Force modulation system with elastic force member for downhole conditions

Abstract

A force modulation system for downhole conditions having a resilient force member includes a cutter, a holder, a holder retention device, and a first force member made of a first braided material. The cutter is mounted on the holder, and the holder is mounted on a drill bit. The holder retention device applies a holder retention force in a first direction. The first force member applies a first force in a second direction. The second direction is angularly offset from the first direction, such that a cutting profile of the force modulation system is variable. A second force member made of a second braided material can also be present to apply a second force in the first direction to more vary the cutting profile in the first direction. The second force member can be integral with the first force member, including the first braided material and the second braided material being the same material.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to cutting elements in drill bits. More specifically, it relates to a force modulation system for fixing cutting tools in drill bits. More particularly, it relates to a force modulation system with an elastic force member for downhole conditions. Background Technology

[0002] Description of related technologies, including information disclosed in 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98.

[0003] Polycrystalline diamond (PDC) cutting teeth are used in oil and gas drilling operations. Existing drill bits consist of multiple components—roller cones and rotating cutting teeth—for drilling through and grinding rock formations. Rows of cutting teeth move along the drill bit sections to distribute wear. The various sections of a drill bit include the cutting edge, drill body, roller cones, bearings, and seals. Conventional drill bits are fixed-cutting-edge bits, consisting of a single drill bit with no moving parts. The cutting tool is fixed to the drill bit's blades or body. The fixed tool determines the drill bit's cutting profile and shears the rock formation at appropriate locations on the drill bit. Because there are no moving parts, fixed-cutting-edge bits are more reliable under the extreme high temperatures and pressures of the wellbore. However, these tools experience significant wear.

[0004] To complicate matters further, the wear of stationary cutting tools is uneven. All stationary cutting tools have certain sources of damage, such as vibration and impact loads. However, the wear rate of stationary cutting tools differs at different parts of the drill bit. For example, the wear rate and manner of the stationary cutting teeth in the taper differ from those on the drill bit inserts. In particular, the stationary cutting tools placed on the drill bit inserts, located on one side of the drill bit, experience the highest wire cutting speed, suffer more severe wear, and experience the greatest cutting force. Damage to all stationary cutting teeth, as well as the additional damage to the stationary cutting teeth on the drill bit inserts, leads to premature drill bit failure, limiting the drilling speed into the rock formation and thus limiting the drilling depth.

[0005] Existing technologies have disclosed the adjustment of the cutting profile of fixed cutting teeth during drilling. Figure 1This diagram illustrates a prior art system in which a fixed tool 1 is mounted in a holder 2. A retainer is mounted on the drill bit. A retaining member 4 is located within the tool holder 2, and an elastic member 5 is located between the tool holder 2 and the drill bit 3. The elastic element 5 can be a spring, which reduces the cutting force on harder rocks through compression. The force exerted on the fixed tool is small, preventing damage. The spring sets an upper limit on the cutting force. Any higher load will cause the fixed tool to retract. References include CN105604491, published by Li on 2016-05-25; CN204326973, published by Ge, Huixiang et al. on 2015-05-13; and CN 105156035, published by Hua, Jian et al. on 2017-03-29. USPub 20100212964, US Patent No. 6142250, published on 2000-11-07, inventors Griffin et al., and US Patent No. 5678645, published on October 21, 1997, inventors Tibbitts et al.

[0006] Slight improvements have been made to existing systems, such as cutters with retaining members directly integrated into the drill bit, eliminating the need for a retainer. See Zong Tao et al., CN 104564064, Liu Zhihai et al., published on 2015-04-29. Different elastic members are also mentioned in US Patent No. 10494876 (published by Mayer et al. on 2019-04-03), US Patent No. 9938814 (published by Hay on 2018-04-10), US Patent No. 10759092 (published by Yu et al. on 2020-09-01), and CN No. 108474238 (published by Grosz, Gregory Christopher on 2018-08-31). The existing system remains unidirectional. The change in force on the fixed tool is limited by the direction of the elastic member. When a single fixed tool can move up and down in one direction of the elastic element, the cutting profile changes only slightly. One-dimensional cutting profile changes are ineffective in protecting the fixed cutting teeth on drill bit components because the drill bit encounters angular forces during drilling. In particular, tools fixed to the drill bit inserts or drill shoulder, called table tools, require the greatest cutting forces at the junctions between different rock layers. At these intersections, the rock layers exert forces on the fixed cutters in more than one dimension.

