Directional tool for coiled tubing drilling

Abstract

The present invention provides a direction finder for coiled tubing drilling, comprising: a housing; a cable connector and a control mechanism, wherein at least a portion of the cable connector and the control mechanism are disposed within the housing, and the control mechanism is connected to the cable connector; a motor disposed within the housing, the motor being disposed on a side of the control mechanism away from the cable connector, and the motor being connected to the control mechanism; a speed reduction mechanism disposed within the housing, the speed reduction mechanism being disposed on a side of the motor away from the control mechanism; and an output shaft connected to the speed reduction mechanism. The technical solution provided by the present invention can address the poor directional accuracy of conventional direction finders.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of drilling tools, and in particular to a direction finder for continuous tubing drilling. Background Art

[0002] Compared to conventional drilling with drilling rigs, existing coiled tubing drilling technology offers advantages such as fewer operators, reduced workload, continuous drilling and tripping cycles, a smaller footprint, safety, efficiency, and cost savings. The bottomhole assembly (BHA) for coiled tubing drilling consists of multiple components that provide rock-breaking power for downhole operations, adjust the drill tool face, and measure drilling parameters. These include specialized tools for coiled tubing, such as the drill bit, positive displacement motor, drill collar, coiled tubing joint, directional guide, and safety release. The directional guide is the core tool in coiled tubing directional drilling. During drilling, the directional guide adjusts the downhole tool face to achieve the desired azimuth and inclination, thereby controlling the wellbore trajectory.

[0003] Coiled tubing directional control devices are categorized into cableless and cabled directional control devices based on their power source and data transmission method. Cableless directional control devices, also known as mud pulse directional control devices, are simple in structure and low in cost, but they suffer from long directional cycles, low accuracy, slow data transmission speeds, and are affected by the type of drilling fluid. Cabled directional control devices are categorized into electro-hydraulic and electronically controlled directional control devices. These devices offer higher directional accuracy and faster data transmission speeds, with electronically controlled directional control devices being simpler in structure and lower in cost. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a direction finder for coiled tubing drilling, so as to solve the technical problem of poor direction finding accuracy of the direction finders in the prior art.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention provides a direction-directing device for continuous tubing drilling, comprising: a housing; a cable connector and a control mechanism, wherein at least a portion of the cable connector and the control mechanism are disposed within the housing, and the control mechanism is connected to the cable connector; a motor disposed within the housing, the motor disposed on a side of the control mechanism away from the cable connector, and the motor is connected to the control mechanism; a reduction mechanism disposed within the housing, the reduction mechanism disposed on a side of the motor away from the control mechanism; and an output shaft, the output shaft being connected to the reduction mechanism.

[0006] Furthermore, the reduction mechanism is a planetary reducer.

[0007] Furthermore, the deceleration mechanism is a two-stage deceleration structure.

[0008] Furthermore, the reduction mechanism includes a first-stage planetary reducer with small tooth difference, which includes a first-stage reducer fixed wheel, a first-stage reducer pin shaft, a first-stage reduction planetary wheel and a first-stage reducer output shaft. The first-stage reducer fixed wheel is arranged on the first-stage reducer pin shaft, the first-stage reducer fixed wheel is connected to the output end of the motor, the first-stage reduction planetary wheel is arranged on the first-stage reducer output shaft, and the first-stage reducer fixed wheel is engaged with the first-stage reduction planetary wheel.

[0009] Furthermore, the reduction mechanism includes a two-stage planetary reducer with small tooth difference, which includes a two-stage reducer fixed wheel, a two-stage reducer pin shaft, a two-stage reduction planetary gear and a two-stage reducer output shaft. The two-stage reducer fixed wheel is arranged on the two-stage reducer pin shaft, the two-stage reduction planetary gear is arranged on the two-stage reducer output shaft, and the two-stage reducer fixed wheel is meshed with the two-stage reduction planetary gear.

[0010] Furthermore, the reduction ratio of the one-stage small tooth difference planetary reducer is 80:1.

[0011] Furthermore, the reduction ratio of the two-stage small tooth difference planetary reducer is 22:1.

