EP3207206B1 - Drill bit with self-adjusting pads - Google Patents
Drill bit with self-adjusting pads Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3207206B1 EP3207206B1 EP15850810.1A EP15850810A EP3207206B1 EP 3207206 B1 EP3207206 B1 EP 3207206B1 EP 15850810 A EP15850810 A EP 15850810A EP 3207206 B1 EP3207206 B1 EP 3207206B1
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- piston
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- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 claims description 49
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- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 17
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 description 16
- 238000007726 management method Methods 0.000 description 6
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000013500 data storage Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000003044 adaptive effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000006399 behavior Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004590 computer program Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910003460 diamond Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010432 diamond Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005304 joining Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003129 oil well Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
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- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B10/00—Drill bits
- E21B10/62—Drill bits characterised by parts, e.g. cutting elements, which are detachable or adjustable
Definitions
- This disclosure relates generally to drill bits and systems that utilize same for drilling wellbores.
- Oil wells are drilled with a drill string that includes a tubular member having a drilling assembly (also referred to as the "bottomhole assembly” or “BHA”).
- BHA typically includes devices and sensors that provide information relating to a variety of parameters relating to the drilling operations (“drilling parameters”), behavior of the BHA (“BHA parameters”) and parameters relating to the formation surrounding the wellbore (“formation parameters”).
- a drill bit attached to the bottom end of the BHA is rotated by rotating the drill string and/or by a drilling motor (also referred to as a "mud motor”) in the BHA to disintegrate the rock formation to drill the wellbore.
- a drilling motor also referred to as a "mud motor”
- a large number of wellbores are drilled along contoured trajectories.
- a single wellbore may include one or more vertical sections, deviated sections and horizontal sections through differing types of rock formations.
- the rate of penetration (ROP) of the drill changes and can cause (decreases or increases) excessive fluctuations or vibration (lateral or torsional) in the drill bit.
- the ROP is typically controlled by controlling the weight-on-bit (WOB) and rotational speed (revolutions per minute or "RPM”) of the drill bit so as to control drill bit fluctuations.
- WB weight-on-bit
- RPM rotational speed
- the WOB is controlled by controlling the hook load at the surface and the RPM is controlled by controlling the drill string rotation at the surface and/or by controlling the drilling motor speed in the BHA.
- Controlling the drill bit fluctuations and ROP by such methods requires the drilling system or operator to take actions at the surface. The impact of such surface actions on the drill bit fluctuations is not substantially immediate.
- Drill bit aggressiveness contributes to the vibration, whirl and stick-slip for a given WOB and drill bit rotational speed.
- "Depth of Cut” (DOC) of a drill bit generally defined as "the distance the drill bit advances along axially into the formation in one revolution," is a contributing factor relating to the drill bit aggressiveness. Controlling DOC can provide smoother borehole, avoid premature damage to the cutters and prolong operating life of the drill bit.
- the disclosure herein provides a drill bit and drilling systems using the same configured to control the rate of change of instantaneous DOC of a drill bit during drilling of a wellbore.
- US 7,240,744 discloses a downhole rotary drilling tool according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method of drilling a wellbore according to the preamble of claim 6, and in particular relates to a rotary and mud powered percussive drill bit assembly and method.
- US 2007/0221408 discloses a method of drilling at a resonant frequency.
- US 2,169,502 discloses a wellbore enlarging tool.
- US 4,007,797 discloses a device for drilling a hole in the side wall of a bare hole.
- US 6,142,250 discloses a rotary drill having moveable formation engaging members.
- a downhole rotary drilling tool is provided, as claimed in claim 1.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary drilling system 100 that may utilize drill bits made according to the disclosure herein.
- FIG. 1 shows a wellbore 110 having an upper section 111 with a casing 112 installed therein and a lower section 114 being drilled with a drill string 118.
- the drill string 118 is shown to include a tubular member 116 with a BHA 130 attached at its bottom end.
- the tubular member 116 may be made up by joining drill pipe sections or it may be a coiled-tubing.
- a drill bit 150 is shown attached to the bottom end of the BHA 130 for disintegrating the rock formation 119 to drill the wellbore 110 of a selected diameter.
- Drill string 118 is shown conveyed into the wellbore 110 from a rig 180 at the surface 167.
- the exemplary rig 180 shown is a land rig for ease of explanation.
- the apparatus and methods disclosed herein may also be utilized with an offshore rig used for drilling wellbores under water.
- a rotary table 169 or a top drive (not shown) coupled to the drill string 118 may be utilized to rotate the drill string 118 to rotate the BHA 130 and thus the drill bit 150 to drill the wellbore 110.
- a drilling motor 155 (also referred to as the "mud motor”) may be provided in the BHA 130 to rotate the drill bit 150. The drilling motor 155 may be used alone to rotate the drill bit 150 or to superimpose the rotation of the drill bit by the drill string 118.
- a control unit (or controller) 190 which may be a computer-based unit, may be placed at the surface 167 to receive and process data transmitted by the sensors in the drill bit 150 and the sensors in the BHA 130, and to control selected operations of the various devices and sensors in the BHA 130.
- the surface controller 190 may include a processor 192, a data storage device (or a computer-readable medium) 194 for storing data, algorithms and computer programs 196.
- the data storage device 194 may be any suitable device, including, but not limited to, a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a magnetic tape, a hard disk and an optical disk.
- a drilling fluid 179 from a source thereof is pumped under pressure into the tubular member 116.
- the drilling fluid discharges at the bottom of the drill bit 150 and returns to the surface via the annular space (also referred as the "annulus") between the drill string 118 and the inside wall 142 of the wellbore 110.
- the BHA 130 may further include one or more downhole sensors (collectively designated by numeral 175).
- the sensors 175 may include any number and type of sensors, including, but not limited to, sensors generally known as the measurement-while-drilling (MWD) sensors or the logging-while-drilling (LWD) sensors, and sensors that provide information relating to the behavior of the BHA 130, such as drill bit rotation (revolutions per minute or "RPM”), tool face, pressure, vibration, whirl, bending, and stick-slip.
- the BHA 130 may further include a control unit (or controller) 170 that controls the operation of one or more devices and sensors in the BHA 130.
- the controller 170 may include, among other things, circuits to process the signals from sensor 175, a processor 172 (such as a microprocessor) to process the digitized signals, a data storage device 174 (such as a solid-state-memory), and a computer program 176.
- the processor 172 may process the digitized signals, and control downhole devices and sensors, and communicate data information with the controller 190 via a two-way telemetry unit 188.
- the drill bit 150 includes a face section (or bottom section) 152.
- the face section 152 or a portion thereof faces the formation in front of the drill bit or the wellbore bottom during drilling.
- the drill bit 150 in one aspect, includes one or more pads 160 that may be extended and retracted from a selected surface of the drill bit 150.
- the pads 160 are also referred to herein as the "extensible pads,” “extendable pads,” or “adjustable pads.”
- a suitable actuation device (or actuation unit) 165 in the drill bit 150 may be utilized to extend and retract one or more pads from a drill bit surface during drilling of the wellbore 110.
- the actuation device 165 may control the rate of extension and retraction of the pad 160.
