EP3228807B1 - Gegenhaltesystem für ein bohrsystem - Google Patents

Gegenhaltesystem für ein bohrsystem Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3228807B1
EP3228807B1 EP16164117.0A EP16164117A EP3228807B1 EP 3228807 B1 EP3228807 B1 EP 3228807B1 EP 16164117 A EP16164117 A EP 16164117A EP 3228807 B1 EP3228807 B1 EP 3228807B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
bellows
piston
cylinder body
cylinder housing
counter hold
Prior art date
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Application number
EP16164117.0A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP3228807A1 (de
Inventor
Harald Borgen
Vegard Bakke
David Christian Petersen
Stylianos Kopanos
Trond Sjulstad
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Hawle Water Technology Norge As
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Hawle Water Technology Norge As
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Priority to EP16164117.0A priority Critical patent/EP3228807B1/de
Priority to PCT/EP2017/057817 priority patent/WO2017174486A1/en
Publication of EP3228807A1 publication Critical patent/EP3228807A1/de
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Publication of EP3228807B1 publication Critical patent/EP3228807B1/de
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    • 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
    • E21B23/00—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells
    • E21B23/04—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells operated by fluid means, e.g. actuated by explosion
    • E21B23/0411—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells operated by fluid means, e.g. actuated by explosion specially adapted for anchoring tools or the like to the borehole wall or to well tube
    • 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
    • E21B23/00—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells
    • E21B23/001—Self-propelling systems or apparatus, e.g. for moving tools within the horizontal portion of a borehole

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a counter hold system, particularly to a counter hold system for a drilling system, and a preferably steerable drilling system comprising such a counter hold system.
  • Horizontal drilling devices are used to introduce supply and disposal lines into the ground in trenchless construction or to exchange already installed lines in a trenchless manner.
  • a drill head is initially advanced into the ground by means of a drill rod assembly, and is later redirected into a horizontal position.
  • the target point for such a horizontal drilling can be located under ground level, for example in an excavation pit, a maintenance shaft of a sewage line, or in the basement of a house.
  • the drill head might be redirected into a vertical direction to let it reemerge above ground.
  • a widening device such as a conical widening body to widen the previously generated bore or to completely remove an already installed conduit.
  • a problem of existing steerable drilling systems is, that these are propelled through the ground either by rotating the drill head, or by pushing the drill head, for example using a hammer or stroke device.
  • the forward thrust is usually provided to the drill head over the drill string from outside of the drilled hole, which might be problematic due to limited space in horizontal drilling applications.
  • a further problem of existing drilling systems is, that the torque lock for systems based on a drilling head, which creates strong torque on the drill string, is usually achieved by mechanical means, which are often not easy to handle.
  • a further problem of existing drilling systems is, that in order to allow the steering of the drill head, such systems comprise asymmetrically shaped drill heads, which are for example slanted. Such drill heads will be laterally deflected into the desired direction when pushed forward without rotation. When the drill head is rotated, the asymmetric configuration has no influence on the straight drilling course.
  • propulsion by means of hammering requires a stiff drill string in order to transfer the force onto the drill head, which therefore limits the bending radius
  • a further problem of existing drilling systems is, that the driving motor of the drill head is usually arranged outside of the drilled hole, so that the drill force has to be transferred over a drill string to the drill head.
  • a further problem of existing drilling systems is, that the drilled hole might not be stable enough to easily insert a tubular member, such as a commonly used protection pipe, into the drilled hole. If the tubular member such as a protection pipe is pulled by the drill head assembly into the drilled hole, the problem arises, that the protection pipe is subject to heavy mechanical abrasion and shearing.
  • a further problem of existing drilling systems is, that commonly used hydraulic motors to drive the drill head involve the deliberate offset of the rotational center of the rotor with respect to the geometrical center of the outer case, where vanes move radially out from the rotational center of the rotor. This causes several problems.
  • a counter hold system for a drilling system comprising an axially and/or radially flexible, preferably tubular, bellows with two annular openings, and a cylinder body which is axially movable in a cylinder housing with two ends, wherein the bellows is connected at one annular opening to the outer surface of the cylinder body or to the outer surface at one end of the cylinder housing, and on its other annular opening to an opposite end of the cylinder housing, so that an annular hollow space is formed between the inner surface of the bellows and the outer surface of the cylinder housing.
