A friction reduction tool configured for selective activation downhole in response to a variation in a media flow's operating condition. A valve assembly and an activation assembly are both positioned downstream of a power assembly, which is configured to rotate a rotating valve segment of the valve assembly with media flow through the tool. The activation assembly is configured to transition from a first position to a second position with the media flow operating condition variation. In the first position, the activation assembly provides a bypass flow path around the valve assembly for at least a portion of the media flow, thereby preventing the valve assembly from generating any significant pressure pulse with rotation of the rotating valve segment. In the second position, the bypass flow path is closed such that all or a majority of the media flows through the valve assembly, thereby generating a significant pressure pulse.
E21B 34/14 - Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells in wells operated by movement of tools, e.g. sleeve valves operated by pistons or wire line tools
2.
SELECTIVELY ACTIVATED FRICTION REDUCTION TOOL AND METHOD
A friction reduction tool configured for selective activation downhole in response to a variation in a media flow's operating condition. A valve assembly and an activation assembly are both positioned downstream of a power assembly, which is configured to rotate a rotating valve segment of the valve assembly with media flow through the tool. The activation assembly is configured to transition from a first position to a second position with the media flow operating condition variation. In the first position, the activation assembly provides a bypass flow path around the valve assembly for at least a portion of the media flow, thereby preventing the valve assembly from generating any significant pressure pulse with rotation of the rotating valve segment. In the second position, the bypass flow path is closed such that all or a majority of the media flows through the valve assembly, thereby generating a significant pressure pulse.
An oscillation reduction tool configured to prevent or reduce high frequency torsional oscillation by torsionally decoupling a rotary steerable system from a bottom hole assembly, which includes a drilling motor. The tool may convert high frequency torsional oscillation into an internal axial movement without axial displacement of the tool's outer housing. The oscillation reduction tool may flatten an amplitude of high frequency torsional oscillation spikes throughout a spring arrangement. The mechanical energy associated with the internal axial movement is reduced through an internal shock absorbing mechanism, such as fluid movement through a nozzle or annular space. The oscillation reduction tool functions to reduce high frequency torsional oscillation independent of the weight on the bit of the drill string.
An oscillation reduction tool configured to prevent or reduce high frequency torsional oscillation by torsionally decoupling a rotary steerable system from a bottom hole assembly, which includes a drilling motor. The tool may convert high frequency torsional oscillation into an internal axial movement without axial displacement of the tool's outer housing. The oscillation reduction tool may flatten an amplitude of high frequency torsional oscillation spikes throughout a spring arrangement. The mechanical energy associated with the internal axial movement is reduced through an internal shock absorbing mechanism, such as fluid movement through a nozzle or annular space. The oscillation reduction tool functions to reduce high frequency torsional oscillation independent of the weight on the bit of the drill string.
F16D 1/00 - Couplings for rigidly connecting two coaxial shafts or other movable machine elements
F16F 13/00 - Units comprising springs of the non-fluid type as well as vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or fluid springs
E21B 17/20 - Flexible or articulated drilling pipes
E21F 5/00 - Means or methods for preventing, binding, depositing or removing dust; Preventing explosions or fires
F16F 3/06 - Spring units consisting of several springs, e.g. for obtaining a desired spring characteristic with springs made of steel or of other material having low internal friction composed only of wound springs of which some are placed around others in such a way that they damp each other by mutual friction
An oscillation reduction tool configured to prevent or reduce high frequency torsional oscillation by torsionally decoupling a rotary steerable system from a bottom hole assembly, which includes a drilling motor. The tool may convert high frequency torsional oscillation into an internal axial movement without axial displacement of the tool's outer housing. The oscillation reduction tool may flatten an amplitude of high frequency torsional oscillation spikes throughout a spring arrangement. The mechanical energy associated with the internal axial movement is reduced through an internal shock absorbing mechanism, such as fluid movement through a nozzle or annular space. The oscillation reduction tool functions to reduce high frequency torsional oscillation independent of the weight on the bit of the drill string.
