Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the jet motor includes a control sleeve, and power shaft having at least one opening thereon. The power shaft is rotatable in relation to the control sleeve. The power shaft has a central longitudinal shaft axis and upper and lower ends. The at least one opening in the power shaft generates rotational torque when acting in cooperation with the control sleeve. The jet motor connects to a member that is in fluid communication with the source of drilling or cleaning fluid. Drilling or cleaning fluid pressure is directed to the at least one opening in the power shaft. The power shaft having at least one opening having an opening axis and an interior opening. The at least one opening may be acutely oriented with respect to a plane extending along the power shaft's central longitudinal axis wherein the plane intersects the opening axis at the interior opening. The at least one opening may be oriented toward the upper end of the power shaft to provide downward force.

Abstract: A bearing arrangement for a turbine rotor of a turbine is adapted to be mounted in a drill string and to be driven by the flow of drilling fluid. The bearing arrangement includes a turbine chamber surrounding the turbine rotor and having an inflow and an outflow, a stator on which the turbine rotor is rotatably mounted, and a cavity formed between the turbine rotor and the stator and accommodating at least one radial plain bearing and being separated from the turbine chamber by an axial plain bearing constructed as a bearing ring seal and by a conveyor screw which is disposed on the turbine rotor and operates to convey from the cavity to the turbine chamber.

Abstract: An impeller arrangement comprises an impeller 10 having at least one first vane surface 26 orientated such that the application of fluid under pressure thereto applies a torque to the impeller 10 in a first rotary direction, at least one second vane surface 28 orientated such that the application of fluid under pressure thereto applies a torque to the impeller 10 in a second, opposite rotary direction, and a valve 34 operable to control the supply of fluid to the first and second vane surfaces 26, 28.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a turbine (3) for generating power in a drill string (2), including a turbine rotor (10) drivable by a fluid and a bypass device having a first bypass channel bypassing the turbine rotor (10). For varying the volumetric flow through the bypass channel, provision is made for a valve (28) and a control device driven by the fluid and having a drive element (24) by means of which the valve (28) is movable anywhere between a first and a second position. The drive element (24) produces a flow resistance in the fluid flow path downstream from the turbine rotor (10) and downstream from the valve (28) and in the flow direction takes support upon a spring (26).

Abstract: The present invention provides means to extend the flow rate range over which a downhole turbine 70 will return a power output sufficient to meet the minimum downhole power requirements. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an arrangement of axial vanes 77 that are situated such that the rotation of the rotor 76 generates an increasing drag force, thereby extending the upper limit of the flow rate range. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to an arrangement of restriction assemblies 75 that can be used to maximize the fluid velocity relative to the fluid flow rate past the stator 74 to achieve the necessary speed and power to rotate rotor 76, thereby extending the lower limit of the flow rate range. In another embodiment, the axial vanes 77 and restriction assemblies 75 are used in combination to further extend both the upper and lower limits of the flow rate range of the downhole turbine 70.

Abstract: A drilling assembly in an elongated hole including a housing defining an interior with a plurality of motor stages in the interior. Each motor stage has at least one blade with supporting platform surfaces. A casing within the interior surrounds the plurality of motor stages and defines an annular flowpath with the housing. The casing also defines at least one offtake passage adjacent each motor stage. A shielding fluid passes through the annular flowpath and, in turn, the at least one offtake of each motor stage to coat and protect the at least one blade and supporting platform surfaces. A driving fluid passes through the casing for propelling the at least one blade of each motor stage. Preferably, the shielding fluid is at a relatively higher pressure than the driving fluid with a substantially constant ratio maintained between the between the shielding fluid and the driving fluid.

