Systems and methods for producing controlled vibrations within a borehole. In one example, the system includes a movement mechanism and a controller. The movement mechanism is configured to enable translational movement of a first surface relative to a second surface to allow the first surface to impact the second surface to produce a plurality of beats. The frequency and amplitude of the beats may be selectively controlled by suppressing or dampening the beats. The controller is configured to selectively control an amplitude or frequency of the beats to encode information therein, where the amplitude of a beat may be selectively controlled by dampening or suppressing the impact of the first surface and the second surface.

A system and method for controlling the frequency or amplitude of vibrations during drilling of a well. A system for generating mechanical vibrations may generate a control signal to cause two plates to impact one another with a first frequency or amplitude. The frequency or amplitude may be selected to steer the direction of drilling. In addition, a second control signal may be generated to cause the two plates to impact with a second frequency or amplitude to steer the direction of drilling, such as when the wellbore has deviated from the target path of a well plan. The control signals may be associated with one or more geological formations.

A system and method for controlling the frequency or amplitude of vibrations during drilling of a well. A system for generating mechanical vibrations may generate a control signal to cause two plates to impact one another with a first frequency or amplitude. The frequency or amplitude may be selected to steer the direction of drilling. In addition, a second control signal may be generated to cause the two plates to impact with a second frequency or amplitude to steer the direction of drilling, such as when the wellbore has deviated from the target path of a well plan. The control signals may be associated with one or more geological formations.

A ball transfer mechanism for a harmonic drive and linear piston motor is disclosed. The ball transfer mechanism includes a spherical ball and a cylindrical seat portion. The seat portion defines a hemispherical shaped recess with a contour for receiving the ball. The ball transfer mechanism is in an exterior wall of a housing for converting rotary motion to linear motion, driving a linear piston motor. The harmonic drive drives a rotor of the linear piston motor. The harmonic drive includes a hollow cylindrical coupler portion engaging a rotor portion for transferring torque to the rotor portion. Transfer mechanisms disposed along a housing wall of the linear piston motor engage the coupler portion. The coupler portion includes harmonic cam grooves for receiving spherical balls in the ball transfer mechanism that drives rotational motion in the rotor in response to axially linear movement of the piston assembly.

A ball transfer mechanism for a harmonic drive and linear piston motor is disclosed. The ball transfer mechanism includes a spherical ball and a cylindrical seat portion. The seat portion defines a hemispherical shaped recess with a contour for receiving the ball. The ball transfer mechanism is in an exterior wall of a housing for converting rotary motion to linear motion, driving a linear piston motor. The harmonic drive drives a rotor of the linear piston motor. The harmonic drive includes a hollow cylindrical coupler portion engaging a rotor portion for transferring torque to the rotor portion. Transfer mechanisms disposed along a housing wall of the linear piston motor engage the coupler portion. The coupler portion includes harmonic cam grooves for receiving spherical balls in the ball transfer mechanism that drives rotational motion in the rotor in response to axially linear movement of the piston assembly.

A ball transfer mechanism for a harmonic drive and linear piston motor is disclosed. The ball transfer mechanism includes a spherical ball and a cylindrical seat portion. The seat portion defines a hemispherical shaped recess with a contour for receiving the ball. The ball transfer mechanism is in an exterior wall of a housing for converting rotary motion to linear motion, driving a linear piston motor. The harmonic drive drives a rotor of the linear piston motor. The harmonic drive includes a hollow cylindrical coupler portion engaging a rotor portion for transferring torque to the rotor portion. Transfer mechanisms disposed along a housing wall of the linear piston motor engage the coupler portion. The coupler portion includes harmonic cam grooves for receiving spherical balls in the ball transfer mechanism that drives rotational motion in the rotor in response to axially linear movement of the piston assembly.

