A directional device that adjusts direction based on pressure or displacement

Abstract

The present invention proposes an orientation device based on pressure or displacement adjustment direction, comprising a housing, a piston mechanism disposed in the housing; a universal connector disposed at the lower end of the housing, the universal connector comprising an upper short section and a lower short section connected in rotation, the middle of the upper short section and the lower short section being provided with a central hole connected to each other; a steering sleeve disposed at the lower end of the universal connector, a curved channel disposed in the steering sleeve; wherein a flange structure extending into the curved channel is disposed on the piston mechanism, the piston mechanism moves axially under the action of pressure or displacement, and the flange structure cooperates with the curved channel to change the direction of the steering sleeve. The present invention can realize the orientation of downhole tools by controlling the pumping pressure and the jet direction, so that the tool can be deflected in the well according to the designed azimuth and angle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a directional device for adjusting direction based on pressure or displacement, belonging to the technical field of drilling and completion. Background Art

[0002] Modern oil drilling mostly uses horizontal wells and directional wells. During the drilling process of this type of well, it is necessary to adjust the drilling direction of the drill bit to change the wellbore trajectory, and finally achieve the purpose of matching the designed trajectory. The existing technology requires connecting a bent joint or a bent screw with a certain angle in the drill string. During the drilling process, by rotating the drill string on the ground, the direction of the bent joint or the bent screw in the wellbore is adjusted, and then the drilling direction of the drill bit is adjusted to control the drilling trajectory.

[0003] In recent years, a high-pressure water jet drilling method has been developed to create micro-wells in the reservoir through a small-diameter pipe with high-pressure jet. Due to size limitations, it is impossible to install elbows or bent screws on small-diameter pipes. In addition, the small-diameter pipes do not extend to the ground and cannot be directly rotated through the ground. Therefore, the existing technology cannot achieve the adjustment of the drilling direction of small-diameter pipes. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of the above technical problems existing in the prior art, the present invention proposes an orienting device based on pressure or displacement direction adjustment, which controls the pumping pressure to deflect the tool in the well according to the designed azimuth and angle, thereby achieving downhole tool orientation.

[0005] The present invention proposes a directional device for adjusting direction based on pressure or displacement, comprising:

[0006] a housing, wherein a piston mechanism is disposed in the housing;

[0007] A universal connector is arranged at the lower end of the housing, the universal connector comprises an upper short section and a lower short section which are rotatably connected, and central holes which are connected to each other are arranged in the middle of the upper short section and the lower short section;

[0008] A steering sleeve is arranged at the lower end of the universal connector, wherein a curved channel is arranged in the steering sleeve;

[0009] Wherein, the piston mechanism is provided with a flange structure extending into the curved channel, and the piston mechanism moves axially under the action of pressure or displacement, and the flange structure cooperates with the curved channel to change the direction of the steering sleeve.

[0010] A further improvement of the present invention is that the piston mechanism comprises a piston slidably disposed in the housing, a tubular steering core shaft is fixedly disposed in the middle of the piston, and an end of the steering core shaft extends into the steering sleeve and is fixedly disposed with the flange structure.

[0011] A further improvement of the present invention is that a cavity for sliding of the piston is arranged inside the shell, an anti-deflection boss is arranged at the lower end of the shell, and an inner hole cooperating with the direction-adjusting core shaft is arranged in the middle of the anti-deflection boss.

[0012] A further improvement of the present invention is that a return spring is arranged between the piston and the anti-deflection boss, and a pressure transmission hole is radially arranged on the side surface of the lower part of the shell.

[0013] A further improvement of the present invention is that the inner hole is square, hexagonal or other shapes that cannot rotate around the axis; the shape of the cross section of the adjustment mandrel matches the shape of the inner hole.

[0014] A further improvement of the present invention is that the curved channel is a zigzag channel, which includes a plurality of channel sections inclined in different directions, and the aperture of each of the channel sections matches the flange structure.

[0015] A further improvement of the present invention is that the curved channel is a spiral channel.

[0016] A further improvement of the present invention is that the outer surface of the flange structure is provided with a smooth coating that reduces friction.

[0017] A further improvement of the present invention is that the upper short section is a cylindrical structure, and a circular steering groove is arranged at its lower part; a circular steering ball is arranged at the upper part of the lower short section, and the steering ball is clamped in the steering groove and can rotate in the steering groove.

[0018] A further improvement of the present invention is that a nozzle is provided on the top of the steering sleeve.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are:

[0020] The invention discloses a directional device based on pressure or displacement control of jet, which controls the pumping pressure to deflect the tool in the well according to the designed azimuth and angle, thereby realizing the downhole tool orientation. The steering sleeve and the housing are connected by a universal connector, and the two can maintain coaxiality and also produce a certain angle; a hydraulically driven piston and a piston return spring are arranged in the housing, and the piston can maintain balance at the set position under the action of the hydraulic pressure and the return spring force.

