Hardened Groove for Inductive Signal Transmission in Drill Pipe Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
The connections between drill pipe segments, particularly in wired drill pipes, face challenges in withstanding dynamic stresses and fatigue during rotary drilling, leading to premature failure due to inadequate stress distribution and potential leaks, especially in deeper wells where increased torque is required.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of annular grooves with hardened regions and a magnetically conductive wired channel within the drill pipe joints, which includes a hardened groove with undulating bottom walls and a Rockwell hardness rating greater than the surrounding material, and a conductive wire coil within the channel to enhance stress distribution and torque transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a groove is provided within the body of each tubular member to transmit signals, then signal transmission is enabled, but the groove forms a stress riser by reducing the surface area of the affected shoulder, weakening the connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by hardening only the specific regions where the groove intersects the shoulder surfaces, rather than hardening the entire component. This localized hardening restores the surface area and stress distribution in the affected zones while leaving the rest of the structure unchanged, thereby maintaining both signal transmission capability and connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful stress concentration caused by the groove into a beneficial hardened surface layer. By applying hardening treatment specifically to the groove-affected regions, the previously weak stress riser areas are transformed into strengthened zones that can withstand the reduced surface area without compromising overall connection integrity.
2Force
If increased torque is applied during makeup to handle deeper wells, then the ability to withstand drilling torque is improved, but the stress on the RSTC connection increases, potentially causing shoulder separation and leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of surface hardness in the groove-affected regions by applying hardening treatment. This parameter change increases the local strength and wear resistance of the shoulder surfaces, enabling the connection to withstand higher makeup torque and operational stresses without shoulder separation or leaks, thereby improving both torque capacity and reliability.
3Loss of information
If the groove extends through one of the shoulders of a loadable double shouldered connection, then signal transmission is achieved, but the surface area of the affected shoulder is reduced, creating a stress riser
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively hardening only the portions of the shoulder surfaces that are affected by the groove intersection, rather than treating the entire shoulder or component. This localized treatment restores the mechanical properties in the stress-prone zones while maintaining the groove's signal transmission function elsewhere.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the harmful stress concentration effect of the groove into a beneficial hardened surface layer. The hardening treatment converts the weak stress riser regions created by the groove into strengthened zones that can better distribute stress, thereby converting the groove's harmful structural effect into a beneficial reinforcement.
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
This solution strengthens the drill pipe connections, improving their ability to withstand increased torque and stress, reducing the risk of leaks and fretting wear, while allowing for efficient signal transmission along the drill string.
Implementation Method 1
One or more of the respective walls may be hardened. One or more of the respective walls may be deformed by peening that may increase the surface Rockwell hardness rating of the respective walls.
Implementation Method 2
The channel may comprise a magnetically conductive electrically insulating material, a soft magnetic material, or an electrically insulating composite material suitable for producing a magnetic field when energized.
Implementation Method 3
The wire coil in the channel may be electrically conductive. One end of the wire coil may be attached to a backstop that may be grounded to the walls of the groove. The other end of the wire coil may pass through an opening in the channel and respective shoulder, exiting the shoulder, and connecting to a cable running along the length of drill pipe to a like groove and wired channel at the opposite end of the pipe.
Data Source
AI summary
A drill pipe joint includes an annular groove formed within its loadable primary or secondary shoulders. The groove may be formed in both shoulders. The groove may have parallel or non-parallel side walls and an undulating bottom wall. One or more of the respective walls may be deformed by peening that may increase the surface hardness of the respective walls. The hardened region may extend a distance from the deformed wall surfaces. An annular wired channel may be disposed within the groove. The channel may comprise a magnetically conductive electrically insulating material enclosing a wire coil on three sides and partially enclosing a top side of the channel. One end of the wire coil may be attached to a backstop that may be grounded to the walls of the groove. The other end of the wire coil may pass through an opening in the channel exiting the shoulder.