Downhole Steerable Hammer Element
In one aspect of the present invention, a drill bit has an axis of rotation and drill bit body intermediate a threaded end and a working face. The drill bit body houses a jack element protruding from the drill bit body and the jack element has a plurality of inserts disposed on the indenting end.
1 . A tool string component, comprising:
an axis of rotation and a drill bit body intermediate a threaded end and a working face;
the drill bit body housing a jack element protruding from the working face;
a shaft rotationally connected and intermediate the jack element and a torque generating device; and
a torque generating device connected to a porting assembly that causes a piston disposed around the shaft to move the jack element along a central axis of the shaft and independently of the drill bit body.
2 . The tool string component of claim 1 , wherein the piston comprises a friction resistant surface disposed on an inner diameter.
3 . The tool string component of claim 1 , wherein the piston is disposed within a substantially pressure-sealed cylinder.
4 . The tool string component of claim 3 , wherein the pressure-sealed cylinder comprises a first and second exhaust port such that a fluid within the pressure-sealed cylinder may be evacuated.
5 . The tool string component of claim 3 , wherein the pressure-sealed cylinder comprises a friction resistant surface.
6 . The tool string component of claim 1 , wherein the shaft comprises a friction resistant surface disposed on at least a portion of an outer diameter.
7 . The tool string component of claim 1 , wherein the porting assembly comprises a first and a second rotatable disk comprising a plurality of holes which when rotated, may allow a drilling fluid to pass through the plurality of holes.
8 . The tool string component of claim 1 , wherein the porting assembly comprises a multi-way valve which regulates the flow of a drilling fluid.
9 . The tool string component of claim 1 , wherein the porting assembly is in mechanical communication with the shaft such that the porting assembly may be rotated by the shaft.
10 . The tool string component of claim 1 , wherein the torque generating device is a generator.
11 . The tool string component of claim 10 , wherein the generator comprises a signal sent to an electronic processing device disposed within the component.
12 . The tool string component of claim 11 , wherein a position feedback sensor is disposed within the component and in electrical connection with the electronic processing device.
13 . The tool string component of claim 1 , wherein the torque generating device is a turbine.
14 . The tool string component of claim 1 , wherein the piston is disposed circumferentially around the shaft such that the shaft and piston share a slidable connection.
15 . The tool string component of claim 1 , wherein the shaft is rotationally connected to the jack element through a spline connection.
16 . The tool string component of claim 1 , wherein the jack element comprises an angled portion disposed on an indenting end of the jack element.
17 . The tool string component of claim 1 , wherein the shaft is substantially collinear with the axis of rotation.
18 . The tool string component of claim 1 , wherein the porting assembly diverts a fluid flow to a first piston end or a second piston end.
19 . The tool string component of claim 18 , wherein the electronic processing device is in electrical communication with a direction and inclination tool.
20 . The tool string component of claim 1 , wherein the electronic processing device is part of a downhole telemetry network.