Segmented Drill Pipe Locking for Continuous Cased Drilling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drill pipe systems require significant time and energy for coupling and threading to form a protective casing system for drill strings, making continuous drilling impossible.
Innovation Solution
A drill pipe composed of at least two longitudinal elements with different fixing means, including locking elements designed as closure plates with trapezoidal openings and undercuts, allows for quick and secure connection without interruption, featuring anti-rotation and anti-slide mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional coupling and threading methods are used to attach new drill pipes, then the protective casing system can be formed, but significant time and energy are required making continuous drilling impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The drill pipe is divided into multiple longitudinal elements that can be connected through fixing means. This segmentation allows the drill pipe to be assembled in sections, enabling continuous drilling operations without requiring complete disassembly and reassembly of the entire drill string. The longitudinal elements can be attached sequentially as drilling progresses.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing means are pre-configured on the drill pipe elements with positioning means that guide the alignment before final locking. This preliminary positioning action ensures that when elements are connected during drilling, they automatically align correctly, eliminating the time-consuming manual alignment and threading operations required in traditional methods.
2Productivity
If traditional coupling and threading methods are used to attach new drill pipes, then the protective casing system can be formed, but high energy expenditure is required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the traditional mechanical threading and coupling system with a fixing means system that uses positioning means and locking elements. This substitution eliminates the need for high-energy threading operations and heavy coupling mechanisms, reducing the energy required for attaching drill pipe elements during continuous drilling operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If drill pipes are disconnected to attach new casings, then new drill pipes can be installed, but the drilling process must be interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The drill pipe system is designed with dynamic fixing means that allow for quick attachment and detachment of longitudinal elements. The positioning means and locking elements enable rapid installation of new drill pipe sections without requiring complete disconnection of the drill string, maintaining the continuity of the drilling process while providing the adaptability to extend the drill string as needed.
4Ease of operation
If locking elements are used to fix longitudinal elements, then quick connection is achieved, but secure anti-rotation and anti-slide fixation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The locking elements are designed with asymmetric features including trapezoidal openings with undercuts that engage with corresponding features on the longitudinal elements. This asymmetric geometry provides automatic anti-rotation and anti-slide capabilities, ensuring secure fixation while maintaining ease of operation through simple locking and unlocking motions.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning means include chamfered longitudinal edges that guide the locking elements into proper alignment during the connection process. The curved or chamfered surfaces facilitate smooth engagement, ensuring reliable fixation while maintaining ease of operation by automatically guiding the locking elements into their correct positions.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a drill pipe (1) for producing a cased string bore and is characterized in that it consists of at least two longitudinal elements (2, 3) which can be connected to one another to form the drill pipe (1), wherein the at least two longitudinal elements (2, 3) have different fixing means (4, 5, 6) in order to fix the at least two longitudinal elements (2, 3) against one another with the aid of a securing element (7) and to connect them to one another to form the drill pipe (1).