Patent ID: 7900720
Filing Date: 2011-03-08
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A section of a drill string comprising: a drill string component positioned in said drill string, said drill string component having a component bore; a power source positioned in said drill string component and configured to supply rotary power; a drill bit with a body between a shank and a working face, said drill bit having a body bore formed in said body, and said drill bit shank being connectable to said drill string component to receive rotational torque for drilling into a formation; at least one cutting element attached to said drill bit proximate said working face; a jack element having a proximal end opposite a distal end, said proximal end being disposed within the drill bit body, said jack element being substantially cylindrical and sized to have said distal end extend outwardly beyond said working face and said distal end being formed to be asymmetric; a drive shaft having a first portion and a second portion, said first portion being connected to said power source to receive rotary power therefrom and sized to extend from said power source into said component bore, and said second portion being in communication with the jack element and extending into said body bore; and, a connector to effect a mechanical connection between said first portion and said second portion to transmit rotary power from said power source through said drive shaft to said jack element to rotate said jack element relative to the drill bit body to maintain said jack element in a desired position.