  • Means are provided to lead a pressurized medium into the bellows, preferably in the form of an inlet in the cylinder housing leading into the hollow space.
  • the bellows might comprise rubber or a rubberlike material so that the bellows expands radially and/or axially when a pressurized medium is applied to the inlet.
  • the cylinder body and the cylinder housing are rotationally constrained to each other, preferably by means of axial grooves at the outer surface of the cylinder body which guide radial pins on the cylinder housing. This constriction prevents any rotation of the cylinder body with respect to the cylinder housing.
  • the cylinder body can house a piston, which is axially movable in the cylinder body, wherein the piston is on one end connected to the cylinder housing, so that the piston guides and stabilizes the axial movement of the cylinder body with respect to the cylinder housing.
  • the piston can be hollow and comprise a substantially central opening. The axial extension of the bellows can be limited by the stroke of this piston inside the cylinder body.
  • the bellows are be provided in such a way that, while pressurizing, the bellows first expands radially out until a predetermined pressure is reached, and then expands axially and pushes the cylinder body forward with a predetermined force.
  • the bellows can be pressurized by pressing a medium such as water or oil through the inlet into the hollow space hydraulically, pneumatically, electrically or indirectly by other means in such a way that the bellows expands radially outwards in a controlled manner.
  • a medium such as water or oil
  • the bellows can be connected at both annular openings to opposite outer surface ends of the cylinder housing, so that an annular hollow space is formed between the inner surface of the bellows and the outer surface of the cylinder housing and any axial movement of the cylinder body is independent of the radial expansion of the bellows.
  • the invention further relates to a preferably steerable drilling system, comprising a counter hold system according to the invention.
  • the drilling system can further comprise a drill head with a crushing system, a hydraulic motor, a directional steering joint, a protection sleeve and/or a magnetic propulsion system.
  • Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a steerable drilling system comprising a steering joint according to the invention.
  • the drilling system comprises a drill head 1 which is connected to a hydraulic motor 2.
  • the hydraulic motor 2 is connected to a steering joint 3 which enables to steer the drill head 1 in the desired direction.
  • the steering joint 3 is connected to a counter hold system 4 which is used to provide the counter torque to push the drill head 1 forward.
  • the hydraulic motor 2 is placed in front of the steering joint 3, so that the use of a drive shaft through the steerable joint is avoided.
  • the counter hold system 4 is connected to a tubular member 5 such as a protection pipe, which is followed by a protection sleeve 6.
  • the whole drill system is introduced into the ground through a hole 10 in the wall 7 by means of an entrance arrangement 8, such as an entrance bracket, which is provided at the hole 10 of the wall 7 or any similar type of fixture.
  • the tubular member 5 is visible, as the protection sleeve 6 is only provided under ground to ease the intrusion of the tubular member 5 by preventing the masses in the drilled hole to rest against the tubular member.
  • a central pipe 9 such as an umbilical or supply pipe is provided in order to introduce any necessary conduits such as hydraulic oil conduits to the drilling system, and also to transport crushed masses out of the drilling system.
  • the forward trust on the drill head 1 can be realized using separate systems both from out of the drill hole and from inside the bore. Several alternative systems can be used in combination or alone to provide the necessary counter torque and forward trust.
  • the use of the tubular member 5 allows the drill head 1 to be pulled out of the bore, whereby the tubular member 5 is left in the drilled hole to prevent collapse.
  • a system to collect ground water before and during the drilling process can be provided.
  • Such a system could be provided at the entrance arrangement 8.
  • Fig. 2a shows an exemplary embodiment of the drill head 1.
  • the drill head 1 comprises a drill bit 101 with expandable reamers 102.
  • three expandable reamers 102 are provided.
  • the reamers 102 are free to move in grooves 103 relative to both the axial and radial direction of the drill head.
  • the drill head 1 When the drill head 1 is pressed against the ground, the reamers 102 are pressed backwards against the grooves 103 and shift radially out at the same time, so that the radial extension of the drill bit 101 is increased.
