Borehole Speed Controller Torque-Speed Transfer Function Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Drilling operations are hindered by torsional vibrations, resonance, and stick-slip oscillations, which require frequent manual adjustment of speed controller parameters as drill string geometry changes, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for automatically determining operational parameters of borehole equipment by varying torque and measuring rotational speed to match estimated and computed torque-speed transfer functions, allowing for continuous adaptation of speed controller settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual adjustment of speed controller parameters is performed frequently as drill string geometry changes, then operational accuracy can be maintained, but operational efficiency deteriorates and potential damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparameter tuning accuracyVSAvoiddrilling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-tuning by automatically determining operational parameters through torque-speed transfer function matching. The controller varies torque, measures rotational speed, and autonomously adjusts speed controller parameters without manual intervention, enabling the system to serve itself in maintaining optimal performance while continuing drilling operations uninterrupted

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary determination of operational parameters by matching computed transfer functions from computational models with estimated transfer functions from actual measurements before full-scale operation. This preliminary characterization allows the system to pre-adjust parameters to optimal values, preventing performance degradation and eliminating the need for frequent manual adjustments during drilling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If manual adjustment of speed controller parameters is performed frequently, then operational accuracy can be maintained, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparameter tuning accuracyVSAvoiddowntime for parameter adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The controller autonomously determines operational parameters and adjusts speed controller settings without requiring operator intervention. The system varies torque, measures rotational speed, computes transfer functions, and automatically tunes parameters, eliminating the time operators would spend on manual adjustments and preventing drilling operations from being interrupted

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical adjustment processes with automated computational methods. Instead of operators manually calculating and adjusting parameters based on drill string geometry changes, the system uses computational models and transfer function matching to automatically determine optimal parameters, substituting human judgment and manual operations with automated computational processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If automatic determination of operational parameters is implemented, then productivity is improved and time loss is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller performs multiple functions: it varies torque, measures rotational speed, computes transfer functions, determines operational parameters, and adjusts speed controller settings. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional control system, the patent achieves automatic parameter determination without proportionally increasing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The computational model of borehole equipment serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap between raw measurements and control decisions. The model receives torque and rotational speed data, computes expected transfer functions, and provides guidance for parameter adjustment, simplifying the complexity of direct automatic control by introducing an intermediate computational layer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9708900B2Method of and a device for determining operational parameters of a computational model of borehole equipment, an electronic controller and borehole equipment

Publication Date: 2017.07.18 ENGIE ELECTROPROJECT BV

AI summary

A method of and a device for computer controlled determination of operational parameters of a computational model of borehole equipment for drilling a borehole in an earth formation are described. The borehole equipment has a rotational drive system, a drill string having a bottom hole assembly and a top end coupled to the rotational drive system, and a speed controller for controlling rotational drive speed of the drive system. The drive system is controlled such that a torque provided by the drive system while driving the drill string is varied over a time period. From the varying torque and rotational top end drive speed of the drill string an estimated torque-speed transfer function is obtained and matched with a torque-speed transfer function computed from the computational model of the borehole equipment. The operational parameters are determined from the matched estimated torque-speed transfer function and the computed torque-speed transfer function.