[0012] Furthermore, the direction-directing device for continuous tubing drilling also includes an output housing, which is connected to the outer shell, the output housing is arranged at an end of the outer shell away from the cable connector, and at least a portion of the output shaft is arranged in the output housing; the reduction mechanism also includes: a seal, which is arranged between the output shaft and the output housing.

[0013] Furthermore, a first flow channel is provided between the control mechanism and the housing, a second flow channel is provided on the reduction mechanism, a third flow channel is provided on the output shaft, and the first flow channel, the second flow channel and the third flow channel are connected.

[0014] Furthermore, the control mechanism includes: a mounting shell, which is arranged in the outer shell, and the mounting shell and the outer shell are spaced apart to form a first flow channel; a circuit board, which is arranged in the mounting shell, and the circuit board is connected to the cable connector.

[0015] The technical solution of the present invention, through the use of a motor combined with a reduction mechanism, facilitates precise real-time adjustment of the drilling tool face, achieving high directional accuracy and fast data transmission speeds. Compared to directional guides that combine electrical and hydraulic control, the coiled tubing drilling directional guide of the present invention is simpler in structure and less expensive. Therefore, the technical solution provided by the present invention solves the problem of poor directional accuracy in existing directional guides. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The accompanying drawings, which constitute part of this application, are intended to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are intended to explain the present invention and do not constitute an undue limitation of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings:

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a coiled tubing drilling directional device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0018] The above drawings include the following reference numerals:

[0019] 1. Cable connector; 2. Blanking cover; 3. Upper cover of circuit board; 4. First flow channel; 5. Electronic compartment; 6. Circuit board; 7. Lower cover of circuit board; 8. Rear end cover; 9. Tail cover; 10. Motor; 11. Motor shaft; 12. Fixed wheel of first-stage reducer; 13. Input crankshaft; 14. Pin of first-stage reducer; 15. Planetary gear of first-stage reduction; 16. Housing; 17. Output shaft of first-stage reducer; 18. Needle roller bearing; 19. Pin of second-stage reducer; 20. Planetary gear of second-stage reduction; 21. Fixed wheel of second-stage reducer; 22. Output shaft of second-stage reducer; 23. Small round nut; 24. Thrust ball bearing; 25. Thrust ball bearing assembly; 26. One-way bearing; 27. Output housing; 28. Seal; 29. ​​Output shaft. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments and features of the embodiments in this application can be combined with each other. The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with the embodiments.

[0021] like Figure 1 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a directional device for continuous tubing drilling, which includes a housing, a cable connector 1, a control mechanism, a motor 10, a reduction mechanism, and an output shaft 29. At least a portion of the cable connector 1 and the control mechanism are disposed in the housing, and the control mechanism is connected to the cable connector 1. The motor 10 is disposed in the housing, and the motor 10 is disposed on a side of the control mechanism away from the cable connector 1, and the motor 10 is connected to the control mechanism. The reduction mechanism is disposed in the housing, and the reduction mechanism is disposed on a side of the motor 10 away from the control mechanism. The output shaft 29 is connected to the reduction mechanism. Specifically, the motor 10 in this embodiment is a high-speed motor structure, the cable connector 1 is used to connect to the cable at the upper end, and the reduction mechanism is used to convert high-speed motion into low-speed, high-torque motion.

[0022] The coiled tubing drilling directional control device provided in this embodiment utilizes a combination of a motor 10 and a reduction mechanism to precisely adjust the drilling tool face in real time, achieving high directional accuracy, high data transmission speed, a relatively simple internal structure, and low cost. The coiled tubing drilling directional control device provided in this embodiment significantly improves the device's output torque and directional accuracy. The reduction mechanism and one-way bearing 26 provide self-locking after orientation is complete, and a hollow channel is provided within the housing to facilitate drilling fluid circulation. This overcomes the shortcomings of hydraulically controlled directional control devices, such as low directional accuracy and slow data transmission speed. Compared to electro-hydraulic controlled directional control devices, the present embodiment offers a simpler structure, lower cost, and easier maintenance. Therefore, the technical solution provided in this embodiment can address the technical issue of poor directional accuracy in existing directional control devices.

[0023] Specifically, the speed reduction mechanism in this embodiment is a planetary speed reducer. Such a structural arrangement can facilitate stable speed reduction and has a simple structure and is easy to manufacture.

