Cutting Table Fluid Pathways for Thermal Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Earth-boring tools experience thermal damage due to high temperatures during drilling, leading to decreased cutting efficiency and premature wear of cutting tables, which results in reduced operational life.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating fluid flow pathways within the hard material of cutting tables to direct drilling fluid towards internal regions, facilitating cooling and managing temperature gradients, thereby enhancing cutting efficiency and operational life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If conventional cutting tables without internal cooling are used, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easier, but thermal damage occurs leading to premature wear and reduced operational life

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational life of cutting tableVSAvoidstructure of cutting table

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting table is segmented by incorporating internal fluid flow pathways that divide the hard material into regions separated by cooling channels. This segmentation allows targeted cooling of specific high-temperature zones without compromising the overall structural integrity of the cutting table.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting table incorporates internal fluid flow pathways that create a porous-like structure within the hard material. These pathways allow drilling fluid to penetrate and cool internal regions, effectively managing heat generation while maintaining the external solidity and cutting functionality of the table.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Productivity

If conventional cutting tables without internal cooling are used, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but high temperatures cause thermal damage and decreased cutting efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing of cutting table

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid flow pathways are incorporated into the cutting table during the manufacturing process, specifically within the HTHP synthesis stage. This preliminary action ensures that cooling capabilities are built-in from the start, allowing the cutting table to immediately manage thermal loads during drilling operations without requiring post-manufacturing modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting table utilizes hydraulic cooling by channeling drilling fluid through internal pathways. This hydraulic system efficiently removes heat generated during cutting operations, maintaining optimal temperatures for sustained high productivity without compromising the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Reliability

If conventional cutting tables are used, then the structure is simpler, but thermal damage leads to separation of cutting tables from supporting substrates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment stability of cutting tableVSAvoidstructure of cutting table

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid flow pathways are strategically positioned and configured to cool the interface region between the cutting table and supporting substrate before thermal damage can occur. This beforehand cushioning through targeted cooling prevents the thermal expansion and degradation that would otherwise cause separation and failure of the attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 implementation of fluid flow pathways within cutting tables effectively cools high-temperature regions, improving drilling efficiency and extending the operational life of cutting elements in earth-boring tools.

Implementation Method 1

The fluid flow pathway is configured to direct fluid proximate outermost boundaries of the hard material through one or more regions of the hard material inward of the outermost boundary of the hard material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

Incorporating fluid flow pathways within the hard material of cutting tables to direct drilling fluid towards internal regions, facilitating cooling and managing temperature gradients

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection cooling: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS10584540B2Cutting tables including fluid flow pathways, and related cutting elements, and earth-boring tools

Publication Date: 2020.03.10 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

A cutting table comprises hard material, and a fluid flow pathway within the hard material. The fluid flow pathway is configured to direct fluid proximate outermost boundaries of the hard material through one or more regions of the hard material inward of the outermost boundary of the hard material. A cutting element and an earth-boring tool are also described.