Split Bowl Wear Bushing Assembly for Drill String Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Substantial wear in the central bore of split bowls during drilling operations leads to loss of contact between slips and the tapered inner surface, resulting in inadvertent release or slippage of the drill string due to frictional contact with the drill string.
Innovation Solution
A split bowl assembly with a wear bushing assembly comprising a wear bushing disposed in a bushing groove and secured by a retainer plate, where the wear bushing is made of an abrasion-resistant material and features a wear groove to absorb wear before it affects the main bore, and a T-shaped slot for rotational fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the drill string is repeatedly rotated and lowered through the split bowl, then drilling operations can be performed, but substantial wear occurs in the central bore leading to loss of slip contact and drill string support
Solution Approach 1:
A wear bushing is introduced as an intermediary component between the drill string and the split bowl's central bore. The wear bushing absorbs the frictional wear that would otherwise damage the split bowl, maintaining the tapered inner surface integrity and ensuring continuous reliable support of the drill string during drilling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The wear bushing is designed as a sacrificial component that can be replaced when worn. This disposable element protects the more expensive and critical split bowl assembly, allowing continuous drilling operations by replacing the wear bushing rather than the entire split bowl structure.
2Force
If the slips are lowered into contact with the drill string to grip it, then the drill string can be supported, but wear in the thru bore results in loss of contact between slips and tapered inner surface
Solution Approach 1:
The wear bushing serves as a mediator that preserves the tapered inner surface geometry. By absorbing wear, it ensures the slips maintain proper contact with the tapered surface throughout their operational life, sustaining both grip force and contact duration without degradation.
3Device complexity
If the central bore is used without protection, then the structure remains simple, but frictional contact causes substantial wear and loss of support capability
Solution Approach 1:
The wear bushing is a relatively simple intermediary component that fits within the existing central bore structure. It adds minimal complexity to the bowl assembly while effectively protecting against frictional wear, maintaining support capability without significantly increasing structural complexity.
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 wear bushing assembly effectively reduces wear on the split bowl by absorbing frictional wear before it impacts the main bore, maintaining consistent support for the drill string and preventing slippage.
Implementation Method 1
The wear bushing is made of an abrasion-resistant material and features a wear groove to absorb wear before it affects the main bore
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A device for extending the useable life of a split bowl by reducing wear of the thru bore of the split bowl during drilling operations. A replaceable wear bushing with a wear indicator is inserted in the thru bore of the two halves of the split bowl. The wear indicator may be a groove formed in an inner diameter of the wear bushing. The wear bushing may be inserted in a bushing groove formed in an inner diameter of the thru bore of the two halves of the split bowl. A retainer plate may be used to retain the wear bushing in the bushing groove.