[0024] In this embodiment, the reduction mechanism utilizes a two-stage reduction mechanism. This structural arrangement, combining a high-speed motor with a two-stage, high-reduction-ratio reduction mechanism, facilitates low-speed, high-torque rotational motion for downhole tools, facilitating precise orientation. Specifically, during forward rotation, the high reduction ratio of the two-stage reduction mechanism enables self-locking; during reverse rotation, multiple one-way bearings 26 provide self-locking.

[0025] Specifically, the reduction mechanism includes a first-stage small-tooth-difference planetary reducer, which includes a first-stage reducer fixed wheel 12, a first-stage reducer pin 14, a first-stage reduction planetary wheel 15, and a first-stage reducer output shaft 17. The first-stage reducer fixed wheel 12 is arranged on the first-stage reducer pin 14, and the first-stage reducer fixed wheel 12 is connected to the output end of the motor 10. The first-stage reduction planetary wheel 15 is arranged on the first-stage reducer output shaft 17, and the first-stage reducer fixed wheel 12 is meshed with the first-stage reduction planetary wheel 15. Such a structural arrangement can facilitate stable deceleration while ensuring structural stability.

[0026] In this embodiment, the reduction mechanism includes a two-stage small-tooth-difference planetary reducer, which includes a two-stage reducer fixed wheel 21, a two-stage reducer pin 19, a two-stage reduction planetary gear 20, and a two-stage reducer output shaft 22. The two-stage reducer fixed wheel 21 is arranged on the two-stage reducer pin 19, and the two-stage reduction planetary gear 20 is arranged on the two-stage reducer output shaft 22. The two-stage reducer fixed wheel 21 meshes with the two-stage reduction planetary gear 20. This structural arrangement can effectively reduce speed while simplifying the internal structure.

[0027] Specifically, the reduction ratio of the one-stage small-tooth-difference planetary reducer in this embodiment is 80:1.

[0028] Specifically, the reduction ratio of the two-stage small-tooth-difference planetary reducer in this embodiment is 22:1. Thus, the total reduction ratio of the reduction structure is 1760:1.

[0029] In this embodiment, the coiled tubing drilling directional device further includes an output housing 27, which is connected to the outer casing and disposed at an end of the outer casing distal from the cable connector 1. At least a portion of an output shaft 29 is disposed within the output housing 27. The reduction mechanism further includes a seal 28 disposed between the output shaft 29 and the output housing 27. This structural arrangement prevents leakage of drilling fluid between the output shaft 29 and the output housing 27, thereby facilitating circulation of the drilling fluid. Specifically, the seal 28 in this embodiment may be a plug.

[0030] Specifically, in this embodiment, a first flow channel 4 is provided between the control mechanism and the housing, a second flow channel is provided on the reduction mechanism, and a third flow channel is provided on the output shaft 29. The first flow channel 4, the second flow channel, and the third flow channel are interconnected. With this structural arrangement, the first flow channel 4, the second flow channel, and the third flow channel are interconnected to form a hollow channel, facilitating the circulation of drilling fluid within the hollow channel.

[0031] Furthermore, the control mechanism includes a mounting shell and a circuit board 6, which are arranged in the outer shell, and the mounting shell and the outer shell are spaced apart to form a first flow channel 4. The circuit board 6 is arranged in the mounting shell, and the circuit board 6 is connected to the cable connector 1.

[0032] In this embodiment, the directional device for continuous tubing drilling mainly includes, arranged from top to bottom, a cable connector 1, a plug cover 2, an electronic compartment 5 (including a circuit board upper cover 3, a first flow channel 4, an electronic compartment 5 shell 16 (i.e., the outer shell in this embodiment), a circuit board 6, a circuit board lower cover 7, a rear end cover 8, and a tail cover 9), a motor 10, a motor shaft 11, a stage I reducer assembly (i.e., a first-stage small-tooth-difference planetary reducer, which includes a first-stage reducer fixed wheel 12, an input crankshaft 13, a first-stage reducer pin 14, a first-stage reducer planetary gear, a shell 16, and a first-stage reducer output shaft 17), a needle roller bearing 18, a stage II reducer assembly (i.e., a second-stage small-tooth-difference planetary reducer, which includes a second-stage reducer pin 19, a second-stage reducer planetary gear, a second-stage reducer fixed wheel 21, and a second-stage reducer output shaft 22), a small round nut 23, a thrust ball bearing 24, a thrust ball bearing group 25, a one-way bearing 26, an output shell 27, a plug, an output shaft 29, and the like. The cable connector 1 connects to the upper cable, providing power and data transmission for the electronically controlled directional control. The components of the electronics compartment 5 (including the upper circuit board cover 3, flow channel, electronics compartment 5, circuit board 6, lower circuit board cover 7, rear end cover 8, and tail cover 9) are secured with anti-loosening screws. The electronics compartment 5 and housing 16, the housing 16 and the secondary reducer fixed wheel 21, and the secondary reducer fixed wheel 21 and output shaft 29 are all threaded connections, each equipped with multiple sealing rings to prevent leakage of drilling fluid and improve sealing performance. The lower end of the output shaft 29 is connected to the directional motor (not shown).