  • the drill head 1 can be equipped with impact or hammering functionality together with drilling functionality in order to manage severe conditions with stones and varying formations in the ground.
  • the impact functionality can be based both on a medium, such as oil or air, or on pure mechanical means.
  • a crushing cone 104 On the back of the drill bit 101, a crushing cone 104 is provided in order to crush and remove the drilled masses.
  • the crushing cone 104 is equipped with hard bits 105, for example hard metal bits.
  • Fig. 2b shows a schematic cross section through the drill head 1 and its interaction with the hydraulic motor 2.
  • the hydraulic motor 2 drives the drill bit 101 over a shaft 106, which is connected to the rotor of the hydraulic motor 2.
  • the rotor is hollow and forms a central pipe 108, so that a path to transport crushed masses out of the drill system is formed over the hollow space 107, as indicated by the arrows.
  • the crushing of masses is achieved by rotation of the crushing cone 104 with respect to a stationary conical crushing ring 110.
  • the conical crushing ring 110 comprises wedged slits and radial tracks where particles such as gravel up to a certain size are crushed to smaller particles and flushed into a central rotating pipe 108.
  • the crushing system is equipped with a flushing system 109 that aids feeding masses into the central pipe 108 as well as dissolving masses around the drill bit, such as clay, soil, or sand.
  • a swivel at the end of the hydraulic motor shaft 106 is connectable to a central pipe 9 that provides suction and separation of the masses from inlet flush media, such as water.
  • the hollow space 107 is equipped with nozzles that flush the masses into the rotating central pipe 108 in the core of the drill head drive axle.
  • the central pipe 108 is in the core of the drive shaft for the drill head 1 and passes through the rotor of the hydraulic motor 2 on the way out of the drilling system. Thus, drilled and crushed masses can pass through the hollow core of the motor.
  • Fig. 3a shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a hydraulic motor for a steering system comprising a steering joint according to the invention.
  • the hydraulic motor 2 comprises a housing 201 with a central rotor 202.
  • the rotor 202 is hollow to allow to pass a central pipe 108 through the motor 2.
  • At the face of the housing 202 there is provided an end nut 203. Seals 204 and end lids 205 are provided to seal the rotor against the hydraulic medium.
  • the hydraulic motor 2 is based on impellers in the form of axially rotating rocker vanes 208 which are provided on a central rotor 202.
  • the rocker vanes 208 are able to swing out from the rotor to a limited radial distance such that when pressurized, they are preferably not in direct contact with the wall of the motor house 201. In a further embodiment, the rocker vanes are able to swing out from the rotor to such a radial distance that they get in contact with the wall of the motor house 201. Three vanes 208 are shown, where the upper vane is in a retracted state, and the lower two vanes are folded out. To enable the vanes 208 to fold out, elastic elements such as springs 214 are provided for each vane 208.
  • Fig. 3b shows a further schematic representation of the hydraulic motor 2 with a central hollow rotor 202, a housing 201 and an end nut 203.
  • Fig. 3c shows the cut A-A indicated in Fig. 3b .
  • the hydraulic motor 2 comprises a housing 201 with a central rotor 202.
  • the rotor 202 is hollow in order to pass a central pipe 108 through the motor 2.
  • At the face of the housing 202 there is provided an end nut 203 to couple the motor 2 to other components.
  • Seals 204, end lids 205 and O-rings 209 are provided to seal the rotor against the hydraulic medium.
  • Axially rotating rocker vanes 208 are provided on the rotor 202.
  • a guide plate 206 and a port plate 207 is provided to correctly guide the hydraulic medium into and out of the motor.
  • Fig. 3d shows the cut B-B indicated in Fig. 3b .
  • the motor 2 has an outer housing 201 and a central hollow rotor 202.
  • the rotor 202 carries eight vanes 208 which can swing around an axis that is parallel to the rotation axis of the rotor 202.
  • the housing 201 On its inner surface, the housing 201 has four salient cams 210 which separate the annular space between the housing 201 and the rotor 202 into four separate hydraulic chambers 211.