[0021] In the present invention, a curved channel in a plane or space curve shape is arranged in the steering sleeve, and the geometric center of the curved channel cross section produces a set offset relative to the axis of the steering sleeve at different positions. The steering mandrel is driven by the driving piston and moves along the axis of the shell, and its flange structure cooperates with the curved channel in the steering sleeve. The steering mandrel and the curved channel are matched at different positions by controlling the pressure or displacement, so that the steering sleeve produces a corresponding deflection angle relative to the shell, thereby realizing the orientation of the downhole tool. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] Figure 1 The figure is a schematic structural diagram of a directional device for adjusting direction based on pressure or displacement according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 Shown is a schematic structural diagram of a piston mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 The figure is a schematic structural diagram of a housing of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 The figure is a schematic structural diagram of a steering sleeve according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 The figure is a schematic structural diagram of a universal connector according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 6 The figure is a schematic structural diagram of an orientation device for adjusting direction based on pressure or displacement according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing an orientation state in one direction;

[0029] Figure 7 FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a directional device for adjusting direction based on pressure or displacement according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a directional state in another direction.

[0030] In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used for the same components, but the drawings are not drawn to scale.

[0031] The meanings of the various reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are as follows: 1. outer shell, 2. piston mechanism, 3. universal connector, 4. steering sleeve, 11. cavity, 12. anti-deflection boss, 13. inner hole, 14. pressure transmission hole, 21. piston, 22. adjustment core shaft, 23. flange structure, 24. seal, 25. return spring, 31. upper short section, 32. lower short section, 33. steering ball, 34. center hole, 41. curved channel, 42. nozzle, 43. connecting thread. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] In order to make the technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than an exhaustive list of all the embodiments. In addition, the embodiments of the present invention and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0033] Figure 1 A directional device for adjusting direction based on pressure or displacement according to an embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown, comprising a housing 1. The housing 1 is a cylindrical structure, the interior of which is a cavity, and a piston mechanism 2 is arranged in the cavity. The piston mechanism 2 can move in the housing 1 under the drive of pressure or displacement. A universal connector 3 is arranged at the lower end of the housing 1, and the universal connector 3 includes an upper short section 31 and a lower short section 32. The upper short section 31 is used to connect the drill pipe above, and the lower short section 32 is used to connect the guide device below, and the upper short section 31 and the lower short section 32 are connected in rotation. The centers of the upper short section 31 and the lower short section 32 are both provided with central holes 34 that are interconnected, and the two central holes 34 are always connected during the rotation of the upper short section 31 and the lower short section 32. A steering sleeve 4 is arranged at the lower end of the universal connector 3, and a curved channel 41 is arranged in the steering sleeve 4.

[0034] When the directional device based on pressure or displacement adjustment direction according to this embodiment is used, the piston mechanism 2 is provided with a flange structure 23 extending into the curved channel 41. The piston mechanism 2 moves axially under the action of pressure or displacement. Since the piston mechanism 2 only moves in the axial direction, it will not bend or deflect. During the movement of the piston 21, the flange structure 23 expands and contracts in the axial direction, thereby cooperating with different positions of the curved channel 41, thereby driving the position and angle of the curved channel 41 to change, thereby changing the direction of the end of the steering sleeve 4.

[0035] In one embodiment, Figure 2 As shown, the piston mechanism 2 includes a piston 21 slidably disposed in the housing 1, the piston 21 is a cylindrical structure, and its edge is sealed and slidably connected to the cavity 11 in the housing 1. A tubular adjustment mandrel 22 is fixedly disposed in the middle of the piston 21, and the adjustment mandrel 22 is a hollow structure, and its end extends into the steering sleeve 4 and is fixedly disposed with the flange structure 23.

[0036] In the directional device for adjusting the direction based on pressure or displacement according to this embodiment, the middle part of the adjusting mandrel 22 is a hollow structure, through which fluid can flow. The inner diameter of the hollow structure in the middle part of the adjusting mandrel 22 is smaller than the inner diameter of the housing 1, so that the upper end surface of the piston 21 forms a pressure difference surface, and the pressure in the housing 1 will exert pressure on the upper end surface of the piston 21, and under the action of this pressure, the piston 21 will move downward in the axial direction. The outer diameter of the flange structure 23 is larger than the other parts of the adjusting mandrel 22, so that after the steering sleeve 4 is deflected, its curved channel 41 does not interfere with the other parts of the adjusting mandrel 22.

