Adjustable Bent Housing for Directional Drilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing directional drilling apparatuses, such as downhole mud motors, require replacing the entire bent housing section to adjust the drill bit axis, leading to inefficiencies and increased inventory needs, and lack durability and precision in angular adjustments.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable bent housing apparatus with a first and second housing, a collar with helical ends, and a mechanical interlocking mechanism using splines, allowing for angular displacement and locking of the drill bit axis without replacing the housing sections, enabling precise adjustments on-site.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the entire bent housing section is replaced to adjust the drill bit axis, then the drill bit orientation can be changed, but the inventory requirements and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The bent housing is divided into two separate housings (first housing and second housing) connected by a collar assembly. This segmentation allows the collar to be independently adjusted to change the angular relationship between the two housings, enabling drill bit axis adjustment without replacing entire housing sections. The collar acts as an independent adjustable component that segments the adjustment function from the housing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar assembly incorporates dynamic adjustment capability through threaded openings and locking mechanisms. The collar can be rotated to different angular positions relative to the housings and locked in place, providing adjustable and variable drill bit orientation. This dynamic mechanism eliminates the need for multiple static housing configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple bent housing sections are maintained for different angles, then adjustment flexibility is improved, but the quantity of equipment and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The collar assembly serves multiple functions: it connects the two housings, provides angular adjustment capability, and includes locking mechanisms to maintain various orientations. This single multi-functional component replaces the need for multiple specialized bent housing sections, each designed for specific angles. The universal collar design allows one assembly to perform the functions of what would otherwise require multiple different housing configurations.
3Ease of operation
If the bent housing is designed for easy adjustment, then operational ease is improved, but the structural strength and durability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the adjustment function into a separate collar assembly, the main housing structures can be designed for maximum strength and durability without incorporating adjustment mechanisms. The collar, which handles the adjustment operations, is designed specifically for ease of operation with threaded openings and locking features. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its primary function: housings for strength, collar for adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar acts as an intermediary component between the two housings, providing the adjustment functionality without requiring the housings themselves to be adjustable. This intermediary mechanism protects the structural integrity of the housings while still enabling easy operation for angle adjustment. The collar absorbs the operational complexity, allowing the housings to remain simple, strong structures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables angular adjustments of the drill bit axis with reduced inventory needs, improved durability, and precise geo-steering capabilities, allowing for efficient and accurate drilling in directional wells without the need for spare housing sections.
Implementation Method 1
The collar has a helical collar end and a radial collar end, wherein the radial collar end engages the end surface and the helical collar end engages the helical end
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for controlling the direction of drill bit within a wellbore. The apparatus comprises a first housing with a first housing axis therein, and wherein the first housing has a first threaded opening having a first threaded opening axis. The first housing has a helical end. A second housing is included, and the second housing contains a second housing axis, and a second threaded opening having a second threaded opening axis configured to engage with the first threaded opening. A collar is included that has a helical collar end that engages the helical collar end and wherein the helical collar end is configured reciprocal to the helical end, and rotational displacement of the first housing relative to the collar will angularly displace the drill bit axis. The apparatus may further include spline members for locking the collar in place relative to the first and second housing.