Vortex Controlled Variable Flow Resistance Device for Drill String Advancement
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Solution Overview
Problem
In deep well drilling, particularly in horizontal wells, frictional forces between the drill string and the borehole wall cause significant challenges due to deviations in the wellbore, hydraulic loading, and gravity, leading to reduced weight-on-bit and difficulty in advancing the drill string, with existing solutions being costly, temperature-sensitive, and having limited effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A variable flow resistance device using a fluidic oscillator with a vortex chamber and feedback control circuit to generate low-frequency, high-amplitude backpressures, reducing frictional resistance and facilitating drill string advancement without moving parts or elastomeric components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing solutions are used to reduce frictional resistance, then some effectiveness is achieved, but they are costly, temperature-sensitive, and have limited effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical friction-reduction systems (such as mechanical lubricants or moving parts) with a fluidic oscillator system that uses fluid dynamics and acoustic waves to reduce frictional resistance. The fluidic oscillator generates pressure waves that propagate through the drill string, creating vibrational effects that reduce friction without requiring temperature-sensitive mechanical components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a fluidic oscillator that uses hydraulic principles to generate pressure waves and reduce friction. The system utilizes fluid flow through specially designed chambers and passages to create oscillating pressure patterns that travel through the drill string, reducing frictional resistance without relying on temperature-sensitive materials
2Reliability
If existing solutions are used to reduce frictional resistance, then some effectiveness is achieved, but they are costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a fluidic oscillator with no moving parts or elastomeric components that can be manufactured at lower cost compared to existing solutions. The simplicity of the design, relying on fluid dynamics rather than complex mechanical assemblies, reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining effectiveness in reducing frictional resistance
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing expensive mechanical systems with a fluidic oscillator based system, the patent achieves cost reduction. The elimination of moving parts and elastomeric components simplifies manufacturing and reduces material costs while maintaining the ability to reduce frictional resistance effectively
3Object-affected harmful factors
If existing solutions are used to reduce frictional resistance, then some effectiveness is achieved, but they have limited effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The fluidic oscillator generates periodic pressure waves that travel through the drill string, creating repeated vibrational cycles that continuously reduce frictional resistance. This periodic action is more effective than static or single-action systems, as it maintains reduced friction over extended periods and distances
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback control to monitor and adjust the pressure wave generation, ensuring optimal performance in reducing frictional resistance. The feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to varying conditions in the wellbore, maintaining effectiveness across different operational scenarios
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a variable flow resistance device with moving parts is used, then frictional resistance can be reduced, but the device complexity increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical systems with moving parts with a fluidic oscillator system that has no moving parts. The friction reduction is achieved through fluid dynamics and acoustic wave generation, eliminating the need for mechanical components that would increase device complexity and reduce reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates moving parts and elastomeric components from the system, retaining only the essential fluidic channels and chambers needed to generate pressure waves. This simplification reduces device complexity while maintaining the ability to reduce frictional resistance
5Object-affected harmful factors
If a variable flow resistance device with elastomeric components is used, then frictional resistance can be reduced, but temperature limitations are imposed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces elastomeric components with a fluidic oscillator system that uses fluid dynamics to generate pressure waves. This substitution eliminates temperature limitations associated with elastomeric materials, as the fluidic system can operate across a broader temperature range without degradation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simplified fluidic oscillator design without temperature-sensitive elastomeric components, allowing operation in high-temperature wellbore environments. The system relies on fluid flow and pressure wave generation that are not constrained by material temperature limits
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 device effectively reduces frictional resistance in drill strings, allowing for improved weight-on-bit and easier advancement in horizontal wells, while being durable and cost-effective, with no temperature limitations and compatibility with harsh well conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A variable flow resistance device using a fluidic oscillator with a vortex chamber and feedback control circuit to generate low-frequency, high-amplitude backpressures
Data Source
AI summary
A vortex-controlled variable flow resistance device ideal for use in a backpressure tool for advancing drill string in extended reach downhole operations. The characteristics of the pressure waves generated by the device are controlled by the growth and decay of vortices in the vortex chamber(s) of a flow path. The flow path is designed to produce alternating primary and secondary vortices—one clockwise and one counter-clockwise—where the primary vortex is stronger and produces higher backpressure than the secondary vortex. This in turn generates alternating weak and strong pressure pulses in the drill string. The weak pulses may be barely perceptible so that the effective frequency of the pulses is determined by the stronger primary vortices.