Abstract: An exemplary shaft assembly includes an outer shaft rotatable about an axis, and a shaft insert that provides a conduit for a fluid and blocks the fluid from flowing radially between the shaft insert and the outer shaft relative to the axis. An exemplary shaft assembling method includes positioning a shaft insert within an outer shaft. The shaft insert has a fluid conduit and is configured to block fluid from communicating radially between the shaft insert and the outer shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to an earth drilling device (1) for boring a borehole into the soil and/or for drawing a line (9) into an underground passage, comprising at least one system line (4, 6) extending from the earth drilling device to a start region, wherein the system line is designed in an electrically insulating manner.

Abstract: A clutch assembly for connecting a drive member or a driven member to a shaft. The clutch assembly includes a tubular cup assembly that interfaces with a tubular receiver. The cup nests within the receiver, and they are secured by screws. The shaft is received within the cup whereby a non-circular element connected to the end of the shaft is received within a chamber having a non-circular interior sidewall. The receiver is connected to a drive member or a driven member. When a component connected to an end of the clutch assembly ceases to rotate, and a component connected to the opposite end of the clutch assembly continues to rotate, the clutch will prevent damage to either component by failing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum pump comprising a cup-shaped housing, a rotor eccentrically mounted for rotation in the housing, and a housing cover closing the cup-shaped housing, wherein the rotor has a rotor shaft that passes through the cup-shaped housing and by which the rotor is driven, wherein the rotor shaft is provided with a bore for delivering a lubricant, and a connection nipple is seated in the free end section of the bore.

Abstract: In a rotary joint for a rotary shaft device, ring-shaped inner seals and outer seals are projectingly arranged, and concentric with faces of a front joint disk and a rear joint disk opposing with each other respectively. A ring-shaped inner space communicates with forward communication holes, and a ring-shaped outer space communicates with backward communication holes. The inner and outer space are adjacently arranged concentrically between the inner seals and the outer seals. The forward communication holes and the backward communication holes in the reciprocating flow passages and the front joint disk are arranged at an equal distance in the peripheral direction of the opposing faces.

Abstract: A sucker rod, including: a rod; a threaded casing disposed outside the rod; a wedge-shaped groove disposed at one end of the rod; an outer connecting screw thread close to the wedge-shaped groove and disposed outside the rod; a wedge-shaped bulge disposed at the other end of the rod; a positioning nut close to the wedge-shaped bulge and matching with the threaded casing and disposed outside the rod; an inner nut flexibly disposed outside the rod between the positioning nut and the wedge-shaped bulge; and an outer nut flexibly disposed outside the rod for cooperation with the threaded casing; a convex plate disposed inside one end of the threaded casing for cooperation with the positioning nut; and an inner connecting screw thread disposed at the other end of the threaded casing for cooperation with the outer connecting screw thread. The sucker rod has a high torsional strength and is stable.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to be coupled to a power source having a rotary drive shaft is provided. The apparatus comprises an adapter, an extension pole, and a tool head. The adapter has a drive shaft and a fluid passage. A first end of the adapter drive shaft is adapted to be coupled to the power source drive shaft. The adapter fluid passage is adapted to receive fluid flowing from a source of fluid and to permit flow of fluid there through. The extension pole has a drive shaft and a fluid passage. A first end of the extension pole drive shaft is adapted to be coupled to a second end of the adapter drive shaft. The extension pole fluid passage is adapted to receive fluid flowing from the adapter and to permit flow of fluid there through. The tool head is adapted to be coupled to the extension pole.