F16F 13/00 - Units comprising springs of the non-fluid type as well as vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or fluid springs
F16D 1/00 - Couplings for rigidly connecting two coaxial shafts or other movable machine elements
E21B 7/00 - Special methods or apparatus for drilling
F16F 3/06 - Spring units consisting of several springs, e.g. for obtaining a desired spring characteristic with springs made of steel or of other material having low internal friction composed only of wound springs of which some are placed around others in such a way that they damp each other by mutual friction
E21B 17/20 - Flexible or articulated drilling pipes
E21F 5/00 - Means or methods for preventing, binding, depositing or removing dust; Preventing explosions or fires
A downhole drilling motor includes a motor housing having an inner bore and an outer surface. A power section includes a stator elastomer at least partially disposed within the inner bore of the motor housing. A bearing section includes an upper bearing at least partially disposed within the inner bore of the motor housing. The motor housing further includes an opening extending from the inner bore to the outer surface to provide a bypass fluid path for a fluid in the inner bore. The opening is disposed on the motor housing between a lower end of the stator elastomer and an upper end of the upper bearing. The bypass fluid path allows the downhole drilling motor to accommodate a higher flow rate of a fluid through the stator elastomer of the power section than through the upper bearing of the bearing section.
A vibration assembly includes a valve above a rotor and stator. The rotor rotates within the stator as fluid flows therethrough. The valve includes a rotating valve segment, which rotates with the rotor, and a non-rotating valve segment each including at least one fluid passage. In an open position, the fluid passages of the valve segments are aligned and a fluid flows through the valve. In a restricted position, the fluid passages of the valve segments are partially or completely unaligned, thereby creating a pressure pulse that is transmitted through the drill string or coiled tubing above the valve. The valve may further include an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve surrounding the non-rotating valve segment. The inner and outer sleeves allow axial sliding but prevent rotation of the non-rotating valve segment. The assembly may further include a lower thrust bearing at a lower end of the rotor.
E21B 1/28 - Percussion drilling with a reciprocating impulse member the impulse member being a piston driven directly by fluid pressure by liquid pressure working with pulses
E21B 1/32 - Percussion drilling with a reciprocating impulse member the impulse member being a piston driven directly by fluid pressure by air, steam or gas pressure working with pulses
A vibration assembly includes a valve above a rotor and stator. The rotor rotates within the stator as fluid flows therethrough. The valve includes a rotating valve segment, which rotates with the rotor, and a non-rotating valve segment each including at least one fluid passage. In an open position, the fluid passages of the valve segments are aligned and a fluid flows through the valve. In a restricted position, the fluid passages of the valve segments are partially or completely unaligned, thereby creating a pressure pulse that is transmitted through the drill string or coiled tubing above the valve. The valve may further include an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve surrounding the non-rotating valve segment. The inner and outer sleeves allow axial sliding but prevent rotation of the non-rotating valve segment. The assembly may further include a lower thrust bearing at a lower end of the rotor.
A vibration assembly includes a valve above a rotor and stator. The rotor rotates within the stator as fluid flows therethrough. The valve includes a rotating valve segment, which rotates with the rotor, and a non-rotating valve segment each including at least one fluid passage. In an open position, the fluid passages of the valve segments are aligned and a fluid flows through the valve. In a restricted position, the fluid passages of the valve segments are partially or completely unaligned, thereby creating a pressure pulse that is transmitted through the drill string or coiled tubing above the valve. The valve may further include an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve surrounding the non-rotating valve segment. The inner and outer sleeves allow axial sliding but prevent rotation of the non-rotating valve segment. The assembly may further include a lower thrust bearing at a lower end of the rotor.
E21B 1/28 - Percussion drilling with a reciprocating impulse member the impulse member being a piston driven directly by fluid pressure by liquid pressure working with pulses
E21B 1/32 - Percussion drilling with a reciprocating impulse member the impulse member being a piston driven directly by fluid pressure by air, steam or gas pressure working with pulses
A drilling assembly includes a power section with a housing that rotates in a first direction at a drill string rotation rate. An output rotates a drill bit through a transmission shaft in the first direction at a rotor rotation rate relative to the housing. A bent housing between the power section and the drill bit rotates in a second direction at a variable rotation rate relative to the power housing. The transmission shaft extends through the bent housing. A mechanical brake system adjusts the bent housing's variable rotation rate. The bent housing rotates relative to the wellbore in a rotary mode, but not in a sliding mode. The sliding mode maintains the drill bit's direction and inclination while the drill string rotates, ln all modes, the drill bit's rotation rate is the sum of the drill string rate and the rotor rate relative to the power housing.