A ball transfer mechanism for a harmonic drive and linear piston motor is disclosed. The ball transfer mechanism includes a spherical ball and a cylindrical seat portion. The seat portion defines a hemispherical shaped recess with a contour for receiving the ball. The ball transfer mechanism is in an exterior wall of a housing for converting rotary motion to linear motion, driving a linear piston motor. The harmonic drive drives a rotor of the linear piston motor. The harmonic drive includes a hollow cylindrical coupler portion engaging a rotor portion for transferring torque to the rotor portion. Transfer mechanisms disposed along a housing wall of the linear piston motor engage the coupler portion. The coupler portion includes harmonic cam grooves for receiving spherical balls in the ball transfer mechanism that drives rotational motion in the rotor in response to axially linear movement of the piston assembly.

A percussion device that includes: an input side; an output side; at least one drive transmitter; a drive transmitter pathway; a percussion impactor; and a percussion anvil; where: the drive transmitter pathway is a circumferential pathway around a longitudinal axis of the percussion device; the drive transmitter pathway includes at least one tooth section including a lift section and a lead section; the at least one tooth section is essentially one wavelength of a sawtooth wave; the lift section is inclined away from a base of the drive transmitter pathway; the lead section is a section of the tooth section which abruptly returns to the base of the drive transmitter pathway; the input side is rotationally isolated from the percussion impactor; the percussion anvil is attached to, or forms part of, the output side; the percussion impactor includes an impact end and a force input end which are longitudinally opposite terminal ends of the percussion impactor; and the impact end faces the percussion anvil; such that: when in use, and the output section is free to rotate, the at least one drive transmitter and the drive transmitter pathway are configured to act co operatively to transfer the rotational motion of the input side to the output side; and when in use and limited or no rotation of the output side is possible, the at least one drive transmitter and the drive transmitter pathway are configured to act co-operatively to increase, maintain or decrease the distance between the percussion impactor and the percussion anvil; wherein the at least one drive transmitter and the drive transmitter pathway are configured to act co-operatively to accept rotational motion from the input side and transmit a percussive and/or rotational motion to the output side.

A percussion device that includes: an input side; an output side; at least one drive transmitter; a drive transmitter pathway; a percussion impactor; and a percussion anvil; where: the drive transmitter pathway is a circumferential pathway around a longitudinal axis of the percussion device; the drive transmitter pathway includes at least one tooth section including a lift section and a lead section; the at least one tooth section is essentially one wavelength of a sawtooth wave; the lift section is inclined away from a base of the drive transmitter pathway; the lead section is a section of the tooth section which abruptly returns to the base of the drive transmitter pathway; the input side is rotationally isolated from the percussion impactor; the percussion anvil is attached to, or forms part of, the output side; the percussion impactor includes an impact end and a force input end which are longitudinally opposite terminal ends of the percussion impactor; and the impact end faces the percussion anvil; such that: when in use, and the output section is free to rotate, the at least one drive transmitter and the drive transmitter pathway are configured to act co operatively to transfer the rotational motion of the input side to the output side; and when in use and limited or no rotation of the output side is possible, the at least one drive transmitter and the drive transmitter pathway are configured to act co-operatively to increase, maintain or decrease the distance between the percussion impactor and the percussion anvil; wherein the at least one drive transmitter and the drive transmitter pathway are configured to act co-operatively to accept rotational motion from the input side and transmit a percussive and/or rotational motion to the output side.

An apparatus including a rotating segment having a first radial surface, a non-rotating segment having a second radial surface, a housing disposed around the first and second radial surfaces, and one or more rolling elements disposed between and in contact with the first and second radial surfaces for transferring the non-rotating segment in an axial direction upon rotation of the rotating segment. The non-rotating element may be a second rotating element that rotates at a different rotational rate than the rotating element. Each rolling element moves 360 degrees along a circular path relative to the first radial surface and the second radial surface. The first or second radial surface has a tapered section. A downhole apparatus includes a power mandrel having a first end connected to a power section member and a second end having a rotating cam surface; a rotating element engaging the rotating cam surface; an anvil sub attached to a workstring, with the anvil sub having a stationary cam surface configured to engage with the rotating cam surface. Rotation of the rotating cam surface moves the anvil sub and the workstring axially within the wellbore.