Removable Lug Shock Absorber for Drilling Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vibration dampeners or shock absorbers in drilling operations have short operating lives due to uneven wear, requiring frequent replacement and complex servicing processes, which disrupt drilling operations.
Innovation Solution
A shock absorber system with removable lugs made of softer sacrificial materials that wear faster than other components, allowing for targeted replacement without disassembling the entire system, and an elastomeric member to absorb vibrations between drive and driven plates, with positive stops to limit rotation and prevent excessive torque on the elastomeric member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an elastomeric cushion with positive stops is used to absorb vibrations, then vibration damping is effective, but the operating life is short due to uneven wear on components
Solution Approach 1:
The drive plate is segmented into removable lugs that can be independently replaced. This allows only the worn lugs to be replaced rather than the entire shock absorber assembly, extending the operational life while maintaining vibration damping effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The lugs are made of a softer material than the housing to create directed wear on the lugs rather than the housing. This local material property difference ensures that wear occurs on replaceable components while preserving the main housing structure.
2Reliability
If the shock absorber is serviced by replacing worn components, then the device can continue operating, but complex disassembly is required which causes work stoppages
Solution Approach 1:
The lugs are designed as separate, removable components that can be accessed through openings in the housing. This segmentation allows quick removal and replacement of worn lugs without disassembling the entire shock absorber, reducing service time and minimizing work stoppages.
Solution Approach 2:
The lugs can be extracted from the drive plate through openings in the housing for replacement. This extraction capability enables maintenance without removing the shock absorber from the drill string, significantly reducing service time.
3Strength
If harder material is used for the lugs to increase durability, then wear resistance improves, but the housing suffers increased wear and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The lugs are made of a softer material than the housing to create directed wear on the lugs rather than the housing. This local material property difference ensures that wear occurs on replaceable components while preserving the main housing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The lugs are designed as sacrificial, disposable components that wear faster than the housing. When the lugs become worn, they are replaced rather than repaired, while the housing continues to serve for extended periods.
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 system extends the useful life of the shock absorber, reduces downtime, and facilitates faster, more efficient repairs by allowing for easy replacement of worn parts while maintaining the integrity of the housing, thus enhancing drilling efficiency and profitability.
Implementation Method 1
An elastomeric member is disposed in the housing between the drive plate and the driven plate. The elastomeric member is configured to absorb vibration from one of the drive plate and the driven plate.
Implementation Method 2
an elastomeric member disposed in the housing between the drive plate and the driven plate. The elastomeric member may be configured to absorb vibration from the drive or driven plates
Data Source
AI summary
Shock absorber systems include a drive plate having a plurality of removable lugs. The drive plate is connectable to a rotary drive shaft. The shock absorber further includes a driven plate connectable to a rotary driven shaft. A housing may be fixedly secured to either or both of the drive plate and the driven plate. The housing may have an outer wall forming a hollow center portion and a plurality of openings extending through the outer wall to the hollow center portion. Each opening of the plurality of openings may have first and second positive stops formed thereon. The shock absorber further comprises an elastomeric member disposed in the housing between the drive plate and the driven plate. The elastomeric member is configured to absorb vibration from the driven plate. Each removable lug of the plurality of removable lugs has first and second striking faces at a radially distal edge and on circumferentially opposing sides.