Patent ID: 7445059

Claim:
A drill string deflection apparatus for use as a serial length member of a drill string for actuation between a straight and a bent configuration in response to manipulation of drilling fluid flow rate down the drill string, the apparatus comprising: a) an elongated housing, with a longitudinal axis, for attachment to an upwardly continuing drill string, with a generally cylindrical central opening to accept a piston; b) said piston sealingly situated in said opening to provide force in response to drilling fluid pressure; c) a transition sleeve, threadably attached to said elongated housing to support a transverse axle; d) an output shaft hingedly supported on said axle for lateral deflection from said longitudinal axis, said output shaft having an upwardly extending portion, and a downwardly extending portion to extend from said body for attachment to a downwardly extending drill string; e) cooperating cams on said upwardly extending portion and said piston to rotate said output shaft about said axle when said piston moves from an upward position to a preselected amount; f) a spring situated in said generally central opening to urge said piston in a direction opposite the direction the piston is urged by drilling fluid pressure; g) a drilling fluid flow channel extending through the longitudinal limits of said body and said output shaft to conduct drilling fluid from said upwardly extending drill string to said downwardly extending drill string; and h) said transverse axle supported by said transition sleeve.