Abstract: The invention discloses a cushion sub-assembly (10) for connection to a drill string to absorb vibrations in the drill string, the cushion sub-assembly (10) including a main body (12) defining a chamber therein (24), a piston member (28) disposed within the chamber (24) capable of axial movement at least partially within the chamber (24) between a first and second position, at least one axially extending piston rod (42) disposed inside a respective axial bore of the piston member (28), the at least one piston rod (42) preventing relative rotation between the piston member (28) and the main body (12) while permitting axial movement of the piston member (28) between the first and second positions, and a vibration absorbing means (44, 46, 48, 50) at opposite ends of the chamber (24) for engagement by the piston member (28) when in either of the first or second positions for absorbing axial vibrations, the configuration of the at least one piston rod (42) inside the piston member (28), and engagement of the pisto

Abstract: A drive shaft assembly for a downhole motor includes a drive shaft formed with convexly spherical bearing surfaces on each end, and end housings with concavely spherical bearing surfaces for mating contact with the spherical bearing surfaces of the drive shaft, thereby facilitating omni-directional articulation between the drive shaft and the end housings while transferring axial thrust loads between the drive shaft and end housings across the interface of the mating spherical bearing surfaces. Torque is transferred between the drive shaft and end housings through two or alternatively four swivelling drive keys mounted to each end of the drive shaft and engageable with complementary drive key slots in the end housings. Full and constant torque-transferring contact is thus provided between the swivelling drive keys and the end housings irrespective of any angular offset between the drive shaft and the end housings, resulting from omni-directional articulation of the drive shaft relative to the end housing.

Abstract: A torque head for gripping tubular members, in at least some aspects, has a housing, grip mechanism secured within the housing, the grip mechanism for selectively gripping a tubular member, the grip mechanism including at least one jaw selectively movable toward and away from a portion of a tubular member within the housing, the at least one jaw having mounted thereon slip apparatus for engaging the portion of the tubular member, the slip apparatus including die apparatus movably mounted to the at least one jaw, the die apparatus movable with respect to the at least one jaw so that relative movement of the tubular with respect to the torque head is possible to the extent that the die apparatus is movable.

Abstract: A keel joint protector, which, in certain aspects, includes a body made of flexible material, a central open bore through the body, and the body having a plurality of spaced-apart energy management zones therein for diffusing a force applied to a particular part of the body. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may operate to couple, in a substantially fluid-tight manner, a first tubular member (140?) carrying a first set of tubular member conductors (124?) to a hollow cylinder (104). The hollow cylinder may include two or more sets of insulators having an equal number of insulating elements (120, 128) located on the outer surface of the hollow cylinder, and two or more sets of conductors (110, 116) having an equal number of conducting elements defining pairs of conducting elements located on the outer surface . Each of the pairs of conducting elements may be insulated from the other pairs of conducting elements by the sets of insulators. Various embodiments may also operate to couple, in a substantially fluid-tight manner, a second tubular member (140?) carrying a second set of tubular member conductors to the hollow cylinder.

Abstract: Methods and computer-readable media are provided for determining design parameters for oil well casing and tubing to prevent buckling in deviated wellbores. Well parameter data including tubing size, tubing weight, well depth, and well geometry is obtained and may be utilized to calculate parameters for predicting the movement of tubing near a packer or centralizer in the deviated wellbore based on the received well parameter data, predicting a total bending moment near the packer or centralizer, predicting a maximum bending stress near the packer or centralizer based on the total bending moment, and predicting the minimum axial force necessary to initiate buckling due to friction, and predicting the onset of buckling for the connection of tubing of different sizes. After the parameters have been calculated, they may be utilized in the design of the oil well casing and tubing to prevent buckling in the deviated wellbore.

Abstract: A drive in an agricultural machinery driveline has a drive housing (1), which forms an interior (18), and is at least partially filled with lubricant. A first shaft (4) is rotatably supported in the drive housing (1) around a longitudinal axis (13) and is guided out of the interior (18). First longitudinal teeth (8) connect, in a rotationally fast way, to a second shaft (9) via a second longitudinal teeth (10) formed to complement the first longitudinal teeth (8). One of the two shafts (4) has a receiving bore (5) arranged coaxially relative to the longitudinal axis (13). The bore (5) has longitudinal teeth (8) which enable insertion of the other shaft (9) by its longitudinal teeth (10). A lubricant guiding mechanism (19, 22, 29) is in the first shaft (4) or in the drive housing (1). In the connected condition of the two shafts (4, 9), the guiding mechanism connects the interior (18) to the receiving bore (5), as well as a valve (25).

