Directional drilling apparatus

Claim 1

A drilling tool including provision for changing the direction of drilling of a borehole comprising: a tubular body positionable in a well borehole having means at the upper end thereof for attachment to a rotatable drill string extending downwardly from the earth''s surface for the rotation of said tubular body; a drilling bit affixed to the lower end of said tubular body, the rotation of said drilling bit about its drilling axis serving to extend the borehole in the direction of the drilling axis; a slip clutch means rotatably coupling said drilling bit to said tubular body whereby rotation of said tubular body in one direction rotates said drilling bit and when said tubular body is non-rotatably supported said drilling bit may be rotated relative to said tubular body; electrical means internally of said tubular body for the rotation of said drilling bit relative to said tubular body; electrical means within said tubular body of varying the angle of the drilling axis of said drilling bit relative to said tubular body; and an electrical connector means within said tubular body adjacent the upper end thereof, said electrical connector means adaptable to removably receive electrical connection with means lowered in said drill string for selectably energizing said means of rotation of said drilling bit and said means of varying the angle of said drilling bit.