Dual Synchronized Measurement Puck for Downhole Drill Bit Forces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drill bits in oil and gas production face premature failure due to various forces such as tension, torsion, bending, and temperature, leading to wear and unintended motion or vibration, which existing technologies struggle to effectively measure and mitigate.
Innovation Solution
A compact dual synchronized multi-puck measurement system is integrated into the drill bit, combining strain gauges and motion sensors to measure and synchronize strain, motion, and vibration data, allowing for efficient communication and reduced wiring, enabling precise analysis of forces and adjustments to drilling parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate measurement pucks are used to measure different forces, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and wiring requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate measurement pucks (accelerometer puck, gyroscope puck, magnetometer puck, and strain gauge puck) into a single integrated measurement puck. This consolidation integrates multiple sensors and their respective circuitry into one unified device, reducing the overall wiring complexity while maintaining the ability to measure all required forces and motions simultaneously
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate measurement pucks are used, then comprehensive force measurement is achieved, but the measurement system becomes too large for compact drill bit integration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple measurement functions into a single compact puck that fits within the drill bit assembly. By integrating accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, and strain gauge measurements into one unified device, the system achieves comprehensive force measurement capability while maintaining a compact form factor suitable for drill bit integration
3Measurement precision
If separate measurement pucks are used for different sensors, then sensor specialization is improved, but synchronization and data correlation become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple specialized sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, strain gauge) into a single integrated measurement puck with shared timing and synchronization circuitry. This integration ensures that all sensors operate on a common time base and can be precisely correlated, eliminating synchronization issues that would arise from using separate pucks while maintaining the specialized measurement capabilities of each sensor type
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 measures and synchronizes strain and motion data across the drill bit, allowing for accurate determination of weight-on-bit and bending forces, reducing wear and improving drill bit longevity by optimizing drilling operations.
Implementation Method 1
A first of the measurement pucks may be a support structure with strain gauges coupled thereto (mechanical strain puck)
Implementation Method 2
The motion related sensors can include a gyroscope, a magnetometer, and/or an accelerometer
Implementation Method 3
The motion related sensors can include a gyroscope, a magnetometer, and/or an accelerometer
Implementation Method 4
The motion related sensors can include a gyroscope, a magnetometer, and/or an accelerometer
Data Source
AI summary
A downhole drilling tool comprises an earth-boring drill bit including a bit body and a shank coupled to the bit body. The drill bit includes a motion puck positioned in a cavity of the shank, wherein the motion puck includes a motion sensor to detect movement indicating a force applied to the earth-boring drill bit during a drilling operation. The drill bit includes a strain puck positioned in the cavity of the shank, wherein the strain puck includes a strain gauge to measure the force applied to the earth-boring drill bit during the drilling operation. The drill bit includes a plurality of blades disposed on exterior portions of the bit body, each blade having respective cutting elements disposed thereon.