Abstract: A drill bit comprises a shank member (31), a bit body (32) provided with cutters (33) and flexible material (35) between the shank (31) and the bit body (32) allowing relative tilting movement therebetween to reduce adverse effects caused by vibration of the bit. In other embodiments, flexible material is provided between the bit body and the cutters. In further embodiments, the flexible material may be provided in a tiltable sub-assembly for incorporation in a drilling above the drill bit. An apparatus for simulating drilling conditions is also provided.

Abstract: Flexible couplings are provided comprising a male member disposed within a female member in a spaced apart configuration, with the space being filled, at least partially, with an elastically deformable material. The male and female members comprise features that prevent separation from one another after the elastically deformable material is provided in the space between them. For example, the male and female members of one embodiment each comprise a threaded region, with the respective male and female threads being intermeshed but generally spaced apart from each other. At least one of the male and female threads is tapered in two opposing directions with respect to a coupling centerline. The double taper requires the elastically deformable material to be displaced for the male and female members to become separated. However, the elastically deformable materials are constrained by surfaces of the male and female members, and therefore, cannot be displaced.

Abstract: A joint connecting a pair of members rotatable about a common axis end to end includes a first member having a threaded end portion and a non-circular exterior surface rearwardly of the threaded end portion, a second member having a threaded socket wherein the threaded end portion of the second member can be engaged, and a non-circular exterior surface, a sleeve having a non-circular profile on an inner surface thereof whereby the sleeve can be slidably mounted on the non-circular exterior profiles of the first and second members when such profiles are brought into alignment by rotation of one member relative to the other in a manner effective to pass torque from one member to the other by means of the non-circular profiles, a first pair of alignable holes in the sleeve and first member to receive a fastener to secure the sleeve to the first member and a hole in the second member penetrating the threaded socket and positioned to receive a fastener to secure the second member to a third member in place of the

Abstract: A torque limiting device that allows a drill string to rotate relative to the cutting structure of the bit when a predetermined torque is applied between the cutting structure of the drill bit and the drill string. The torque limiting device utilizes a retaining member which restricts rotational movement of a first component of the torque limiting device relative to a second component. When a sufficient torque load is placed on the cutting structure of the drill bit, the retaining member allows rotational movement of the first component relative to the second component and allows the drill string to continue to rotate relative to the cutting structure of the bit until the torque is sufficiently reduced. The torque limiting device may be an integral part of a drill bit, may be a separate device attached between the drill string and the drill bit or between the drill string and a downhole motor, or may be part of a near-bit sub or incorporated in a downhole motor.

Abstract: A cushion sub for absorbing both axial and torsional vibration in a drill string and including an outer casing connectable at one end to a section of a drill string, and an inner piston reciprocally mounted in a cylinder within the casing, the piston having a shaft projecting from the other end of the casing connectable to another section of the drill string. The cylinder includes a first cushion device at opposite ends thereof for engagement by the piston to absorb axial vibrations. A spline type connection prevents relative rotation between the piston and the cylinder. The cylinder is mounted for arcuate turning in a chamber within the casing, but the cylinder has vanes which are interposed between vanes fixed to the casing, and elastomeric material between the vanes of the cylinder and the vanes of the casing absorbs torsional vibrations being transmitted between the cylinder and the casing.

