Angled Fluid Inlet Sleeve for Drill Bit Erosion Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing earth-boring tools face challenges with erosion and wear resistance due to continuous exposure to abrasive and erosive drilling fluids, leading to reduced drill bit lifespan and potential failure.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating fluid inlet sleeves with angled or stepped ends within the nozzle ports of earth-boring tools, which reduce fluid velocity and minimize erosion by directing fluid flow away from internal surfaces, thereby enhancing wear resistance and tool longevity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional straight fluid inlet sleeves are used, then fluid flow path is simple and manufacturing is easy, but fluid velocity on internal surfaces remains high causing severe erosion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerosion on internal surfacesVSAvoidfluid inlet sleeve geometry

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid inlet sleeve employs asymmetric geometry with a tapered end (first portion) that transitions from a larger diameter to a smaller diameter, creating non-uniform fluid velocity distribution. This asymmetric design directs fluid flow away from high-velocity impact zones on the internal surfaces of the drill bit, reducing erosion in critical areas while maintaining overall flow efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces angular orientation of the tapered end surface relative to the longitudinal axis of the inlet sleeve, adding a dimensional component to fluid flow direction control. This angular geometry (second portion) redirects fluid flow in a specific direction away from the internal surfaces, transforming the flow path in three-dimensional space to minimize erosive impact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If fluid flow rate is increased to improve cooling and debris removal, then cutting element performance improves, but erosion on the drill bit body increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling efficiencyVSAvoiderosion on drill bit body

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The tapered and angled geometry of the fluid inlet sleeve creates localized flow velocity variations. By concentrating fluid flow through the tapered portion and directing it at specific angles, the design achieves high flow rates where needed for cooling and debris removal while creating low-velocity zones on the internal surfaces of the drill bit body, thereby reducing erosion in those areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potentially harmful high-velocity fluid impact into a beneficial directed flow. The tapered and angled sleeve geometry transforms the direct high-velocity impact that would cause erosion into a controlled flow direction that enhances cooling and debris removal efficiency while minimizing erosive effects on critical surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If angled or stepped ends are added to fluid inlet sleeves, then erosion resistance improves, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool lifespanVSAvoidinlet sleeve fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid inlet sleeve is divided into distinct functional segments: a tapered end portion (first portion) for flow direction control and an angled/stepped portion (second portion) for flow redirection. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while simplifying the manufacturing process, as each segment can be formed using standard machining operations rather than requiring complex monolithic geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

The solution effectively reduces fluid velocity on internal surfaces, extending the tool's lifespan, improving reliability, and lowering operational costs by minimizing wear and erosion.

Implementation Method 1

the longitudinal end comprising at least one surface oriented at an angle within a range from greater than 0 degrees to about 90 degrees relative to a plane to which a longitudinal axis of the fluid inlet sleeve is normal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow redirection:

Data Source

PatentUS20220307326A1Fluid inlet sleeves for improving fluid flow in earth-boring tools, earth-boring tools having fluid inlet sleeves, and related methods

Publication Date: 2022.09.29 BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

An earth-boring tool includes a nozzle port extending from an external surface to an internal fluid plenum of a tool body. A fluid inlet sleeve is disposed within the nozzle port of the tool body. The fluid inlet sleeve includes a hollow cylinder having a longitudinal end oriented within the internal fluid plenum. The longitudinal end of the fluid inlet sleeve includes one surface oriented at an angle within a range from greater than 0 degrees to about 90 degrees relative to a plane to which a longitudinal axis of the fluid inlet sleeve is normal.