Vibration Generator Flow Resistance Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibration generators for drilling installations face high energy consumption and increased resistance when used in subsea drilling due to the need for oil filling to withstand water pressure, leading to inefficiencies in penetration rates.
Innovation Solution
The vibration generator features a housing filled with fluid and a rotation body with flow resistance reduction means, such as non-circular contours and differing specific mass parts, to minimize friction and pressure increase during rotation, allowing for efficient movement through the oil while maintaining vibration generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the housing is completely filled with fluid (oil) to compensate for water pressure in subsea drilling, then the generator can withstand outside pressure, but flow resistance and energy consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation body is designed with a circular cross-section and curved surfaces to minimize flow resistance when rotating through the oil fill. The circular geometry allows smooth displacement through the fluid, reducing turbulence and friction compared to non-circular shapes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the rotation body by providing edges with specific flow resistance reduction features. The edges are designed with rounded profiles and specific radii ratios to optimize hydrodynamic performance, reducing the resistance coefficient during rotation through the oil.
2Productivity
If the rotation body has an eccentric mass distribution to generate vibrations, then drilling penetration rate increases, but flow resistance in oil fill increases due to asymmetric shape
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses asymmetric mass distribution within a symmetric circular housing. The rotation body contains an eccentric mass or asymmetrically positioned chamber that generates vibrations while the outer circular geometry minimizes flow resistance. This separates the vibration-generating asymmetry from the flow-resistant symmetric shape.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation body is divided into multiple parts with different specific masses (e.g., a first part and a second part with higher specific mass positioned asymmetrically). This segmentation allows the creation of an eccentric mass distribution for vibration generation while maintaining an overall circular external shape for reduced flow resistance.
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 design reduces energy consumption and enhances penetration rates by minimizing flow resistance and friction, enabling effective subsea drilling operations with reduced power input.
Implementation Method 1
the mass centre of the rotation body being eccentric with respect to the rotation axis of the suspension
Implementation Method 2
the flow resistance reduction means enables a smooth displacement through the oil while avoiding the occurrence of pressure increase in the oil and/or friction resistance with respect to the oil fill
Data Source
AI summary
A vibration generator (9) for a drilling installation comprises a housing (16), at least one rotation body (17), a suspension (24) by means of which the rotation body is suspended rotatably within the housing, the mass centre of the rotation body (17) being eccentric with respect to the rotation axis of the suspension, and a drive (18) for rotating the rotation body. The housing (16) holds a fluid (15) which is in contact with the rotation body (17) whereby relative rotation between the rotation body and the fluid generates a flow resistance and in that the rotation body comprises flow resistance reduction means (25).