Drilling tool with non-rotating sleeve
First Claim
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1. A drilling tool adapted for connection in a rotary drill string having at least one drill collar and a drill bit, the drilling tool comprising;
- a shaft adapted for rotation of the drill bit;
a non-rotating sleeve having pads hydraulically extensible therefrom between extending and retracted positions, the sleeve positioned about at least a portion of the shaft;
a flexible tube adapted for coupling the drill collar to the shaft for transmitting torque therebetween, and coupling the drill collar to the sleeve for conducting fluid therebetween; and
a valve system adapted for cooperating with the flexible tube to operatively conduct at least a portion of the drilling fluid to the sleeve for actuating the pads, whereby the pads move between the extended and retracted positions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention refers to a drilling tool and method that, among other aspects, provides for a sleeve with expansible pads for positioning the drilling tool in the desired direction during drilling. The pads are hydraulically expanded and retracted by a valve system which selectively diverts mud flowing through the tool to the desired pads. The tool may also be provided with a flexible tube connecting the sleeve to drilling tool for maneuvering along deviations or curves in the wellbore.
64 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A drilling tool adapted for connection in a rotary drill string having at least one drill collar and a drill bit, the drilling tool comprising;
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a shaft adapted for rotation of the drill bit;
a non-rotating sleeve having pads hydraulically extensible therefrom between extending and retracted positions, the sleeve positioned about at least a portion of the shaft;
a flexible tube adapted for coupling the drill collar to the shaft for transmitting torque therebetween, and coupling the drill collar to the sleeve for conducting fluid therebetween; and
a valve system adapted for cooperating with the flexible tube to operatively conduct at least a portion of the drilling fluid to the sleeve for actuating the pads, whereby the pads move between the extended and retracted positions. - 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)
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27. A drilling tool positionable in a wellbore, the drilling tool adapted for connection in a rotary drill string having at least one drill collar and a drill bit for drilling the wellbore, the drilling tool comprising;
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a shaft for rotating the drill bit;
a non-rotating sleeve having extensible pads therein, the sleeve positioned about at least a portion of the shaft;
a flexible tube adapted for coupling the drill collar to the shaft for transmitting torque therebetween, and coupling the drill collar to the sleeve for conducting fluid therebetween; and
an actuator adapted for cooperating with the flexible tube so as to divert at least a portion of a fluid passing through the tool to the sleeve whereby the pads are selectively moved between an extended and retracted position.
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28. A method of drilling a wellbore, comprising:
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positioning a drilling tool within a rotary drill string disposed in a wellbore, the drilling tool having a shaft for rotating a bit within the drill string and a nonrotating sleeve with extensible pads therein, the sleeve being disposed about at least a portion of the shaft;
transmitting torque from the drill string rotation to the shaft so as to rotate the bit;
passing a fluid through the tool; and
diverting at least a portion of the fluid to the sleeve for selective extension of the pads whereby the shaft and bits are pointed to drill in the desired direction.
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Specification