Resiliently-Deformable Ridges for Downhole Battery Vibration Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium batteries used in downhole drilling operations for MWD applications are prone to structural failure and explosion due to vibratory forces, leading to costly equipment damage and downtime, as existing solutions fail to effectively isolate batteries from lateral vibrations and do not allow for reusable battery containers.
Innovation Solution
A battery container and pack design featuring resiliently-deformable elongate rib members that absorb and damp lateral vibratory forces, integrated into the battery container or sleeve, allowing for varying stiffness and vibration resistance, and enabling the reuse of the battery container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If lithium batteries are used to achieve high energy density, then energy density is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to vibration-induced structural failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing a battery container with resiliently-deformable walls that can absorb and damp lateral vibratory forces before they reach the lithium battery. The container acts as a protective barrier that deforms under vibration stress, preventing direct transmission of harmful forces to the battery structure, thereby maintaining both high energy density and reliability in downhole drilling environments.
2Measurement precision
If batteries are located proximate the drill bit to enable real-time measurement, then measurement capability is improved, but exposure to vibratory forces increases causing structural failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing a battery container as a mediator between the drill bit environment and the lithium battery. The container with resiliently-deformable walls serves as an intermediate protective structure that allows the battery to remain proximate the drill bit for real-time measurement while filtering out harmful vibratory forces through its damping characteristics.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional rigid battery containers are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but vibration damping capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the mechanical properties of the battery container walls from rigid to resiliently-deformable. This change in material parameter allows the container to dynamically respond to vibratory forces by deforming and damping them, while still maintaining ease of manufacture through conventional fabrication methods for elastomeric or polymeric materials.
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 solution significantly reduces the incidence of vibration-induced shorting and explosions of lithium batteries, allowing for the reuse of battery containers and reducing maintenance costs and downtime in drilling operations.
Implementation Method 1
resiliently-deformable protruding rib members uniformly disposed about a cylindrical periphery of the elongate hollow tube... each of said rib members being of a thickness so as to extend uniformly radially outwardly from said cylindrical periphery
Implementation Method 2
said resiliently-deformable rib members absorb and damp lateral vibratory forces exerted on said at least one battery contained in said battery container
Data Source
AI summary
A battery, a battery container, and a battery pack, for use downhole in MWD operations, one or more of which incorporates lateral vibration damping. In a preferred embodiment each comprise specialized lateral vibration damping in the form of a plurality of longitudinally-extending resiliently-deformable ridges extending substantially a length of each and circumferentially spaced about an outer periphery. The resiliently-deformable ridges on the battery may be integrally formed and extend radially outwardly from a hollow resiliently-deformable sleeve, and formed of the same resiliently-deformable material of which the sleeve is comprised. The resiliently-deformable ridges on the battery container may extend radially inwardly or outwardly from a periphery thereof. Advantageously, the battery container can thus be free of potting material and thus be reusable when the batteries thereof need be replaced. In all instances the so-configured resiliently-deformable ridges serve to damp severe lateral vibratory forces exerted downhole on such batteries.