Hybrid Drilling Bit Torque Reduction via Segmented Shearing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drilling technologies face challenges in efficiently forming and extracting borehole cores, leading to excessive drill string torque, vibration, and premature tool failure, while also limiting the effectiveness of debris for formation evaluation.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid wellbore drilling bit assembly that combines fixed blades for shearing and a crusher for core formation, allowing simultaneous cutting and crushing actions to reduce torque and increase debris size for improved evaluation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional drilling bits with rolling cones or fixed blades are used, then the borehole can be drilled, but excessive drill string torque and vibration occur leading to premature tool failure
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting structure is segmented into multiple discrete blades arranged circumferentially around the drill bit body, each blade independently shearing the formation. This segmentation distributes the cutting forces across multiple elements rather than concentrating them on a single rolling cone or blade, reducing peak torque and vibration on the drill string while improving tool reliability
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using rolling cones that crush the formation or single fixed blades that shear it, the invention inverts the approach by using multiple thin blades that simultaneously shear the formation in a slicing action. This inverse cutting mechanism dramatically reduces the torque and vibration transmitted to the drill string, preventing premature tool failure
2Reliability
If conventional drilling bits are used, then the borehole can be drilled, but vibration occurs leading to premature tool failure
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting structure is segmented into multiple discrete blades arranged circumferentially around the drill bit body, each blade independently shearing the formation. This segmentation distributes the cutting forces across multiple elements rather than concentrating them on a single rolling cone or blade, reducing peak torque and vibration on the drill string while improving tool reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple blades are uniformly distributed around the circumference of the drill bit, creating a homogeneous cutting pattern. This uniform distribution ensures that vibration and cutting forces are evenly distributed throughout the rotation, preventing localized stress concentrations that would cause premature tool failure
3Measurement precision
If core is removed for sampling and testing, then formation evaluation can be performed, but the core size is limited reducing evaluation effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple blades shear off portions of the formation core in successive slicing actions, removing material incrementally rather than in a single action. This partial removal approach allows the core to be progressively extracted while maintaining larger overall dimensions, providing sufficient material for comprehensive formation evaluation and testing
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 hybrid drilling bit assembly reduces drill string torque and vibration, increases drilling rate, and enhances formation evaluation by producing larger debris, thereby improving drill string stability and tool life.
Implementation Method 1
The blades have cutters to shear a core of the Earth that enters the cavity
Implementation Method 2
A crusher is connected to the base and positioned within the cavity which crushes the core of Earth
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid wellbore drilling bit assembly and a method for drilling a borehole with a hybrid wellbore drilling bit assembly are described. A base connects the hybrid wellbore drill bit assembly to a drill string. Blades are connected to the base, extending away from the base along the longitudinal axis and tapering toward the longitudinal axis of the hybrid wellbore drilling bit assembly base creating a tapered cavity. The blades have cutters to shear a core of the Earth that enters the cavity. The core of Earth expands in the cavity. A crusher is connected to the base and positioned within the cavity which crushes the core of Earth.