Hydraulic power-assisted rotary distributing valve for rotary steering tool

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a hydraulic power-assisted rotary distributing valve for a rotary steering tool, relates to the technical field of petroleum drilling downhole devices, and aims to solve the problems that a structural bend angle adjusting liquid supply mechanism in an existing rotary steering drilling tool is short in service life, a flow channel is easy to erode and the control reliability is insufficient. Comprising a flow distribution valve body, a rotary valve element, a fluid filtering assembly, a bearing assembly and a hydraulic power-assisted impeller. A plurality of groups of flow guide channels are arranged in the flow distribution valve body and comprise a first flow guide channel, a second flow guide channel, a third flow guide channel, a fourth flow guide channel and a fifth flow guide channel; the rotary valve element is provided with a fan-shaped flow guide hole, an axial flow guide hole and a radial flow guide hole. According to the hydraulic power-assisted rotary flow distribution valve, alternate liquid supply to a plurality of pushing piston cavities in a rotary steering tool can be achieved through continuous and stable rotation of the rotary valve element, so that the offset directions of structural bent angles are continuously switched in sequence, and directional drilling of the rotary steering tool is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of downhole equipment technology for oil drilling, and particularly relates to a hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for rotary steering tools. Background Technology

[0002] Rotary steerable drilling technology is an advanced drilling technique that maintains continuous drill string rotation during drilling while achieving real-time control of well inclination and azimuth. This technology has significantly improved the efficiency and wellbore quality of horizontal and complex wells. The rotary steerable tool is the core component of this technology. By monitoring downhole drilling parameters in real time, the azimuth and attitude of the tool face are adjusted, allowing the drill bit to continuously drill along the target formation direction. Currently, commonly used rotary steerable tools are divided into two main categories: push-type and directional-type. Push-type steerable tools rely on hydraulic pushers mounted on the tool housing to push against the well wall, generating force to guide the tool in a predetermined direction. Directional-type tools rely on hydraulic pushers mounted on the tool to push the internal mandrel or housing, creating a structural bend between the drill bit and the upper drill string axis, thereby achieving directional drilling.

[0003] During drilling operations using rotary steerable tools, a significant pushing force must be applied to push against the wellbore or adjust the mandrel to generate the required bend. Related technologies often employ hydraulic mechanisms to extend and retract the push block to generate the force to push against the wellbore or to adjust the structural bend. The power source is primarily a high-pressure oil pump or high-pressure drilling fluid. However, due to the limited overall size of rotary steerable tools, the precision hydraulic system required for the internal high-pressure oil pump demands high machining accuracy, making manufacturing difficult. Simultaneously, the downhole drilling environment is extremely harsh, making the hydraulic system prone to leakage, thus shortening the tool's service life. When high-pressure drilling fluid is used as the power source, it needs to be guided to the push piston chamber through a distribution valve to generate the pushing force. Unfiltered solid particles in the drilling fluid, under high pressure and high-speed flow, cause severe erosion of the valve's internal flow channels. Furthermore, the commonly used distribution valve is a disc valve mechanism, but under the conditions of high-amplitude, high-frequency vibration at the bottom of the well, disc valves are susceptible to impact and wear, leading to a significant reduction in their service life. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application addresses the shortcomings of existing distribution valves in rotary steering tools by providing a hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for rotary steering tools. This distribution valve, through multiple sets of guide channels within its body, utilizes the continuous rotation of a cylindrical rotary valve core to sequentially guide high-pressure drilling fluid, purified by a filtration assembly, into the corresponding channels, thereby delivering it to the push piston chamber of the rotary steering tool. This generates a pushing force, driving the drill bit to offset and enabling real-time adjustment of the drill string tool face and orientation by the rotary steering tool. To achieve the above objective, this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0005] This application provides a hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for a rotary guide tool, including a distribution valve body, a rotary valve core, a fluid filter assembly, a bearing assembly, and a hydraulically assisted impeller. The distribution valve body has a central guide hole, and the rotary valve core is coaxially mounted and rotates along the central guide hole of the distribution valve body. The fluid filter assembly includes a first filter assembly and a second filter assembly, with the first filter assembly mounted at a first end of the distribution valve body and the second filter assembly mounted at a second end of the distribution valve body. The first filter assembly, the central guide hole of the distribution valve body, and the second filter assembly together constitute a rotary valve core receiving cavity. The bearing assembly includes a first bearing, a second bearing, and a third bearing coaxially disposed within the rotary valve core receiving cavity. The hydraulically assisted impeller is coaxially disposed on the outer side of the rotary valve core away from the first filter assembly.

[0006] As described above, a hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for a rotary guide tool can achieve the following: From the first end to the second end, a first boss, a second boss, a third boss, a fourth boss, and a fifth boss are sequentially arranged within the central guide hole of the distribution valve body; a first sector-shaped boss, a second sector-shaped boss, a third sector-shaped boss, and a fourth sector-shaped boss are sequentially arranged clockwise along the circumferential direction on the outer wall of the distribution valve body; an annular base is provided at the end of the sector-shaped bosses away from the distribution valve body to support and fix the distribution valve body; the outer side of the distribution valve body, the gaps between the sector-shaped bosses, and the central hole of the annular base constitute the main flow channel for high-pressure fluid.

