Drilling Tool Bending Detection via Electrical Conduit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Downhole tools in drilling operations face misalignment due to bending, which affects measurement accuracy, particularly in resistivity measurements where large antenna spacings are required for deeper detection, leading to potential misalignment of transmitter and receiver antennas.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing magnetic materials and an electrical conduit electro-magnetically coupled to the tool, where a signal source feeds a signal into the conduit, allowing measurement of signal properties to determine bending, thereby correcting for tool misalignment and improving measurement accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If large spacing between transmitter and receiver antennas is used to increase detection depth, then detection depth is improved, but alignment accuracy deteriorates due to bending-induced misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection depthVSAvoidalignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system measures bending moments using strain gauges attached to the drilling tool and feeds this information back to correct antenna alignment data. This feedback loop allows the system to compensate for bending-induced misalignment, maintaining measurement precision even when large antenna spacing is used for deeper detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct mechanical alignment measurement with an electromagnetic field-based measurement system that accounts for bending. By using strain gauge measurements and computational correction rather than purely mechanical alignment, the system achieves both deep detection capability and accurate alignment measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If strain gauges are used to measure bending moments, then bending measurement capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebending measurement capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drilling tool serves multiple functions: it performs drilling operations, carries antennas for electromagnetic detection, and simultaneously acts as the mounting structure for strain gauges that measure bending. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by eliminating the need for separate dedicated bending measurement apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The drilling tool itself provides the structural framework that both experiences bending and measures bending through integrated strain gauges. The tool structure serves its primary drilling function while simultaneously enabling bending measurement, eliminating the need for additional dedicated measurement structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If sensors are rigidly mounted to maintain desired orientation, then sensor alignment is improved, but susceptibility to bending-induced misalignment increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor alignmentVSAvoidbending-induced misalignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Strain gauges are mounted on the tool structure to measure bending moments in real-time. This bending information is fed back to correct the sensor alignment data, allowing the system to compensate for misalignment caused by bending while maintaining rigid sensor mounting for structural stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The strain gauge measurement system acts as an intermediary between the physical bending of the tool and the sensor alignment data. By measuring bending and providing correction factors, the strain gauges mediate between the harmful bending effects and the measurement accuracy requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system effectively determines bending in downhole tools, enhancing the accuracy of resistivity measurements and enabling more precise drilling decisions by accounting for tool alignment, thus improving operational efficiency and data reliability.

Implementation Method 1

at least one electrical conduit in the drilling tool and electro-magnetically coupled to the at least one element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the at least one element includes a magnetic material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field interaction: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS11149538B2Systems and methods for determining bending of a drilling tool, the drilling tool having electrical conduit

Publication Date: 2021.10.19 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

A system for determining bending of a drilling tool includes at least one element attached to the drilling tool and the at least one element includes a magnetic material, and at least one electrical conduit in the drilling tool and electro-magnetically coupled to the at least one element. The system also includes at least one signal source that feeds a signal into the electrical conduit and a measurement system that: measures at least one property of the signal in the electrical conduit as the signal source feeds the signal; and determines the bending of the drilling tool based on the measured property of the signal.