Drill Rod and Casing Rotation Mechanism for Friction Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing well-drilling devices face significant friction forces between the casing tubes and the subsoil, which slows down the drilling speed and increases costs, with existing solutions being complex and costly.

Innovation Solution

A device with a single drive motor and pinion system that rotates the drill rod and casing in opposite directions, using a chain of gear sprockets and pinions to facilitate simultaneous drilling and casing, reducing friction and enhancing drilling speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the casing tubes are advanced through the subsoil during drilling, then the well is properly cased to prevent collapse, but significant friction forces between the casing and subsoil slow down the drilling speed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewell casing stabilityVSAvoiddrilling speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies reverse rotation to the casing relative to the drill rod. While the drill rod rotates in one direction, the casing rotates in the opposite direction, which reduces friction between the casing outer wall and the subsoil, thereby increasing drilling speed while maintaining proper casing installation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If multiple drive units are used to rotate the rod and casing in opposite directions, then the friction problem is addressed, but the device becomes very complex with three drive units for only two functions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrilling speedVSAvoidnumber of drive units
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple drive functions into a single drive unit. The first drive unit is coupled to both the drill rod and the casing, enabling it to control both components. This merging of functions reduces the number of drive units from three to one, simplifying the device while maintaining the ability to rotate the rod and casing in opposite directions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single drive unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it drives the drill rod in one direction and the casing in the opposite direction. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate drive units for each component, reducing overall system complexity while achieving the desired drilling performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 device allows for faster well penetration with reduced friction between the casing and subsoil, achieving efficient drilling while maintaining operational simplicity and lowering costs.

Implementation Method 1

two sets of pinions (51, 61) connected to said output shaft and, respectively, to said end (12) of said rod (10) and to said proximal end (32) of said casing (30), said two sets each comprising a chain of gear sprockets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGear mechanism: Gear

Data Source

PatentEP2157277B1Well drilling apparatus
Publication Date: 2011.09.21 ARSONNET GERARD
  • EP2157277B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2157277B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The device (Dr) has mounting units (40) mounting a rod (10) in a tubing (30) such that axes (11, 31) of the rod and the tubing are confounded, distal ends (13, 33) of the rod and the tubing are at the same level and a drilling tool (20) e.g. impactor, emerges from the distal end of the tubing. A set of driving units (50) drives the rod in rotation around the axis of the rod in a direction (S1) to excavate a well by the tool. Another set of driving units (60) drives the tubing in rotation around the axis of the tubing in another opposite direction (S2) when the well is drilled by the tool.