- the actuation device is also referred to as a "rate control device” or “rate controller.”
- the actuation device automatically adjusts or self-adjusts the extension and retraction of the pad 160 based on or in response to the force or pressure applied to the pad 160 during drilling and may be a passive device.
- actuation device 165 and pad 160 are actuated by contact with the formation. Further, a substantial force on pads 160 is experienced when the depth of cut of drill bit 150 is changed rapidly. Accordingly, it is desirable for actuation mechanism 165 to resist changes to the depth of cut.
- actuation mechanism 165 will increase the weight on bit at a given depth of cut. In other embodiments, actuation mechanism 165 will reduce the depth of cut for a given weight on bit.
- the rate of extension and retraction of the pad may be preset as described in more detail in reference to FIGS. 2-4 .
- FIG. 2 shows an exemplary drill bit 200 made according to one embodiment of the disclosure.
- the drill bit 200 is a polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bit having a bit body 201 that includes a neck or neck section 210, a shank 220 and a crown or crown section 230.
- the drill bit 200 is any suitable drill bit or formation removal device for use in a formation.
- drill bit 200 is any suitable downhole rotary tool.
- the neck 210 has a tapered upper end 212 having threads 212a thereon for connecting the drill bit 200 to a box end of the drilling assembly 130 ( FIG. 1 ).
- the shank 220 has a lower vertical or straight section 222 that is fixedly connected to the crown 230 at a joint 224.
- the crown 230 includes a face or face section 232 that faces the formation during drilling.
- the crown 230 includes a number of blades, such as blades 234a, 234b, etc.
- a typical PDC bit includes 3-7 blades.
- Each blade has a face (also referred to as a "face section") and a side (also referred to as a "side section").
- blade 234a has a face 232a and a side 236a
- blade 234b has a face 232b and a side 236b.
- the sides 236a and 236b extend along the longitudinal or vertical axis 202 of the drill bit 200.
- Each blade further includes a number of cutters. In the particular embodiment of FIG.
- blade 234a is shown to include cutters 238a on a portion of the side 236a and cutters 238b along the face 232a while blade 234b is shown to include cutters 239a on the side 239a and cutters 239b on the face 232b.
- the drill bit 200 includes one or more elements or members (also referred to herein as pads) that extend and retract from a surface 252 of the drill bit 200.
- FIG. 2 shows a pad 250 movably placed in a cavity or recess 254 in the crown section 230.
- An activation device 260 may be coupled to the pad 250 to extend and retract the pad 250 from a drill bit surface location 252.
- the activation device 260 controls the rate of extension and retraction of the pad 250.
- the device 260 extends the pad at a first rate and retracts the pad at a second rate.
- the first rate and second rate may be the same or different rates.
- the rate of extension of the pad 250 may be greater than the rate of retraction.
- the device 260 also is referred to herein as a "rate control device” or a “rate controller.”
- the pad 250 is directly coupled to the device 260 via a mechanical connection or connecting member 256.
- the device 260 includes a chamber 270 that houses a double acting reciprocating member, such as a piston 280, that sealingly divides the chamber 270 into a first chamber 272 and a second chamber or reservoir 274. Both chambers 272 and 274 are filled with a hydraulic fluid 278 suitable for downhole use, such as oil.
- a biasing member such as a spring 284, in the first chamber 272, applies a selected force on the piston 280 to cause it to move outward. Since the piston 280 is connected to the pad 250, moving the piston outward causes the pad 250 to extend from the surface 252 of the drill bit 200.
- the chambers 272 and 274 are in fluid communication with each other via a first fluid flow path or flow line 282 and a second fluid flow path or flow line 286.
- a flow control device such as a check valve 285, placed in the fluid flow line 282, is utilized to control the rate of flow of the fluid from chamber 274 to chamber 272.
- another flow control device such as a check valve 287, placed in fluid flow line 286, is utilized to control the rate of flow of the fluid 278 from chamber 272 to chamber 274.
- the flow control devices 285 and 287 may be configured at the surface to set the rates of flow through fluid flow lines 282 and 286, respectively.
- the rates may be set or dynamically adjusted by an active device, such as by controlling fluid flows between the chambers by actively controlled valves.
- the fluid flow is control actively by adjusting fluid properties by using electro or magneto rhological fluids and controllers.
- piezo electronics are utilized to control fluid flows.
- one or both flow control devices 285 and 287 may include a variable control biasing device, such as a spring, to provide a constant flow rate from one chamber to another. Constant fluid flow rate exchange between the chambers 272 and 274 provides a first constant rate for the extension for the piston 280 and a second constant rate for the retraction of the piston 280 and, thus, corresponding constant rates for extension and retraction of the pad 250.
- the size of the flow control lines 282 and 286 along with the setting of their corresponding biasing devices 285 and 287 define the flow rates through lines 282 and 286, respectively, and thus the corresponding rate of extension and retraction of the pad 250.
- the fluid flow line 282 and its corresponding flow control device 285 is set such that when the drill bit 250 is not in use, i.e., there is no external force being applied onto the pad 250, the biasing member 280 will extend the pad 250 to the maximum extended position.
- the flow control line 282 may be configured so that the biasing member 280 extends the pad 250 relatively fast or suddenly.
- the weight on bit applied to the bit exerts an external force on the pad 250. This external force causes the pad 250 to apply a force or pressure on the piston 280 and thus on the biasing member 284.
- the fluid flow line 286 may be configured to allow relatively slow flow rate of the fluid from chamber 272 into chamber or reservoir 274, thereby causing the pad to retract relatively slowly.
- the extension rate of the pad 250 may be set so that the pad 250 extends from the fully retracted position to a fully extended position over a few seconds while it retracts from the fully extended position to the fully retracted position over one or several minutes or longer (such as between 2-5 minutes). It will be noted, that any suitable rate may be set for the extension and retraction of the pad 250.
- the device 260 is a passive device that adjusts the extension and retraction of a pad based on or in response to the force or pressure applied on the pad 250.
- the pads 250 are wear resistant elements, such as cutters, ovoids, elements making rolling contact, or other elements that reduce friction with earth formations. In certain embodiments, pads 250 are directly in front and in the same cutting groove as the cutters 239a, 238b.
- device 260 is oriented with a tilt against the direction of rotation to minimize the tangential component of friction force experienced by the piston 280. In certain embodiments, the device 260 is located inside the blades 234a, 234b, etc. supported by the bit body 201 with a press fit near the face 232a of the bit 200 and a threaded cap or retainer or a snap ring near the top end of the side portion 234a, 234b.
- FIG. 3 shows an alternative rate control device 300.
- the device 300 includes a fluid chamber 370 divided by a double acting piston 380 into a first chamber 372 and a second chamber or reservoir 374.
- the chambers 372 and 374 are filled with a hydraulic fluid 378.
- a first fluid flow line 382 and an associated flow control device 385 allow the fluid 378 to flow from chamber 374 to chamber 372 at a first flow rate and a fluid flow line 386 and an associated flow control device 387 allow the fluid 378 to flow from the chamber 372 to chamber 374 at a second rate.
