Hydraulic Vibration Damper for Drill String Shock Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lateral vibrations and shock loads in drilling strings reduce the lifespan of drill string components, cause damage to the wellbore, and lead to equipment failure and decreased penetration rates during hydrocarbon recovery.
Innovation Solution
A vibration damper assembly is integrated into the drill string, comprising piston assemblies with seals and a spring mechanism that uses fluid pressure to extend and retract, providing damping through apertures that resist fluid flow, thereby mitigating the impact of lateral vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vibration damper assembly is integrated into the drill string, then the transmission of lateral vibrations is reduced and component lifespan is extended, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drill string is segmented by integrating a vibration damper assembly at specific locations. The damper assembly itself is segmented into multiple piston assemblies (first piston assembly, second piston assembly, etc.) arranged along the longitudinal axis, each capable of independent operation to dampen vibrations at different points within the assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration damper assembly acts as an intermediary device between the drill string components and the lateral vibrations. The piston assemblies with seals and fluid-filled chambers serve as mediators that absorb and dissipate vibrational energy through fluid compression and expansion, protecting the drill string from direct vibration damage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If piston assemblies with seals and spring mechanisms are used to dampen vibrations, then shock loads are absorbed, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The piston assemblies utilize hydraulic principles with fluid-filled chambers and seals to absorb shock loads. The fluid compression and expansion within the sealed chambers provides a reliable mechanism for dampening vibrations without requiring complex mechanical spring mechanisms, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration damper assembly changes physical parameters such as fluid pressure and volume within the piston chambers to adapt to varying shock load conditions. This allows the same basic structure to handle a range of vibration intensities without requiring multiple different component designs.
3Reliability
If multiple piston assemblies are arranged along the longitudinal axis, then vibration damping effectiveness is improved, but the weight and volume of the drill string increase
Solution Approach 1:
The piston assemblies are nested within the tubular structure of the drill string, with each piston assembly contained within its own chamber or housing that is integrated into the overall drill string architecture. This nesting approach minimizes additional weight and volume by utilizing the existing structural space rather than adding external components.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston assemblies are designed to be dynamic rather than static, moving in response to vibration frequencies and shock loads. This dynamic response allows effective vibration damping with smaller, lighter components compared to static reinforcement structures that would provide equivalent protection.
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 vibration damper assembly effectively reduces the transmission of lateral vibrations along the drill string, extending its lifespan, preventing wellbore damage, and maintaining efficient drilling operations by absorbing shock loads.
Implementation Method 1
a spring mechanism that uses fluid pressure to extend and retract
Implementation Method 2
providing damping through apertures that resist fluid flow
Implementation Method 3
providing damping through apertures that resist fluid flow
Data Source
AI summary
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method including inserting a vibration damper tool in a drill string, the damper including a tubular housing having an exterior surface and a longitudinal passageway, and at least one fluid actuated piston assembly, said piston assembly including an extendable piston, a transverse passageway, a spring chamber in the transverse passageway, and at least one spring disposed in the spring chamber. The spring biases the piston in a retracted position. The drill string and dampening tool are inserted into a wellbore, fluid is flowed down the drill string and exerts pressure on a proximal end of the piston, and creates a fluidic force sufficient to overcome a biasing retractable force of the spring to extend the piston longitudinally until a distal end of the piston contacts a sidewall of the wellbore.