Patent ID: 8333254

Claim:
A steering assembly for downhole directional drilling, comprising: a drill bit comprising a cutting portion and an outer diameter; a steering ring disposed around the outer diameter and comprising one continuous body that is configured to rotate independent of the drill bit; at least one biasing mechanism disposed intermediate the outer diameter and the steering ring and is configured to move the steering ring with respect to the outer diameter; the at least one biasing mechanism comprising an expandable element that is configured to be expanded by drilling fluid; the expandable element, when contracted, comprising two opposing sides joined by a length wherein the length comprises an arched shape that follows a curvature of the outer diameter; the biasing mechanism comprising a valve that is configured to control an amount of drilling fluid that is diverted to push against the steering ring and move the steering ring with respect to the outer diameter; and the biasing mechanism comprising at least one exhaust channel configured to direct drilling fluid out of the biasing mechanism.