- the piston 380 is connected to a force transfer device 390 that includes a piston 392 in a chamber 394.
- the chamber 394 contains a hydraulic fluid 395, which is in fluid communication with a pad 350.
- the pad 350 may be placed in a chamber 352, which chamber is in fluid communication with the fluid 395 in chamber 394.
- the biasing device 384 moves the piston 380 outward, it moves the piston 392 outward and into the chamber 394.
- Piston 392 expels fluid 395 from chamber 394 into the chamber 352, which extends the pad 350.
- a force is applied on to the pad 350, it pushes the fluid in chamber 352 into chamber 394, which applies a force onto the piston 380.
- the rate of the movement of the piston 380 is controlled by the flow of the fluid through the fluid flow line 386 and flow control device 387. In the particular configuration shown in FIG.
- the rate control device 300 is not directly connected to the pad 350, which enables isolation of the device 300 from the pad 350 and allows it to be located at any desired location in the drill bit, as described in reference to FIGS. 5-6 .
- the pad 350 may be directly connected to a cutter 399 or an end of the pad 350 may be made as a cutter. In this configuration, the cutter 399 acts both as a cutter and an extendable and a retractable pad.
- FIG. 4 shows a common rate control device 400 configured to operate more than one pad, such as pads 350a, 350b ... 350n.
- the rate control device 400 is the same as shown and described in FIG. 2 , except that it is shown to apply force onto the pads 350a, 350b ... 350n via an intermediate device 390, as shown and described in reference to FIG. 3 .
- each of the pads 350a, 350b ... 350n is housed in separate chambers 352a, 352b ... 352n respectively.
- the fluid 395 from chamber 394 is supplied to all chambers, thereby automatically and simultaneously extending and retracting each of the pads 350a, 350b ... 350n based on external forces applied to each such pad during drilling.
- the rate control device 400 may include a suitable pressure compensator 499 for downhole use.
- any of the rate controllers made according to any of the embodiments may employ a suitable pressure compensator.
- FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of a drill bit 500, wherein a rate control device 560 is placed in a crown section 530 of the drill bit 500.
- the rate control device 560 is the same as shown in FIG. 2 , but is coupled to a pad 550 via a hydraulic connection 540 and a fluid line 542.
- the rate control device 560 is shown placed in a recess 580 accessible from an outside surface 582 of the crown section 530.
- the pad 550 is shown placed at a face location section 552 on the drill bit face 532, while the hydraulic connection 540 is shown placed in the crown 530 between the pad 550 and the rate control device 560.
- rate control device 560 may be placed at any desired location in the drill bit, including in the shank 520 and neck section 510 and the hydraulic line 542 may be routed in any desired manner from the rate control device 560 to the pad 550. Such a configuration provides flexibility of placing the rate control device substantially anywhere in the drill bit.
- FIG. 6 shows an isometric view of a drill bit 600, wherein a rate control device 660 is placed in a fluid passage 625 of the drill bit 600.
- the hydraulic connection 640 is placed proximate the rate control device 660.
- a hydraulic line 670 is run from the hydraulic connection 640 to the pad 650 through the shank 620 and the crown 630 of the drill bit 600.
- a drilling fluid flows through the passage 625.
- the rate control device 660 may be provided with a through bore or passage 655 and the hydraulic connection device 640 may be provided with a flow passage 645.
- FIG. 7 shows a drill bit 700, wherein an integrated pad and rate control device 750 is placed on an outside surface of the drill bit 700.
- the device 750 includes a rate control device 760 connected to a pad 755.
- the device 750 is a sealed unit that may be attached to any outside surface of the drill bit 700.
- the pad is shown connected to a side 720a of a blade 720 of the drill bit 700.
- the device 750 may be attached or placed at any other suitable location in the drill bit 700.
- the device 750 may be integrated into a blade so that the pad will extend toward a desired direction from the drill bit.
- FIG. 8A shows an integrated rate control device 800.
- rate control devices 800 are individual self-contained cartridges to be disposed inside the blades of a bit, such as the bits previously described.
- rate control functionality is achieved through a pressure management device, such as multi-stage orifice 899.
- FIG. 8B shows the multi-stage orifice 899 with a plurality of orifices 898 that provide a tortuous path for fluid 878 between upper chamber 872 and lower chamber 874.
- upper chamber 872 is subject to a higher pressure than lower chamber 874.
- lower chamber 874 is close to downhole pressure.
- multistage orifice 899 controls the movement and pressure within rate control device 800 in conjunction with biasing member 884, by controlling the flow of fluid 878 therein. Accordingly, the rate of pad 850 is effectively controlled by adjusting the properties of the orifice 899.
- the lower chamber 874 is pressure-compensated. In an exemplary embodiment, the lower chamber 874 is pressure compensated with downhole pressure to minimize the pressure differential across the mud-oil seal 875 at the bit face.
- FIG. 9 shows an integrated rate control device 900.
- rate control devices 900 are self-contained cartridges disposed inside the blades of a bit, such as the bits previously described.
- the rate control functionality is achieved through a pressure management device, such as high-precision gap 999 between the piston 980 and the cylinder 994.
- the high-precision gap 999 allows a predetermined amount of fluid 978 to be transferred between upper chamber 972 and lower chamber 974 at a given pressure differential, effectively controlling the rate of movement of piston 980.
- high-precision gap 999 also acts as a high-pressure seal between the two chambers 972, 974.
- the chambers 972, 974 respectively contain a high pressure fluid and a low pressure fluid.
- the lower chamber 974 (low pressure chamber) is pressure-compensated with downhole pressure to minimize the pressure differential across the mud-oil seal (not shown) at the bit face.
- the pressure-compensation is achieved through bellows in communication with the downhole formation pressure.
- FIG. 10 shows a drill bit 1000 with a rate controller 1090 located in the bit shank 1091 of the drill bit 1000.
- rate control device 1090 is hydraulically connected to multiple pistons 1080 via hydraulic passages 1092 that allow passage of fluid 1078 therethrough to act as a linkage 1056a.
- the central location of rate control device 1090 allows for a large space for the rate control device 1090 while allowing multiple pistons 1080 to be utilized and share load during drill bit operation.
- the pressure drop across the bit 1000 is utilized to create the downward force.
- the low pressure chamber 1074 is compensated to have the same pressure as the drilling fluid pressure inside the bit, while the top rod or chamber 1072 of the compensated piston 1080 is exposed to the pressure inside the bit 1000 causing a net downward force.
- a secondary linkage 1056b is hydraulically or mechanically linked to the pad 1050.
- FIG. 11 shows a drill bit 1100 with a rate controller 1190 centrally located in the drill bit 1100.
- the rate control device 1190 is centrally located and mechanically or hydraulically connected to multiple pads 1150.
- this allows for reduction in the peak pressure inside the rate controller 1190 and also reduces number of parts as the pads 1150 as centrally actuated as shown in FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 12 shows a rate control device 1200 that utilizes a triple-walled cylinder 1298 with annular gaps 1299 between walls 1298a, 1298b, 1298c.
- annular gap 1299 is a pressure management device, such as a high precision gap to restrict flow of fluid 1278 to control the movement of piston 1280.
