Patent ID: 7762356

Claim:
A system for rotating and guiding a drill bit in an underground bore, comprising: (a) a drilling motor comprising a housing, and a rotor mounted in the housing so that the rotor rotates in relation of the housing; (b) a drive shaft coupled to the rotor and the drill bit so that the drill bit rotates in response to rotation of the rotor; and (c) a guidance module for guiding the direction in which the drill bit drills comprising: (i) housing coupled to the housing of the drilling motor so that the housing of the guidance module rotates with the housing of the drilling motor, the drive shaft extending through the housing of the guidance module, (ii) a plurality of movable members mounted on the housing of the guidance module for applying force to the guidance module housing that guides the drilling direction of the drill bit, each of the movable members being movable in relation to the housing of the guidance module between an extended position wherein the movable member can contact a surface of the bore and thereby exert a force on the housing of the guidance module, and a retracted position; (iii) an actuator for causing the movable members to periodically extend and retract in sequence as the guidance housing rotates.