A drilling assembly includes a power section with a housing that rotates in a first direction at a drill string rotation rate. An output rotates a drill bit through a transmission shaft in the first direction at a rotor rotation rate relative to the housing. A bent housing between the power section and the drill bit rotates in a second direction at a variable rotation rate relative to the power housing. The transmission shaft extends through the bent housing. A mechanical brake system adjusts the bent housing's variable rotation rate. The bent housing rotates relative to the wellbore in a rotary mode, but not in a sliding mode. The sliding mode maintains the drill bit's direction and inclination while the drill string rotates, ln all modes, the drill bit's rotation rate is the sum of the drill string rate and the rotor rate relative to the power housing.
A mud-lubricated bearing section including a seal assembly for directing a fluid flowing through a mud-lubricated bearing into a central bore of a mandrel. At least one mud- lubricated bearing is positioned in an annular space between the mandrel and a housing. The seal assembly directs the fluid from the annular space through a mandrel fluid port into the mandrel central bore. The seal assembly seals the annular space, and includes a piston, a plug, and a chamber between the piston and the plug. The piston is configured for axial movement relative to the mandrel and the housing, while the plug is axially fixed relative to the mandrel and/or the housing. The chamber is configured to contain a lubricating fluid. The piston includes inner and outer seals. The plug includes a lower seal and a passage allowing the fluid from the chamber to reach the lower seal for lubrication.
A mud-lubricated bearing section including a seal assembly for directing a fluid flowing through a mud-lubricated bearing into a central bore of a mandrel. At least one mud- lubricated bearing is positioned in an annular space between the mandrel and a housing. The seal assembly directs the fluid from the annular space through a mandrel fluid port into the mandrel central bore. The seal assembly seals the annular space, and includes a piston, a plug, and a chamber between the piston and the plug. The piston is configured for axial movement relative to the mandrel and the housing, while the plug is axially fixed relative to the mandrel and/or the housing. The chamber is configured to contain a lubricating fluid. The piston includes inner and outer seals. The plug includes a lower seal and a passage allowing the fluid from the chamber to reach the lower seal for lubrication.
A mud-lubricated bearing section including a seal assembly for directing a fluid flowing through a mud-lubricated bearing into a central bore of a mandrel. At least one mud-lubricated bearing is positioned in an annular space between the mandrel and a housing. The seal assembly directs the fluid from the annular space through a mandrel fluid port into the mandrel central bore. The seal assembly seals the annular space, and includes a piston, a plug, and a chamber between the piston and the plug. The piston is configured for axial movement relative to the mandrel and the housing, while the plug is axially fixed relative to the mandrel and/or the housing. The chamber is configured to contain a lubricating fluid. The piston includes inner and outer seals. The plug includes a lower seal and a passage allowing the fluid from the chamber to reach the lower seal for lubrication.
An integrated bearing section includes a mandrel partially disposed within a housing. The bearing section includes spherical members disposed between the mandrel's outer surface and the housing's inner surface. A radial bearing portion is formed by spherical members disposed partially within grooves and engaging a flat profile opposing surface. The grooves may be in the mandrel's outer surface, an outer surface of a mandrel sleeve, the housing's inner surface, or an outer radial bearing's inner surface. The flat profile opposing surface may be on an outer radial bearing's inner surface, the housing's inner surface, the mandrel's outer surface, or a mandrel sleeve's outer surface. A thrust bearing portion is formed by spherical members disposed partially within grooves in two opposing surfaces, such as the mandrel's outer surface or a mandrel sleeve's outer surface, and the housing's inner surface or an outer thrust bearing's inner surface.
F16C 19/18 - Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing balls essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows for both radial and axial load with two or more rows of balls
An integrated bearing section includes a mandrel partially disposed within a housing. The bearing section includes spherical members disposed between the mandrel's outer surface and the housing's inner surface. A radial bearing portion is formed by spherical members disposed partially within grooves and engaging a flat profile opposing surface. The grooves may be in the mandrel's outer surface, an outer surface of a mandrel sleeve, the housing's inner surface, or an outer radial bearing's inner surface. The flat profile opposing surface may be on an outer radial bearing's inner surface, the housing's inner surface, the mandrel's outer surface, or a mandrel sleeve's outer surface. A thrust bearing portion is formed by spherical members disposed partially within grooves in two opposing surfaces, such as the mandrel's outer surface or a mandrel sleeve's outer surface, and the housing's inner surface or an outer thrust bearing's inner surface.
