Vibration Isolation Device for Downhole Tool Torsional Oscillations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Severe vibrations in drillstrings and bottomhole assemblies during drilling operations, caused by cutting forces at the bit or mass imbalances in downhole tools, lead to reduced rate of penetration, reduced measurement quality, and increased wear and fatigue of components.

Innovation Solution

A vibration isolation system that includes a drill bit configured to rotate and penetrate the earth's subsurface, coupled with a vibration isolation device that amplifies vibration amplitude downhole by at least 20% compared to uphole, utilizing a torsional flexible element and friction dampers to dissipate energy and reduce torsional oscillations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If vibration isolation device amplifies vibration amplitude downhole by at least 20%, then torsional oscillations are mitigated, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemitigation of high-frequency torsional oscillationsVSAvoidcomplexity of vibration isolation device

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration isolation device is divided into separate functional elements: a flexible element for vibration amplification and friction dampers for energy dissipation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to mitigate torsional oscillations, resolving the contradiction between reliability improvement and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible element acts as an intermediary that amplifies vibrations between the drill bit and the dampers. This intermediary mechanism enables effective torsional oscillation mitigation without requiring direct complex interaction between the drill bit and damping components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If friction dampers are used to dissipate energy, then vibration amplitudes are reduced by up to 85%, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereduction of vibration amplitudesVSAvoidenergy dissipation through friction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the harmful vibration energy into beneficial frictional heat through the dampers. By designing the friction dampers to engage specifically during torsional oscillations, the harmful vibrational energy is transformed into heat that dissipates the oscillations, achieving an 85% reduction in vibration amplitudes while the energy consumption is limited to only when vibrations occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The friction dampers are designed with dynamic engagement characteristics, activating only when torsional oscillations exceed certain thresholds. This dynamic operation means energy is consumed only when needed for vibration mitigation, not continuously, thereby reducing the overall energy impact while maintaining effective vibration reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If vibration isolation device is installed in downhole assembly, then durability of components is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedurability and reliability of downhole componentsVSAvoidcomplexity of downhole assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration isolation device components are nested within the existing downhole assembly structure. The flexible element and friction dampers are integrated into the bottom hole assembly in a compact, space-efficient manner that enhances component durability without significantly increasing the overall complexity of the downhole system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 system effectively mitigates high-frequency torsional oscillations, reducing vibration amplitudes by up to 85% and enhancing the durability and reliability of downhole components by dissipating energy through frictional forces, thereby improving drilling efficiency and reducing maintenance costs.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing a torsional flexible element and friction dampers to dissipate energy and reduce torsional oscillations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

utilizing a torsional flexible element and friction dampers to dissipate energy and reduce torsional oscillations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12084924B2Dampers for mitigation of downhole tool vibrations and vibration isolation device for downhole bottom hole assembly

Publication Date: 2024.09.10 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

A system for drilling a borehole into the earth's subsurface includes a drill bit configured to rotate and penetrate through the earth's subsurface, and a vibration isolation device configured to isolate vibration that is caused at the drill bit, the vibration having an amplitude. The amplitude of the vibration downhole of the vibration isolation device is at least 20% higher than the amplitude of the vibration uphole of the vibration isolation device.