[0007] As described above, a hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for a rotary guide tool can achieve the following: along the axial directions of the first, second, third, and fourth sector-shaped bosses of the distribution valve body, a first guide hole, a second guide hole, a third guide hole, and a fourth guide hole are respectively provided; along the circumferential direction of the sidewall of the fifth boss of the distribution valve body, a first sidewall through hole, a second sidewall through hole, a third sidewall through hole, and a fourth sidewall through hole are provided, each sidewall through hole communicating with the first, second, third, and fourth guide holes respectively; the first guide hole and the first sidewall through hole together form a first guide channel; the second guide hole and the second sidewall through hole together form a second guide channel; the third guide hole and the third sidewall through hole together form a third guide channel; and the fourth guide hole and the fourth sidewall through hole together form a fourth guide channel.

[0008] As described above, a hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for rotary guide tools can achieve the following: the first flow channel, the second flow channel, the third flow channel, and the fourth flow channel are evenly distributed along the circumference of the distribution valve body.

[0009] As described above, a hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for a rotary guide tool can be configured such that a fifth guide hole is provided along the axial direction of the fourth sector-shaped boss of the distribution valve body, and the fifth guide hole is arranged on the side of the first sector-shaped boss in the circumferential direction; a fifth side wall through hole communicating with the fifth guide hole is provided along the side wall of the third boss of the distribution valve body.

[0010] As described above, a hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for a rotary guide tool can be configured such that the rotary valve core is cylindrical, and the rotary valve core is provided with a first boss, a second boss, a third boss, a fourth boss and a fifth boss in sequence from the first end to the second end.

[0011] An annular groove is provided on the outer side of the fourth boss of the rotary valve core, corresponding to the through hole on the fifth side wall of the distribution valve body. A radial guide hole is provided along the radial direction of the annular groove, penetrating the fourth boss of the rotary valve core. An axial guide hole is provided along the rotary valve core from the second end to the radial guide hole.

[0012] A fan-shaped guide hole communicating with the axial guide hole is provided at the position corresponding to the fifth boss of the rotary valve core and the through hole of the first side wall of the distribution valve body; a fan-shaped guide groove is provided at the position symmetrically arranged with respect to the fan-shaped guide hole in the circumferential direction of the rotary valve core, and the fan-shaped guide groove extends axially from the second end of the rotary valve core to the position corresponding to the through hole of the first side wall of the distribution valve body.

[0013] As described above, a hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for rotary guide tools can achieve the following: the fan-shaped flow guide hole, axial flow guide hole, and radial flow guide hole of the rotary valve core are connected to the fifth side wall through hole and the fifth flow guide hole of the distribution valve body, which together form the fifth flow guide channel of the fluid.

[0014] As described above, a hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for a rotary guide tool can achieve the following: a first filter assembly includes a first filter end cap and a first filter disc, with the first filter end cap fixedly connected to the first end of the distribution valve body and the first filter disc fixedly installed in the central hole of the first filter end cap; a second filter assembly includes a second filter sleeve, a second filter end cap, and a second filter disc, with the second filter end cap fixedly connected to the second end of the distribution valve body, the second filter sleeve fixedly installed on the outside of the second filter end cap, and the second filter disc fixedly installed in the central hole of the second filter end cap.

[0015] As described above, a hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for rotary guide tools can achieve the following: the first filter end cap has a conical structure, and the second filter sleeve and the second filter end cap have a spherical structure; multiple filter holes are provided on the first filter end cap, the first filter disc, the second filter sleeve, the second filter end cap, and the second filter disc.

[0016] As described above, a hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for a rotary guide tool can achieve the following: a first bearing is sleeved on the outside of the second boss of the rotary valve core, and the first bearing is a double-acting thrust bearing used to bear the axial load of the rotary valve core; a second bearing is sleeved on the outside of the third boss of the rotary valve core, and a third bearing is sleeved on the outside of the fourth boss of the rotary valve core; both the second and third bearings are normalizing bearings used to bear the radial load of the rotary valve core.

[0017] As described above, a hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for a rotary guide tool can be implemented such that the hydraulically assisted impeller includes a conical bushing and blades, with multiple blades evenly arranged circumferentially along the outer wall of the conical bushing.

[0018] As described above, a hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for rotary guide tools can be configured such that a sealing plug is provided at the opening of the axial flow guide hole of the rotary valve core to isolate the axial flow guide hole of the rotary valve core from the central flow guide hole of the distribution valve body.

[0019] The beneficial technical effects achieved by this application are as follows:

[0020] (1) This application utilizes a rotary valve core installed inside the distribution valve body and the continuous rotation of the rotary valve core to sequentially connect and disconnect the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth flow channels. This periodic flow control method allows the piston chamber of the rotary steerable tool to alternately connect between the high-pressure and low-pressure flow channels, thereby achieving periodic output of the pushing force. This enables dynamic and continuous adjustment of the rotary steerable tool's structural bend angle, allowing the drill bit to form the desired offset direction in real time, improving the response speed and adjustment accuracy of directional control, and significantly enhancing the controllability and wellbore trajectory quality of rotary steerable drilling operations. Furthermore, by optimizing the contact structure between the rotary valve core and the distribution valve body and employing a multi-bearing support structure to optimize load distribution and reduce friction and wear, the sensitivity and response speed of the valve core rotation are improved.

[0021] (2) This application achieves effective filtration of drilling fluid solid particles entering the distribution valve body by setting a first filter assembly and a second filter assembly at the upper and lower ends of the distribution valve body, respectively. This structure can significantly reduce the erosion damage of the various guide channels inside the distribution valve and the piston cavity of the rotary guide tool, and can also prevent distribution failure caused by particle blockage. At the same time, the setting of the double-ended filter assembly creates a basically balanced pressure environment at the upper and lower ends of the rotary valve core, effectively reducing the pressure difference between the upper and lower ends of the rotary valve core, thereby reducing the axial frictional resistance of the rotary valve core and improving the rotational sensitivity of the valve core. In addition, the high-pressure drilling fluid required for the piston cavity is supplied from the lower filter assembly, which can significantly weaken the direct impact of the high-speed drilling fluid flow at the upper end on the rotary valve core, reduce the fluctuation amplitude of the supply pressure, and further improve the fluid stability and reliability of the entire rotary guide system.

