Load Sensor Vibration Estimation Independent of Position
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drilling operations face challenges in accurately determining and mitigating downhole vibrations due to their dependency on sensor position, leading to reduced rates of penetration and potential downhole failures, as measurements from accelerometers are limited by sensor alignment and position tolerances.
Innovation Solution
The system and method involve obtaining load measurements from first and second load sensors separated by a sensor distance, determining representative values from this data, and comparing them against load limits to perform vibration mitigation operations, independent of sensor position, using analytical models to estimate maximum vibration amplitudes along the drilling system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If measurements are taken using accelerometers or downhole sensors, then vibration data can be obtained, but the measurements become dependent on sensor position and alignment, reducing measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces load sensors as intermediary devices that measure forces (axial, lateral, torsional) rather than directly measuring acceleration. These force measurements serve as mediators that can be converted to vibration amplitudes through analytical models, bypassing the need for direct accelerometer measurements that are sensitive to sensor position and alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical accelerometer-based vibration measurement system with a force-based measurement system using load sensors. By measuring forces and using analytical models to calculate vibration amplitudes, the system substitutes direct mechanical acceleration measurement with an indirect force measurement approach that is less sensitive to sensor positioning.
2Ease of operation
If sensor position tolerances are relaxed for easier installation, then ease of operation improves, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to unknown sensor positions affecting vibration mode interpretation
Solution Approach 1:
The load sensors act as intermediaries that measure forces independent of their position on the drill string. The force measurements can be converted to vibration amplitudes through analytical models that do not require precise knowledge of sensor location, thereby decoupling measurement accuracy from sensor installation precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from acceleration (which requires precise sensor positioning) to force (which can be measured accurately regardless of sensor position). This parameter change allows the use of analytical models that relate measured forces to vibration amplitudes without needing exact sensor location information.
3Reliability
If multiple sensors are placed at different positions to capture vibration modes, then measurement completeness improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the load sensor system universal by designing it to measure all three force components (axial, lateral, torsional) at a single location. This multi-functional sensor can detect all vibration modes without requiring multiple sensors at different positions, simplifying the overall system while maintaining comprehensive vibration detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple position-specific sensors into a single multi-component load sensor. By combining axial, lateral, and torsional force measurement capabilities in one device, the system achieves comprehensive vibration monitoring without the complexity of deploying multiple sensors at different locations along the drill string.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for mitigating vibration in downhole strings are described. The methods include obtaining first and second load measurements of first and second loads during a drilling operation and creating first and second load measurement data, with first and second load sensors separated by a sensor distance. First and/or second representative values of the first and second loads are determined form the first and second load measurement data and the sensor distance. The determined representative value(s) are compared against respective load limit(s) and a vibration mitigation operation is performed in response to the determined representative value(s) equaling or exceeding the respective load limit.