[0007] Currently known elastic components for downhole tools include: CN 105604491, published by Li on 2016-05-25; CN 204326973, published on 2015-05-13; Ge, Huixiang et al.; CN 105156035, published by Hua, Jian et al. on 2017-03-29; USPub 20100212964, published by Beuershausen on 2010-08-26; US Patent No. 10000977; Jain et al., published on 2018-06-19; US Patent No. 25016; US Patent No. 5,678645, granted to Griffin et al. on 2000-11-07; and US Patent No. 5,678645, granted to Tibbitts et al. on 1997-10-21. Besides metal helical springs, elastic components used for force adjustment can also be elastomer inserts, plastic inserts, metal mesh, disc springs, composite elastomer inserts, or hydraulic actuators. Wire mesh as a damper in downhole tools is also known in existing patents, including U.S. Patent No. 2,462,316 to Goodloe, February 22, 1949, and U.S. Patent No. 2,869,858 to Hartwell, January 20, 1959. Patent No. 3073557, granted to Davis on January 15, 1963; Russian Patent No. RU2545142, granted to Alekseevich on March 27, 2015; US Patent No. 4514458, granted to Thorn et al. on April 30, 1985; US Patent No. 523558, granted to Smith et al. in 1993, published by Spencer on April 4, 2019; and Chinese Patent No. CN110273650, granted to Chengdu Weiyi Petroleum Co., Ltd. on September 24, 2019.

[0008] However, downhole conditions and space constraints are not compatible with all types of elastic components. A specialized force-bearing component is needed to address the specific challenges posed by elevated temperature and pressure conditions downhole. Without a reliable and durable force-bearing component, the force modulation system will quickly fail. Summary of the Invention

[0009] One object of the present invention is to provide a force modulation system with a variable drill bit cutting profile.

[0010] One object of the present invention is to provide a multi-directional force modulation system.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a force modulation system with elastic components for use in downhole conditions.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a force modulation system that uses a wire braided elastic element as the force-bearing element to fit the limited space of the drill bit and withstand downhole conditions.

[0013] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention proposes an embodiment of a force modulation system for a drill bit, comprising a cutter, a retainer, a retainer holding device, and a first force member made of a first braided material. The cutter is detachably slidably fitted to the retainer. The cutter extends from the retainer to drill into rock formations. The retainer holding device sets the position of the retainer within the drill bit. The cutter is mounted on the retainer, and the retainer is mounted on the drill bit. The retainer holding device applies a retainer holding force along a first direction of the retainer. The first force member is positioned against the retainer to apply a first force in a second direction of the retainer. The first force also maintains the position of the retainer relative to the drill bit, but by a different dimension. Specifically, the second direction is another direction of movement of the retainer relative to the drill bit. The second direction is angularly offset from the first direction. The second direction may be orthogonal to the first direction. Relative to the retainer cavity, the first direction may be vertical, and the second direction may be horizontal. The retainer holding device and the first force member cooperate to maintain the position of the retainer in more than one dimension, i.e., in more than the first direction.

[0014] The first force in the second direction determines the cutting profile of the force modulation system. The first force member applies a variable first force, preventing damage to the tool from excessive force in the second direction. The second direction of the first force-bearing member differs from the first direction. The second direction is offset by an angle, thus avoiding excessive force from directions different from the first direction. The force modulation system prevents damage caused by excessive forces from different directions.