[0022] (3) This application provides an auxiliary torque to the rotary valve core by installing a hydraulically assisted impeller at the upper end of the rotary valve core. When the high-pressure drilling fluid flows through the impeller, it can drive the impeller to rotate and generate a rotation direction consistent with the rotary valve core. Through this hydraulic assistance, a portion of the frictional resistance torque experienced by the rotary valve core during operation can be effectively offset, reducing the power input required to drive the rotary valve core, reducing the load on the drive motor, improving system energy efficiency and service life, and ensuring that the drive motor can work stably downhole for a long time.

[0023] In addition to the technical problems solved by this application, the technical features constituting the technical solutions, and the beneficial effects brought about by the technical features of these technical solutions described above, other technical problems that can be solved by the adaptive composite impact drilling device provided in the embodiments of this application, other technical features included in the technical solutions, and the beneficial effects brought about by these technical features will be further described in detail in specific embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for a rotary guide tool provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a top view of a hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for a rotary guide tool provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a bottom view of a hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for a rotary guide tool provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of a hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for a rotary guide tool provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the valve body of a hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for a rotary guide tool provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0030] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the rotary valve core of a hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for a rotary guide tool provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0031] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the annular groove of the rotary valve core in a hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for a rotary guide tool provided in this application embodiment;

[0032] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of the fan-shaped guide hole of the rotary valve core of a hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for a rotary guide tool in its first working state, according to an embodiment of this application.

[0033] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of a hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for a rotary guide tool in its first working state, pushing against a piston, according to an embodiment of this application.

[0034] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of the fan-shaped guide hole of the rotary valve core of a hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for a rotary guide tool in its second working state, according to an embodiment of this application.

[0035] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of a hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for a rotary guide tool in its second working state, pushing against a piston, according to an embodiment of this application.

[0036] Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view of the fan-shaped guide hole of the rotary valve core in the third working state of a hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for a rotary guide tool provided in this application embodiment;

[0037] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of a hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for a rotary guide tool in its third working state, as provided in an embodiment of this application, pushing against a piston.

[0038] Figure 14This is a cross-sectional view of the fan-shaped guide hole of the rotary valve core in the fourth working state of a hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for a rotary guide tool provided in this application embodiment.

[0039] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of a hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for a rotary guide tool in its fourth working state, pushing against a piston, according to an embodiment of this application.

[0040] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0041] 10-Rotary distribution valve; 100-Distribution valve body; 110-Central guide hole; 111-First boss of distribution valve body; 112-Second boss of distribution valve body; 113-Third boss of distribution valve body; 114-Fourth boss of distribution valve body; 115-Fifth boss of distribution valve body; 121-First sector-shaped boss; 122-Second sector-shaped boss; 123-Third sector-shaped boss; 124-Fourth sector-shaped boss; 130-Annular base; 141-First guide hole; 142-Second... Flow guide hole; 143-Third flow guide hole; 144-Fourth flow guide hole; 145-Fifth flow guide hole; 151-First sidewall through hole; 152-Second sidewall through hole; 153-Third sidewall through hole; 154-Fourth sidewall through hole; 155-Fifth sidewall through hole; 161-First flow guide channel; 162-Second flow guide channel; 163-Third flow guide channel; 164-Fourth flow guide channel; 165-Fifth flow guide channel; 200-Rotary valve core; 211-First convex part of rotary valve core 212-Second boss of rotary valve core; 213-Third boss of rotary valve core; 214-Fourth boss of rotary valve core; 215-Fifth boss of rotary valve core; 221-Annular groove; 222-Radial guide hole; 223-Axial guide hole; 224-Fan-shaped guide hole; 225-Fan-shaped guide groove; 230-Sealing plug; 300-Fluid filter assembly; 310-First filter assembly; 311-First filter end cap; 312-First filter disc; 320-Second filter plate Filter assembly; 321-Second filter sleeve; 322-Second filter end cap; 323-Second filter disc; 410-First bearing; 420-Second bearing; 430-Third bearing; 500-Hydraulic booster impeller; 501-Conical bushing; 502-Blade; 600-Rotary valve core receiving cavity; 700-Main flow channel; 810-First push piston; 820-Second push piston; 830-Third push piston; 840-Fourth push piston; 900-Pushing force. Detailed Implementation

[0042] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application. Unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments and features can be combined with each other.

[0043] Rotary steerable drilling technology is an advanced drilling technique that maintains continuous drill string rotation during drilling while achieving real-time control of well inclination and azimuth. This technology has significantly improved the efficiency and wellbore quality of horizontal and complex wells. The rotary steerable tool is the core component of this technology. By monitoring downhole drilling parameters in real time, the azimuth and attitude of the tool face are adjusted, allowing the drill bit to continuously drill along the target formation direction. Currently, commonly used rotary steerable tools are divided into two main categories: push-type and directional-type. Push-type steerable tools rely on hydraulic pushers mounted on the tool housing to push against the well wall, generating force to guide the tool in a predetermined direction. Directional-type tools rely on hydraulic pushers mounted on the tool to push the internal mandrel or housing, creating a structural bend between the drill bit and the upper drill string axis, thereby achieving directional drilling.