- fluid flow 1278 moves through ports 1299a and 1299b to interface with both sides of piston 1280.
- ports 1299a and 1299b have check valves to restrict fluid flow 1278.
- fluid 1278 is restricted by gap 1299 to control the flow of fluid 1278, resulting in the controlled movement of piston 1280.
- a pressure compensator 1297 is utilized to compensate the pressure of lower chamber 1274 to downhole fluid pressure.
- FIG. 13 shows a rate control device 1300 with a compensated piston 1380.
- a double acting piston 1380 with substantially equal rod size is exposed to both upper chamber 1372 and lower chamber 1374.
- both ends piston 1380 are exposed to the bottomhole pressure so that net force on the piston 1380 due to drilling fluid pressure is near zero.
- a hydraulic accumulator 1399 can be used with the compensated piston 1380 to accommodate for fluid volume changes with temperature, trapped air, and leakages.
- a biasing member 1378 is utilized to provide a downward force.
- both chambers 1372, 1374 are compensated to minimize the pressure differential between the rate control device 1300 and the wellbore.
- FIG. 14 shows an example of a rate control device 1400 beyond the wording of the claims that utilizes a rotary seal 1496 at the mud-oil interface when disposed within a drill bit (shown schematically as 1401).
- a cam 1492 is located outside of the drill bit 1401 and the rotary motion is transmitted via shaft 1491 into the bit body through a rotary seal 1496.
- the rotary motion is converted into a translational motion inside the bit body using a second cam 1493 and a follower 1494 attached to the piston 1480.
- the first cam 1492 exposes the adaptive element 1450 attached.
- first cam 1492 As external load is experienced by first cam 1492, the load rotates the first cam 1492, and in turn the second cam 1493, which in turn causes inward motion (hiding) of the piston 1480.
- the piston 1480 extends due to the spring 1484 force, and in turn rotates the cams 1492, 1493 and exposes the adaptive elements 1450.
- the contact element 1450 is extended (exposed) and retracted (hidden) at different rates controlled by cam 1492, 1493 profile and biasing member 1484 characteristics.
- FIG. 15 shows a rate control device 1500 that utilizes a fixed pressure management device 1599.
- pressure management device 1599 is stationary relative to moving piston 1580.
- downhole fluid pressure 1575 is exerted upon separator 1597 to compensate the pressure of reservoir 1574.
- Fluid 1587 may flow between fluid chamber 1572 and reservoir 1574 via pressure management device 1599.
- the chamber 1572 and reservoir 1574 are in fluid communication with each other via a first fluid flow path or flow line 1582 and a second fluid flow path or flow line 1586.
- a flow control device, such as a check valve 1585, placed in the fluid flow line 1582, may be utilized to control the rate of flow of the fluid from reservoir 1574 to chamber 1572.
- another flow control device such as a check valve 1587, placed in fluid flow line 1586, may be utilized to control the rate of flow of the fluid 1578 from chamber 1572 to reservoir 1574.
- the flow control devices 1585 and 1587 may be configured at the surface to set the rates of flow through fluid flow lines 1582 and 1586, respectively.
- the pressure exerted from downhole fluid 1575 biases the piston 1580 downward.
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Description
- This disclosure relates generally to drill bits and systems that utilize same for drilling wellbores.
- Oil wells (also referred to as "wellbores" or "boreholes") are drilled with a drill string that includes a tubular member having a drilling assembly (also referred to as the "bottomhole assembly" or "BHA"). The BHA typically includes devices and sensors that provide information relating to a variety of parameters relating to the drilling operations ("drilling parameters"), behavior of the BHA ("BHA parameters") and parameters relating to the formation surrounding the wellbore ("formation parameters"). A drill bit attached to the bottom end of the BHA is rotated by rotating the drill string and/or by a drilling motor (also referred to as a "mud motor") in the BHA to disintegrate the rock formation to drill the wellbore. A large number of wellbores are drilled along contoured trajectories. For example, a single wellbore may include one or more vertical sections, deviated sections and horizontal sections through differing types of rock formations. When drilling progresses from a soft formation, such as sand, to a hard formation, such as shale, or vice versa, the rate of penetration (ROP) of the drill changes and can cause (decreases or increases) excessive fluctuations or vibration (lateral or torsional) in the drill bit. The ROP is typically controlled by controlling the weight-on-bit (WOB) and rotational speed (revolutions per minute or "RPM") of the drill bit so as to control drill bit fluctuations. The WOB is controlled by controlling the hook load at the surface and the RPM is controlled by controlling the drill string rotation at the surface and/or by controlling the drilling motor speed in the BHA. Controlling the drill bit fluctuations and ROP by such methods requires the drilling system or operator to take actions at the surface. The impact of such surface actions on the drill bit fluctuations is not substantially immediate. Drill bit aggressiveness contributes to the vibration, whirl and stick-slip for a given WOB and drill bit rotational speed. "Depth of Cut" (DOC) of a drill bit, generally defined as "the distance the drill bit advances along axially into the formation in one revolution," is a contributing factor relating to the drill bit aggressiveness. Controlling DOC can provide smoother borehole, avoid premature damage to the cutters and prolong operating life of the drill bit.
- The disclosure herein provides a drill bit and drilling systems using the same configured to control the rate of change of instantaneous DOC of a drill bit during drilling of a wellbore.
-
US 7,240,744 discloses a downhole rotary drilling tool according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method of drilling a wellbore according to the preamble of claim 6, and in particular relates to a rotary and mud powered percussive drill bit assembly and method. -
US 2007/0221408 discloses a method of drilling at a resonant frequency. -
US 2,169,502 discloses a wellbore enlarging tool. -
US 4,007,797 discloses a device for drilling a hole in the side wall of a bare hole. -
US 6,142,250 discloses a rotary drill having moveable formation engaging members. - In one aspect, a downhole rotary drilling tool is provided, as claimed in claim 1.
- In another aspect, a method of drilling a wellbore is provided, as claimed in claim 6.
- Examples of certain features of the apparatus and method disclosed herein are summarized rather broadly in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood. There are, of course, additional features of the apparatus and method disclosed hereinafter that will form the subject of the claims appended hereto.
