US 12,152,467 B2
Clutch assembly and related systems and methods
Robert McCullough, Spruce Grove (CA); Adam Well, Spring, TX (US); Everett Hagar, Devon (CA); Sean O'Neill, Tomball, TX (US); and Harris Hurst, The Woodlands, TX (US)
Assigned to NTS Amega West USA, Inc, Houston, TX (US)
Filed by NTS Amega West USA, Inc, Houston, TX (US)
Filed on Oct. 31, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/977,678.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/321,166, filed on Mar. 18, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0295988 A1, Sep. 21, 2023
Int. Cl. E21B 4/00 (2006.01); E21B 4/02 (2006.01); F16D 1/10 (2006.01); F16D 11/10 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 4/006 (2013.01) [E21B 4/02 (2013.01); F16D 1/10 (2013.01); F16D 11/10 (2013.01); F16D 2001/103 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for a drill string, comprising:
a clutch assembly comprising:
a driveshaft having an axial bore extending therethrough, an external surface, and a first coupling element comprising a plurality of outer teeth extending radially outwards from the external surface;
a shuttle having an uphole end, a downhole end, an internal surface defining a channel extending through the shuttle from the uphole end to the downhole end, the channel partially receiving the driveshaft therein, and a second coupling element comprising a plurality of inner teeth extending radially inwards from the internal surface into the channel;
wherein the shuttle is axially movable between an engaged position in which the second coupling element engages the first coupling element and a disengaged position in which the second coupling element is disengaged from the first coupling element;
wherein a portion of the driveshaft remains within the channel of the shuttle when the shuttle is in the disengaged position;
a circulation assembly comprising a tubular housing having at least one first aperture extending radially therethrough and a circulation piston received within the housing, the circulation piston having at least one second aperture extending radially therethrough, wherein the circulation piston is axially movable within the housing between a closed position in which the at least one first and second apertures are axially offset and an open position in which the at least one first and second apertures are axially aligned; and
an actuation mechanism operatively connected to the clutch assembly and the circulation assembly, the actuation mechanism selectively actuatable to move the shuttle between the engaged position and the disengaged position and the circulation piston between the closed position and the open position.