Three dimensional steerable system
First Claim
1. An apparatus for steering a bit while drilling a borehole, comprising:
- a first housing connected to a second housing by a universal joint, said first housing having a first axis and said second housing having a second axis;
a first cam member mounted on said first housing;
a plurality of second cam members movably mounted on said second housing and engaging said first cam member; and
said second cam members having a first position with respect to said first cam member forming a first angle and a first azimuth between said first and second axes and a second position with respect to said first cam member forming a second angle and a second azimuth with respect to said first cam member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A steering assembly includes upper and lower tubular housings connected by a universal joint. An angle cam is disposed on the end of the lower housing and projects into the upper housing. A plurality of wedge members extend axially from the upper housing and into engagement with the angle cam. Drive trains are connected to the wedge members to move the wedge members toward and away from the angle cam so as to pivot the lower housing at the universal joint and change the angle and azimuth of the lower housing with respect to the upper housing. The lower housing is connected to a bearing pack supporting a drill bit such that upon changing the angle and azimuth of the lower housing, the direction of the drilling of the drill bit is also changed. The steering assembly being connected to composite tubing having conductors in the wall thereof for conducting data and commands between the steering assembly and a processor at the surface and for providing power to the steering assembly. Data on the position of the bit is transmitted to a processor which determines the direction of drilling and selectively transmits commands to the steering assembly to change the bend angle and direction of the drilling of the bit.
82 Citations
43 Claims
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1. An apparatus for steering a bit while drilling a borehole, comprising:
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a first housing connected to a second housing by a universal joint, said first housing having a first axis and said second housing having a second axis;
a first cam member mounted on said first housing;
a plurality of second cam members movably mounted on said second housing and engaging said first cam member; and
said second cam members having a first position with respect to said first cam member forming a first angle and a first azimuth between said first and second axes and a second position with respect to said first cam member forming a second angle and a second azimuth with respect to said first cam member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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Specification