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, the coiled tubing drilling directional control device proposed in the present invention is an electronically controlled directional control device. Its operating principle is that when the downhole tool face needs to be adjusted, a command is issued from the surface, and an electrical signal is transmitted via a cable connector 1 to a circuit board 6 within the electronics compartment 5. The circuit board 6 converts the high-voltage electrical signal into a low-voltage signal, driving the high-speed motor. A two-stage planetary reducer converts the high-speed rotational motion into low-speed, high-torque motion to the output shaft 29, achieving the tool face adjustment function. After the tool face is adjusted, the downhole tool is subjected to a reaction torque that is transmitted to the output shaft 29. The reaction torque is absorbed by the one-way bearing 26, achieving self-locking. At this point, the circuit board 6 transmits the actual position back to the surface control center. The high-speed motor in this invention has a power supply voltage of 270V, a rated output torque of 800-1000Nm, a rated output speed of 5r / min, and a reduction ratio of 1760:1. The reduction ratio of the first reducer is 22:1, and the reduction ratio of the second reducer is 80:1, both of which are high reduction ratio structures.

[0034] The electronically controlled direction finder proposed in the present invention is provided with hollow flow channels on the outer wall of the electronic cabin 5, the output shaft 17 of the first-stage reducer, and between the output shafts. The drilling fluid flows from the upper joint through the flow channel on the outer wall of the electronic cabin 5 to the hollow flow channel of the output shaft 17 of the first-stage reducer, and then flows to the lower downhole tool through the hollow flow channel of the output shaft, thereby realizing the circulation of the drilling fluid.

[0035] In this embodiment, a thrust ball bearing 24 is installed between the small round nut 23 and the output housing 27. A thrust ball bearing assembly 25 is installed between the upper end of the output shaft and the output housing 27 to axially secure the output shaft. The plug cap 2, tail cap 9, stopper, and multiple sealing rings in this embodiment are used to isolate the electronics compartment 5 and motor 10 from the drilling fluid, thereby protecting them.

[0036] From the above description, it can be seen that the above embodiments of the present invention achieve the following technical effects: improved orientation accuracy, increased data transmission speed, simple structure and low cost.

[0037] It should be noted that the terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present application. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form. In addition, it should be understood that when the terms "comprise" and / or "include" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0038] Unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement of the parts and steps, numerical expressions and numerical values ​​set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present application. At the same time, it should be understood that, for ease of description, the sizes of the various parts shown in the drawings are not drawn according to actual proportional relationships. The techniques, methods and equipment known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, the techniques, methods and equipment should be considered as part of the authorization specification. In all examples shown and discussed here, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as being merely exemplary and not as limitations. Therefore, other examples of the exemplary embodiments may have different values. It should be noted that similar numbers and letters represent similar items in the following figures, and therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further discussed in subsequent figures.

[0039] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the directions or positional relationships indicated by directional words such as "front, back, up, down, left, right", "horizontal, vertical, vertical, horizontal" and "top, bottom" are usually based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description. Unless otherwise specified, these directional words do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction or be constructed and operated in a specific direction. Therefore, they cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of this application; the directional words "inside and outside" refer to the inside and outside relative to the outline of each component itself.