- The disclosure herein is best understood with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals have generally been assigned to like elements and in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary drilling system that includes a drill string that has a drill bit made according to one embodiment of the disclosure; -
FIG. 2 shows a partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary drill bit with a pad and a rate control device for controlling the rates of extending and retracting the pad from a drill bit surface, according to one embodiment of the disclosure; -
FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the rate control device that operates the pad via a hydraulic line; -
FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a rate control device configured to operate multiple pads; -
FIG. 5 shows placement of a rate control device ofFIG. 3 in the crown section of the drill bit; -
FIG. 6 shows placement of a rate control device of in fluid passage or flow path of the drill bit; -
FIG. 7 shows a drill bit, wherein the rate control device and the pad are placed on an outside surface of the drill bit; -
FIG. 8A shows an embodiment of a rate control device with a multistage orifice; -
FIG. 8B shows an embodiment of a multistage orifice for use with the rate control device illustrated inFIG. 8A ; -
FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a rate control device with a high precision gap; -
FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a rate control device configured to operate multiple pads; -
FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of a rate control device configured to operate extending from the center of the bit; -
FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of a rate control device with a multi-wall chamber; -
FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of a rate control device with a compensated piston; -
FIG. 14 shows an example of a rate control device with a rotary device beyond the wording of the claims; and -
FIG. 15 shows an alternate embodiment of a rate control device. -
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary drilling system 100 that may utilize drill bits made according to the disclosure herein.FIG. 1 shows awellbore 110 having an upper section 111 with a casing 112 installed therein and alower section 114 being drilled with adrill string 118. Thedrill string 118 is shown to include atubular member 116 with aBHA 130 attached at its bottom end. Thetubular member 116 may be made up by joining drill pipe sections or it may be a coiled-tubing. Adrill bit 150 is shown attached to the bottom end of theBHA 130 for disintegrating therock formation 119 to drill thewellbore 110 of a selected diameter. -
Drill string 118 is shown conveyed into thewellbore 110 from arig 180 at thesurface 167. Theexemplary rig 180 shown is a land rig for ease of explanation. The apparatus and methods disclosed herein may also be utilized with an offshore rig used for drilling wellbores under water. A rotary table 169 or a top drive (not shown) coupled to thedrill string 118 may be utilized to rotate thedrill string 118 to rotate theBHA 130 and thus thedrill bit 150 to drill thewellbore 110. A drilling motor 155 (also referred to as the "mud motor") may be provided in the BHA 130 to rotate thedrill bit 150. Thedrilling motor 155 may be used alone to rotate thedrill bit 150 or to superimpose the rotation of the drill bit by thedrill string 118. A control unit (or controller) 190, which may be a computer-based unit, may be placed at thesurface 167 to receive and process data transmitted by the sensors in thedrill bit 150 and the sensors in theBHA 130, and to control selected operations of the various devices and sensors in theBHA 130. Thesurface controller 190, in one embodiment, may include aprocessor 192, a data storage device (or a computer-readable medium) 194 for storing data, algorithms andcomputer programs 196. Thedata storage device 194 may be any suitable device, including, but not limited to, a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a magnetic tape, a hard disk and an optical disk. During drilling, adrilling fluid 179 from a source thereof is pumped under pressure into thetubular member 116. The drilling fluid discharges at the bottom of thedrill bit 150 and returns to the surface via the annular space (also referred as the "annulus") between thedrill string 118 and theinside wall 142 of thewellbore 110. - The
BHA 130 may further include one or more downhole sensors (collectively designated by numeral 175). Thesensors 175 may include any number and type of sensors, including, but not limited to, sensors generally known as the measurement-while-drilling (MWD) sensors or the logging-while-drilling (LWD) sensors, and sensors that provide information relating to the behavior of theBHA 130, such as drill bit rotation (revolutions per minute or "RPM"), tool face, pressure, vibration, whirl, bending, and stick-slip. TheBHA 130 may further include a control unit (or controller) 170 that controls the operation of one or more devices and sensors in theBHA 130. The controller 170 may include, among other things, circuits to process the signals fromsensor 175, a processor 172 (such as a microprocessor) to process the digitized signals, a data storage device 174 (such as a solid-state-memory), and acomputer program 176. Theprocessor 172 may process the digitized signals, and control downhole devices and sensors, and communicate data information with thecontroller 190 via a two-way telemetry unit 188. - Still referring to
FIG. 1 , thedrill bit 150 includes a face section (or bottom section) 152. Theface section 152 or a portion thereof faces the formation in front of the drill bit or the wellbore bottom during drilling. Thedrill bit 150, in one aspect, includes one ormore pads 160 that may be extended and retracted from a selected surface of thedrill bit 150. Thepads 160 are also referred to herein as the "extensible pads," "extendable pads," or "adjustable pads." A suitable actuation device (or actuation unit) 165 in thedrill bit 150 may be utilized to extend and retract one or more pads from a drill bit surface during drilling of thewellbore 110. In one aspect, theactuation device 165 may control the rate of extension and retraction of thepad 160. The actuation device is also referred to as a "rate control device" or "rate controller." The actuation device automatically adjusts or self-adjusts the extension and retraction of thepad 160 based on or in response to the force or pressure applied to thepad 160 during drilling and may be a passive device. In certain embodiments,actuation device 165 andpad 160 are actuated by contact with the formation. Further, a substantial force onpads 160 is experienced when the depth of cut ofdrill bit 150 is changed rapidly. Accordingly, it is desirable foractuation mechanism 165 to resist changes to the depth of cut. In certain embodiments,actuation mechanism 165 will increase the weight on bit at a given depth of cut. In other embodiments,actuation mechanism 165 will reduce the depth of cut for a given weight on bit. The rate of extension and retraction of the pad may be preset as described in more detail in reference toFIGS. 2-4 . -
FIG. 2 shows anexemplary drill bit 200 made according to one embodiment of the disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, thedrill bit 200 is a polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bit having abit body 201 that includes a neck orneck section 210, ashank 220 and a crown orcrown section 230. In other embodiments, thedrill bit 200 is any suitable drill bit or formation removal device for use in a formation. In other embodiments,drill bit 200 is any suitable downhole rotary tool. Theneck 210 has a taperedupper end 212 havingthreads 212a thereon for connecting thedrill bit 200 to a box end of the drilling assembly 130 (FIG. 1 ). Theshank 220 has a lower vertical orstraight section 222 that is fixedly connected to thecrown 230 at a joint 224. Thecrown 230 includes a face or face section 232 that faces the formation during drilling. Thecrown 230 includes a number of blades, such asblades blade 234a has aface 232a and aside 236a, whileblade 234b has aface 232b and aside 236b. Thesides vertical axis 202 of thedrill bit 200. Each blade further includes a number of cutters. In the particular embodiment ofFIG. 2 ,blade 234a is shown to includecutters 238a on a portion of theside 236a andcutters 238b along theface 232a whileblade 234b is shown to includecutters 239a on theside 239a andcutters 239b on theface 232b. - Still referring to