An integrated bearing section includes a mandrel partially disposed within a housing. The bearing section includes spherical members disposed between the mandrel's outer surface and the housing's inner surface. A radial bearing portion is formed by spherical members disposed partially within grooves and engaging a flat profile opposing surface. The grooves may be in the mandrel's outer surface, an outer surface of a mandrel sleeve, the housing's inner surface, or an outer radial bearing's inner surface. The flat profile opposing surface may be on an outer radial bearing's inner surface, the housing's inner surface, the mandrel's outer surface, or a mandrel sleeve's outer surface. A thrust bearing portion is formed by spherical members disposed partially within grooves in two opposing surfaces, such as the mandrel's outer surface or a mandrel sleeve's outer surface, and the housing's inner surface or an outer thrust bearing's inner surface.
F16C 19/18 - Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing balls essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows for both radial and axial load with two or more rows of balls
A downhole vibration assembly includes a valve positioned above a rotor that is disposed at least partially within a stator. The rotor is operatively suspended within an inner bore of a housing and configured to rotate within the stator as a fluid flows through the vibration assembly. The valve includes a rotating valve segment and a stationary valve segment each including at least one fluid passage. The rotating valve segment rotates with a rotation of the rotor. In an open position, the fluid passages of the valve segments are aligned and a fluid flows through the valve. In a restricted position, the fluid passages of the valve segments are partially or completely unaligned, thereby temporarily restricting the fluid flow through the valve to create a pressure pulse. The unobstructed pressure pulse is transmitted through the drill string or coiled tubing above the valve.
A downhole vibration assembly includes a valve positioned above a rotor that is disposed at least partially within a stator. The rotor is operatively suspended within an inner bore of a housing and configured to rotate within the stator as a fluid flows through the vibration assembly. The valve includes a rotating valve segment and a stationary valve segment each including at least one fluid passage. The rotating valve segment rotates with a rotation of the rotor. In an open position, the fluid passages of the valve segments are aligned and a fluid flows through the valve. In a restricted position, the fluid passages of the valve segments are partially or completely unaligned, thereby temporarily restricting the fluid flow through the valve to create a pressure pulse. The unobstructed pressure pulse is transmitted through the drill string or coiled tubing above the valve.
A bearing section for a mandrel at least partially disposed within an inner bore of a housing. A radial bearing and a thrust bearing are each disposed around the mandrel and within the inner bore of the housing. The radial bearing includes an outer cylindrical member, an inner cylindrical member, and a series of spherical members disposed within a space between an inner surface of the outer cylindrical member and an outer surface of the inner cylindrical member. One of the inner surface of the outer cylindrical member or the outer surface of the inner cylindrical member includes a flat profile and the other includes a series of circumferential grooves. The flat profile allows relative axial movement between the inner and outer cylindrical members without the radial bearing absorbing any thrust load.
E21B 4/00 - Drives for drilling, used in the borehole
F16C 19/08 - Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing balls essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows for radial load mainly with two or more rows of balls
F16C 19/54 - Systems consisting of a plurality of bearings with rolling friction
A bearing section for a mandrel at least partially disposed within an inner bore of a housing. A radial bearing and a thrust bearing are each disposed around the mandrel and within the inner bore of the housing. The radial bearing includes an outer cylindrical member, an inner cylindrical member, and a series of spherical members disposed within a space between an inner surface of the outer cylindrical member and an outer surface of the inner cylindrical member. One of the inner surface of the outer cylindrical member or the outer surface of the inner cylindrical member includes a flat profile and the other includes a series of circumferential grooves. The flat profile allows relative axial movement between the inner and outer cylindrical members without the radial bearing absorbing any thrust load.
F16C 19/08 - Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing balls essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows for radial load mainly with two or more rows of balls
F16C 33/16 - Sliding surface consisting mainly of graphite
A downhole drilling motor includes a motor housing having an inner bore and an outer surface. A power section includes a stator elastomer at least partially disposed within the inner bore of the motor housing. A bearing section includes an upper bearing at least partially disposed within the inner bore of the motor housing. The motor housing further includes an opening extending from the inner bore to the outer surface to provide a bypass fluid path for a fluid in the inner bore. The opening is disposed on the motor housing between a lower end of the stator elastomer and an upper end of the upper bearing. The bypass fluid path allows the downhole drilling motor to accommodate a higher flow rate of a fluid through the stator elastomer of the power section than through the upper bearing of the bearing section.