[0044] During drilling operations using rotary steerable tools, a significant pushing force must be applied to push against the wellbore or adjust the mandrel to generate the required bend. Related technologies often employ hydraulic mechanisms to extend and retract the push block to generate the force to push against the wellbore or to adjust the structural bend. The power source is primarily a high-pressure oil pump or high-pressure drilling fluid. However, due to the limited overall size of rotary steerable tools, the precision hydraulic system required for the internal high-pressure oil pump demands high machining accuracy, making manufacturing difficult. Simultaneously, the downhole drilling environment is extremely harsh, making the hydraulic system prone to leakage, thus shortening the tool's service life. When high-pressure drilling fluid is used as the power source, it needs to be guided to the push piston chamber through a distribution valve to generate the pushing force. Unfiltered solid particles in the drilling fluid, under high pressure and high-speed flow, cause severe erosion of the valve's internal flow channels. Furthermore, the commonly used distribution valve is a disc valve mechanism, but under the conditions of high-amplitude, high-frequency vibration at the bottom of the well, disc valves are susceptible to impact and wear, leading to a significant reduction in their service life.

[0045] Therefore, this application provides a hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for rotary steering tools. The rotary distribution valve includes a distribution valve body, a rotary valve core, a fluid filter assembly, a bearing assembly, and a hydraulically assisted impeller. By setting multiple sets of flow channels inside the distribution valve body and utilizing the continuous rotation of the cylindrical rotary valve core, high-pressure drilling fluid purified by the filter assembly is sequentially introduced into the corresponding flow channels, thereby delivering it to the push-piston cavity of the rotary steering tool. This generates a pushing force, driving the drill bit to form an offset, enabling the rotary steering tool to adjust the tool face and orientation of the drill string in real time. By setting a first filter assembly and a second filter assembly, effective filtration of drilling fluid solid particles entering the distribution valve body is achieved, reducing erosion damage to the flow channels inside the distribution valve and the push-piston cavity of the rotary steering tool, and preventing distribution failure caused by particle blockage. The hydraulically assisted impeller provides auxiliary torque to the rotary valve core. This hydraulic assist effectively counteracts some of the frictional resistance torque experienced by the rotary valve core during operation, reduces the power input required to drive the rotary valve core, lightens the load on the drive motor, improves system energy efficiency and service life, and ensures stable operation of the drive motor downhole for extended periods.

[0046] The contents of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can have a clearer and more detailed understanding of the contents of this application.

[0047] Combination Figures 1 to 4 As shown, this application provides a hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for a rotary guide tool, including a distribution valve body 100, a rotary valve core 200, a fluid filter assembly 300, a bearing assembly, and a hydraulically assisted impeller 500; the distribution valve body 100 has a central guide hole 110, and the rotary valve core 200 is coaxially and rotatably mounted along the central guide hole 110 of the distribution valve body 100; the fluid filter assembly 300 includes a first filter assembly 310 and a second filter assembly 320, the first filter assembly 310 being mounted on... The first end of the flow distribution valve body 100 is equipped with the second filter assembly 320; the first filter assembly 310, the central guide hole 110 of the flow distribution valve body 100 and the second filter assembly 320 together constitute the rotary valve core receiving cavity 600; the bearing assembly includes a first bearing 410, a second bearing 420 and a third bearing 430 coaxially arranged in the rotary valve core receiving cavity 600; the hydraulically assisted impeller 500 is coaxially arranged on the periphery of the rotary valve core 200 away from the first filter assembly 310.

[0048] The dual-stage filtration structure formed by the first filter component 310 and the second filter component 320 effectively intercepts solid particles in the drilling fluid, preventing them from clogging the flow channel. The diversion design also reduces the direct impact of high-pressure fluid on the valve core, minimizing flow channel erosion. The multi-bearing support structure optimizes load distribution, helping to reduce wear on the rotary valve core 200 and the bearing assembly, thereby improving the sensitivity and response speed of the rotary valve core 200's rotation. A hydraulically assisted impeller 500 is installed at the upper end of the rotary valve core 200. Driven by high-pressure drilling fluid, the impeller rotates, generating an auxiliary torque in the same direction as the rotary valve core 200. This reduces the load on the external power system (such as an electric motor or hydraulic motor), further reducing wear on the rotary valve core 200 and the bearing assembly. Simultaneously, the auxiliary torque of the hydraulically assisted impeller 500 works synergistically with the external power system, maintaining stable rotation of the rotary valve core 200 even when the drive system experiences partial power fluctuations, ultimately extending its overall lifespan.

[0049] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown, from the first end to the second end, the central guide hole 110 of the flow distribution valve body 100 is provided with a first boss 111, a second boss 112, a third boss 113, a fourth boss 114, and a fifth boss 115 in sequence. The multiple bosses divide the central guide hole 110 into multiple flow channels, guiding the fluid to flow in a preset direction. This can reduce excessive local flow velocity or cavitation, thereby reducing flow noise. In addition, it can also improve the structural rigidity and deformation resistance of the valve body.

[0050] The outer wall of the distribution valve body 100 is provided with a first sector-shaped boss 121, a second sector-shaped boss 122, a third sector-shaped boss 123, and a fourth sector-shaped boss 124 arranged clockwise along the circumference. The circumferential spacing of the multiple sector-shaped bosses can improve the overall structural rigidity of the distribution valve body 100 and reduce elastic deformation under high pressure. An annular base 130 is provided at the end of the sector-shaped bosses away from the distribution valve body 100 to support and fix the distribution valve body 100, improve its resistance to vibration and impact, and also serve as a mounting reference to ensure the coaxiality of the distribution valve body 100 with other components (such as valve core and housing) and maintain a stable fit clearance. The outer side of the distribution valve body 100, the gaps between the sector-shaped bosses, and the central hole of the annular base 130 constitute the main flow channel 700 for high-pressure fluid.