FIG. 2 , thedrill bit 200 includes one or more elements or members (also referred to herein as pads) that extend and retract from asurface 252 of thedrill bit 200.FIG. 2 shows apad 250 movably placed in a cavity orrecess 254 in thecrown section 230. An activation device 260 may be coupled to thepad 250 to extend and retract thepad 250 from a drillbit surface location 252. In one aspect, the activation device 260 controls the rate of extension and retraction of thepad 250. In another aspect, the device 260 extends the pad at a first rate and retracts the pad at a second rate. In embodiments, the first rate and second rate may be the same or different rates. In another aspect, the rate of extension of thepad 250 may be greater than the rate of retraction. As noted above, the device 260 also is referred to herein as a "rate control device" or a "rate controller." In the particular embodiment of the device 260, thepad 250 is directly coupled to the device 260 via a mechanical connection or connectingmember 256. The device 260 includes a chamber 270 that houses a double acting reciprocating member, such as apiston 280, that sealingly divides the chamber 270 into a first chamber 272 and a second chamber or reservoir 274. Both chambers 272 and 274 are filled with ahydraulic fluid 278 suitable for downhole use, such as oil. A biasing member, such as aspring 284, in the first chamber 272, applies a selected force on thepiston 280 to cause it to move outward. Since thepiston 280 is connected to thepad 250, moving the piston outward causes thepad 250 to extend from thesurface 252 of thedrill bit 200. The chambers 272 and 274 are in fluid communication with each other via a first fluid flow path orflow line 282 and a second fluid flow path orflow line 286. A flow control device, such as acheck valve 285, placed in thefluid flow line 282, is utilized to control the rate of flow of the fluid from chamber 274 to chamber 272. Similarly, another flow control device, such as a check valve 287, placed influid flow line 286, is utilized to control the rate of flow of the fluid 278 from chamber 272 to chamber 274. Theflow control devices 285 and 287 may be configured at the surface to set the rates of flow throughfluid flow lines control devices 285 and 287 may include a variable control biasing device, such as a spring, to provide a constant flow rate from one chamber to another. Constant fluid flow rate exchange between the chambers 272 and 274 provides a first constant rate for the extension for thepiston 280 and a second constant rate for the retraction of thepiston 280 and, thus, corresponding constant rates for extension and retraction of thepad 250. The size of theflow control lines corresponding biasing devices 285 and 287 define the flow rates throughlines pad 250. Thefluid flow line 282 and its correspondingflow control device 285 is set such that when thedrill bit 250 is not in use, i.e., there is no external force being applied onto thepad 250, the biasingmember 280 will extend thepad 250 to the maximum extended position. In one aspect, theflow control line 282 may be configured so that the biasingmember 280 extends thepad 250 relatively fast or suddenly. When the drill bit is in operation, such as during drilling of a wellbore, the weight on bit applied to the bit exerts an external force on thepad 250. This external force causes thepad 250 to apply a force or pressure on thepiston 280 and thus on the biasingmember 284. - In one aspect, the
fluid flow line 286 may be configured to allow relatively slow flow rate of the fluid from chamber 272 into chamber or reservoir 274, thereby causing the pad to retract relatively slowly. As an example, the extension rate of thepad 250 may be set so that thepad 250 extends from the fully retracted position to a fully extended position over a few seconds while it retracts from the fully extended position to the fully retracted position over one or several minutes or longer (such as between 2-5 minutes). It will be noted, that any suitable rate may be set for the extension and retraction of thepad 250. In one aspect, the device 260 is a passive device that adjusts the extension and retraction of a pad based on or in response to the force or pressure applied on thepad 250. In an exemplary embodiment, thepads 250 are wear resistant elements, such as cutters, ovoids, elements making rolling contact, or other elements that reduce friction with earth formations. In certain embodiments,pads 250 are directly in front and in the same cutting groove as thecutters piston 280. In certain embodiments, the device 260 is located inside theblades bit body 201 with a press fit near theface 232a of thebit 200 and a threaded cap or retainer or a snap ring near the top end of theside portion -
FIG. 3 shows an alternativerate control device 300. Thedevice 300 includes afluid chamber 370 divided by a double acting piston 380 into afirst chamber 372 and a second chamber orreservoir 374. Thechambers hydraulic fluid 378. A firstfluid flow line 382 and an associatedflow control device 385 allow the fluid 378 to flow fromchamber 374 tochamber 372 at a first flow rate and afluid flow line 386 and an associatedflow control device 387 allow the fluid 378 to flow from thechamber 372 tochamber 374 at a second rate. The piston 380 is connected to aforce transfer device 390 that includes apiston 392 in achamber 394. Thechamber 394 contains ahydraulic fluid 395, which is in fluid communication with apad 350. In one aspect, thepad 350 may be placed in achamber 352, which chamber is in fluid communication with the fluid 395 inchamber 394. When thebiasing device 384 moves the piston 380 outward, it moves thepiston 392 outward and into thechamber 394.Piston 392 expels fluid 395 fromchamber 394 into thechamber 352, which extends thepad 350. When a force is applied on to thepad 350, it pushes the fluid inchamber 352 intochamber 394, which applies a force onto the piston 380. The rate of the movement of the piston 380 is controlled by the flow of the fluid through thefluid flow line 386 and flowcontrol device 387. In the particular configuration shown inFIG. 3 , therate control device 300 is not directly connected to thepad 350, which enables isolation of thedevice 300 from thepad 350 and allows it to be located at any desired location in the drill bit, as described in reference toFIGS. 5-6 . In another aspect, thepad 350 may be directly connected to acutter 399 or an end of thepad 350 may be made as a cutter. In this configuration, thecutter 399 acts both as a cutter and an extendable and a retractable pad. -
FIG. 4 shows a commonrate control device 400 configured to operate more than one pad, such aspads rate control device 400 is the same as shown and described inFIG. 2 , except that it is shown to apply force onto thepads intermediate device 390, as shown and described in reference toFIG. 3 . In the embodiment ofFIG. 4 , each of thepads separate chambers chamber 394 is supplied to all chambers, thereby automatically and simultaneously extending and retracting each of thepads rate control device 400 may include asuitable pressure compensator 499 for downhole use. Similarly any of the rate controllers made according to any of the embodiments may employ a suitable pressure compensator. -
FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of adrill bit 500, wherein arate control device 560 is placed in acrown section 530 of thedrill bit 500. Therate control device 560 is the same as shown inFIG. 2 , but is coupled to apad 550 via a hydraulic connection 540 and a fluid line 542. Therate control device 560 is shown placed in a recess 580 accessible from anoutside surface 582 of thecrown section 530. Thepad 550 is shown placed at aface location section 552 on thedrill bit face 532, while the hydraulic connection 540 is shown placed in thecrown 530 between thepad 550 and therate control device 560. It should be noted that therate control device 560 may be placed at any desired location in the drill bit, including in the shank 520 and neck section 510 and the hydraulic line 542 may be routed in any desired manner from therate control device 560 to thepad 550. Such a configuration provides flexibility of placing the rate control device substantially anywhere in the drill bit. -
FIG. 6 shows an isometric view of adrill bit 600, wherein arate control device 660 is placed in afluid passage 625 of thedrill bit 600. In the particular drill bit configuration ofFIG. 6 , thehydraulic connection 640 is placed proximate therate control device 660. Ahydraulic line 670 is run from thehydraulic connection 640 to thepad 650 through theshank 620 and thecrown 630 of thedrill bit 600. During drilling, a drilling fluid flows through thepassage 625. To enable the drilling fluid to flow freely through thepassage 625, therate control device 660 may be provided with a through bore orpassage 655 and thehydraulic connection device 640 may be provided with aflow passage 645. -
