Up drill apparatus and method

An apparatus comprising:

• a first rotating segment having a first radial surface with a first circumferential profile;
• a second rotating segment having a second radial surface with a second circumferential profile, said second radial surface opposing said first radial surface, wherein said first circumferential profile or said second circumferential profile includes a tapered section, wherein the second rotating segment rotates at different rotational rate than the first rotating segment;
• a housing disposed around said first and second radial surfaces;
• and
• one or more rolling elements disposed between and in contact with said first and second radial surfaces for transferring the second rotating segment in an axial direction upon rotation of the first rotating segment, wherein each rolling element moves 360 degrees along a circular path relative to the first radial surface and 360 degrees along a circular path relative the second radial surface.

An apparatus comprising:

• a first rotating segment having a first radial surface with a first circumferential profile;
• a second rotating segment having a second radial surface with a second circumferential profile, said second radial surface opposing said first radial surface, wherein said first circumferential profile or said second circumferential profile includes a tapered section, wherein the first and second rotating segments rotate in opposite directions;
• a housing disposed around said first and second radial surfaces;
• and
• one or more rolling elements disposed between and in contact with said first and second radial surfaces for transferring the second rotating segment in an axial direction upon rotation of the first rotating segment, wherein each rolling element moves 360 degrees along a circular path relative to the first radial surface and 360 degrees along a circular path relative to a second radial surface.

A method of drilling a wellbore comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a downhole apparatus connected to a workstring within the wellbore, the downhole apparatus comprising:
• a power mandrel having a first end operatively connected to a power section member and a second end having a rotating cam surface;
• an anvil sub operatively attached to said workstring, said anvil sub having a stationary cam surface operativeiy configured to engage with said rotating cam surface;
• b) lowering the downhole apparatus and the workstring into the wellbore;
• c) pumping fluid into the workstring;
• d) rotating the power mandrel while maintaining the anvil sub in a stationary position;
• e) engaging the stationary cam surface with the rotating cam surface so that the anvil sub and the workstring are moved axially within the wellbore relative to the power mandrel.

An apparatus connected to a workstring within a wellbore, comprising:

• an outer housing;
• a power mandrel having a first end operatively connected to a power section member and a second end having a rotating cam surface, said power mandrel disposed within the outer housing;
• a rotating element engaging said rotating cam surface;
• an anvil sub operatively attached to said workstring, said anvil sub having a stationary cam surface operatively configured to engage with said rotating element;
• wherein as said rotating cam surface rotates and engages said rotating element, the anvil sub and the workstring are moved axially within the wellbore.