[0051] In some embodiments, a first guide hole 141, a second guide hole 142, a third guide hole 143, and a fourth guide hole 144 are respectively provided along the axial directions of the first sector-shaped boss 121, the second sector-shaped boss 122, the third sector-shaped boss 123, and the fourth sector-shaped boss 124 of the distribution valve body 100; a first sidewall through hole 151, a second sidewall through hole 152, a third sidewall through hole 153, and a fourth sidewall through hole 154 are provided along the circumferential direction of the sidewall of the fifth boss 115 of the distribution valve body. The holes are respectively connected to the first guide hole 141, the second guide hole 142, the third guide hole 143 and the fourth guide hole 144; the first guide hole 141 and the first side wall through hole 151 together form the first guide channel 161; the second guide hole 142 and the second side wall through hole 152 together form the second guide channel 162; the third guide hole 143 and the third side wall through hole 153 together form the third guide channel 163; the fourth guide hole 144 and the fourth side wall through hole 154 together form the fourth guide channel 164.

[0052] In some embodiments, the first flow guiding channel 161, the second flow guiding channel 162, the third flow guiding channel 163, and the fourth flow guiding channel 164 are evenly distributed along the circumference of the flow distribution valve body 100, such as... Figure 2 and Figure 12 As shown.

[0053] In some embodiments, a fifth guide hole 145 is provided along the axial direction of the fourth sector-shaped boss 124 of the distribution valve body 100, and the fifth guide hole 145 is arranged on the side of the circumference close to the first sector-shaped boss 121; a fifth sidewall through hole 155 communicating with the fifth guide hole 145 is provided along the sidewall of the third boss 113 of the distribution valve body, such as... Figure 2 and Figure 7 As shown.

[0054] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 and Figure 6As shown, the rotary valve core 200 is cylindrical. From its first end to its second end, the rotary valve core 200 is sequentially provided with a first boss 211, a second boss 212, a third boss 213, a fourth boss 214, and a fifth boss 215. Located outside the fourth boss 214, corresponding to the fifth sidewall through-hole 155 of the distribution valve body 100, is an annular groove 221. A radial guide hole 222 penetrating the fourth boss 214 is provided along the radial direction of the annular groove 221. A axial flow guide hole 223 is provided from the second end of the core 200 to the radial flow guide hole 222. A fan-shaped flow guide hole 224 communicating with the axial flow guide hole 223 is provided at the position corresponding to the fifth boss 215 of the rotary valve core and the first side wall through hole 151 of the distribution valve body 100. A fan-shaped flow guide groove 225 is provided in a circumferential direction of the rotary valve core 200, symmetrically arranged with respect to the fan-shaped flow guide hole 224. The fan-shaped flow guide groove 225 extends axially from the second end of the rotary valve core 200 to the position corresponding to the first side wall through hole 151 of the distribution valve body 100. A sealing plug 230 is provided at the opening of the axial flow guide hole 223 to isolate the axial flow guide hole 223 from the central flow guide hole 110 of the distribution valve body 100. The fan-shaped guide hole 224, axial guide hole 223, and radial guide hole 222 of the rotary valve core 200 are connected to the fifth side wall through hole 155 and the fifth guide hole 145 of the distribution valve body 100, forming the fifth guide channel 165 for the fluid. The fifth guide channel 165 is selectively connected to the first guide channel 161, the second guide channel 162, the third guide channel 163, and the fourth guide channel 164 to achieve periodic switching of multiple guide channels, enabling continuous switching of the pushing force direction, thereby completing the dynamic adjustment of the pushing piston and driving the drill bit to drill along the target layer.

[0055] In some embodiments, the first filter assembly 310 includes a first filter end cap 311 and a first filter disc 312. The first filter end cap 311 is fixedly connected to the first end of the distribution valve body 100, and the first filter disc 312 is fixedly installed in the central hole of the first filter end cap 311. The second filter assembly 320 includes a second filter sleeve 321, a second filter end cap 322, and a second filter disc 323. The second filter end cap 322 is fixedly connected to the second end of the distribution valve body 100, the second filter sleeve 321 is fixedly installed on the outside of the second filter end cap 322, and the second filter disc 323 is fixedly installed in the central hole of the second filter end cap 322. By setting the double-ended fluid filter assembly 300, a basically balanced pressure environment is formed between the upper and lower ends of the rotary valve core, effectively reducing the pressure difference between the upper and lower ends of the rotary valve core, thereby reducing the axial frictional resistance of the rotary valve core and improving the rotational sensitivity of the valve core.

[0056] In some embodiments, a first bearing 410 is sleeved on the outside of the second boss 212 of the rotary valve core. The first bearing 410 is a double-acting thrust bearing used to bear the axial load of the rotary valve core 200. A second bearing 420 is sleeved on the outside of the third boss 213 of the rotary valve core, and a third bearing 430 is sleeved on the outside of the fourth boss 214 of the rotary valve core. Both the second bearing 420 and the third bearing 430 are centralizing bearings used to bear the radial load of the rotary valve core 200. By setting up a multi-bearing support structure, the load distribution of the rotary valve core 200 is optimized. The double-acting thrust bearing balances the axial pressure difference and reduces axial frictional resistance. The centralizing bearing restricts radial deflection, significantly reducing frictional wear between the rotary valve core and the valve body, which helps to improve rotational stability and thus extend service life.

