Orientable Rotatable Connection for Drilling Assembly Torque Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drilling technologies face challenges in controlling reactive torque during directional drilling, which can cause undesired changes in toolface orientation and impose stresses on the drilling string, especially when using coiled tubing or rotary drilling methods.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus includes an upper and lower assembly connected by an orientable rotatable connection with a reactive torque control device, allowing or preventing rotation between the assemblies to manage reactive torque and maintain desired toolface orientations through a feedback control system and orientation sensing device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If directional drilling is performed using a bend in the drilling string, then toolface orientation can be controlled during sliding drilling, but the orientation cannot be maintained during rotary drilling due to constant rotation of the bend

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoolface orientation controlVSAvoiddrilling method compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the drilling string rotatable relative to the drill bit assembly. The rotatable connection allows the drilling string to rotate independently while the drill bit maintains its orientation through the action of the drilling motor, enabling both rotary and sliding drilling methods to be used with bend-based directional control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the drilling system into two independently rotatable parts: the drilling string and the drill bit assembly. This segmentation allows differential rotation between the two components, enabling the drilling string to be rotated for positioning while the drill bit assembly rotates independently for cutting, thus resolving the contradiction between orientation control and drilling method versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If reactive torque is allowed to act on the drilling string during directional drilling, then the drill bit can rotate freely, but undesired changes in toolface orientation occur and stresses are imposed on the drilling string

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling efficiencyVSAvoidtoolface orientation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a rotatable connection as an intermediary mechanism between the drilling string and the drill bit assembly. This intermediary allows reactive torque to be managed by enabling controlled relative rotation, absorbing the torque fluctuations while maintaining toolface orientation stability through the feedback control system that adjusts the drilling string's rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback control by monitoring the toolface orientation and adjusting the rotation of the drilling string relative to the drill bit assembly accordingly. When reactive torque causes orientation drift, the feedback system detects this change and commands appropriate corrective rotation through the rotatable connection, maintaining stable directional control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the entire drilling string is rotated for directional drilling, then rotary drilling can be performed, but control over toolface orientation becomes difficult due to constant rotation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling method flexibilityVSAvoidtoolface orientation control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by enabling selective rotation of either the drilling string or the drill bit assembly through the rotatable connection. This dynamic capability allows the system to switch between rotary drilling (rotating the string) and sliding drilling (rotating only the bit), with feedback control maintaining toolface orientation stability during rotary drilling by adjusting the relative rotation between components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9388635B2Method and apparatus for controlling an orientable connection in a drilling assembly

Publication Date: 2016.07.12 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

In an apparatus of the type comprising a first assembly, a second assembly, an orientable rotatable connection between the first assembly and the second assembly, and a control device associated with the orientable rotatable connection, a method for controlling the actuation of the control device. Particular embodiments of the method include comparing an actual orientation of the second assembly with a target orientation, actuating the control device to perform a control device actuation cycle if the actual orientation is not acceptable, determining an updated actual orientation of the second assembly, comparing the updated actual orientation with the target orientation, and repeating the control device actuation cycle if the updated target orientation is not acceptable. A first exemplary embodiment of the method represents a target approach to achieving the target orientation. A second exemplary embodiment of the method represents an incremental approach to achieving the target orientation.