Mud motor with integrated abrasion-resistant structure

A housing for a downhole component, the housing comprising a collar having a pair of longitudinal ends spaced apart from each other and a bore therethrough, the collar comprising:

• (a) a framework;
• and
• (b) a plurality of discrete bodies spaced about the framework, a portion of each of the plurality of discrete bodies protruding above a surface of the framework;
• wherein:
• the framework and the plurality of discrete bodies extend between the longitudinal ends of the collar;
• the framework comprises a plurality of rings with opposed side faces and at least some of the discrete bodies are engaged between side faces of adjacent ones of the plurality of rings;
• the plurality of rings comprises a pair of end rings and at least some of the plurality of discrete bodies are positioned between the end rings;
• and
• each of the pair of end rings comprise an outer side face and an opposed inner side face with the inner side faces facing each other, each of the inner side faces including a plurality of spaced inner side face end ring surface depressions thereon, wherein each inner side face end ring surface depression is configured to receive a portion of one of the plurality of discrete bodies therein;
• wherein the outer side faces of the pair of end rings include a plurality of spaced outer side face end ring surface depressions thereon, wherein each outer side face end ring surface depression is configured to receive a portion of one of the plurality of discrete bodies therein.

A housing for a mud motor, the housing comprising:

• (a) a female member having a female mating section;
• (b) a male member having a male mating section and a housing section, the male mating section being inserted into the female mating section and coupled to the female mating section whereby the male and female mating sections overlap;
• and
• (c) a collar positioned on the housing section and located between first and second shoulders respectively on the male and female members, the collar having a pair of longitudinal ends spaced apart from each other and a bore therethrough, the collar comprising:
• (i) a framework;
• and
• (ii) a plurality of discrete bodies spaced about the framework, a portion of each of the plurality of discrete bodies protruding above a surface of the framework;
• wherein:
• the framework and the plurality of discrete bodies extend between the longitudinal ends of the collar;
• the framework comprises a plurality of rings with opposed side faces and at least some of the discrete bodies are engaged between side faces of adjacent ones of the plurality of rings;
• the plurality of rings comprises a pair of end rings and at least some of the plurality of discrete bodies are positioned between the end rings;
• and
• each of the pair of end rings comprise an outer side face and an opposed inner side face with the inner side faces facing each other, each of the inner side faces including a plurality of spaced inner side face end ring surface depressions thereon, wherein each inner side face end ring surface depression is configured to receive a portion of one of the plurality of discrete bodies therein the collar located between;
• wherein the housing section is configured to interact with at least part of the protruding portion of the plurality of discrete bodies of the collar to impede rotation of the collar relative to the housing section.

A housing for a mud motor, the housing comprising:

• (a) a female member having a female mating section;
• (b) a male member having a male mating section and a housing section, the male mating section being inserted into the female mating section and coupled to the female mating section whereby the male and female mating sections overlap;
• and
• (c) a collar positioned on the housing section and located between first and second shoulders respectively on the male and female members, the collar having a pair of longitudinal ends spaced apart from each other and a bore therethrough, the collar comprising:
• (i) a framework;
• and
• (ii) a plurality of discrete bodies spaced about the framework, a portion of each of the plurality of discrete bodies protruding above a surface of the framework;
• wherein:
• the framework and the plurality of discrete bodies extend between the longitudinal ends of the collar;
• the framework comprises a plurality of rings with opposed side faces and at least some of the discrete bodies are engaged between side faces of adjacent ones of the plurality of rings;
• the plurality of rings comprises a pair of end rings and at least some of the plurality of discrete bodies are positioned between the end rings;
• and
• each of the pair of end rings comprise an outer side face and an opposed inner side face with the inner side faces facing each other, each of the inner side faces including a plurality of spaced inner side face end ring surface depressions thereon, wherein each inner side face end ring surface depression is configured to receive a portion of one of the plurality of discrete bodies therein the collar located between:
• wherein:
• the male member further comprises a shoulder section including a first annular shoulder, wherein the collar is positioned between the first annular shoulder and a second annular shoulder on the female section;
• and
• at least one of the first and second annular shoulders comprises a plurality of spaced shoulder surface depressions thereon, wherein each shoulder surface depression is configured to receive a portion of one of the plurality of discrete bodies therein.