Abstract: In the invention a flexible drill pipe comprising a plurality of short tube sections assembled end to end. Each short tube section having the same number and type of saw tooth shaped gear teeth cut around the circumference of each end of the short tube section. The orientation of the gear teeth on each end of the short tube section is such that the gear teeth of the short tube sections will intermesh when the short tube sections are assembled end to end. The plurality of short tube sections assembled end to end carries the torque load of the flexible drill pipe. A tool joint is interfaced on each of the plurality of short tube sections. The end of the tool joints that interfaces with the plurality of short tube sections has the same overall diameter and internal diameter and the same type and number of gear teeth as the short tube section. Wire rope lengths are assembled around and parallel to a hose used to carry drilling fluids through the flexible drill pipe.

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: A method of operating a drill string tool for use in a wellbore formed in an earth formation is provided. T he method comprises rotating an upper drill string part while a rotation transfer assembly transfers the rotation of a first element to a second element so as to rotate a lower drill string part in order to drill a section of a wellbore, inducing a controller to disengage the rotation transfer assembly so as to allow the first element to rotate relative to the second element by virtue of bearings, and rotating the upper drill string part about its longitudinal axis while the lower drill string part remains substantially stationary.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for drilling high-angle, directional and horizontal subterranean wells for hydrocarbon extraction. A drillstring component having at least one helical undercut pumping chamber is described, which drillstring component is designed especially for increased flexibility in directional drilling applications. The undercut pumping chamber of the invention drillstring component is designed to improve volumetric efficiency in removing cuttings from the borehole, and to reduce the incidence of differential sticking or key-seating.

Abstract: A downhole drilling motor is disclosed in which an output shaft is allowed to translate in axial direction relative to the motor housing over a predetermined stroke. Fluid pressure of a drilling fluid pumped to a rotary drill bit driven by the motor may be used during operation of the motor to exert a predetermined axial force to the output shaft so as to control the axial force exerted to the bit during drilling.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved drill string member having at least one spiral groove formed in its outside surface and incorporating a combination of engineering considerations and criteria such that the invention member will have an extraordinarily high performance capacity in directional drilling. The invention member can make bends in the well on radii as short as 25-50 feet and is particularly suitable for operation together with downhole motor driven bits.

Abstract: A thread bobbin holder device having improved sealing between shafts, and consequently less bearing wear. The bobbin holder device is constituted by a bobbin holder body with a bobbin fitted on the outer circumference thereof through a bobbin holder member. A piston controlling the amount of tension between the bobbin and the bobbin holder member is provided inside the bobbin holder body. A holder shaft and a second shaft are provided, both of which have a longitudinal throughhole formed therein. A support body rotatably supports the bobbin holder body. A shaft joint connects the holder shaft and the second shaft. A tubular elastic member is disposed in the shaft joint and is fitted into respective end portions of the holder shaft and the second shaft.

Abstract: A drill collar is formed by inner and outer tube means having an annular space extending longitudinally therebetween. Rigid filler material in the annular space forms, with the inner and outer tube means, a unitary elongated tubular structure. The rigid filler material precludes movement of the inner and outer tube means relative to each other. A longitudinal bore extends through the tubular structure.

Abstract: A shock absorbing apparatus for use in a drill string for earth boring operations has a pressurized lubrication system. The shock absorber has a tubular body and a mandrel reciprocally mounted in the body for rotation with it. The mandrel and body telescope with respect to each other, with an annular pressurized chamber being located between them for absorbing load and shock. Lubricant cavities contain lubricant for lubricating the seals of the pressurized chamber. The lubricant in the lubricant cavities is maintained at a pressure greater than ambient but less than that in the pressurized chamber. This is accomplished by utilizing a differential piston that operates in response to the pressure differential between the chamber and the lubricant in the lubricant cavity.

Abstract: A shock absorber assembly for absorbing shocks encountered by a drill string having a working fluid flowing therethrough wherein the shock absorber assembly includes a housing affixed to the drill string, a mandrel mounted for reciprocal longitudinal movement with respect to the housing, and a fluid dampening member replaceably sandwiched between the mandrel and housing for absorbing shocks transmitted between the mandrel and the housing during drilling operations.