James R Higginbotham

US Patent:

7225888, Jun 5, 2007

Filed:

Oct 26, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/974592

Inventors:

Donald H. Van Steenwyk - San Marino CA, US
Raymond W. Teys - Pismo Beach CA, US
James R. Higginbotham - The Woodlands TX, US

Assignee:

Scientific Drilling International - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 7/06

US Classification:

175 61, 175 73

Abstract:

For use in a wellbore containing a rotary drill string and a drill bit, the combination comprising, a rotary mandrel containing a through opening to pass drilling fluid downwardly from the interior of the drill string, and toward the bit, a non-rotary housing extending about the mandrel, a plenum or plenums in the housing in communication with the interior of the mandrel through an opening to receive fluid pressure used to actuate means associated with drilling activity in the well, and a controlled fluid gap proximate the housing, to slowly leak drilling fluid to the annulus outside the string.

US Patent:

7909117, Mar 22, 2011

Filed:

Aug 6, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/221851

Inventors:

Donald H. Van Steenwyk - Paso Robles CA, US
Dennis J. Buckley - Paso Robles CA, US
James R. Higginbotham - The Woodlands TX, US
Mark Chustz - Porter TX, US
Raymond W. Teys - Pisomo Beach CA, US
Michael A. Yoshimune - Paso Robles CA, US

Assignee:

Scientific Drilling International Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 7/04
E21B 15/04

US Classification:

175 61, 175 73

Abstract:

A housing including longitudinally extending tubular members interconnected to allow controlled relative bending thereof, during a drilling operation, a rotary drive transmitting torsion bar extending generally longitudinally within the housing to controllably bend in response to relative bending of said members, a rotary drill bit operatively connected to said torsion bar to be rotated as the bar rotates, a rotary drive operatively connected to the torsion bar to rotate the bar, means for controlling relative bending of the said members during torsion bar rotation and as a function of such rotation.

US Patent:

20080034856, Feb 14, 2008

Filed:

Jun 21, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/820790

Inventors:

Donald H. Van Steenwyk - Paso Robles CA, US
Dennis J. Buckley - Paso Robles CA, US
James R. Higginbotham - The Woodlands TX, US

International Classification:

E21B 44/00
G08C 19/06

US Classification:

7315246, 34087031

Abstract:

A down hole apparatus for measure while drilling usage comprising, in combination, a housing including one or more housing unit sections along apparatus, and defining an axis length, a motor stator for a motor driven by drilling fluids, a motor rotor for said motor driven by drilling fluid, a bent subassembly at the lower end of said downhole apparatus, said subassembly providing a relatively small angular deviation between said housing unit axis and an axis defined by said bent subassembly, an output shaft extending within said bent subassembly for use in driving a drill bit, a bearing assembly to support said output shaft for rotation within said housing, a torsion bar or flexible shaft connecting said motor rotor to said output shaft, said torsion bar or flexible shaft accommodating both eccentric motion of said rotor and the bend and relative motion between the said main housing axis and the bent subassembly axis, and a sensor and data transmission assembly located on the main housing in a parallel relationship with said torsion bar or flexible shaft, and extending generally at the same longitudinal distance along said main housing as said torsion bar or flexible shaft.

US Patent:

20130170778, Jul 4, 2013

Filed:

Jun 29, 2010

Appl. No.:

13/806865

Inventors:

James Robbie Higginbotham - The Woodlands TX, US
Mark Chustz - Porter TX, US

Assignee:

Scientific Drilling International, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

F16C 33/58
F16C 33/62

US Classification:

384513, 384569

Abstract:

A bearing assembly includes a first race having a first set recesses disposed on an upper surface thereof. Wherein a first set of bearing elements are disposed within the first set of recesses and the first set of bearing elements extend upwardly from the first set of recesses at an inclination relative to a vertical axis of the first race. A second race having a second set of recesses disposed on an upper surface thereof. A second set of bearing elements are disposed within the second set of recesses and the second set of bearing elements extend upwardly from the second set of recesses at an inclination relative to a vertical axis of the second race.

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.