Optical Centralizer Navigation for Drilling Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current position determining systems for drilling operations, such as those using inclinometers, accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers, are too large to fit within small diameter drill pipes, restrict fluid flow, and suffer from inaccuracies due to signal drift and environmental anomalies, limiting their effectiveness in 'measurement while drilling' applications.
Innovation Solution
The Centralizer-based Survey and Navigation (CSN) device employs a sensor string with centralizers and metrology sensors to measure relative positions and orientations within the borehole, utilizing centralizers to maintain constant spacing and compensate for drift, allowing for accurate three-dimensional location determination without extracting the drill pipe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional position determining systems (inclinometers, accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers) are used, then position information can be obtained, but the system size becomes too large to fit within small diameter drill pipes and restricts fluid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical sensing systems (inclinometers, accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers) with an optical measurement system. A light source emits light that travels along the drill pipe, and optical sensors detect light reflections or transmissions to determine position and orientation. This substitution dramatically reduces system size while maintaining measurement precision, allowing the system to fit within small diameter drill pipes without restricting fluid flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses optical copying principles where light serves as a reference that can be reflected or transmitted through the drill pipe structure. By measuring the optical path and light behavior, the system creates a virtual model of the drill pipe's position and orientation without requiring physical mechanical sensors inside the pipe, thereby minimizing space requirements.
2Measurement precision
If traditional position determining systems are used, then position information can be obtained, but accuracy deteriorates due to signal drift, vibrations, or magnetic or gravitational anomalies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical and electromagnetic sensing systems that are susceptible to signal drift, vibrations, and environmental anomalies with an optical measurement system. Optical measurements are not affected by magnetic or gravitational anomalies and exhibit minimal drift, providing more reliable and stable position information over time and in challenging downhole environments.
3Extent of automation
If position measuring instrumentation is incorporated within the drill pipe, then measurement while drilling is enabled, but fluid flow restriction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bulky mechanical position measuring instrumentation with a compact optical system that requires minimal space within the drill pipe. The optical components (light source, sensors, and optical paths) can be arranged in a space-efficient manner that preserves the majority of the drill pipe's internal cross-sectional area, thereby minimizing fluid flow restriction while enabling measurement while drilling capability.
4Volume of moving object
If drill pipe diameter is increased to accommodate position measuring instrumentation, then instrumentation can be housed, but hole diameter must also be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical position measuring systems with a compact optical system that fits within small diameter drill pipes. This eliminates the need to increase drill pipe and hole diameters to accommodate instrumentation, allowing drilling operations to proceed with smaller, more efficient drill strings that maintain higher drilling productivity.
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 CSN device provides high accuracy and minimizes fluid flow restrictions, enabling precise navigation and surveying in boreholes of various sizes, even in challenging environments where traditional systems fail, by using centralizers and metrology sensors to accurately determine the drill pipe's position and orientation.
Implementation Method 1
a metrology sensor, which measures the relative positions and orientation of the centralizers
Data Source
AI summary
A Centralizer based Survey and Navigation (CSN) device designed to provide borehole or passageway position information. The CSN device can include one or more displacement sensors, centralizers, an odometry sensor, a borehole initialization system, and navigation algorithm implementing processor(s). Also, methods of using the CSN device for in-hole survey and navigation.