  • the port plate 207 Within each chamber 211, the port plate 207 provides an inlet 212 and an outlet 213 for the hydraulic medium. Inlets 212 and outlets 213 are provided directly adjacent to each salient cam 210, so that in any position of the rotor 202, there is a vane 208 or a salient cam 210 provided between any inlet 212 and neighbouring outlets 213.
  • elastic elements such as springs 214 are provided between the rotor 202 and each vane 208.
  • the spring 214 moves the vane 208 axially out, so that the pressure of the medium pushes the vane 208 and drives the rotor 202.
  • the number of salient cams 210 is always more than two, and can be as many as necessary due to the wanted torque of the motor.
  • the number of rocker vanes 208 on the rotor 202 is always higher than the number of salient cams 210 and is limited by practical design limitations such as the diameter of the motor chamber.
  • the rocker vanes 208 are designed with a circular curved face at the rim and when folded into the rotor 202, they will be co-radial with the outer cylindrical part of the rotor cylinder 202.
  • the rotor 202 will always form hydraulic chambers 211 between two salient cams.
  • the vanes 208 When the rocker vanes 208 are between two salient cams 210, the vanes 208 will swing out towards the inside face of the housing 201 and thus will functioning as a piston with the inlet 212 on the back of the vane 208 and the outlet on front of the vane 208.
  • the outward swinging of the vanes 208 is limited by the rotor geometry and the vanes 208 will in general not rest against the cylindrical face of the housing 201 when the pressure is active on the vane in the outer rotated position.
  • the vane in front When one vane 208 is entering the hydraulic chamber over the cam 210, the vane in front is leaving without active pressure from the inlet 212.
  • the vane 208 hits the salient cam 210 at the outlet, the pressure from the inlet 212 is already active on a new vane 208.
  • the internal seal system for the hydraulic motor is based on viscous sealing by small slits due to the hydraulic flow of oil.
  • the vanes 208 can be equipped with longitudinal tracks 215 at their outermost ends that function as an extra flow resistance for the oil leakage.
  • the inherent benefit with this design is the small size and that the motor does not need a valve system to control the inlet 212 and the outlet 213 hydraulic ports, as this is controlled by the rocker vanes 208 and the separation of each chambers by the salient cams 210.
  • the motor design allows a central hollow shaft, which is a prerequisite for implementing functions such as a central pipe 108 through the central rotor core of the motor.
  • the design allows a high volume efficiency since each hydraulic chamber 211 is always in operation on one rocker vane 208. Therefore, the start-up torque is not reduced during the course of the rotation.
  • the vanes 208 have a mechanical stop 216, which touches the tip 217 of a recess in the outer surface of the rotor 202 in order to avoid an extensive axial displacement of the vane 208. Therefore, it is avoided that the vane 208 comes in direct contact with the housing 201.
  • Fig. 3e shows a schematic explosion diagram of the main components of the motor 1, which have been described above.
  • Fig. 3f shows a schematic representation of the guide plate 206, which separates the four inlet ports 212 from the four outlet ports 213 and also shows the central inlet 220.
  • Fig. 3g shows a schematic representation of the port plate 207, which leads the inlet ports 212 and outlet ports 213 into the chambers 211 of the motor 2.
  • Fig. 3h shows a schematic representation of a vane 208, where the mechanical stop 216 is depicted, which is realized as an elongated protrusion at the outer surface of the vane 208. Further, the longitudinal tracks 215 at the outer surface of the vane 208 are seen, which provide an additional flow resistance against oil leakage.
  • Fig. 3i - 3k show a further embodiment of a hydraulic motor according to the invention.
  • the outward movement of the vanes 208 is not restricted by a mechanical stop, and thus a contact between the vanes 208 and the housing 201 is possible.
  • the vanes 208 are pressure-compensated by a compensation vent 218.
  • the compensation vent 218 is connected both to the inlet port 212 and to the outlet port 213 during the course of rotation of the rotor 202. The compensation vent 218 thus eliminates the force pressing the vanes 208 outwards against the housing 201 that is caused by the pressure difference between the inlet port 212 and the outlet port 213.
  • a pressure balancing chamber 223 in which a compression spring 220 is provided.
