Pulsed-Power Drill Bit Ground Ring Abrasive Composite
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pulsed-power drilling technologies face challenges with drill bit hang-ups and side-tracking due to the lack of effective mechanical rock cutting features, which hinder efficient penetration and movement in subterranean rock formations.
Innovation Solution
The enhancement of the ground ring on a pulsed-power drill bit with hardened, mechanical rock cutting features formed by infiltrating reinforcement materials with binder and abrasive materials, creating composite materials that minimize hang-ups and side-tracking by facilitating better rock fracture and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If pulsed-power drilling technology is used to fracture rock formations, then rock destruction capability is improved, but mechanical rock cutting capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ground ring merges both pulsed-power rock destruction capability and mechanical rock cutting capability into a single component. It incorporates conductive material for electrical discharge while also including abrasive material and hardening treatment for mechanical cutting, allowing both functions to work simultaneously during drilling operations
Solution Approach 2:
The ground ring uses composite material structure combining conductive material (for electrical discharge), abrasive material (for mechanical cutting), and undergoes hardening treatment. This composite approach enables the single component to perform both electrical rock fracture and mechanical rock cutting functions
2Ease of operation
If traditional drill bit design is used, then mechanical rock cutting is maintained, but hang-ups and side-tracking increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ground ring changes the material parameters by incorporating abrasive material and undergoing hardening treatment, which modifies the mechanical properties to reduce hang-ups and side-tracking while maintaining effective rock cutting capability
Solution Approach 2:
The ground ring applies local quality enhancement by concentrating abrasive material and hardening treatment specifically on the outer peripheral surface where rock contact occurs, providing targeted mechanical cutting capability exactly where needed to prevent hang-ups
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 enhanced ground ring design improves drilling efficiency by reducing physical hang-ups and side-tracking, enabling more reliable and efficient penetration through subterranean formations by incorporating abrasive and reinforcement materials to enhance rock cutting capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a first composite material including a reinforcement material and an abrasive material infiltrated through at least one region of the reinforcement material
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a pulsed-power drill bit including a bit body, an electrode, and a ground ring coupled to the bit body proximate to the electrode and having a first portion and a second portion located between the first portion and the bit body, the first portion including first composite material including a reinforcement material and an abrasive material infiltrated through at least one region of the reinforcement material, the second portion including a second composite material including the reinforcement material and a binder material infiltrated through the reinforcement material, the second composite material having a different composition than the first composite material. The disclosure further provides a pulsed-power drilling system containing such a bit and a method of pulsed-power drilling using such a bit.