Patent ID: 8694298

Claim:
An actuator system for connection into a drill string for gas or oil extraction, the actuator system comprising: a housing having a longitudinal axis and configured to be attached to the drill string and rotate together with the drill string; an actuator within the housing to perform a function in response to fluid pressure; a cylindrical external region on the housing; at least one actuating fluid passage leading from a chamber within the housing to an inlet on the external region; a ring provided around the external region of the housing and configured to be fixed against rotation when the housing rotates with the drill string, the ring having at least one circumferential internal groove surrounding the external region radially outward from the inlet, the groove having a base wall spaced radially outward from the external region; a supply fluid port extending from an exterior portion of the ring through the ring to the groove; an annular seal provided inside the groove, the seal having an outer diameter side facing the base wall inward from the supply fluid port and an inner diameter side facing the external region, the seal having at least one transverse hole extending transverse to the longitudinal axis through the seal from the outer diameter side to the inner diameter side, the supply fluid port, the transverse hole, and the actuating fluid passage being in fluid communication with each other; wherein, the seal has a disengaged position with the inner diameter side spaced radially outward from the external region of the housing and an engaged position with the inner diameter side sealingly engaging the external region of the housing; and fluid under pressure applied to the supply fluid port in the groove in the ring causes the seal to contract and move from the disengaged position to the engaged position, the fluid flowing from the supply fluid port through the transverse hole and into the actuating fluid passage to cause the actuator to move to perform the function.