FIG. 7 shows adrill bit 700, wherein an integrated pad andrate control device 750 is placed on an outside surface of thedrill bit 700. In one aspect, thedevice 750 includes arate control device 760 connected to apad 755. In one aspect, thedevice 750 is a sealed unit that may be attached to any outside surface of thedrill bit 700. In the particular embodiment ofFIG. 7 , the pad is shown connected to aside 720a of ablade 720 of thedrill bit 700. Thedevice 750 may be attached or placed at any other suitable location in thedrill bit 700. Alternatively or in addition thereto, thedevice 750 may be integrated into a blade so that the pad will extend toward a desired direction from the drill bit. -
FIG. 8A shows an integratedrate control device 800. In an exemplary embodimentrate control devices 800 are individual self-contained cartridges to be disposed inside the blades of a bit, such as the bits previously described. In this embodiment, rate control functionality is achieved through a pressure management device, such asmulti-stage orifice 899.FIG. 8B shows themulti-stage orifice 899 with a plurality of orifices 898 that provide a tortuous path for fluid 878 betweenupper chamber 872 andlower chamber 874. In an exemplary embodiment,upper chamber 872 is subject to a higher pressure thanlower chamber 874. In certain embodiments,lower chamber 874 is close to downhole pressure. Accordingly, in an exemplary embodiment,multistage orifice 899 controls the movement and pressure withinrate control device 800 in conjunction with biasingmember 884, by controlling the flow of fluid 878 therein. Accordingly, the rate of pad 850 is effectively controlled by adjusting the properties of theorifice 899. In certain embodiments, thelower chamber 874 is pressure-compensated. In an exemplary embodiment, thelower chamber 874 is pressure compensated with downhole pressure to minimize the pressure differential across the mud-oil seal 875 at the bit face. -
FIG. 9 shows an integratedrate control device 900. In an exemplary embodiment,rate control devices 900 are self-contained cartridges disposed inside the blades of a bit, such as the bits previously described. In this embodiment, the rate control functionality is achieved through a pressure management device, such as high-precision gap 999 between thepiston 980 and the cylinder 994. The high-precision gap 999 allows a predetermined amount offluid 978 to be transferred between upper chamber 972 andlower chamber 974 at a given pressure differential, effectively controlling the rate of movement ofpiston 980. In certain embodiments, high-precision gap 999 also acts as a high-pressure seal between the twochambers 972, 974. In certain embodiments, thechambers 972, 974 respectively contain a high pressure fluid and a low pressure fluid. In an exemplary embodiment, the lower chamber 974 (low pressure chamber) is pressure-compensated with downhole pressure to minimize the pressure differential across the mud-oil seal (not shown) at the bit face. In an exemplary embodiment, the pressure-compensation is achieved through bellows in communication with the downhole formation pressure. -
FIG. 10 shows adrill bit 1000 with a rate controller 1090 located in the bit shank 1091 of thedrill bit 1000. In an exemplary embodiment, rate control device 1090 is hydraulically connected tomultiple pistons 1080 viahydraulic passages 1092 that allow passage of fluid 1078 therethrough to act as a linkage 1056a. Advantageously, the central location of rate control device 1090 allows for a large space for the rate control device 1090 while allowingmultiple pistons 1080 to be utilized and share load during drill bit operation. In certain embodiments, the pressure drop across thebit 1000 is utilized to create the downward force. In these embodiments, thelow pressure chamber 1074 is compensated to have the same pressure as the drilling fluid pressure inside the bit, while the top rod orchamber 1072 of the compensatedpiston 1080 is exposed to the pressure inside thebit 1000 causing a net downward force. In certain embodiments, a secondary linkage 1056b is hydraulically or mechanically linked to thepad 1050. -
FIG. 11 shows adrill bit 1100 with arate controller 1190 centrally located in thedrill bit 1100. In an exemplary embodiment, therate control device 1190 is centrally located and mechanically or hydraulically connected tomultiple pads 1150. Advantageously, this allows for reduction in the peak pressure inside therate controller 1190 and also reduces number of parts as thepads 1150 as centrally actuated as shown inFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 12 shows a rate control device 1200 that utilizes a triple-walled cylinder 1298 withannular gaps 1299 between walls 1298a, 1298b, 1298c. In an exemplary embodiment,annular gap 1299 is a pressure management device, such as a high precision gap to restrict flow of fluid 1278 to control the movement of piston 1280. In an exemplary embodiment,fluid flow 1278 moves through ports 1299a and 1299b to interface with both sides of piston 1280. In certain embodiments, ports 1299a and 1299b have check valves to restrictfluid flow 1278. During operation, fluid 1278 is restricted bygap 1299 to control the flow of fluid 1278, resulting in the controlled movement of piston 1280. In certain embodiments, a pressure compensator 1297 is utilized to compensate the pressure oflower chamber 1274 to downhole fluid pressure. -
FIG. 13 shows arate control device 1300 with a compensatedpiston 1380. In an exemplary embodiment, adouble acting piston 1380 with substantially equal rod size is exposed to both upper chamber 1372 andlower chamber 1374. In an exemplary embodiment, both endspiston 1380 are exposed to the bottomhole pressure so that net force on thepiston 1380 due to drilling fluid pressure is near zero. In certain embodiments, a hydraulic accumulator 1399 can be used with the compensatedpiston 1380 to accommodate for fluid volume changes with temperature, trapped air, and leakages. In certain embodiments, a biasingmember 1378 is utilized to provide a downward force. Advantageously, bothchambers 1372, 1374 are compensated to minimize the pressure differential between therate control device 1300 and the wellbore. -
FIG. 14 shows an example of arate control device 1400 beyond the wording of the claims that utilizes arotary seal 1496 at the mud-oil interface when disposed within a drill bit (shown schematically as 1401). In this example, a cam 1492 is located outside of thedrill bit 1401 and the rotary motion is transmitted viashaft 1491 into the bit body through arotary seal 1496. The rotary motion is converted into a translational motion inside the bit body using a second cam 1493 and a follower 1494 attached to thepiston 1480. In certain examples, such as when a low depth of cut is desired, the first cam 1492 exposes the adaptive element 1450 attached. As external load is experienced by first cam 1492, the load rotates the first cam 1492, and in turn the second cam 1493, which in turn causes inward motion (hiding) of thepiston 1480. When external load is released, thepiston 1480 extends due to the spring 1484 force, and in turn rotates the cams 1492, 1493 and exposes the adaptive elements 1450. Thus, the contact element 1450 is extended (exposed) and retracted (hidden) at different rates controlled by cam 1492, 1493 profile and biasing member 1484 characteristics. -
FIG. 15 shows arate control device 1500 that utilizes a fixedpressure management device 1599. In an exemplary embodiment,pressure management device 1599 is stationary relative to movingpiston 1580. In an exemplary embodiment,downhole fluid pressure 1575 is exerted upon separator 1597 to compensate the pressure ofreservoir 1574. Fluid 1587 may flow betweenfluid chamber 1572 andreservoir 1574 viapressure management device 1599. In one aspect, thechamber 1572 andreservoir 1574 are in fluid communication with each other via a first fluid flow path or flow line 1582 and a second fluid flow path orflow line 1586. A flow control device, such as acheck valve 1585, placed in the fluid flow line 1582, may be utilized to control the rate of flow of the fluid fromreservoir 1574 tochamber 1572. Similarly, another flow control device, such as a check valve 1587, placed influid flow line 1586, may be utilized to control the rate of flow of the fluid 1578 fromchamber 1572 toreservoir 1574. Theflow control devices 1585 and 1587 may be configured at the surface to set the rates of flow throughfluid flow lines 1582 and 1586, respectively. In certain embodiments, the pressure exerted from downhole fluid 1575 biases thepiston 1580 downward.