Abstract: The invention comprises a downhole jet motor, and a method of using same, that can be utilized to drill or to clean a well bore or tubing. The jet motor comprises a power shaft partially surrounded by a control sleeve defining a blind annular space, closed at the upper end and open at the lower end to allow fluid discharge. At least one opening is provided in the drive shaft wall extending radially within the annulus region. Drilling or cleaning fluid pressure is directed to the at least one opening in the power shaft. The control sleeve provides a reaction structure in relation to fluid discharged from the at least one opening producing rotation of the drive shaft in relation to the control sleeve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for changing the speed of a drill bit down hole in a fluid-actuated motor, including a positive displacement motor and a hydraulic motor, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a bypass valve installed in the motor for controlling flow through and around the power section of the motor. When closed, the bypass valve forces all fluid to flow through the power section of the motor, imparting maximum speed to the drill bit. When opened, a portion of the fluid flow is allowed to flow around the power section of the motor, thereby reducing the speed of the drill bit. The bypass valve may be opened or closed mechanically, electrically, hydraulically, pneumatically, or by any other means, including a removable plug.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive system, in particular a downhole drilling assembly (10). In the preferred embodiment, a bearing mechanism (14, 24) of the assembly (10) is isolated from a gear mechanism (20) of the assembly (10), to prevent failure of the bearing mechanism (14, 24) due to vibration and heat generated by the gear mechanism (20) in use. A lower bearing unit (24) of the bearing mechanism (24) is coupled to the gear mechanism (20) by a shock eliminating coupling assembly (22), which prevents the transmission of shock loads to the gear mechanism (20). Also, the gear mechanism (20) is coupled through a shock eliminating coupling assembly (18) to a turbine (16) and thus to an upper bearing unit (14). Sealing assemblies (60, 116) are provided for the gear mechanism (20) and the upper bearing unit (14) to prevent drilling fluid ingress and consequent damage. The assembly (10) may also carry a torsionally flexible drive shaft (46).

Abstract: A turbine is disclosed which includes a turbine blade housing having an inner facing portion of a first material having a first coefficient of expansion, and a turbine blade body having an outer facing portion of a second coefficient of expansion greater than said first coefficient. In a preferred embodiment, the blade housing comprises a number of steel shroud rings and the turbine blade body comprises a number of stators and rotors of a thermoplastic material. An interference fit between stator blades and the shroud rings is enhanced in use due to the difference in thermal and/or hydrophilic coefficients of expansion of the first and second materials.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling fluidic torque in a downhole tool is provided. One or more rotatable components of the downhole tool comprise a deformable material, such as rubber or SMA, selectively deformable in response to the flow of fluid through the downhole tool. The rotatable components may include a rotor and/or a turbine of a generator in the downhole tool. Non-rotatable components, such as the stator of the generator, may also be deformable. The rotor, the stator, and/or turbine may comprise a deformable material capable of selectively deforming in response to the flow of drilling mud through the generator. The desired deformation and/or the desired torque may be controlled by adjusting the parameters of the components.

Abstract: A lockable motor assembly (1) for use in a well bore comprises a PDM motor (2) having a rotor (4) and a stator (3). A locking member (12) has a splined projection (13) which is received within a splined recess (14) of the rotor and external splines (15) which mate with splines provided on a sub (5) connected to the stator. The components are held in this configuration by a shear ring (23) until the fluid pressure within a chamber (28) defined between the locking member (12) and the sub (5) is sufficient to cause the shear ring to shear. The locking member (12) may then move out of the engagement with the rotor to free the motor for operation. The locking member is held in this position by a ratchet mechanism (35).

Abstract: A lubricant ejector used downhole has a reservoir holding replenishment lubricant, and it includes a driver to eject at least a portion of the lubricant. A flow coupler connected to the ejector channels lubricant to a connected apparatus. One specific ejector includes a hollow rotor of a downhole motor, and a specific flow coupler includes a cross-channel diverter that directs lubricant from the hollow interior of the rotor to a bearing pack and that directs drilling fluid, used to drive the motor and create pressure that moves a piston in the rotor, from outside the rotor to inside a passageway through the bearing pack. A method includes injecting lubricant from a reservoir in the downhole motor into the bearing pack as the downhole motor operates.

Abstract: A turbine (4) suitable for use in down-hole drilling and the like, and comprising a tubular casing (11) enclosing a chamber (18) having rotatably mounted therein a rotor (19). The rotor (19) comprises at least one turbine wheel blade arrays (30a) with an annular array of angularly distributed blades (30), and a generally axially extending inner drive fluid passage (14) generally radially inwardly of said rotor (19). The casing (11) also has respective generally axially extending outer drive fluid passage (16) associated with said at least one turbine wheel blade array (30a), and one of the inner and the outer drive fluid passages (14, 16) constitute a drive fluid supply passage and is provided with outlet nozzles (17) formed and arranged for directing at least one jet of drive fluid onto the blade drive fluid receiving faces (31) for imparting rotary drive to said rotor (19).

Abstract: An orifice motor which includes a plurality of spaced-apart rotors positioned along a shaft and enclosed within a casing or housing. Each rotor includes at least one jet orifice thorugh which fluid passes and is ejected tangentially to the peripheral surface of the rotor. The apparatus also includes a high pressure fluid inlet at a first end of the shaft, and a plurality of exit ports together with an exit chamber at a second end of the shaft. Bearings and seals are employed to protect frictionally related surfaces. Fluid is injected into one end of the apparatus and travels axially through the apparatus, passing through each of the rotors by way of the orifices. As the fluid exits the orifices, a pinwheel effect is created which causes the rotors to spin, thus causing the attached shaft to spin. As fluid exits each rotor, it is introduced to the next rotor downstream, where it exits in the same way.