E21B 44/00 - Automatic control systems specially adapted for drilling operations, i.e. self-operating systems which function to carry out or modify a drilling operation without intervention of a human operator, e.g. computer-controlled drilling systems; Systems specially adapted for monitoring a plurality of drilling variables or conditions
E21B 44/06 - Automatic control of the tool feed in response to the flow or pressure of the motive fluid of the drive
F04C 14/26 - Control of, monitoring of, or safety arrangements for, machines, pumps or pumping installations characterised by using valves controlling pressure or flow rate, e.g. discharge valves using bypass channels
A downhole drilling motor includes a motor housing having an inner bore and an outer surface. A power section includes a stator elastomer at least partially disposed within the inner bore of the motor housing. A bearing section includes an upper bearing at least partially disposed within the inner bore of the motor housing. The motor housing further includes an opening extending from the inner bore to the outer surface to provide a bypass fluid path for a fluid in the inner bore. The opening is disposed on the motor housing between a lower end of the stator elastomer and an upper end of the upper bearing. The bypass fluid path allows the downhole drilling motor to accommodate a higher flow rate of a fluid through the stator elastomer of the power section than through the upper bearing of the bearing section.
A CV joint for a downhole drilling motor includes a center shaft including a top shaft section and a bottom shaft section. The top shaft section is at least partially housed within a cavity of a first insert, which is housed within a cavity of a rotor adapter. The bottom shaft section is at least partially housed within a cavity of a second insert, which is housed within a cavity of a drive shaft adapter. An outer surface of the top and bottom shaft sections may include multiple top shaft pockets and multiple bottom shaft pockets, respectively. The first and second inserts may each include a series of recesses. Top shear members may be partially housed within the top shaft pockets and the recesses of the first insert. Bottom shear members may be partially housed within the bottom shaft pockets and the recesses of the second insert.
E21B 17/03 - Couplings; Joints between drilling rod or pipe and drill motor, e.g. between drilling rod and hammer
E21B 4/00 - Drives for drilling, used in the borehole
F16D 3/205 - Universal joints in which flexibility is produced by means of pivots or sliding or rolling connecting parts one coupling part entering a sleeve of the other coupling part and connected thereto by sliding or rolling members one coupling part having radially projecting pins, e.g. tripod joints the pins extending radially outwardly from the coupling part
A CV joint for a downhole drilling motor includes a center shaft including a top shaft section and a bottom shaft section. The top shaft section is at least partially housed within a cavity of a first insert, which is housed within a cavity of a rotor adapter. The bottom shaft section is at least partially housed within a cavity of a second insert, which is housed within a cavity of a drive shaft adapter. An outer surface of the top and bottom shaft sections may include multiple top shaft pockets and multiple bottom shaft pockets, respectively. The first and second inserts may each include a series of recesses. Top shear members may be partially housed within the top shaft pockets and the recesses of the first insert. Bottom shear members may be partially housed within the bottom shaft pockets and the recesses of the second insert.
E21B 4/00 - Drives for drilling, used in the borehole
E21B 17/03 - Couplings; Joints between drilling rod or pipe and drill motor, e.g. between drilling rod and hammer
F16D 3/221 - Universal joints in which flexibility is produced by means of pivots or sliding or rolling connecting parts one coupling part entering a sleeve of the other coupling part and connected thereto by sliding or rolling members the rolling members being balls, rollers, or the like, guided in grooves or sockets in both coupling parts the rolling members being located in sockets in one of the coupling parts
A downhole apparatus connected to a workstring within a wellbore. The workstring is connected to a bit member. The apparatus includes a mandrel operatively connected to a downhole motor mechanism, an anvil member operatively formed on the bit member, the anvil member being operatively connected to the mandrel, a radial bearing housing unit operatively connected to the workstring, with the radial bearing housing unit being disposed about the mandrel, and a hammer member slidably attached to the radial bearing housing unit.
