Wired Drill Pipe Stretch Measurement via Inductive Couplers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current drilling technologies face limitations in accurately determining drill string stretch or compression, which affects depth calculations and data accuracy, due to assumptions of inelasticity and inadequate modeling of frictional forces in drill string dynamics.

Innovation Solution

The system employs sensors and wired drill pipe joints with inductive couplers to measure and transmit data on stretch/compression, allowing for accurate depth corrections by accounting for stress, temperature, and frictional forces along the drill string, using a hybrid telemetry system that includes wired drill pipe and mud pulse telemetry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If sensors and wired drill pipe joints with inductive couplers are used to measure and transmit stretch/compression data, then measurement precision of drill string elasticity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedepth measurement accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drill string is divided into multiple wired drill pipe joints, each equipped with inductive couplers and sensors. This segmentation allows distributed measurement of stretch and compression at different locations along the drill string, improving overall measurement precision while keeping each individual joint manageable in complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wired drill pipe joints serve multiple functions: they provide structural support for drilling operations, enable telemetry data transmission, and facilitate stretch/compression measurements through integrated inductive couplers and sensors. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems, thereby managing device complexity while improving measurement capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If accurate modeling of frictional forces and stress along the drill string is implemented, then measurement precision of depth calculations is improved, but device complexity and computational requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedepth calculation accuracyVSAvoidmodeling complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Sensors positioned along the drill string continuously measure stretch and compression, providing real-time feedback data on stress distribution. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of frictional force models and depth calculations, improving measurement precision while using computational algorithms rather than additional physical devices to manage complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If wired drill pipe joints with inductive couplers are used for telemetry, then data transmission rate is improved, but manufacturing complexity of drill pipe increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission rateVSAvoiddrill pipe manufacturing

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical contact-based telemetry with inductive coupling, which uses electromagnetic fields to transmit data through the drill pipe walls. This substitution improves data transmission rates while simplifying manufacturing, as the inductive couplers can be integrated into existing drill pipe joints without requiring complex mechanical modifications or breaking the drill string for installation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If sensors are positioned along the drill string to measure stretch/compression, then reliability of depth data is improved, but loss of time for data processing and transmission increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedepth data reliabilityVSAvoiddata processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously measures and transmits stretch and compression data in real-time as drilling progresses, rather than processing data after the fact. This preliminary action ensures that depth data remains reliable and up-to-date, minimizing time loss by avoiding post-operation recalibration or remeasurement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 approach provides more accurate depth measurements and data transmission, reducing errors in drill string modeling and enhancing the reliability of drilling operations by accounting for the elasticity of the drill string and varying frictional forces.

Implementation Method 1

wired drill pipe joints with inductive couplers to measure and transmit data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS8362915B2System and method for determining stretch or compression of a drill string

Publication Date: 2013.01.29 INTELLISERV LLC

AI summary

A system and a method for determining stretch or compression of a drill string is disclosed. Sensors are positioned along the drill string for collecting data for determining the stretch or compression. The stretch or the compression of the drill string may be used to calculate depths at which measurements are obtained by tools associated with the drill string.