Pulsed Power Drilling Tool With Ionization Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pulsed power drilling tools face inefficiencies due to non-penetrating discharges between electrodes and excessive wear, particularly when dealing with uneven mineral substrate surfaces.
Innovation Solution
The use of a pulsed power drilling tool equipped with an ionization device that generates an ionized fluid volume between the solid electrode portions and the mineral substrate, allowing high voltage current pulses to pass through the ionized fluid and the mineral substrate, thereby achieving electrical contact without mechanical contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical contact between electrodes and mineral substrate is used to ensure electrical contact, then electrical contact is achieved, but electrode wear increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an ionized fluid volume as an intermediary medium between the solid electrode portions and the mineral substrate. This ionized fluid acts as a mediator that enables electrical contact without requiring direct mechanical contact between the electrode and substrate, thereby reducing electrode wear while maintaining reliable electrical contact for current pulse transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact system with an electrical field-based system. Instead of relying on mechanical pressure and physical contact between electrodes and mineral substrate, the system uses high voltage electrical fields to ionize the fluid and create conductive paths, substituting mechanical interaction with electromagnetic interaction.
2Productivity
If direct discharge between electrodes is allowed, then electrical contact is established, but discharge may not penetrate the rock material effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The ionized fluid volume serves as a mediator that guides and directs the high voltage current pulse from the electrodes into the mineral substrate. It ensures that the discharge path is directed through the rock material rather than short-circuiting between electrodes, improving both drilling efficiency and rock penetration reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the fluid from non-ionized to ionized, fundamentally altering its electrical conductivity properties. This parameter change enables the fluid to conduct high voltage current pulses effectively, ensuring reliable rock penetration while maintaining high drilling productivity.
3Reliability
If insulating fluid is used to prevent direct discharge between electrodes, then electrode protection is improved, but electrical contact with mineral substrate becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies periodic high voltage current pulses that temporarily ionize the fluid during each pulse cycle. This periodic ionization creates conductive paths through the fluid to the mineral substrate during the pulse duration, while allowing the fluid to return to its insulating state between pulses, thus protecting electrodes while enabling electrical contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes a phase transition in the electrical properties of the fluid - transitioning from an insulating state (between pulses) to a conductive ionized state (during pulses). This dynamic phase transition allows the fluid to alternately protect the electrodes and enable electrical contact with the mineral substrate, resolving the contradiction between protection and contact establishment.
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 approach reduces electrode wear and the risk of non-penetrating discharges, while improving the efficiency of the drilling process by ensuring that the electrical current effectively penetrates the mineral substrate.
Implementation Method 1
at least one ionization device configured for generating at least one ionized fluid volume extending at least from the first solid electrode portion to a surface of the mineral substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A pulsed power drilling tool configured for passing a pulsed electrical current through a mineral substrate to break the mineral substrate, the drilling tool including: a pulsed power generator for generating high voltage current pulses, a drill head including at least one pair of a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode including a first solid electrode portion and the second electrode including a second solid electrode portion, the first and second solid electrode portions being galvanically connectable to the pulsed power generator, and at least one ionization device configured for generating at least one ionized fluid volume extending at least from the first solid electrode portion to a surface of the mineral substrate, to allow a high voltage current pulse to pass between the first solid electrode portion and the second solid electrode portion via the at least one ionized fluid volume and the mineral substrate.