[0057] In some embodiments, the hydraulically assisted impeller 500 includes a conical bushing 501 and blades 502, with multiple blades 502 evenly arranged circumferentially along the outer wall of the conical bushing 501. The design of the conical bushing 501 and the evenly distributed blades 502 enables the high-pressure drilling fluid to drive the impeller to rotate, providing auxiliary torque to the rotary valve core 200 and achieving efficient conversion of fluid kinetic energy. The structure of the conical bushing 501 reduces turbulence in the fluid flow, making the fluid flow between the blades 502 smoother, thereby improving torque transmission efficiency. The uniform distribution of the blades 502 ensures balanced rotational torque, reducing vibration and deflection of the rotary valve core 200. This hydraulic assistance effectively counteracts some of the frictional resistance torque experienced by the rotary valve core 200 during operation, reducing the power input required to drive the rotary valve core 200, lessening the load on the drive motor, improving system energy efficiency and service life, and ensuring stable long-term operation of the drive motor downhole.

[0058] This application provides a hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve 10 for a rotary steering tool. During operation, high-pressure drilling fluid enters the upper end of the rotary distribution valve 10 through the central hole of the upper drill string and first acts on the hydraulically assisted impeller 500. The high-speed flow of the drilling fluid drives the hydraulically assisted impeller 500 to generate torque, causing the rotary valve core 200 to rotate continuously in a clockwise direction under the combined action of the upper power motor and the hydraulically assisted impeller 500.

[0059] A portion of the drilling fluid entering the rotary distribution valve 10 is diverted from the main fluid channel. A small portion of the high-pressure drilling fluid first flows to the first filter assembly 310, passing sequentially through the first filter end cap 311 and the first filter disc 312, where solid particles are effectively intercepted and filtered. The filtered drilling fluid then flows into the rotary valve core receiving cavity 600 and enters the upper region of the first bearing 410. Simultaneously, the majority of the remaining drilling fluid continues to flow downwards along the main flow channel 700 outside the distribution valve body 100.

[0060] When the drilling fluid flows to the lower end of the distribution valve body 100, another portion of the fluid enters the second filter assembly 320 and passes sequentially through the second filter sleeve 321, the second filter end cap 322, and the second filter disc 323. The filtered drilling fluid then flows into the rotary valve core receiving cavity 600 at the lower end of the rotary valve core 200. The high-pressure drilling fluid introduced into the receiving cavity by the first filter assembly 310 and the second filter assembly 320 acts on the upper and lower ends of the rotary valve core 200, respectively, creating a relatively balanced pressure environment at both ends of the rotary valve core 200. This significantly reduces the axial unbalanced force generated by the high-pressure drilling fluid on the rotary valve core 200, reduces the axial frictional resistance torque during rotation, and improves the rotational stability and sensitivity of the rotary valve core 200. After being diverted by the two filter assemblies, the remaining drilling fluid continues to flow downwards along the main channel and eventually flows into the drill bit at the bottom of the well.

[0061] During the continuous rotation of the rotary valve core 200, the fifth guide channel 165 remains connected to the low-pressure area at the bottom of the rotary distribution valve 10, thus providing a stable channel for discharging the fluid on the low-pressure side. When the rotary distribution valve 10 is in the first working state, the fan-shaped guide groove 225 on the rotary valve core 200 is connected to the first guide channel 161 and the second guide channel 162, while the third guide channel 163 and the fourth guide channel 164 are connected to the fifth guide channel 165. In this state, the high-pressure drilling fluid that enters the lower end of the rotary valve core receiving cavity 600 after being filtered by the second filter assembly 320 enters the first push piston 810 cavity and the second push piston 820 cavity of the rotary guide tool through the fan-shaped guide groove 225, the first guide channel 161, and the second guide channel 162, respectively, thereby forming high pressure in these two cavities. Simultaneously, the fluid in the third push piston 830 cavity and the fourth push piston 840 cavity of the rotary guide tool flows into the fifth guide channel 165 through the third guide channel 163 and the fourth guide channel 164, respectively, and further enters the low-pressure region, forming effective pressure relief. In this working state, the first push piston 810 cavity and the second push piston 820 cavity are in the high-pressure region, while the third push piston 830 cavity and the fourth push piston 840 cavity are in the low-pressure region, forming a directional output of the pushing force 900. The rotary guide tool forms a certain structural bend angle, such as... Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown.

[0062] like Figure 10 and Figure 11As shown, when the rotary valve core 200 rotates 90° clockwise, the rotary distribution valve 10 enters its second working state. In this state, the fan-shaped flow guide groove 225 on the rotary valve core 200 is connected to the second flow guide channel 162 and the third flow guide channel 163 in sequence, while the fourth flow guide channel 164, the first flow guide channel 161, and the fifth flow guide channel 165 remain connected. At this time, the high-pressure drilling fluid that has been filtered by the second filter assembly 320 and enters the rotary valve core receiving cavity 600 will flow into the second push piston 820 cavity and the third push piston 830 cavity of the rotary guide tool through the fan-shaped flow guide groove 225, the second flow guide channel 162, and the third flow guide channel 163, respectively, thereby forming a high-pressure area in these two cavities. Meanwhile, the fluid in the fourth push piston 840 cavity and the first push piston 810 cavity of the rotary guide tool enters the fifth guide channel 165 through the fourth guide channel 164 and the first guide channel 161, respectively, and is further introduced into the low-pressure area below the rotary distribution valve 10 to achieve stable pressure relief. In this working state, the second push piston 820 cavity and the third push piston 830 cavity are in the high-pressure area, while the fourth push piston 840 cavity and the first push piston 810 cavity are in the low-pressure area, thus forming a push force 900 output direction that is clockwise offset from the first working state, providing a stable structural bending angle control force for the rotary guide tool.