[0015] An alternative embodiment of the force modulation system includes a second force member positioned against the retainer to apply a second force in a first direction of the retainer. The second force member is an additional support member resisting excessive forces in the first direction and is constructed of a second wire braided material. The retainer retaining member can be set to break off before a critical amount of excessive force that would cause tool damage. To protect the retainer retaining device from excessive forces, the second force member provides a second force in the first direction as a supplement to the retainer retaining force in the first direction. The force-modulated cutting profile is now determined by the first force in the second direction and the second force in the first direction. The tool can now avoid damage caused by excessive force in both the first and second directions.

[0016] Embodiments of the present invention include a first force member composed of a first wire braided material having a first elasticity. The first wire braided material may be composed of spring wires that can withstand braiding and compression molding under downhole conditions. The first wire braided material may be mounted between a retainer and a drill bit and within the space constraints of the downhole tool. Some embodiments include a corrosion-resistant coating on the spring wires to further increase the durability of the first wire braided material. In embodiments of a force modulation system having a second force member, the first force member may be integrally formed with the second force member, such that the first braided material is compatible with and incorporated into the second braided material. In some embodiments, the first braided material and the second braided material are identical, serving as a single force-bearing member of the braided material. A method of forming the first wire braided material is also an embodiment of the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The accompanying drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. Furthermore, the shapes and proportions of the components in the drawings are merely illustrative to aid in understanding the invention and do not specifically limit the shapes and proportions of the components. Those skilled in the art, guided by the teachings of this invention, can select various possible shapes and proportions to implement the invention according to specific circumstances.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a force modulation system in the prior art.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a force modulation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a force modulation system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a force modulation system according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 5 These are schematic partial cross-sectional views and partial perspective views of an embodiment of a force modulation system according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 6 It is based on Figure 5 Schematic partial cross-sectional view and partial perspective view of an embodiment of the force modulation system.

[0024] Figure 7 It is based on Figure 5 A schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the force modulation system.

[0025] Figure 8 It is based on Figure 5 Another schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the force modulation system.

[0026] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of a metal wire braided material according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 10 This is a photographic illustration of a wire braided material according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 11 It is a stress-strain curve diagram of a metal wire braided material under different compressive loads.

[0029] Figure 12 It is a graphical illustration of the stress-strain curve for elastic wire braided materials.

[0030] Figure 13 This is a graphical illustration of fatigue testing of the metal wire braided material according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The details of the present invention can be more clearly understood by referring to the accompanying drawings and the description of specific embodiments. However, the specific embodiments of the present invention described herein are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the invention in any way. Under the teachings of this invention, those skilled in the art can conceive of any possible modifications based on the invention, and these should all be considered to fall within the scope of the invention.

[0032] Traditional force modulation systems are limited to one dimension and one direction. The cutting tool in the cutter or retainer (support) moves up and down within a drill chamber formed to accommodate the tool or retainer. A spring is located at the bottom of the drill chamber. The spring is compressible to reduce the magnitude of the force exerted on the cutting tool by the rock formation. The cutting tool is held in position within the drill chamber to withstand sufficient force to drill through the rock while avoiding excessive forces that could damage it. The direction of entry and exit from the drill chamber is one-dimensional, corresponding to forces that would cause excessive depth of cut. These force modulation systems cannot account for biased force vectors, such as those forces generated on the cutting tool at the shoulder or on the drill bit's cutting edges at the junction of different types of rock material in the formation. The impact forces of the rock material can generate excessive forces that could damage the cutting tool from a direction different from the direction set by existing force modulation systems. The elastic components (such as springs) used in these force modulation systems lack durability under downhole conditions (such as temperature and pressure). The elastic components used in these force modulation systems must also be adapted to the limited space constraints between the retainer and the drill bit.

