Instrumented Movable Drill Bit Cutter for Rock-Breaking Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drilling technologies lack effective methods for characterizing how a drill bit breaks rock to generate cuttings, which hinders efficient field operations.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a moveable cutter with sensor circuitry in a drill bit to sense its movement and generate sensor data for improved characterization of rock breaking processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional drilling methods are used without instrumentation, then the drilling operation can proceed with simple equipment, but the ability to characterize rock breaking mechanisms is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharacterization of rock breakingVSAvoiddrill bit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor circuitry is integrated within the drill bit structure, with sensors positioned in pockets that receive and monitor the cutters. The sensor assembly is nested within the blade body, allowing measurement functionality to be embedded within the existing drill bit architecture rather than adding external instrumentation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces indirect mechanical observation methods with direct electronic sensing. Instead of relying on mechanical indicators or post-drilling analysis, electronic sensors directly detect cutter movement, forces, and positions, converting mechanical rock-breaking events into electrical signals for real-time characterization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of information

If a moveable cutter with sensor circuitry is incorporated in the drill bit, then the characterization of rock breaking processes is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverock breaking dataVSAvoiddrill bit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor circuitry serves multiple functions: detecting cutter position, measuring forces during rock breaking, monitoring cutter movement, and generating characterization data. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate instrumentation systems while maximizing information gain from the added complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The drill bit instrumented with sensors characterizes rock breaking mechanisms during normal drilling operations without requiring separate measurement operations. The system uses the drilling process itself to generate data, with sensors passively recording information as cutters naturally interact with the formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If sensor circuitry is added to sense cutter movement, then data for characterizing rock breaking is acquired, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutter movement sensingVSAvoiddrill bit assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The drill bit is divided into modular components: blades with integrated sensor assemblies, cutter elements, and a bit body. Each blade can be manufactured and tested independently with its sensor circuitry, then assembled into the complete drill bit. This segmentation allows specialized manufacturing techniques for each component while simplifying quality control and assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12473826B1Instrumented movable drill bit cutter

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

A drill bit can include a bit body; a blade mountable to the bit body, where the blade includes pockets; a moveable cutter disposed in one of the pockets; and sensor circuitry that senses movement of the moveable cutter disposed in the one of the pockets to generate sensor data.