Pressure Balanced Fluid Reaming Tool Motor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reaming tools for wellbores experience unbalanced axial loading due to fluid pressure, which can lead to excessive stress on bearings, potentially causing inefficiencies and equipment damage.
Innovation Solution
A motor design with a radially spaced stator and rotor, incorporating an access bore and a flow diverter that redirects fluid pressure to the stator, reducing axial loading on the rotor and bearings by distributing the pressure more evenly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fluid pressure is used to operate the rotary power section, then the reaming head can rotate without rotation of the wellbore tubular, but large axial loading is placed on the bearings in the power section
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid pressure system is segmented into two separate circuits: one circuit directs fluid pressure to the turbine for rotational power, while the second circuit directs fluid pressure to the stator to provide counterbalancing axial force. This segmentation allows the axial loading on bearings to be reduced by transferring part of the pressure load to the stator structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The stator is designed to receive fluid pressure that acts as a counterbalancing force against the axial loading generated by the turbine operation. The stator effectively serves as a counterweight structure that absorbs and distributes the axial forces, preventing them from being concentrated on the bearing assemblies.
2Power
If traditional motor design is used, then fluid pressure operates the turbine, but axial loading creates excessive stress on bearings
Solution Approach 1:
The motor design segments the pressure load paths by creating separate fluid communication channels: one channel supplies pressure to the turbine for power generation, while another channel supplies pressure to the stator for load balancing. This segmentation protects the bearing system by isolating them from excessive axial stress while maintaining full rotational power capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The stator acts as an intermediary structure that mediates between the fluid pressure source and the bearing system. By introducing fluid pressure to the stator, the system creates an intermediate force path that counterbalances the axial loading before it reaches the bearings, thereby reducing stress and improving reliability.
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
This design significantly reduces axial loading on the bearings by up to 80%, minimizing the number of bearing sets required and maintaining efficient power and hole cleaning, while allowing for balanced fluid distribution and reduced stress on the equipment.
Implementation Method 1
fluid pressure used to operate the rotary power section may place large axial loading on bearings included in the power section to support such loading
Implementation Method 2
The flow diverter is coupled to the stator such that axial loading created by fluid pressure is substantially transferred to the stator
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for cutting a wellbore includes a motor having a stator and a rotor. The rotor has an output shaft connected to a cutting structure. The stator and rotor are spaced radially outwardly of the axis of rotation of the rotor such that at least one of the stator and the rotor had an access bore extending through the motor to adjacent the cutting structure. A further object can pass therethrough, without obstruction. The further object comprises a further cutting. A flow diverter is disposed in the motor proximate a connection between the motor and a wellbore tubular, and has a first fluid outlet in fluid communication with a power section of the motor, and a second fluid outlet in fluid communication with the access bore. The flow diverter is coupled to the stator such that axial loading created by fluid pressure is substantially transferred to the stator.