Aps Technology, Inc.

Jason R Barbely

Mark Ellsworth Wassell

Daniel E Burgess

William Evans Turner

Carl Allison Perry

Martin E Cobern

Mark E Wassell

William E Turner

Fred Lamar Thompson

A rotary pulser and method is disclosed that includes a housing, a stator supported by the housing, a rotor adjacent to the downhole end of the stator, and a motor assembly coupled to the rotor. A controller may receive a signal that includes drilling information. In response to receiving the signal, the controller causes the motor assembly to rotate the rotor in a first rotational direction through a rotation cycle. The rotation cycle a) rotates the rotor from a first position, where the rotor does not obstruct the at least one passage, into a second position, where the rotor obstructs the at least one passage, and b) rotates the rotor from the second position to a third position in the first rotational direction. Rotation of the rotor generates a pressure pulse in the drilling fluid.

Mud-pulse telemetry system including a pulser for transmitting information along a drill string

A system for damping vibration in a drill string can include a magnetorheological fluid valve assembly having a supply of a magnetorheological fluid. A remanent magnetic field is induced in the valve during operation that can be used to provide the magnetic field for operating the valve so as to eliminate the need to energize the coils except temporarily when changing the amount of damping required. The current to be supplied to the coil for inducing a desired magnetic field in the valve is determined based on the limiting hysteresis curve of the valve and the history of the magnetization of the value using a binary search methodology. The history of the magnetization of the valve is expressed as a series of sets of current and it resulting magnetization at which the current experienced a reversal compared to prior values of the current.

System and method for damping vibration in a drill string using a magnetorheological damper

A system for damping vibration in a drill string can include a magnetorheological fluid valve assembly having a supply of a magnetorheological fluid, a first member, and a second member capable of moving in relation to first member in response to vibration of the drill bit. The first and second members define a first and a second chamber for holding the fluid. Fluid can flow between the first and second chambers in response to the movement of the second member in relation to the first member. The valve assembly can also include a coil for inducing a magnetic field that alters the resistance of the magnetorheological fluid to flow between the first and second chambers, thereby increasing the damping provided by the valve. A remnant magnetic field is induced in one or more components of the magnetorheological fluid valve during operation that can be used to provide the magnetic field for operating the valve so as to eliminate the need to energize the coils during operation except temporarily when changing the amount of damping required, thereby eliminating the need for a turbine alternator power the magnetorheological fluid valve. A demagnetization cycle can be used to reduce the remnant magnetic field when necessary.

A preferred embodiment of a system for rotating and guiding a drill bit in an underground bore includes a drilling motor and a drive shaft coupled to drilling motor so that drill bit can be rotated by the drilling motor. The system further includes a guidance module having an actuating arm movable between an extended position wherein the actuating arm can contact a surface of the bore and thereby exert a force on the housing of the guidance module, and a retracted position.

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East Islip, NY, United States of America

Jason R Barbely