Downhole Bend Angle Sensing via Flow Diverter Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Directional drilling technologies face challenges in accurately determining and controlling the downhole bend angle of adjustable bent housings, which is crucial for precise directional control and avoiding unwanted deviations in drilling operations.
Innovation Solution
A directional drilling device assembly incorporating a flow diverter and pressure sensors to determine the downhole bend angle by diverting drilling fluid through various flow path configurations, allowing for real-time measurement of pressure and flow rate changes as the bent housing is adjusted, enabling precise control of the drilling direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a bent-housing or bent-sub downhole drilling motor is attached to the end of the drilling string to provide steering capabilities, then directional control of the wellbore is improved, but accurate determination of the downhole bend angle becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bend angle sensing assembly as an intermediary device that includes flow diverters and pressure sensors. The flow diverters are positioned to divert drilling fluid through different flow paths based on the bend angle, and pressure sensors measure the pressure differential across these flow paths to determine the actual bend angle, thereby enabling accurate measurement without directly measuring the mechanical bend itself
2Ease of operation
If rotary steerable drilling is used to rotate the drill pipe string from the surface, then directional control is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical bend angle measurement systems with a fluid-based sensing system. Instead of using mechanical sensors that would require complex installation and calibration in the rotating drill string, the invention uses drilling fluid flow and pressure measurements to determine bend angle, simplifying the overall system while maintaining measurement accuracy
3Ease of operation
If sliding drilling with downhole motor is used to control wellbore direction, then directional control is achieved, but real-time bend angle monitoring becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where pressure sensors continuously measure the pressure differential across the flow diverters, and this information is used to determine the current bend angle. This provides real-time feedback on the actual bend angle being achieved, allowing operators to monitor and adjust the drilling direction accordingly, preventing loss of critical directional information
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 accurate determination and control of the downhole bend angle, improving directional drilling precision and reducing unwanted deviations by correlating fluid flow configurations with corresponding bend angles, thus enhancing drilling efficiency and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a flow diverter having a plurality of differently configured diversion flow channels, each having a selectable fluid flow inlet placeable in fluid communication with a diverted fluid flow source depending on the particular bend angle
Implementation Method 2
pressure sensors for determining which of the plurality of differently configured flow diversion channels is experiencing fluid flow therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
A bend angle sensing assembly for determining a downhole bend angle of a downhole adjustable bent housing. The bend angle sensing assembly includes a flow diverter having a plurality of diverter apertures for receiving drilling fluid, the flow diverter orientable to a plurality of diverter configurations in dependence on the bend angle of the associated downhole adjustable bent housing. Each of the plurality of diverter configurations have one or more of the plurality of diverter apertures opening or closing to form a corresponding flow path configuration, each flow path configuration having a different flow area whereby the pressure of the drilling fluid changes for each flow path configuration. Additionally, a pressure sensor is communicatively coupled to the drilling fluid.