Rotating Cutter Apparatus for Drilling Fluid Debris
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solid objects within drilling fluids can plug or interfere with drilling system components, such as drill bits, due to their size, causing operational issues and equipment failure.
Innovation Solution
A rotating cutter apparatus is integrated into the drilling system, comprising a housing, a shaft, and at least one cutter that rotates to reduce the size of solid objects by severing action, positioned between the power section of the downhole drilling motor and the drill bit to prevent blockages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If solid objects are allowed to circulate in drilling fluid, then fluid circulation is maintained, but equipment components become plugged or interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of solid objects (debris) by using a rotating cutter apparatus to chop and reduce them into smaller particles. This transforms the harmful large solid objects that cause plugging into beneficial small particles that can circulate freely in the drilling fluid without interfering with equipment components.
2Reliability
If a rotating cutter apparatus is added to reduce solid object size, then equipment protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating cutter apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions: it reduces solid object size, protects downstream equipment from plugging, and can be integrated into existing drilling system components. The cutter assembly can be positioned at various locations within the drilling system to serve different protection needs while using the same basic mechanism.
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 apparatus effectively reduces the size of solid objects, ensuring uninterrupted fluid circulation and preventing equipment damage by effectively severing and filtering out debris before they reach the drill bit.
Implementation Method 1
at least one cutter carried on the shaft and extending radially toward the housing interior surface, wherein the cutter is rotatable relative to the housing about the shaft axis
Data Source
AI summary
A rotating cutter apparatus including a housing having a housing interior surface defining a housing bore, a shaft extending through the housing bore such that an annular space is provided between the housing interior surface and the shaft, and at least one cutter carried on the shaft. The shaft is rotatable relative to the housing about a shaft axis. The at least one cutter extends radially toward the housing interior surface and is rotatable relative to the housing about the shaft axis. A method for reducing a size of solid objects contained in a fluid, including providing a rotating cutter apparatus, introducing the fluid containing the solid objects into the rotating cutter apparatus, and rotating a shaft and at least one cutter in order to reduce the size of the solid objects while passing the fluid through the rotating cutter apparatus.