System and method for steering in a downhole environment using vibration modulation

A method for producing controlled vibrations to bias a drilling direction of a bottom hole assembly (BHA) in a borehole comprising:

• using provided energy to cause a plurality of vibration beats to occur in a downhole tool positioned within the borehole, wherein the vibration beats are caused by a first surface striking a second surface;
• and
• controlling an amplitude of the vibration beats to regulate an impact force between the first surface and the second surface, wherein the amplitude is controlled based on directional information corresponding to the BHA to influence a drilling direction in which the BHA is drilling.

A system for use in a downhole drilling environment with a bottom hole assembly (BHA) that includes a bent sub mud motor having a bend, the system comprising:

• a movement mechanism positioned in a downhole tool and configured to convert energy to translational movement of a first surface relative to a second surface to cause the first surface to impact the second surface to produce a plurality of vibration beats;
• and
• a vibration control mechanism configured to selectively control an amplitude of the vibration beats to adjust a drilling efficiency based on a direction in which the bend is oriented, wherein the vibration beats occur at a fixed frequency unless the energy is diverted to prevent the translational movement and wherein the vibration control mechanism is configured to selectively control the amplitude of the vibration beats by diverting at least a portion of the energy from the translational movement.