James M Higginbotham

US Patent:

57250618, Mar 10, 1998

Filed:

May 24, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/653636

Inventors:

Donald H. Van Steenwyk - San Marino CA
Michael S. Orcutt-Clenard - Atascadero CA
James Robbie Higginbotham - Lafayette LA

Assignee:

Applied Technologies Associates, Inc. - Paso Robles CA

International Classification:

E21B 404
E21B 4701

US Classification:

175104

Abstract:

A downhole drill bit drive motor assembly which provides a bilateral low resistance path from the upper end of a downhole drill bit drive motor to the lower end of such a motor by employing an insulated wire or group of several wires through the rotor of the motor. The drive motors provide a drive torque to a drill bit based on the flow of drilling fluids through the motor and includes an outer case, a motor stator, a motor rotor, a coupling to connect the motor rotor to an output shaft and a bearing to support both axial and radial loads. Fixed electrical contacts are provided at the upper end of the drill bit drive motor to provide connection to wireline for transmission of data from that point to the surface or other higher points. Rotary electrical contacts that provide continuous electrical contact as a rotary portion rotates with respect to a stationary portion are provided at the upper, lower, or both ends of the rotor. An electrical conductor is extended through the interior of the motor rotor, coupling and output shaft to the bit box on the end of the shaft that accommodates the drill bit.