Claims (10)
- A downhole rotary drilling tool, comprising:a tool body (201);an extendible and retractable element (250) associated with the tool body (201) and at least partially projecting from a surface (252) of the tool body (201);a self-adjusting rate control device (260) coupled to the element (250), the self-adjusting rate control device (260) configured to cause the element (250) to extend outward relative to the tool body (201) from a retracted position to an extended position at a first rate in the absence of an external force applied to the element (250), the self-adjusting rate control device (260) including:a piston (280) for applying a force on the element (250);a biasing member (284) that applies a force on the piston (280) to extend the element (250);a fluid chamber (270) associated with the piston (280), wherein the piston (280) sealingly divides the chamber (270) into a first chamber (272) and a second chamber (274), the first chamber (272) and the second chamber (274) being filled with hydraulic fluid (278) suitable for downhole use,and characterized in thatthe self-adjusting rate control device (260) is configured to cause the element (250) to retract inward relative to the tool body (201) from the extended position to the retracted position at a second rate different from the first rate in response to external force applied to the element (250), andwherein the first chamber (272) and the second chamber (274) are in fluid communication with one another via a first fluid flow path (282) having a first fluid control device (285) in the first fluid flow path (282) which is configured to control the rate of flow of the hydraulic fluid (278) from the second chamber (274) to the first chamber (272), and wherein the first chamber (272) and the second chamber (274) are in fluid communication with one another via a second fluid flow path (286) having a second fluid control device (287) in the second fluid flow path (286) which is configured to control the rate of flow of the hydraulic fluid (278) from the first chamber (272) to the second chamber (274).
- The drilling tool of claim 1, wherein the second rate is less than the first rate.
- The drilling tool of claim 1, wherein the piston is one piston of a plurality of hydraulically linked pistons.
- The drilling tool of claim 1, wherein the element is a pad or a cutting element.
- The drilling tool of claim 1, wherein the self-adjusting rate control device is oriented at an angle relative to a direction of intended rotation of the drilling tool so as to reduce a tangential component of a frictional force, if any, experienced by the piston.
- A method of drilling a wellbore, comprising:incorporating a drilling tool in a drill string (118), the drilling tool including a tool body (201), an extendible and retractable element (250) associated with the tool body (201) and at least partially projecting from a surface (252) of the tool body (201), and a self-adjusting rate control device (260), wherein the self-adjusting rate control device (260) includes a piston (280) for applying a force on the element (250), a biasing member (280) that applies a force on the piston (280) to extend the element (250), a fluid chamber (270) associated with the piston (280), wherein the piston (280) sealingly divides the chamber (270) into a first chamber (272) and a second chamber (274), the first chamber (272) and the second chamber (274) being filled with hydraulic fluid (278), characterised in that the first chamber (272) and the second chamber (274) are in communication with one another via a first fluid flow path (282) having a first fluid control device (285) in the first fluid flow path (282) which is configured to control the rate of flow of the hydraulic fluid (278) from the second chamber (274) to the first chamber (272), and wherein the first chamber (272) and the second chamber (274) are in communication with one another via a second fluid flow path (286) having a second fluid control device (287) in the second fluid flow path (286) which is configured to control the rate of flow of the hydraulic fluid (278) from the first chamber (272) to the second chamber (274) ;conveying the drill string (118) into a formation;allowing outward extension of the element (250) relative to the tool body (201) from a retracted position to an extended position under the applied force of the biasing member (284) on the piston (280) at a first rate controlled by the rate of flow of hydraulic fluid from the second chamber (274) to the first chamber (272);allowing retraction of the element (250) from the extended position to the retracted position in response to an external force applied to the element (250) by the formation in opposition to the applied force of the biasing member (284) at a second rate different from the first rate and controlled by rate of flow of hydraulic fluid from the first chamber (272) to the second chamber (274); anddrilling the wellbore using the drill string (118).
- The method of claim 6, further comprising reducing vibrations in the drill string using the extendible and retractable element.
- The method of claim 6, further comprising adjusting maneuverability of the drilling tool using the extendible and retractable element.
- The method of claim 6, wherein the second rate is less than the first rate.
- The method of claim 6, wherein the piston is one piston of a plurality of hydraulically linked pistons.
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US14/516,340 US9708859B2 (en) | 2013-04-17 | 2014-10-16 | Drill bit with self-adjusting pads |
US14/864,436 US10000977B2 (en) | 2013-04-17 | 2015-09-24 | Drill bit with self-adjusting pads |
PCT/US2015/055944 WO2016061458A1 (en) | 2014-10-16 | 2015-10-16 | Drill bit with self-adjusting pads |
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CN108843246A (en) * | 2018-06-13 | 2018-11-20 | 中国石油天然气股份有限公司 | Self-adaptive limiting tooth control unit for restraining stick-slip vibration of drilling tool and drilling bit |
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US20130213667A1 (en) * | 2012-02-17 | 2013-08-22 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Well Flow Control with Multi-Stage Restriction |
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US9080399B2 (en) * | 2011-06-14 | 2015-07-14 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Earth-boring tools including retractable pads, cartridges including retractable pads for such tools, and related methods |
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2015
- 2015-10-16 RU RU2017115554A patent/RU2708444C2/en active
- 2015-10-16 MX MX2017004879A patent/MX2017004879A/en unknown
- 2015-10-16 EP EP15850810.1A patent/EP3207206B1/en active Active
- 2015-10-16 CA CA2964366A patent/CA2964366C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2015-10-16 WO PCT/US2015/055944 patent/WO2016061458A1/en active Application Filing
- 2015-10-16 CN CN201580060914.XA patent/CN107135658B/en active Active
- 2015-10-16 SG SG11201702865UA patent/SG11201702865UA/en unknown
Patent Citations (1)
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US20130213667A1 (en) * | 2012-02-17 | 2013-08-22 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Well Flow Control with Multi-Stage Restriction |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
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ANONYMOUS: "Restriction Orifice (RO) - Flow Control Instrument", 9 October 2014 (2014-10-09), XP055524550, Retrieved from the Internet <URL:https://web.archive.org/web/20141009000142/http://www.piping-engineering.com/restriction-orifice-ro-flow-control-instrument.html> [retrieved on 20181116] * |
Also Published As
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CN107135658A (en) | 2017-09-05 |
EP3207206A4 (en) | 2018-05-30 |
RU2017115554A3 (en) | 2019-03-04 |
RU2708444C2 (en) | 2019-12-06 |
RU2017115554A (en) | 2018-11-19 |
CN107135658B (en) | 2019-04-16 |
MX2017004879A (en) | 2017-07-05 |
WO2016061458A1 (en) | 2016-04-21 |
SG11201702865UA (en) | 2017-05-30 |
EP3207206A1 (en) | 2017-08-23 |
CA2964366A1 (en) | 2016-04-21 |
CA2964366C (en) | 2019-07-02 |
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