[0033] The force modulation system proposed in this invention is used for a drill bit, comprising a cutter 20, a retainer 30, a retainer holding device 50, and a first force member 60 made of a first braided material. The cutter 20 is detachably slidably fitted to the retainer 30. The cutter 20 extends from the retainer 30 to drill into rock formations. The retainer holding device 50 sets the position of the retainer 30 within the drill bit. The cutter 20 is mounted on the retainer 30, and the retainer 30 is mounted on the drill bit. The retainer holding device 50 applies a retainer holding force along a first direction 42 of the retainer 30. The first force member 60 is positioned against the retainer 30 to apply a first force in a second direction 44 of the retainer 30. The first force also maintains the position of the retainer 30 relative to the drill bit, but with different dimensions. Specifically, the second direction 44 is another direction of movement of the retainer relative to the drill bit. The second direction 44 is angularly offset from the first direction 42. The second direction 44 can be orthogonal to the first direction. The first direction 42 can be vertical relative to the retainer cavity, and the second direction 44 can be horizontal. The retainer retaining device 50 and the first force member 60 cooperate to retain the position of the retainer 30 in more than one dimension, that is, in more than one first direction.

[0034] The first force in the second direction 44 determines the cutting profile of the force modulation system. The first force member 60 applies a variable first force, preventing the tool from being damaged by excessive force in the second direction. The second direction of the first force-bearing member is different from the first direction. The second direction is offset by an angle, thereby avoiding excessive force in directions different from the first direction. The force modulation system can prevent damage caused by excessive forces from different directions.

[0035] In an alternative example, a second force member 70 is positioned against the retainer to apply a second force in a first direction of the retainer. The second force member 70 is an additional support member resisting excessive forces along the first direction and is constructed of a second wire braided material. The retainer retaining device 50 can be set to a breakage point before a critical amount of excessive force causes tool damage. To protect the retainer retaining device 50 from excessive forces, the second force member 70 provides a second force in the first direction 42 as a supplement to the retaining force of the retainer 30 in the first direction 42. The force-modulated cutting profile is now determined by the first force in the second direction 44 and the second force in the first direction. The tool 20 can now avoid damage caused by excessive force in both the first and second directions.

[0036] In one embodiment of the invention, a first force member 60 is constructed of a first wire braided material having a first elasticity. The first wire braided material may be composed of spring wires that can withstand braiding and compression molding under downhole conditions. The first wire braided material may be installed between the retainer 30 and the drill bit and within the space constraints of the downhole tool. The spring wires have a corrosion-resistant coating to further increase the durability of the first wire braided material.

[0037] In an embodiment of the force modulation system having a second force member 70, the first force member 60 may be integrally formed with the second force member 70, such that the first braided material is compatible with and incorporated into the second braided material.

[0038] In some embodiments, the first braided material is the same as the second braided material, serving as a single load-bearing component of the braided material.

[0039] refer to Figures 2-13 The force modulation system 10 for the drill bit includes a cutter 20, a retainer 30, a retainer holding device 50, and a first force member 60. The cutter 20 includes a cutter body 22 having a cutting end 24 and a cutting surface 26 integrally formed therewith at the cutting end 24. The retainer 30 consists of a retainer body 32 having an anchor end 34 and a retaining end 36 opposite to the anchor end 34. A retainer side 38 is located between the anchor end 34 and the retaining end 36, and a retainer cavity 40 is located at the retaining end 36. The cutter body 22 is slidably engaged with the retainer cavity 40. The cutting surface 26 extends 40 from the retainer cavity to drill into rock formations. The cutter 20 is detachably engaged with the retainer 30.

[0040] The force modulation system 10 includes a retainer retaining device 50 positioned on at least one retainer side 38 to apply a retainer retaining force in a first direction 42 of the retainer 30. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The first direction 42 is shown as a direction of movement of the retainer 30 relative to the drill bit. The retainer holding device 50 can be as follows: Figures 2-3 The clasp, such as Figures 2-3 Shear pins in, such as Figure 4 Locking ring, locking pin, shoulder, etc. Figures 5-8 30 is a device 30 that uses a screw or other known mechanical means to hold the retainer in place.

