Debris Analysis Device Using Load Cells for Well Drilling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for quantitative analysis of debris in well drilling are imprecise due to uncertainty in center of mass location, bulky, and lack flexibility and independence from other services, making them unsuitable for complex and space-restricted drilling environments like offshore platforms.

Innovation Solution

A stand-alone device with a tray supported by uprights, equipped with lateral fins and protrusions for debris retention, and load cells for precise weight measurement, allowing continuous debris collection and discharge, and operated independently with remote parameter selection and data processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If a rotating tray with bending moment measurement is used for debris weight measurement, then continuous measurement capability is achieved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to uncertainty in center of mass location

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous measurement capabilityVSAvoiddebris weight measurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical bending moment measurement system with an electrical measurement system using load cells. The load cells directly measure the weight force exerted by debris on the tray through electrical signals, eliminating the need to calculate bending moments and determine center of mass location, thus achieving both continuous measurement and high precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces load cells as intermediary measurement devices between the debris and the measurement system. The load cells serve as sensors that convert the mechanical weight force into electrical signals, providing a direct and precise measurement interface that resolves the measurement precision issue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a standard vibrating screen width tray is used for debris collection, then debris collection capability is ensured, but device volume increases making it unsuitable for space-restricted environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris collection capabilityVSAvoiddevice volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the dimensional parameters of the tray, reducing its width to be less than the width of standard vibrating screens while maintaining adequate debris collection capability. This parameter modification allows the device to fit in space-restricted environments like offshore drilling platforms without sacrificing essential functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If integrated service systems are used for debris analysis, then functionality is comprehensive, but device complexity and dependency on other services increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctionality comprehensivenessVSAvoidsystem dependency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by integrating all necessary debris analysis functions into a single autonomous device. The device includes its own tray for collection, load cells for measurement, and data processing capabilities, eliminating the need to integrate with external vibrating screens and other service systems, thus reducing complexity and increasing adaptability

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

Enables precise and continuous debris analysis in restricted spaces, improving accuracy and flexibility, and allowing real-time monitoring of drilling parameters, reducing the risk of bit failure and formation instability.

Implementation Method 1

at least four extensometric cells arranged at the four corners of a base upon which the support structure of the device is placed in order to perform a direct measurement of the weight force exerted on the conveyor belt

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce measurement: Force

Implementation Method 2

The measured weight of the debris based on the bending moment, as occurs in the device described in EP 0 995 009 A1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConveyor transport:

Data Source

PatentUS10480991B2Device for the quantitative analysis of debris produced while drilling a well

Publication Date: 2019.11.19 GEOLOG AMERICAS INC

AI summary

A device includes: a frame; a tray supported by the frame; a measurement device configured to weigh debris loaded on the tray; wherein the tray has a front end and a rear end with a first side and a second side each extending therebetween; wherein the first side has a first protrusion and a second protrusion with a movement member being configured to make the first protrusion follow a first trajectory; a guide is configured to make the second protrusion follow a second trajectory while the first protrusion is moved along said first trajectory; wherein the movement member is configured to act on said first protrusion so as to roto-translate the tray between a first position, wherein the tray is configured to carry debris to be weighted, and a second position wherein the tray is configured to discharge the debris.