Drill Bit Lever Mechanism for Real-Time Pad Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Drill bits experience fluctuations and vibrations when drilling through different rock formations, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage, as existing methods for controlling rate of penetration and drill bit aggressiveness require non-immediate surface actions.

Innovation Solution

A drill bit with extendable pads and a lever action force application device that allows for on-demand adjustment of pad extension and retraction, controlling the depth of cut and axial aggressiveness of the drill bit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the rate of penetration is increased by increasing weight-on-bit or rotational speed, then drilling productivity is improved, but drill bit fluctuations and vibrations increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverate of penetrationVSAvoiddrill bit fluctuations

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The pad depth control mechanism transforms the static drill bit configuration into a dynamic system where pad extension depth can be adjusted in real-time based on drilling conditions. The force application device with lever action allows continuous adjustment of pad depth, enabling the system to adapt to varying formation hardness and drilling parameters, thereby maintaining stability while optimizing rate of penetration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical parameter of pad extension depth to control drill bit aggressiveness. By adjusting the pad depth parameter, the system can modulate the depth of cut and consequently control vibrations and fluctuations without changing weight-on-bit or rotational speed, thus maintaining productivity while reducing instability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the drill bit aggressiveness is increased to improve rate of penetration, then productivity is improved, but drill bit vibrations and oscillations increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverate of penetrationVSAvoiddrill bit vibrations

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by providing pads with different extension depths at different locations on the drill bit face. This allows selective control of aggressiveness in different regions, enabling smoother cutting action that reduces vibrations while maintaining overall productivity. The force application device with lever action provides precise local control over pad depth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If the depth of cut is increased to reduce drill bit aggressiveness, then vibrations are reduced, but rate of penetration decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrill bit fluctuationsVSAvoidrate of penetration

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The dynamic pad depth adjustment mechanism allows the system to optimize the balance between depth of cut and rate of penetration in real-time. By adjusting pad extension depth, the system can maintain optimal cutting conditions that reduce vibrations without sacrificing productivity, unlike static configurations that require compromising between these parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Stability of the object's composition

If surface actions are taken to control drill bit fluctuations by adjusting weight-on-bit or rotational speed, then drill bit stability is improved, but response time is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrill bit fluctuationsVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The pad depth control mechanism located at the drill bit enables self-service control of drill bit aggressiveness and stability. The force application device with lever action allows the drill bit to adjust its own cutting parameters locally without requiring surface intervention, eliminating the time delay associated with surface actions and providing immediate response to drilling conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

This solution enables smoother drilling, reduces vibrations, and extends the life of the drill bit by allowing real-time control of drill bit aggressiveness, improving drilling efficiency and preventing premature damage.

Implementation Method 1

a lever action device configured to extend and retract the pad from the drill bit surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLever action: Lever

Data Source

PatentEP2880245B1Drill bit with a force application device using a lever device for controlling extension of a pad from a drill bit surface

Publication Date: 2018.01.31 BAKER HUGHES CO

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

In one aspect, a drill bit is disclosed that in one embodiment includes a pad configured to extend and retract from a surface of the drill bit and a force application device configured to extend and retract the pad, wherein the force application device includes a force action member that includes a lever action device configured to extend and retract the pad from the drill bit surface, in another aspect, a method of drilling a wellbore is provided that in one embodiment includes: conveying a drill string having a drill bit at an end thereof, wherein the drill bit includes a pad configured to extend and retract from a surface of the drill bit and a force application device that includes a lever action device configured to extend and retract the pad from the surface of the drill bit; and rotating the drill bit to drill the wellbore.