[0041] The first force component 60 includes a first wire braided material 62 with first elasticity. The first wire braided material is composed of spring wires 64, such as... Figure 9 and 10 As shown. The spring wire is braided and compressed. The spring wire 64 can have a wire diameter between 0.005 and 0.05 inches for the braiding and compression required for downhole conditions. This size of braided and compressed molded spring wire 64 can be installed in the limited space between the retainer 30 and the retainer housing 17 of the drill bit 15. Figure 11 This illustrates that a larger compressive load during manufacturing results in a higher elastic modulus. Compressive loading can set the initial elasticity. For the first force member 60 in the force modulation system 10, the initial elasticity should be between 0.09 and 0.13 inches of displacement. Only specific compressive loads can achieve this result, and Figure 11 The results show that increasing the compressive load during manufacturing to obtain a higher elastic modulus does not result in the first elasticity required by the present invention. Figure 12 The stress-strain curve of one embodiment of the first wire braided material 62 is shown, wherein the spring wire 64 has a wire diameter of 0.013” and a compressive load of 18 ksi to achieve a first elasticity of displacement between 0.09” and 0.13”. The first braided material 62 of the present invention provides a first elasticity for use in a pre-compressed state. Figure 13 As shown, the first wire braided material 62 maintains a first elasticity between 0.09 and 0.13 inches after 200 compression cycles. This durability is suitable for downhole conditions such as higher temperatures and pressures.

[0042] Figure 10 A first braided material 62, consisting of spring wire 64 with a corrosion-resistant coating 66, is further shown. This additional protection against chemical degradation under downhole conditions further enhances durability. The corrosion-resistant coating 66 is selected from steel, nickel alloys, cobalt alloys, titanium alloys, and copper alloys.

[0043] The first force member 60 is positioned against the retainer 30 to apply a first force in a second direction 44 of the retainer 30. The second direction 44 is angularly offset from the first direction 42, such as... Figures 2-3 As shown. Figure 2 The first direction 42 of the retainer 30 of the retainer retaining device 50 and the second direction 44 of the retainer 30 of the first force member 60 are shown. Figure 2 A second direction 44 orthogonal to the first direction 42 is shown. The first direction 42 can be vertical relative to the retainer cavity 40, while the second direction 44 can be horizontal. The second direction 44 can also be offset relative to the first direction 42. The offset angle can range from 60 degrees to 120 degrees. The first force has at least one force vector in the second direction 44. The at least one force vector in the second direction is shown as generally horizontal and not aligned with the first direction.

[0044] In addition, the first direction 42 can be the direction of movement of the retainer 30 relative to the drill bit 15, and the second direction 44 is another direction of movement of the retainer 30 relative to the drill bit 15, including directions orthogonal to the first direction 42. Figure 2 and Figure 3The movement dimensions of drill bit 15 and retainer 30 relative to drill bit 15 are shown. The retainer holding force in the first direction 42 maintains the position of the drill bit relative to drill bit in the first direction 42. The first force along the second direction 44 determines the cutting profile of the force modulation system 10. The first force member 60 applies a variable first force, thereby preventing the tool 20 from being damaged by excessive force in the second direction 44. In prior art systems, the second direction 44 of the first force member 60 is different from the first direction 42. The offset angle of the second direction 44 makes it possible to avoid excessive force in the direction different from the first direction 42. Figure 2 A second direction 44, orthogonal to the first direction 42, is shown. Figure 3 A second direction 44, offset from or even perpendicular to the first direction 42, is shown. The offset angle can range from 60 degrees to 120 degrees. The first force member 60, in the position shown, now accumulates not only with the retainer holding device 50 to help resist the depth of cutting forces. A new relationship exists between the first force member 60 and the retainer holding device 50. The force modulation system 10 has a new function to avoid damage caused by excessive forces from different angles on the tool 20.