Abstract: A multiple stage drag and dynamic pump is provided for pumping fluid. The pump comprises a housing and a shaft positioned in the housing, the shaft rotating about the longitudinal axis of the housing. A rotor assembly has a plurality of pump stages mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith, each pump stage including a plurality of blades fixed to the shaft. The pump also includes a stator assembly having a plurality of flow directing stator elements, each of the stator elements being positioned between adjacent pump stages. Each of the stator elements has a wall and a diverter, wherein the wall is perpendicular to the axis of the shaft and the diverter is at an angle of less than 90.degree. with respect to the axis of the shaft.

Abstract: The air motor of the present invention has an air chamber for taking compressed air in a rotor body fitted to a rotary shaft, forms a jet hole opening in the tangential direction of the rotor on the periphery of the rotor, jets compressed air from the jet hole, and gives torque to the rotor by the reaction of the jetted air. An air reservoir is installed between the air chamber and the jet hole which are connected to the air reservoir. When the load of the air motor increases, the speed of the rotor instantaneously decreases. However, the decreased speed immediately increases because a lot of compressed air stored in the air reservoir continuously jets from the jet hole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for pumping a two-phase gas/liquid mixture in an extraction well (11) whose initial gas percentage is greater than approximately 40% by volume, characterized in that it consists:in reducing the percentage of free gas to below 40% by the use of at least a first centrifugal separating module (3, 4);in cooling the drive motor by means of an annular flow of the mixture emerging from the first separating module (3, 4) around the motor (9), the proportion of gas in the said mixture having been brought down to below 40% in order to increase its heat capacity and its speed of passage around the motor;in reducing to below approximately 10% the percentage of gas by volume by the use of at least a second centrifugal separating module (14);in pumping the fluid thus obtained by means of a centrifugal pump (16) driven by the motor (9).

Abstract: A multistage turbine is provided for driving a downhole motor, which is driven by the flow of a fluid therethrough. The turbine comprises a housing and a shaft positioned in the housing, the shaft rotating about the longitudinal axis thereof. A plurality of turbine stages are mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith, each turbine stage including a rim coaxial with the shaft and a plurality of turbine blades fixed to the rim. A plurality of flow directing stators are positioned between adjacent turbine stages, each of the stators having a wall portion and diverter portion, wherein the wall portions are perpendicular to the axis of the shaft and the diverter portions are at an angle of less than 90.degree. with respect to the axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A multistage drag turbine assembly is provided for use in a downhole motor, the drag turbine assembly comprising an outer sleeve and a central shaft positioned within the outer sleeve, the central shaft having a hollow center and a divider means extending longitudinally in the hollow center for forming first and second longitudinal channels therein. A stator is mounted on the shaft. The stator has a hub surrounding the shaft and a seal member fixed to the hub, wherein the hub and the shaft each have first and second slot openings therein. A rotor comprising a rotor rim and a plurality of turbine blades mounted on the rotor rim is positioned within the outer sleeve for rotation therewith with respect to the stator such that a flow channel is formed in the outer sleeve between the turbine blades and the stator.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to downhole drilling motors which include seal arrangements and pressure control assemblies for staging the pressure between the two seal assemblies, with each pressure control assembly including a rotary element for displacing a piston, and the piston controlling one or several valves.

Abstract: A new and improved air motor operated rotary earth drilling tool for use with a source of high pressure, high volume compressed air has a circulation control housing, a motor housing, a reduction gear housing, and a bearing housing connected longitudinally in series. The circulation control housing is connected to high pressure, high volume, compressed air and has an outlet opening into the motor housing, and an exhaust opening for discharge of compressed air for flushing cuttings and debris from a bore hole which is controlled by longitudinal movement of an inlet tube. The motor housing has a motor chamber and a sliding vane rotor with a rotary shaft extending into the reduction gear housing. A planetary reduction gear receives the rotor shaft and has a low speed, high torque output shaft extending into the bearing housing. A passageway conducts compressed air around the planetary reduction gear for cooling.

Abstract: A direct drive for well drilling tools is established which includes a friction bearing with a trace ring and a bearing ring. The bearing ring has a number of bearing segments distributed around its periphery. These bearing segments are supported so that they can be tilted and shifted axially. Each bearing segment includes a support part mounted in a bore of the bearing ring and a compression spring rod arranged in the bore of the bearing ring to provide tilting and axial shifting of the segment against a spring force.