[0037] In one embodiment, Figure 3 As shown, the housing 1 is provided with a cavity 11 for the piston 21 to slide, and the lower end of the housing 1 is provided with an anti-deflection boss 12, and the middle of the anti-deflection boss 12 is provided with an inner hole 13 that cooperates with the adjustment mandrel 22. The anti-deflection boss 12 is an annular structure, and the shape of the inner hole 13 in the middle is the same as that of the mandrel, and is sleeved outside the mandrel. During the movement of the piston 21, the mandrel can be extended and retracted along the inner hole 13.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, Figure 1 As shown, a return spring 25 is arranged between the piston 21 and the anti-deflection boss 12, and a pressure transmission hole 14 is radially arranged on the side of the lower part of the housing 1. The piston 21 can maintain balance at a set position under the action of the hydraulic pressure and the return spring 25 force.

[0039] When assembling the device according to this embodiment, the relationship between the pressure and the compression of the return spring 25 is obtained by setting the stiffness of the spring, and the shape of the complete channel is designed so that it satisfies the directional function.

[0040] In one embodiment, the inner hole 13 is square, hexagonal or other shapes that cannot rotate around the axis; the cross-section of the adjustment mandrel 22 is also square, hexagonal or other shapes that cannot rotate around the axis, so that the adjustment mandrel 22 matches the shape of the inner hole 13, ensuring that the adjustment mandrel 22 will not rotate or deflect during the axial movement.

[0041] In one embodiment, Figure 4 As shown, the curved channel 41 is a zigzag channel, which includes a plurality of channel sections inclined in different directions, and the aperture of each of the channel sections matches the flange structure 23 .

[0042] In another embodiment, the curved channel 41 is a spiral channel.

[0043] In the device according to this embodiment, the curved channel 41 is a spatial curved channel 41, which is not necessarily Figure 1The bending in a plane is not shown in the figure, but the change of spatial angle can be achieved. The distance between point A on the center line of the curved channel 41 and the end face is X1, and the distance between point A and the axis of the steering sleeve 4 is L1; the distance between point B and the end face is X2, and the distance between point B and the axis of the steering sleeve 4 is L2. By designing the axis of the curved channel 41, the axial displacement can be deflected in different directions and angles.

[0044] In one embodiment, the outer surface of the flange structure 23 is provided with a smooth coating for reducing friction. The smooth coating is made of metal copper, polytetrafluoroethylene, etc. The flange structure 23 reduces friction by providing the coating, and the flange structure 23 slides more smoothly in the curved channel 41 when the guide core shaft is extended or retracted.

[0045] In one embodiment, Figure 5 As shown, the upper short section 31 is a cylindrical structure, and a circular steering groove is arranged at its lower part; a circular steering ball 33 is arranged at the upper part of the lower short section 32, and the steering ball 33 is clamped in the steering groove and can rotate in the steering groove.

[0046] By means of the device according to this embodiment, the universal connector 3 can rotate relatively around the center point. In this embodiment, a ball head universal connector 3 is used, and other forms of universal connectors 3, such as a bellows, etc., can also be used.

[0047] In one embodiment, a nozzle 42 is disposed on the top of the steering sleeve 4. Connecting threads 43 are disposed at both ends of the steering sleeve 4, one end of which is connected to the universal connector 3, and the other end of which is connected to the nozzle 42.

[0048] In the process of using the device according to this embodiment, the relationship between the pressure (or displacement) introduced into the housing 1 and the deflection direction of the steering sleeve 4 is determined according to the structure of the curved channel 41 and the elastic force of the return spring 25. When the pressure or displacement of the fluid in the housing 1 reaches a certain value, the piston 21 drives the core shaft to move downward under the drive of the pressure to overcome the elastic force of the return spring 25. During the downward movement of the core shaft, the flange structure 23 slides in cooperation with the curved channel 41. Since the center of the flange structure 23 coincides with the center of the curved channel 41, the universal connector 3 rotates, thereby changing the angle of the steering sleeve 4.

[0049] The displacement of the fluid inside the tool is increased. Due to the throttling effect of the inner hole 13 of the steering mandrel 22, the pressure above the driving piston 21 increases, driving the steering mandrel 22 to move downward and compress the spring to reach a new equilibrium position. At this time, the center of the flange structure 23 coincides with point A of the steering sleeve 4, and the axis of the steering sleeve 4 deflects a certain angle α relative to the axis of the steering mandrel 22. Figure 6 shown.

