is not parallel to the axes of the two portions. When assembled ,and in the straight configuration the bearing axis has about a two degree angle relative to the other two axes. When one portion is rotated relative to the other one half turn, the axes of opposite ends of the sub are deflected about four degrees. The actual amount is a designers choice, and deflects the axis of an associated drill string that amount within the sub. The sub portions are rotated relative to each other by a drilling fluid powered motor in response to drilling fluid pressure difference between a fluid channel extending through the sub and the annulus outside the sub. A spring biases the opposite ends to rotate to the straight configuration until the motor overcomes the spring to deflect the axis.

Abstract: The sub, usable as a length of drill string which may include a drilling motor body, includes three generally tubular members and an indicator ring. Two of the members have tool joint boxes with straight threads one threaded onto each end of a double ended tool joint pin. The pin has no shoulder but has an annular ring separating the faces of the boxes. The annular ring is keyed to the pin but is free to move axially some distance. One end of the pin and the mating box has coarser threads than the opposite end and the mating box threads. Before the assembly is torqued up for field use the pin may be rotated in the boxes by turning the ring. As the ring turns the finer threaded box has to turn faster in the same direction to maintain contact between all faces. This changes the rotational relationship between opposite ends of the sub and provides control of rotational orientation of opposite ends of an attached drill string.