Hydromechanical Steering Tool for Rotary and Sliding Drilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current steering tools for borehole drilling often require complex and expensive systems, electrical sensors, or electrically operated valves, and are not easily adaptable for use in both rotary and sliding drilling modes, lacking simplicity and ease of maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A hydromechanical steering tool with a tubular housing, pendulum actuating device, and hydraulic control system that uses hydraulic fluid to actuate steering devices independently, eliminating the need for electrical sensors or valves, and allowing adaptation for either rotary or sliding drilling modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a bent-housing or bent-sub drilling motor is used for steering, then the structure is simple, but steering is only possible in sliding drilling mode and borehole straightness in rotary drilling mode is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic steering system is designed to function in both sliding drilling mode and rotary drilling mode. The system includes a hydraulic motor that can operate independently of drill string rotation, allowing steering capability in sliding mode, while also functioning during rotary drilling to maintain borehole straightness, thus providing multi-functionality across different drilling modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering system dynamically adapts its operation based on the drilling mode. In sliding drilling mode, the hydraulic motor actively steers the drill bit. In rotary drilling mode, the system transitions to maintain vertical alignment. This dynamic adaptation allows the same hardware to serve multiple functions without compromising performance in either mode.
2Measurement precision
If a rotary steerable drilling system is used, then steering accuracy is high, but the apparatus becomes expensive and complex due to three-dimensional orientation determination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex three-dimensional orientation determination systems from traditional rotary steerable drilling systems. Instead, it uses a simplified hydraulic steering mechanism that provides sufficient steering accuracy without requiring expensive sensors, electronics, or complex control systems for three-dimensional orientation measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces expensive, complex electronic orientation sensors and control systems with a more economical hydraulic mechanism. While the components may require maintenance and replacement, the overall system cost is reduced by eliminating expensive electronics and complex three-dimensional measurement systems.
3Measurement precision
If electrical sensors and electrically operated valves are used in steering tools, then control precision is improved, but reliability in harsh downhole environments decreases and maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical sensors and electrically operated valves with purely mechanical sensing and control mechanisms. The hydraulic system uses mechanical linkages, levers, and hydraulic pressure relationships to sense drill string orientation and control steering, eliminating electronic components that are vulnerable to harsh downhole environments, thus improving reliability while maintaining control precision.
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 solution provides a cost-effective, simple, and reliable steering mechanism that maintains borehole directionality without electrical components, enhancing drilling efficiency and reducing operational complexity across different drilling modes.
Implementation Method 1
a tool actuating device, capable of an actuating movement in response to a deviation of the borehole from a desired orientation
Implementation Method 2
a hydraulic control system interposed between the tool actuating device and the steering devices, for converting the actuating movement of the tool actuating device to independent actuation of the steering devices
Data Source
Figure 1(a)
Figure 1(b)
Figure 1(c)
AI summary
A steering tool for use in drilling a borehole, including a tubular housing (36), a tool actuating device (38) movably supported within the housing, a plurality of hydraulically actuated steering devices (40) circumferentially spaced about the housing, and a hydraulic control system (42) interposed between the tool actuating device and the steering devices for converting an actuating movement of the tool actuating device to independent actuation of the steering devices, the tool actuating device including a pendulum (60), where the actuating movement is a pivoting movement relative to the housing in order to maintain a vertical orientation of the pendulum.