Viscous Dampening Component for Torsional Earth-Boring Drill Bit Vibration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Drill bits experience harmful vibrations during drilling operations, which can affect their performance and lead to equipment failures.

Innovation Solution

A viscous dampening component is integrated into the drill bit, comprising an inertial mass ring surrounded by a cover and filled with viscous fluid, dissipating energy through fluid shear to reduce vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If drill bits operate during drilling operations, then drilling productivity is achieved, but harmful vibrations occur that reduce reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling productivityVSAvoiddrill bit reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts harmful vibrations into beneficial energy dissipation by using a viscous dampening component. The inertial mass ring rotates relative to the shank during vibrations, and the viscous fluid between them converts the vibrational kinetic energy into heat through fluid shear, thereby reducing the harmful vibrations while maintaining drilling productivity

Inventive Principle:

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

Solution Approach 2:

The viscous fluid acts as an intermediary between the inertial mass ring and the shank. It transfers and dissipates the vibrational energy through its viscous properties, mediating the interaction between the rotating mass and the drill bit structure to reduce harmful vibrations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Duration of action of moving object

If drill bits experience vibrations during operation, then drilling action continues, but equipment lifespan is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling operation durationVSAvoidequipment lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The viscous dampening component is installed beforehand in the drill bit structure to provide cushioning against future vibrations. The inertial mass ring and viscous fluid are pre-positioned to absorb and dissipate vibrational energy before it can cause damage to the drill bit or other equipment components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 viscous dampening component effectively reduces torsional vibrations, enhancing drill bit durability and extending the lifespan of the drill bit and the bottom hole assembly.

Implementation Method 1

a viscous fluid disposed between the inertial mass ring and the shank. When the inertial mass ring rotates relative to the shank of the drill bit, energy is dissipated to the viscous fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscous damping: Viscous Damping

Implementation Method 2

dissipating energy through fluid shear to reduce vibrations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid shear: Shear Stress

Data Source

PatentUS12352116B2Viscous dampening component for use with earth-boring rotary drill bits, and earth-boring rotary drill bits including a viscous dampening component

Publication Date: 2025.07.08 BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A viscous dampening component is provided for use with a drill bit. The viscous dampening component may include an inertial mass ring configured to surround a shank of a drill bit, a cover configured to surround the inertial mass ring and the shank to position and maintain the inertial mass ring on the shank, and a viscous fluid disposed between the inertial mass ring and the shank. When the inertial mass ring rotates relative to the shank of the drill bit, energy is dissipated within the viscous fluid.