[0063] like Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, when the rotary valve core continues to rotate 90° clockwise, the rotary distribution valve 10 enters the third working state. In this state, the fan-shaped guide groove 225 on the rotary valve core 200 is connected to the third guide channel 163 and the fourth guide channel 164 in sequence, while the first guide channel 161, the second guide channel 162, and the fifth guide channel 165 remain connected. At this time, the high-pressure drilling fluid that enters the lower end of the receiving cavity through the second filter assembly 320 will flow into the third push piston 830 cavity and the fourth push piston 840 cavity of the rotary guide tool through the fan-shaped guide groove 225, the third guide channel 163, and the fourth guide channel 164, respectively, thus making them high-pressure areas. At the same time, the fluid in the first push piston 810 cavity and the second push piston 820 cavity of the rotary guide tool enters the fifth guide channel 165 through the first guide channel 161 and the second guide channel 162, respectively, and is discharged into the low-pressure area, achieving effective pressure relief. In the third working state, the rotary distribution valve 10 has the third push piston 830 chamber and the fourth push piston 840 chamber in the high pressure zone, while the first push piston 810 chamber and the second push piston 820 chamber are in the low pressure zone, thus forming a push force 900 output direction that is clockwise offset from the second working state, thereby realizing continuous adjustment of the drill bit bias direction.

[0064] like Figure 14 and Figure 15 As shown, when the rotary valve core 200 rotates 90° clockwise again, the rotary distribution valve 10 enters the fourth working state. In this working state, the fan-shaped guide groove 225 is connected to the fourth guide channel 164 and the first guide channel 161 in sequence, while the second guide channel 162, the third guide channel 163 and the fifth guide channel 165 remain connected. At this time, the high-pressure drilling fluid filtered by the second filter assembly 320 will flow into the fourth push piston 840 cavity and the first push piston 810 cavity of the rotary guide tool through the fan-shaped guide groove 225, the fourth guide channel 164 and the first guide channel 161 respectively, making it a high-pressure area. At the same time, the fluid in the second push piston 820 cavity and the third push piston 830 cavity of the rotary guide tool enters the fifth guide channel 165 through the second guide channel 162 and the third guide channel 163 respectively and is discharged into the low-pressure area. In this working state, the fourth push piston 840 chamber and the first push piston 810 chamber are in the high-pressure zone, while the second push piston 820 chamber and the third push piston 830 chamber are in the low-pressure zone, thus forming a push force 900 output direction that is further clockwise offset from the third working state, realizing continuous rotational switching of the downhole bias direction.

[0065] By employing the aforementioned periodic flow control method, the piston chamber of the rotary steerable tool can be alternately connected between the high-pressure and low-pressure flow channels, thereby achieving periodic output of the pushing force. This enables dynamic and continuous adjustment of the rotary steerable tool's structural bend angle, allowing the drill bit to form the desired offset direction in real time, improving the response speed and adjustment accuracy of directional control, and significantly enhancing the controllability and wellbore trajectory quality of rotary steerable drilling operations.

[0066] This application embodiment also provides a rotary steerable drilling tool system, including a first push piston 810, a second push piston 820, a third push piston 830, a fourth push piston 840, and the aforementioned rotary distribution valve 10. The four sets of push pistons are evenly distributed circumferentially inside the rotary steerable drilling tool system and are connected to the hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve 10 through fluid flow channels. The first push piston 810, the second push piston 820, the third push piston 830, and the fourth push piston 840 are respectively connected to the first flow channel 161, the second flow channel 162, the third flow channel 163, and the fourth flow channel 164 in the rotary distribution valve 10. The directional output of the pushing force 900 is achieved through the operation of the rotary valve core 200, realizing continuous rotational switching of the downhole offset direction, thereby achieving directional drilling.

[0067] It should be noted that the embodiments mentioned in the specification, such as "an embodiment," "an embodiment," "an exemplary embodiment," "some embodiments," etc., may include specific features, structures, or characteristics, but not every embodiment necessarily includes that specific feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Moreover, when a specific feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, implementing such a feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments, whether explicitly described or not, is within the knowledge scope of those skilled in the art.

[0068] Generally speaking, terms should be understood at least in part by their use in context. For example, the term “one or more” as used in the text can be used, at least in part, to describe any feature, structure, or characteristic of the meaning of the singular, or a combination of features, structures, or characteristics of the meaning of the plural, depending on the context.

[0069] It should be readily understood that “on,” “above,” and “on top of” in this disclosure should be interpreted in the broadest manner, such that “on” means not only “directly on something” but also “on something” with an intermediate feature or layer therebetween, and that “above” or “on top of” means not only “on something” but also “on something” without an intermediate feature or layer therebetween (i.e., directly on something).

[0070] Furthermore, for ease of explanation, spatially relative terms such as "below," "below," "under," "above," and "above" may be used to describe the relationship of one element or feature relative to other elements or features as shown in the figures. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation other than those shown in the figures. The device may have other orientations (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptive terms used herein may be interpreted accordingly.