[0045] Figures 3-8 An alternative embodiment of the force modulation system 10 of the present invention is shown, wherein a second force member 70 is positioned against a retainer 30 to apply a second force in a first direction 42 of the retainer 30. In one embodiment, the retainer retaining device 50 may have a retainer retaining force in the first direction 42 greater than the second force. The retainer retaining device 50 may be set at a breakpoint 50 before a critical amount of excessive force causes the retainer retaining device to fail. To protect the retainer ring from breaking or the screw from breaking, the second force member 70 provides a second force in the first direction 42 as a supplement to the retainer retaining force in the first direction 42. The cutting profile is now defined in the first direction 42, according to the second force member 70. Figure 1 In this embodiment, the tool 20 can avoid damage from excessive forces in the first direction 42 and the second direction 44 (es 3-8). The second force member 70 can accumulate and cooperate with the retainer retaining device 50 to resist the depth of the cutting force.

[0046] Figure 3 An embodiment is shown in which the second force member 70 fully cooperates with the retainer retaining device 50. The second force member 70 is perpendicularly aligned with the retainer retaining device 50. The second force member 70 comprises a second wire braided material 72 with a second elasticity. The second wire braided material is composed of spring wires 74, such as... Figure 9 and 10As shown, it is the same as the first force member. The spring wire 74 is also braided and compressed for downhole conditions. This size of braided and compressed molded spring wire 74 can be installed in the limited space between the retainer 30 and the retainer housing 17 of the drill bit 15. The second elasticity is similarly achieved by compressing the braided spring wire, resulting in a displacement between 0.09 and 0.13 inches. Figure 13 As shown, the second wire braided material 72 also maintains a secondary elasticity between 0.09 and 0.13 inches after 200 compression cycles. This durability is suitable for downhole conditions such as higher temperatures and pressures.

[0047] Figures 4-8 An embodiment is shown in which the first force member 160 and the second force member 170 are integrally formed. The first wire braided material 161 is compatible with and bonded to the second wire braided material 171. Figures 4-8 The first wire braided material 161 and the second wire braided material 171 are shown to be the same. As a one-piece body 181, the first force member 160 and the second force member 171 are integrally formed. This one-piece body 181 has a first portion 162, a second portion 172, and a hinge portion 180 between the first portion 162 and the second portion 172. The first force member 160 is the first portion 162, and the second force member 170 is the second portion 172; even though portions 162 and 172 are the same integral portion of the body 181 made of the same material, the offset angle relationship orthogonal to the first direction 42 and the second direction 44 is also present. Figures 3-8 As shown, even if the first force member 160 and the second force member 170 are integral.

[0048] For the retainer 30, the retainer side is longer than the anchor end 34 and the retaining end 36, forming an elongated retainer body 132 with the anchor end 134, the retaining end 136 opposite to the anchor end 134, and the elongated retainer body 132 side 138 as the retainer side. This elongated retainer body 132 forms an anchoring portion 135 between the retainer opening 40 and the anchoring end 134, with a first direction along the elongated retainer side 138. For this purpose, the elongated retainer body 132 of the first force member 160, integrally formed with the second force member 170, is shown. Figures 7-8 The sequence of forces applied to the cutter 20 is shown when the first force member 160 resists forces from the rock strata. Figure 7 Keep the original position. Figure 8 The first force member 160 is shown resisting the force from the rock strata.

[0049] for Figure 4 In one embodiment, the retainer retaining device 50 includes a plurality of slots 54, 54A on an elongated body 132. Figure 4An exploded view of slots 54, 54A is shown for friction engagement with drill bit 15. A retainer housing 17 has protrusions 19, 19A. Slots 54 and protrusions 19 are removably slidably engaged to apply a retainer retaining force in a first direction 42. In some embodiments, another slot 54A is present on the other side of the elongated body 132, removably slidably engaged with another protrusion 19A. The retainer housing 17 is shown in the protrusion 19A. Embodiments of protrusions 19, 19A are shown in... Figures 8-10 The track is shown in the middle. There is a locking shoulder engagement between the slots 54, 54A and the protrusions 19, 19A that serve as guide rails. There is a slot retainer 19B in friction engagement between the retainer 30 and the retainer housing 17.