[0050] To further increase the fluid displacement inside the tool, due to the throttling effect of the inner hole 13 of the steering mandrel 22, the pressure above the driving piston 21 increases, driving the steering mandrel 22 to move downward and compress the spring to reach a new equilibrium position. At this time, the center of the flange structure 23 coincides with point B of the steering sleeve 4, and the axis of the steering sleeve 4 deflects a certain angle β relative to the axis of the steering mandrel 22, such as Figure 7 shown.

[0051] By designing the stiffness of the spring, the relationship between the pressure and the compression of the return spring 25 is obtained; by designing the curved structure of the curved channel 41, the center point of the cross section at a specific position X in the axial direction of the steering sleeve 4 is offset along the set direction by a specific distance L from the axis of the steering sleeve 4. The above design can establish the relationship between the pressure and the deflection angle and orientation of the steering sleeve 4 relative to the housing 1, and then the drilling trajectory can be adjusted according to the pressure or displacement.

[0052] By reducing the displacement of the fluid inside the tool, the pressure above the driving piston 21 is reduced, the return spring 25 pushes the driving piston 21 upward, and the directional system gradually returns to a straight line state.

[0053] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, those skilled in the art may make additional changes and modifications to these embodiments once they are aware of the basic creative concepts. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including the preferred embodiments and all changes and / or modifications that fall within the scope of the present invention, and changes and / or modifications made according to the embodiments of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A directional device for adjusting direction based on pressure or displacement, characterized in that: include: A housing (1), wherein a piston mechanism (2) is arranged inside the housing (1); a universal connector (3) disposed at the lower end of the housing (1), the universal connector (3) comprising an upper short section (31) and a lower short section (32) which are rotatably connected, wherein central portions of the upper short section (31) and the lower short section (32) are provided with central holes (34) which are in communication with each other; A steering sleeve (4) is arranged at the lower end of the universal connector (3), wherein a curved channel (41) is arranged in the steering sleeve (4); The piston mechanism (2) is provided with a flange structure (23) extending into the curved channel (41); the piston mechanism (2) moves axially under the action of pressure or displacement, and the flange structure (23) cooperates with the curved channel (41) to change the direction of the steering sleeve (4); The piston mechanism (2) comprises a piston (21) slidably arranged in the housing (1), a tubular steering core shaft (22) being fixedly arranged in the middle of the piston (21), an end of the steering core shaft (22) extending into the steering sleeve (4) and fixedly arranged with the flange structure (23); the middle of the steering core shaft (22) is a hollow structure, the inner diameter of the hollow structure is smaller than the inner diameter of the housing (1), so that the upper end surface of the piston (21) forms a pressure difference surface, the pressure in the housing (1) will exert pressure on the upper end surface of the piston (21), and under the action of the pressure, the piston (21) will move downward in the axial direction; The curved channel (41) is a zigzag channel, comprising a plurality of channel sections inclined in different directions, the aperture of each channel section matching the flange structure (23); during the movement of the piston (21), the flange structure (23) expands and contracts along the axial direction, thereby cooperating with different positions of the curved channel (41), thereby driving the position and angle of the curved channel (41) to change, thereby causing the direction of the end of the steering sleeve (4) to change.

2. The directional device for adjusting direction based on pressure or displacement according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing (1) is provided with a cavity (11) for the piston (21) to slide inside, the lower end of the housing (1) is provided with an anti-deflection boss (12), and the middle part of the anti-deflection boss (12) is provided with an inner hole (13) that cooperates with the direction adjustment core shaft (22).

3. The directional device for adjusting direction based on pressure or displacement according to claim 2, characterized in that: A return spring (25) is provided between the piston (21) and the anti-deflection boss (12), and a pressure transmission hole (14) is radially provided on the side surface of the lower portion of the housing (1).

4. The directional device for adjusting direction based on pressure or displacement according to claim 3, characterized in that: The inner hole (13) is in a square, hexagonal or other shape that cannot rotate around an axis; the cross-sectional shape of the adjustment mandrel (22) matches the shape of the inner hole (13).

5. The directional device for adjusting direction based on pressure or displacement according to claim 4, characterized in that: The curved channel (41) is a spiral channel.

6. The directional device for adjusting direction based on pressure or displacement according to claim 4, characterized in that: The outer surface of the flange structure (23) is provided with a smooth coating that reduces friction.

7. The directional device for adjusting direction based on pressure or displacement according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The upper short section (31) is a cylindrical structure, and a circular steering groove is arranged at its lower portion; a circular steering ball (33) is arranged at the upper portion of the lower short section (32), and the steering ball (33) is clamped in the steering groove and can rotate in the steering groove.

8. The directional device for adjusting direction based on pressure or displacement according to claim 7, characterized in that: A nozzle (42) is provided at the top of the steering sleeve (4).

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