[0071] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for rotary guide tools, characterized in that, It includes a distribution valve body, a rotary valve core, a fluid filter assembly, a bearing assembly, and a hydraulically assisted impeller; The flow distribution valve body has a central flow guide hole, and the rotary valve core is coaxially rotated and fitted along the central flow guide hole of the flow distribution valve body; The fluid filtration assembly includes a first filtration assembly and a second filtration assembly. The first filtration assembly is installed at the first end of the distribution valve body, and the second filtration assembly is installed at the second end of the distribution valve body. The first filtration assembly, the central guide hole of the distribution valve body, and the second filtration assembly together constitute a rotary valve core receiving cavity. The bearing assembly includes a first bearing, a second bearing, and a third bearing coaxially disposed within the rotary valve core receiving cavity; The hydraulically assisted impeller is coaxially disposed on the outer side of the rotary valve core at the end away from the first filter assembly.

2. A hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for a rotary guide tool according to claim 1, characterized in that, The distribution valve body has a central guide hole with a first boss, a second boss, a third boss, a fourth boss, and a fifth boss arranged sequentially from the first end to the second end. The outer wall of the distribution valve body has a first fan-shaped boss, a second fan-shaped boss, a third fan-shaped boss, and a fourth fan-shaped boss arranged sequentially in a clockwise direction along the circumference. An annular base is provided at the end of the fan-shaped boss away from the distribution valve body to support and fix the distribution valve body. The outer side of the distribution valve body, the gaps between the fan-shaped bosses, and the central hole of the annular base constitute the main flow channel for the high-pressure fluid.

3. A hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for a rotary guide tool according to claim 2, characterized in that, Along the axial direction of the first, second, third, and fourth sector-shaped bosses of the flow distribution valve body, a first guide hole, a second guide hole, a third guide hole, and a fourth guide hole are respectively provided; along the circumferential direction of the sidewall of the fifth boss of the flow distribution valve body, a first sidewall through hole, a second sidewall through hole, a third sidewall through hole, and a fourth sidewall through hole are provided, and each sidewall through hole is connected to the first guide hole, the second guide hole, the third guide hole, and the fourth guide hole respectively; The first guide hole and the first sidewall through hole together form a first guide channel; the second guide hole and the second sidewall through hole together form a second guide channel; the third guide hole and the third sidewall through hole together form a third guide channel; and the fourth guide hole and the fourth sidewall through hole together form a fourth guide channel.

4. A hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for a rotary guide tool according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first flow guiding channel, the second flow guiding channel, the third flow guiding channel and the fourth flow guiding channel are evenly distributed along the circumference of the flow distribution valve body.

5. A hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for a rotary guide tool according to claim 3, characterized in that, A fifth guide hole is provided along the axial direction of the fourth sector-shaped boss of the distribution valve body, and the fifth guide hole is arranged on the side close to the first sector-shaped boss in the circumferential direction; a fifth side wall through hole communicating with the fifth guide hole is provided along the side wall of the third boss of the distribution valve body.

6. The hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for a rotary guide tool according to claim 5, characterized in that, The rotary valve core is cylindrical, and the rotary valve core is provided with a first boss, a second boss, a third boss, a fourth boss and a fifth boss in sequence from the first end to the second end. An annular groove is provided on the outer side of the fourth boss of the rotary valve core, corresponding to the through hole of the fifth side wall of the distribution valve body. A radial guide hole is provided along the radial direction of the annular groove, penetrating the fourth boss of the rotary valve core. An axial guide hole is provided along the rotary valve core from the second end to the radial guide hole. A fan-shaped guide hole communicating with the axial guide hole is provided at the position corresponding to the first side wall through hole of the flow distribution valve body on the fifth boss of the rotary valve core; a fan-shaped guide groove is provided at the position symmetrically arranged with respect to the fan-shaped guide hole in the circumferential direction of the rotary valve core, and the fan-shaped guide groove extends axially from the second end of the rotary valve core to the position corresponding to the first side wall through hole of the flow distribution valve body.

7. A hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for a rotary guide tool according to claim 6, characterized in that, The fan-shaped flow guide hole, the axial flow guide hole, and the radial flow guide hole of the rotary valve core are connected to the fifth side wall through hole and the fifth flow guide hole of the flow distribution valve body, and together they form the fifth flow guide channel for the fluid.

8. A hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for a rotary guide tool according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The first filter assembly includes a first filter end cap and a first filter disc. The first filter end cap is fixedly connected to the first end of the distribution valve body, and the first filter disc is fixedly installed in the central hole of the first filter end cap. The second filter assembly includes a second filter sleeve, a second filter end cap, and a second filter disc. The second filter end cap is fixedly connected to the second end of the distribution valve body. The second filter sleeve is fixedly installed on the outside of the second filter end cap, and the second filter disc is fixedly installed in the central hole of the second filter end cap.

9. A hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for a rotary guide tool according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first filter end cap has a conical structure, while the second filter sleeve and the second filter end cap have spherical structures. The first filter end cap, the first filter disc, the second filter sleeve, the second filter end cap, and the second filter disc are all provided with multiple filter holes.

10. A hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for a rotary guide tool according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first bearing is sleeved on the outside of the second boss of the rotary valve core. The first bearing is a double-acting thrust bearing and is used to bear the axial load of the rotary valve core. The second bearing is sleeved on the outside of the third boss of the rotary valve core, and the third bearing is sleeved on the outside of the fourth boss of the rotary valve core. The second bearing and the third bearing are both centering bearings and are used to bear the radial load of the rotary valve core.

11. A hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for a rotary guide tool according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hydraulically assisted impeller includes a conical bushing and blades, with multiple blades evenly arranged circumferentially along the outer wall of the conical bushing.

12. A hydraulically assisted rotary distribution valve for a rotary guide tool according to claim 6, characterized in that, A sealing plug is provided at the opening of the axial flow guide hole of the rotary valve core to isolate the axial flow guide hole of the rotary valve core from the central flow guide hole of the flow distribution valve body.

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