An example embodiment of a pipe-in-pipe electric motor assembly includes a drilling string that includes an inner pipe, an outer pipe, and an electric motor. The electric motor is provided with power supplied by the inner pipe and the outer pipe acting at least as conductors. A latching mechanism connects the drilling string and an electric motor output shaft. The electric motor output shaft is driven by the electric motor. The latching mechanism prevents the electric motor output shaft from rotating slower than the drilling string and associated methods.

An operator seat is arranged in a cab. An air-conditioning unit is arranged in front of the operator seat. A lower window through which the outside can be seen from the inside of the cab is arranged in front of the operator seat and laterally to the air-conditioning unit.

Rotary steerable drilling apparatus and methods utilizing apparatus comprising a shaft, a multi-angle strike ring axially repositionable along the shaft, an articulated member coupled to the shaft, and a steering member carried by the articulated member. An actuator is operable to maintain an angular offset of the articulated member relative to the shaft by maintaining azimuthally-dependent contact between the multi-angle strike ring and the steering member.

Rotary steerable drilling apparatus and methods utilizing apparatus comprising a shaft, a multi-angle strike ring axially repositionable along the shaft, an articulated member coupled to the shaft, and a steering member carried by the articulated member. An actuator is operable to maintain an angular offset of the articulated member relative to the shaft by maintaining azimuthally-dependent contact between the multi-angle strike ring and the steering member.

A downhole rotational rate control apparatus, adapted for coupling to the lower end of a drill string, includes a progressive cavity pump or motor, a mud flow control valve, and an electronics section. Drilling mud flowing downward through the drill string is partially diverted to flow through the pump or motor, with the mud flow rate and, in turn, the pump or motor speed being controlled by the mud flow control valve. The control valve is actuated by a control motor in response to inputs from a sensor assembly in the electronics section. By varying the rotational rate of the pump or motor relative to the rotational rate of the drill string, the tool face orientation or non-zero rotational speed of the controlled device in either direction can be varied in a controlled manner.

A downhole rotational rate control apparatus, adapted for coupling to the lower end of a drill string, includes a progressive cavity pump or motor, a mud flow control valve, and an electronics section. Drilling mud flowing downward through the drill string is partially diverted to flow through the pump or motor, with the mud flow rate and, in turn, the pump or motor speed being controlled by the mud flow control valve. The control valve is actuated by a control motor in response to inputs from a sensor assembly in the electronics section. By varying the rotational rate of the pump or motor relative to the rotational rate of the drill string, the tool face orientation or non-zero rotational speed of the controlled device in either direction can be varied in a controlled manner.

A mining system with an inertial guidance system configured to enable precise excavation of geological material without a need to advance a survey line over a long distance and/or nonlinear excavation path, thereby maximizing productivity of the mind by minimizing a width of un-mined material necessary for support between adjacent excavation paths and minimizing equipment downtime.

A motor rotary steerable system having a sun gear shaft, a pair of planetary gears rotated by the sun gear shaft, an adjustable slip clutch assembly rotated by the planetary gears in an opposite direction, and an orienting device connected to the planetary gears and adjustable slip clutch assembly. The orienting device comprises a bent sub with a bent sub housing, a bearing section, a bit drive assembly, a pulse counter to count the rotating drive shaft rotations, a drilling bit locator, and a transmitting device conveying signals from the orienting device to a receiver in an opposite side of a power section. The orienting device rotates independently from a drill string and is synchronously timed to the rotation of the drill string to rotate continuously while producing both straight and curved bore path segments and increase production rates.

A downhole drilling assembly includes a drill string having an inner fluid passageway. A fluid motor disposed within the drill string has a rotor operable to rotate relative to a stator in response to a circulating fluid received via the inner fluid passageway. A drive shaft and drill bit are operably associated with and operable to rotate with the rotor. A hydraulically actuated clutch disposed within the drill string has a first configuration, wherein a first clutch assembly is disengaged from a second clutch assembly such that the drive shaft and drill bit rotate relative to the drill string and, a second configuration, wherein the first clutch assembly engages the second clutch assembly responsive to hydraulic pressure generated by rotation of the drill string such that the drive shaft and drill bit rotate with the drill string.

A downhole steering tool comprising a first member, fixedly coupled with a drill string, and a second member, proximate the first member and rotatable substantially freely with respect to the first member. A first sensor is operable to measure a difference in rotation rates of the first and second members. A second sensor is operable to measure a substantially real-time rotation rate of the second member in the wellbore. A tool controller is operable to process sensor signals from the first and second sensors to determine a rotation rate of the drill string. Surface-initiated changes in the rotation rate of the drill string are then utilized by the downhole steering tool for steering and other control.