E21B 1/16 - Percussion drilling with a reciprocating impulse member driven by a rotating mechanism with spring-mounted reciprocating masses, e.g. with air cushion
E21B 4/10 - Down-hole impacting means, e.g. hammers continuous unidirectional rotary motion of shaft or drilling pipe effecting consecutive impacts
E21B 6/02 - Drives for drilling with combined rotary and percussive action the rotation being continuous
A downhole apparatus connected to a workstring within a wellbore. The workstring is connected to a bit member. The apparatus includes a mandrel operatively connected to a downhole motor mechanism, an anvil member operatively formed on the bit member, the anvil member being operatively connected to the mandrel, a radial bearing housing unit operatively connected to the workstring, with the radial bearing housing unit being disposed about the mandrel, and a hammer member slidably attached to the radial bearing housing unit.
A mud motor bearing assembly for use in drilling a hydrocarbon well. The bearing assembly includes a bearing section containing stationary bearing rigs and rotating bearing rings in stacked arrangement. The bearing rings have wedge-shaped projections. The wedge-shaped projections of two adjacent stationary bearing rings form a recess to accommodate the projection of a rotating bearing ring in sliding engagement. The bearing assembly is capable of bearing both radial and axial loads.
A mud motor bearing assembly for use in drilling a hydrocarbon well. The bearing assembly includes a bearing section containing stationary bearing rigs and rotating bearing rings in stacked arrangement. The bearing rings have wedge-shaped projections. The wedge-shaped projections of two adjacent stationary bearing rings form a recess to accommodate the projection of a rotating bearing ring in sliding engagement. The bearing assembly is capable of bearing both radial and axial loads.
F16C 17/24 - Sliding-contact bearings for exclusively rotary movement characterised by features not related to the direction of the load with devices affected by abnormal or undesired conditions, e.g. for preventing overheating, for safety
A downhole apparatus connected to a workstring within a wellbore. The workstring is connected to a bit member. The apparatus includes a mandrel operatively connected to a downhole motor mechanism, an anvil member operatively formed on the bit member, the anvil member being operatively connected to the mandrel, a radial bearing housing unit operatively connected to the workstring, with the radial bearing housing unit being disposed about the mandrel, and a hammer member slidably attached to the radial bearing housing unit.
A downhole apparatus connected to a workstring within a wellbore. The workstring is connected to a bit member. The apparatus includes a mandrel operatively connected to a downhole motor mechanism, an anvil member operatively formed on the bit member, the anvil member being operatively connected to the mandrel, a radial bearing housing unit operatively connected to the workstring, with the radial bearing housing unit being disposed about the mandrel, and a hammer member slidably attached to the radial bearing housing unit.
A down hole vibration dampener is disclosed that uses a set of polyurethane rings and steel support rings to create a shock absorber within the drill string to reduce the amount of vibration in the drill string. A splined mandrel extends longitudinally within a hollow cylindrical housing. A seal structure present between the exterior of the mandrel and the interior of the housing forms a lubricant receiving chamber. The series of polyurethane and steel rings are located in the lubricant chamber and are compressible longitudinally to absorb vibration and shock loads.
An apparatus for controlling the direction of drill bit within a wellbore. The apparatus comprises a first housing with a first housing axis therein, and wherein the first housing has a first threaded opening having a first threaded opening axis. The first housing has a helical end. A second housing is included, and the second housing contains a second housing axis, and a second threaded opening having a second threaded opening axis configured to engage with the first threaded opening. A collar is included that has a helical collar end that engages the helical collar end and wherein the helical collar end is configured reciprocal to the helical end, and rotational displacement of the first housing relative To the collar will angularly displace the drill bit axis. The apparatus may further include spline members for locking the collar in place relative to the first and second housing.
An apparatus for controlling the direction of drill bit within a wellbore. The apparatus comprises a first housing with a first housing axis therein, and wherein the first housing has a first threaded opening having a first threaded opening axis. The first housing has a helical end. A second housing is included, and the second housing contains a second housing axis, and a second threaded opening having a second threaded opening axis configured to engage with the first threaded opening. A collar is included that has a helical collar end that engages the helical collar end and wherein the helical collar end is configured reciprocal to the helical end, and rotational displacement of the first housing relative to the collar will angularly displace the drill bit axis. The apparatus may further include spline members for locking the collar in place relative to the first and second housing.