[0040] For ease of description, spatially relative terms such as "above", "above", "on the upper surface of", "above", etc. may be used herein to describe the spatial positional relationship of a device or feature to other devices or features as shown in the figures. It should be understood that spatially relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation described in the figures. For example, if the device in the drawings is inverted, the device described as "above other devices or structures" or "above other devices or structures" will be positioned as "below other devices or structures" or "below other devices or structures". Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both "above" and "below". The device can also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptions used here are interpreted accordingly.

[0041] In addition, it should be noted that the use of terms such as "first" and "second" to limit components is only for the convenience of distinguishing the corresponding components. Unless otherwise stated, the above terms have no special meaning and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of this application.

[0042] The foregoing description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various modifications and variations of the present invention are possible. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention are intended to be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A directional device for coiled tubing drilling, characterized in that: include: shell; A cable connector (1) and a control mechanism, wherein at least a portion of the cable connector (1) and the control mechanism are both arranged in the housing, and the control mechanism is connected to the cable connector (1); A motor (10) is arranged in the housing, the motor (10) is arranged on a side of the control mechanism away from the cable connector (1), and the motor (10) is connected to the control mechanism; A speed reduction mechanism is arranged in the housing, and the speed reduction mechanism is arranged on a side of the motor (10) away from the control mechanism; an output shaft (29), the output shaft (29) being connected to the speed reduction mechanism; an output housing (27), the output housing (27) being connected to the housing, the output housing (27) being arranged at an end of the housing away from the cable connector (1), and at least a portion of the output shaft (29) being arranged within the output housing (27); a one-way bearing (26) disposed between the speed reduction mechanism and the output housing (27); The speed reduction mechanism converts high-speed rotational motion into low-speed, high-torque motion to the output shaft (29) to adjust the tool face; after the tool face is adjusted, the downhole tool is subjected to a counter-torque that is transmitted to the output shaft (29), and the counter-torque is borne by the one-way bearing (26) to achieve self-locking; The deceleration mechanism is a two-stage deceleration structure; The reduction mechanism comprises a first-stage small-tooth-difference planetary reducer, the first-stage small-tooth-difference planetary reducer comprising a first-stage reducer fixed wheel (12), a first-stage reducer pin shaft (14), a first-stage reduction planetary wheel (15) and a first-stage reducer output shaft (17), the first-stage reducer fixed wheel (12) being arranged on the first-stage reducer pin shaft (14), the first-stage reducer fixed wheel (12) being connected to the output end of the motor (10), the first-stage reduction planetary wheel (15) being arranged on the first-stage reducer output shaft (17), and the first-stage reducer fixed wheel (12) being meshed with the first-stage reduction planetary wheel (15).

2. The coiled tubing drilling directional device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The speed reduction mechanism is a planetary speed reducer.

3. The coiled tubing drilling directional device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The reduction mechanism comprises a two-stage small-tooth-difference planetary reducer, the two-stage small-tooth-difference planetary reducer comprising a two-stage reducer fixed wheel (21), a two-stage reducer pin shaft (19), a two-stage reduction planetary wheel (20) and a two-stage reducer output shaft (22), the two-stage reducer fixed wheel (21) being arranged on the two-stage reducer pin shaft (19), the two-stage reduction planetary wheel (20) being arranged on the two-stage reducer output shaft (22), and the two-stage reducer fixed wheel (21) being meshed with the two-stage reduction planetary wheel (20).

4. The coiled tubing drilling directional device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The reduction ratio of the one-stage small-tooth-difference planetary reducer is 80:

1.

5. The coiled tubing drilling directional device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The reduction ratio of the two-stage small tooth difference planetary reducer is 22:

1.

6. The coiled tubing drilling directional device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The deceleration mechanism further includes: A sealing member (28) is provided between the output shaft (29) and the output housing (27).

7. The coiled tubing drilling directional device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first flow channel (4) is provided between the control mechanism and the housing, a second flow channel is provided on the speed reduction mechanism, and a third flow channel is provided on the output shaft (29); the first flow channel (4), the second flow channel, and the third flow channel are connected.

8. The coiled tubing drilling directional device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control mechanism includes: A mounting shell is arranged inside the outer shell, the mounting shell and the outer shell are spaced apart to form a first flow channel (4); A circuit board (6) is arranged in the installation shell, and the circuit board (6) is connected to the cable connector (1).

Images