Electric Steering Actuator for Drilling Tool Directional Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing directional control systems for drilling tools are complex and sensitive to hydraulic fluid pressure variations, making them unreliable for steering drilling tools in desired directions during borehole drilling.

Innovation Solution

A directional-control apparatus using electric actuators and transmission elements to move steering bodies radially against the borehole wall, allowing for adjustable steering of the drilling tool without hydraulic fluid dependency, with energy supplied via wire connection or local generators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hydraulic pistons and valves are used to control steering bodies, then directional control capability is achieved, but device complexity and sensitivity to pressure variations increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirectional control reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the hydraulic control system (pistons and valves) with an electric actuator system. The electric actuator directly moves the steering body radially against the borehole wall through electrical signals, eliminating the need for hydraulic fluid pressure transmission and complex valve mechanisms. This substitution reduces system complexity while maintaining directional control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and removes the hydraulic fluid dependency from the directional control system. By eliminating the hydraulic pistons and valves that require drilling fluid under pressure, the system becomes independent of hydraulic fluid pressure variations, thereby improving reliability without the complexity of hydraulic components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If hydraulic valves and pistons are used for steering, then directional control is achieved, but sensitivity to pressure variations and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoidpressure variation sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electric actuator replaces the hydraulic piston-valve mechanism, substituting electrical control for hydraulic pressure control. This eliminates sensitivity to drilling fluid pressure variations while simplifying operation through direct electrical actuation of the steering body position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple hydraulic valves are used to control multiple steering bodies, then directional precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering precisionVSAvoidvalve system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses electric actuators with transmission elements to directly control the position of steering bodies, replacing the hydraulic valve system. This electrical control mechanism achieves precise steering control through controlled electrical signals and mechanical transmission, eliminating the complexity of multiple hydraulic valves while maintaining or improving steering precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Simplifies directional control by eliminating hydraulic fluid reliance, ensuring precise steering of drilling tools in desired directions with reduced sensitivity to pressure variations and operational complexity.

Implementation Method 1

at least one electric actuator being connected via at least one set of transmission elements to the at least one steering body and being arranged to move the at least one steering body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS8453765B2Apparatus for directional control of a drilling tool

Publication Date: 2013.06.04 NABORS LUX 2 SARL

AI summary

A directional-control apparatus for a drilling tool, in which the direction of the drilling tool during the drilling of a borehole is controlled by means of at least one steering body which is moved radially against the wall of the borehole, the movement of the at least one steering body relative to the center axis of the directional-control apparatus being adjustable in order to steer the drilling tool in a desired direction and at a desired deflection, and at least one electrically operated actuator being connected via at least one set of transmission elements to the at least one steering body and arranged to move the at least one steering body into a position relative to the center axis of the directional-control apparatus, the relative position having the effect that the drilling tool is steered in the desired direction and at the desired deflection.