[0050] for Figures 5-8 In one embodiment, the retainer retaining device 50 is composed of a screw 52. For the screw 52, ​​the retainer housing 17 of the drill bit 15 is composed of a threaded hole. Figure 8 As shown, the elongated seat 132 has a through hole 133. The screw 52 removably engages with the threaded hole 18 through the through hole 133 of the elongated seat 132. Assembly diagram as shown... Figures 6-8 As shown. Screw 52 is visible on drill bit 15. Figure 5 The exploded view shows the screw 52 before assembly via drill bit 15 and elongated retainer body 132. Drill bit 15 allows the screw 52 to be mounted around a first force member 160 being manufactured, integrally formed with a second force member 170. The first force member 160, integrally formed with the second force member 170, may also have a hole for the screw 52 to pass through.

[0051] The present invention also includes a method of manufacturing the first braided materials 62, 161 and the second braided materials 72, 171 of the invention. The method includes braiding yarn to form braided spring yarn and compressing the braided spring yarn to form the first wire braided materials 62, 161. The method may also include forming the second wire braided materials 72, 171, including embodiments where the first force members 60, 160 and the second force members 70, 170 are integrally formed. The compression forming step includes applying a load between 3 and 30 ksi, and a specific embodiment applies a load of 18 ksi to a wire having a diameter of 0.005 to 0.05 inches. One object of the present invention is to provide a force modulation system with a variable drill bit cutting profile.

[0052] This invention relates to a force modulation system for drill bits. The system creates a variable cutting profile because the fixed cutting tool can have different contacts with the rock formation during drilling. The cutting profile changes to avoid excessive force damaging the fixed cutting tool. The force modulation system is particularly useful for fixed cutting tools on the drill body inserts or the drill bit shoulder. These cutting tools on the drill body inserts or the drill bit shoulder typically drill through rock formations at the interface between different types of rock materials. The risk of damaging the cutting tools at these joints is higher due to excessive force. The system's force modulation avoids this excessive force.

[0053] This invention relates to a force modulation system with an elastic force member for downhole conditions. The elastic force member is made of a durable wire-braided material that withstands downhole temperatures and pressures. This material is formed by braiding and compressing spring wires. The spring wires may also have a coating to prevent corrosion. The wire-braided elastic member, as the force member, fits within the confined space of the drill bit. The wire-braided material can be shaped and placed between the retainer and the drill bit.

[0054] This invention is a multi-directional force modulation system. The system is not limited to the entry and exit direction of the drill cavity, corresponding only to the cutting depth; the system can also move one side of the tool within the drill cavity in another direction. The cutting profile is variable in more than one dimension. In some embodiments, the first direction is set by a retainer holding member relative to the drill bit, and the second direction is set by a first force member offset from the drill bit. In other embodiments, a second force member is present along the first direction to support the retainer holding member.

[0055] The first and second directions are angularly offset from each other. The first and second directions can be orthogonal to each other. The retainer holding force can be in the first direction, and the first force can be in the second direction. In an alternative embodiment, the forces are not perfectly aligned in a single direction. The first force is not in either the first or second direction. At least the vector of the first force must be in the second direction, not all of the first force. For other variable cutting profiles, excessive forces from multiple directions cannot be avoided. Furthermore, the tool is rotatable, so the cutting surface extending from the retainer cavity can affect the resistance to excessive forces. Prior art variable cutting profiles only compensate for specific excessive forces to avoid damage, rather than different excessive forces from different directions. In prior art systems, a direction must be selected based on the fixed position of the tool on the drill portion. Multi-directional force modulation systems can now avoid excessive forces from multiple directions. By avoiding applying greater forces to the tool than other prior art systems, the drill has an extended service life.

