Rotary Steerable Drill Tool with Rotating Geolocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Directional drilling systems often require a physical geostationary component near the drill bit to track position, which complicates the system and limits its ability to rotate fully, leading to inefficiencies and increased wear.
Innovation Solution
A rotary steerable system with a geolocation device that rotates with the drill shaft, using extendable members actuated by hydraulic pressure to control the drill bit direction, eliminating the need for a stationary component and simplifying load transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a physical geostationary component is used near the drill bit to track position, then position tracking is achieved, but system complexity increases and rotation capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical geostationary component with a magnetic field-based tracking system. The magnetic field source is positioned near the drill bit and rotates with it, while surface equipment tracks the magnetic field signals to determine position and orientation. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical geostationary mechanisms while maintaining accurate position tracking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a physical geostationary component that remains stationary relative to the wellbore, the patent creates a magnetic field signature that can be tracked from the surface. The magnetic field acts as a virtual copy or representation of the drill bit position, allowing surface equipment to track the rotating drill bit without requiring the tracking component itself to rotate or remain geostationary.
2Measurement precision
If a physical geostationary component is used near the drill bit, then position tracking is enabled, but the system's ability to rotate fully is limited
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing the mechanical geostationary component with a magnetic field-based system, the patent enables full rotation capability. The magnetic field source rotates freely with the drill bit without mechanical constraints, and surface equipment continuously tracks the magnetic field signals to maintain position and orientation information throughout the rotation cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static geostationary component to a dynamic magnetic field-based system. The magnetic field source rotates dynamically with the drill bit, and the tracking system adapts in real-time to maintain accurate position and orientation measurements throughout the rotation, enabling full rotational versatility.
3Measurement precision
If a physical geostationary component is used, then position tracking is achieved, but wear increases due to limited rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical wear by replacing the physical geostationary component with a magnetic field-based system. The magnetic field source rotates freely without mechanical constraints or contact, and surface equipment tracks the magnetic field signals without any physical interaction, completely eliminating wear associated with limited rotation of mechanical tracking components.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field acts as a wear-free virtual representation of the drill bit position. Instead of mechanically tracking the rotating drill bit with a geostationary component that suffers from friction and wear, the system creates a magnetic field signature that can be tracked from the surface without any physical contact or mechanical stress, eliminating wear entirely.
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 solution enables full 3D directional control of the drill bit, reduces system complexity, and minimizes wear by allowing the entire system to rotate freely, improving drilling precision and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
extendable members actuated by hydraulic pressure to control the drill bit direction
Data Source
AI summary
A directional drilling system includes a rotary steerable tool. The rotary steerable tool includes an extendable member configured to extend outwardly from the rotary steerable tool upon actuation, and a geolocation electronics device configured to track a position of the rotary steerable tool and the extendable member and control actuation of the extendable member. The geolocation electronics device and extendable member are configured to rotate with the rotary steerable tool.