Stabilizer Device Mounting via Groove and Clamp
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Solution Overview
Problem
Threaded connections on mud motor housings are prone to stress raisers, fatigue, and damage, leading to increased costs and downtime in drilling operations due to the need for frequent inspections and replacements.
Innovation Solution
A stabilizer device mounting assembly that eliminates threads on the motor housing by using a clamp with split-ring shells and a threaded portion, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly, reducing fatigue and wear on the stabilizer device while minimizing damage to the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If threaded connections are used to mount stabilizer device to motor housing, then the stabilizer device can be securely mounted and torque loads can be carried, but stress raisers and fatigue are aggravated and thread damage occurs requiring frequent inspections and replacements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the threaded connection from the motor housing entirely, extracting the harmful stress raisers and fatigue-inducing geometry from the housing structure. The stabilizer device is mounted using a groove and clamp mechanism instead, eliminating threads from the housing while maintaining secure mounting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a groove feature and clamp assembly as intermediary elements between the motor housing and stabilizer device. The groove provides a smooth stress-free mounting surface on the housing, while the clamp provides the necessary clamping force and torque transmission, separating the mounting function from the housing structure itself.
2Ease of manufacture
If threaded connections are used on motor housing, then stabilizer device can be mounted, but thread damage requires time and cost penalties to extend service life and may require replacement of expensive motor housing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mounting system into three separate components: the motor housing with groove, the stabilizer device with threaded portion, and the clamp assembly. This allows the threaded portion to be on the replaceable stabilizer device rather than the expensive housing, making repair and replacement much easier and more economical.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent places the threaded portion on the stabilizer device, which is a consumable component that can be easily replaced when damaged. The expensive motor housing remains thread-free and durable, while the cheaper stabilizer device absorbs the wear and replacement costs.
3Reliability
If threading on motor housing is performed, then stabilizer device can be mounted, but increased third-party inspection is required resulting in lost time and money due to additional cleaning and downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes threads from the motor housing, eliminating the need for complex thread inspection procedures. The groove feature requires minimal inspection, and the threaded portion on the stabilizer device can be inspected independently during stabilizer replacement, significantly reducing downtime and inspection costs.
4Reliability
If threaded connections are used on motor housing, then stabilizer device can be mounted, but formal verification-of-torque processes and inspection are required as part of quality management procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the clamp assembly as an intermediary that simplifies torque verification. The clamp provides a clear, accessible threaded connection with standardized torque requirements that are easier to verify and inspect than housing threads, reducing the complexity of quality management procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A stabilizer device is provided for a mud motor drilling assembly. The stabilizer device may be mounted to a motor housing having one or more grooves or ridges. The stabilizer device may include a stabilizer body, a threader portion, and a clamp. The threaded portion may be positioned between the one or more grooves or ridges and the clamp. The threaded portion may include an external surface having threads. The threads on the external surface of the threaded portion of the stabilizer device may correspond to threads on an internal surface of a clamp. The threaded coupling of the clamp to the stabilizer device may couple the stabilizer device to the motor housing at the one or more grooves or ridges.