[0056] The force modulation system can also have an elongated retainer body. This elongated retainer body has an anchoring portion that allows the retainer to attach to the drill bit without overlapping with the cutting tool attached to the retainer. The separation of the connector between the retainer and the drill bit, and between the retainer and the cutting tool, maintains the same relationship between the retainer holding device in the first direction and the first force member in the second direction. This arrangement is more durable. Wear on the connection between the retainer and the drill bit is now separate from any wear on the retainer and the cutting tool. If the retainer remains in good condition and can still engage with the drill bit, the cutting tool in the retainer can be replaced.

[0057] The detailed explanations of the above embodiments are intended only to explain the present invention so as to facilitate a better understanding of the present invention. However, these descriptions should not be construed as limiting the present invention for any reason. In particular, the various features described in different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined with each other to form other embodiments. Unless there is an explicit description to the contrary, these features should be understood to be applicable to any embodiment, and not limited to the described embodiments.

Claims

1. A force modulation system with an elastic force component for use in downhole conditions, characterized in that, The force modulation system includes: A cutting tool includes a tool body having a cutting end and a cutting surface integrally formed with the tool body at the cutting end; A retainer includes a retainer body having an anchor end, a retainer end opposite to the anchor end, a retainer side portion located between the anchor end and the retainer end, and a retainer cavity at the retainer end, wherein a cutter body is removably slidably engaged with the retainer cavity; A retainer retaining device is positioned on at least one retainer side to apply a retainer retaining force in a first direction of the retainer; A first force member is positioned against the retainer to apply a first force in a second direction relative to the retainer, the second direction being angularly offset from the first direction. The first force member is made of a first metal wire braided material with first elasticity; The first metal wire braided material is composed of spring wires, which are braided and compressed into shape. The force modulation system further includes: A second force member positioned against the retainer is used to apply a second force in the first direction of the retainer. The second force member is made of a second metal wire braided material with second elasticity; The first force component and the second force component are integrally formed, and the first metal wire braiding material is compatible with and combined with the second metal wire braiding material; The first metal wire braided material is the same as the second metal wire braided material, and the first metal wire braided material and the second metal wire braided material form a whole; The integrated body consists of a first part, a second part, and a hinge part located between the first part and the second part; the first force member is composed of the first part, and the second force member includes the second part. The retainer side is longer than the anchor end and the retaining end to form an elongated retainer body having the anchor end, the retaining end being opposite to the anchor end, and the retaining end having an elongated retaining side; The elongated retainer body includes an anchoring portion located between the retainer opening and the anchor end, with the first direction along the side of the elongated retainer.

2. The force modulation system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cutting tool is detachably engaged with the retainer, and the cutting surface extends from the retainer to cut rock strata.

3. The force modulation system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The spring wire has a wire diameter between 0.005 and 0.05 inches.

4. The force modulation system according to claim 1, characterized in that, After 200 compression cycles, the first elasticity is between 0.09 and 0.13 inches.

5. The force modulation system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first wire braid material further includes a corrosion-resistant coating on the spring wire.

6. The force modulation system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The corrosion-resistant coating is selected from steel, nickel alloy, cobalt alloy, titanium alloy and copper alloy.

7. The force modulation system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The method for manufacturing the first metal wire braided material includes the following steps: Braiding yarn to form braided yarn; The braided thread is formed into the spring thread; The spring wire is compressed and molded to form the first wire braided material.

8. The force modulation system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The compression molding process includes applying a load between 3 and 30 ksi.

9. The force modulation system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The load is 18 ksi, and the spring wire has a wire diameter between 0.005 and 0.05 inches.

10. The force modulation system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The retainer retaining device includes: A retainer housing includes a protrusion, and a slot on the elongated retainer body that removably slidably engages with the protrusion.

11. The force modulation system according to claim 10: characterized in that, The retainer housing includes another protrusion, and here, the retainer retaining device includes another groove on the elongated retainer body that is removably slidably engaged with the other protrusion.

12. The force modulation system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The retainer retaining device includes: The retainer housing consists of threaded holes. Through holes in the elongated retainer body And the screw is detachably threaded into the threaded hole through the through hole.

Images