A hard facing is preferably accomplished with laser clad beads applied to horizontal directional drilling (HDD) component(s). These components may be subject to recirculating fluid regions associated to stepped geometries along a drill string, including various drill string coupling members. For example, laser cladding can be applied to a step region of the sonar housing and starter rod. A method applies a hard face coating such as laser cladding or other suitable hard facing in areas of tight geometric tolerances.

A flexible connector for connecting coiled tubing to a bottom hole assembly is disclosed. The flexible connector has multiple internal diameters that reduces breakage due bending down hole and reduces turbulence of fluid flowing through the coiled tubing, flexible connector, and bottom hole assembly. The flexible connector also reduces the chances of a bottom hole assembly attached by the flexible connector to a coiled tubing being stuck down hole.

According to one aspect, a hammer union includes a female sub; a male sub; and a wing nut that is concentrically disposed about the female and male subs. The wing nut includes a body having first and second end surfaces, and an exterior surface extending therebetween; a passage extending through the body from the first to second end surface that defines an interior surface of the body; an internal shoulder formed by the interior surface; an internal threaded connection that extends from the first end surface and towards the internal shoulder; and lugs extending radially from the exterior surface. In one aspect, the body has a wall thickness defined between the interior and exterior surfaces, with a greater wall thickness at the internal shoulder than at the first end surface; the internal threaded connection has a full-root radius; and a lug that extends along the axial length of the body.

According to one aspect, a hammer union includes a female sub; a male sub; and a wing nut that is concentrically disposed about the female and male subs. The wing nut includes a body having first and second end surfaces, and an exterior surface extending therebetween; a passage extending through the body from the first to second end surface that defines an interior surface of the body; an internal shoulder formed by the interior surface; an internal threaded connection that extends from the first end surface and towards the internal shoulder; and lugs extending radially from the exterior surface. In one aspect, the body has a wall thickness defined between the interior and exterior surfaces, with a greater wall thickness at the internal shoulder than at the first end surface; the internal threaded connection has a full-root radius; and a lug that extends along the axial length of the body.

Provided, in one aspect, is a downhole torque limiter, comprising a tubular housing; a pipe positioned within the tubular housing; one or more clutch mechanisms positioned between the pipe and the tubular housing, the one or more clutch mechanisms configured to move between a engaged state to fix the tubular housing relative to the pipe and a disengaged state to allow with the tubular housing to rotate relative to the pipe; and a fluid control system coupled with an exterior of the one or more clutch mechanisms, the fluid control system configured to allow the one or more clutch mechanisms to move from the engaged state to the disengaged state based upon sensing movement of the pipe relative to the tubular housing.

A cylindrical tool string assembly for downhole data transmission comprises a cylinder comprising a transmission element such as an inductive coupler installed within a groove in its top surface connected to a transmission line housed within its exterior wall. The assembly includes a split spring ring housed within a groove formed in a bore wall of a tool string component such as a drill pipe or a downhole tool within the bottom hole assembly. The spring ring may be compressed and released when positioned within the groove. The spring ring provides a platform on which cylinder may be mounted. The split provides a passageway for the transmission line to exit the cylinder. The cylinder includes a recess in its top surface housing an extractor to facilitate removal of the cylinder. An anti-rotation lock between the cylinder and bore of the tool string component may prevent movement of the cylinder.

A cylindrical tool string assembly for downhole data transmission comprises a cylinder comprising a transmission element such as an inductive coupler installed within a groove in its top surface connected to a transmission line housed within its exterior wall. The assembly includes a split spring ring housed within a groove formed in a bore wall of a tool string component such as a drill pipe or a downhole tool within the bottom hole assembly. The spring ring may be compressed and released when positioned within the groove. The spring ring provides a platform on which cylinder may be mounted. The split provides a passageway for the transmission line to exit the cylinder. The cylinder includes a recess in its top surface housing an extractor to facilitate removal of the cylinder. An anti-rotation lock between the cylinder and bore of the tool string component may prevent movement of the cylinder.

A rotating joint apparatus includes a first section, a second section, and an interface between the first section and the second section. A bearing at the interface is configured such that the first section is rotatable relative to the second section. A main flow passage extends through the first section and the second section. A signal conductor is accessible, by a first connector on an exterior surface of the first section and, and by a second connector on an exterior surface of the second section. The signal conductor includes a signal transmission assembly at the interface.

Transmitting torque from a housing to a drive shaft by configuring contact surfaces between a housing and shaft to increase the transmission of torque. Tools such as drilling tools often require torque to be transmitted from a rotating housing to a driveshaft. This is often accomplished through threaded connections or splines. A threaded connection can be used to transmit torque by allowing two pieces to be securely joined by rotating and tightening to a specified torque. A splined connection can also be used to transmit torque, providing sufficient clearance for one member to slidingly receive the other without rotating and torqueing. A tapered polygon may be used to transmit torque that by virtue of tapering can take up clearances between the torque carrying components. As such, the tapered polygon does not introduce significant stress concentrations into the components.

Transmitting torque from a housing to a drive shaft by configuring contact surfaces between a housing and shaft to increase the transmission of torque. Tools such as drilling tools often require torque to be transmitted from a rotating housing to a driveshaft. This is often accomplished through threaded connections or splines. A threaded connection can be used to transmit torque by allowing two pieces to be securely joined by rotating and tightening to a specified torque. A splined connection can also be used to transmit torque, providing sufficient clearance for one member to slidingly receive the other without rotating and torqueing. A tapered polygon may be used to transmit torque that by virtue of tapering can take up clearances between the torque carrying components. As such, the tapered polygon does not introduce significant stress concentrations into the components.