  • the pressure balancing chamber is limited by the radius 219 on the vanes 208 that fits closely with the rotor 222.
  • the vent 218 is pressurized by the inlet port 212 in such a way that the pressure is transferred to the pressure balancing chamber 223, so that the vane 208 is pressed out against the housing 201.
  • This force created by the compensation vent 218 aids the force by the spring 220 to rotate the vane 208 outwards.
  • the pressure compensation vent 218 is exposed to the outlet port 213, so that the pressure balancing chamber 223 is depressurized and the vane 208 is not further pressed against the housing 201.
  • Fig. 4a shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a steering joint 3 according to the invention, which allows direction control of a drilling system such as the one shown in Fig. 1 during drilling.
  • the steering joint 3 is mounted after the hydraulic motor 2 and is hollow to allow to pass a central pipe which can be used, for example, for supply functions or waste removal.
  • the overall functionality of the steering joint is to provide a stepwise controlled steering orientation with predetermined bending angles for each step.
  • the steering joint 3 comprises an upper tubular 301 and a lower tubular 302, which are connected by a universal joint 303 comprising several parts as explained below, which allows the upper tubular 301 to bend with respect to the lower tubular 302.
  • the upper tubular 301 and the lower tubular 302 are coupled to each other in such a way, that individual rotation relative to each other is prevented.
  • Fig. 4b shows a schematic representation of the universal joint 303. It comprises a bell-shaped bearing socket 306 with axial groove tracks 304 on its outer surface, a cylindrical step piston 308, and a mechanical spring 307 inside the step piston 308. At its outer surface, the step piston 308 comprises circumferential slotted wedges or wedged tracks 316.
  • the steering principle is based on the ends of the bearing socket 306 and the step piston 308 being axially connected by means of multiple radial cams 311 on the face end of the bearing socket 306 engaging into differently sized radial grooves 312 on the face end of the step piston 308.
  • the radial grooves 312 are of different depth and are disposed in inclined planes on the face end of the step piston 308. In contrast to the radial grooves 312, the radial cams 311 are of equal size.
  • the step piston 308 is equipped with three or more grooves 312, which are distributed at the face end of the step piston 308 in order to form a stable end-to-end connection with the radial cams 311 at the face end of the bearing socket 306.
  • the grooves can be distributed equally at the face end of the step piston 308.
  • grooves 312 90 degrees for each set of different grooves 312. This results in a total of twelve steps with a rotational stepwise orientation of 30 degrees between each step where 4 of the steps are in the straight forward direction, thus nine different orientations are achievable.
  • the arrangement of grooves 312 in specific angles can, for example, be zero, four and eight degrees. At zero degree is the steering assembly straight without bending, and at 4 and 8 degrees is the upper tubular 301 as well as the bearing socket 306 angled in 4 or 8 degrees in one of the four directions of the radial cams 311.
  • Fig. 4c shows a schematic and half-cut view of the steering joint 3, where part of the step piston 308 is removed for clarity. It shows the pins 305 which are provided at the inner surface of the lower tubular 302 and engage into the radial groove tracks 304 of the bearing socket 306 for a positive radial connection between the lower tubular 301 and the upper tubular 302.
  • the stepwise rotation is made possible by wedged tracks 316 at the outside of the step piston 308.
  • the wedged tracks 316 are engaged by counter holding pins 313 fixed to a cylindrical pin keeper 309, which is connected to the lower tubular body 302.
  • the stepwise orientation is achieved by an axial movement of the step piston 308 in a way that forces the piston 308 to rotate half of the rotational step in one directional movement one way.
  • a reciprocal movement back and forth of the piston 308 will rotate the piston one full step.
  • This mechanism is similar to the mechanism responsible for protruding and retracting the tip in some ballpoint pens.
  • the force for the axial forward movement of the step piston 308 is created by hydraulic pressure, and the return force is provided by a mechanical spring 307, which is arranged inside the step piston 308.
  • the grooves 312 at the face end of the step piston 308 will engage with the cams 311 at the bearing socket 306 and thus force the bearing socket 306 and the upper tubular 301 in the desired direction in fixed inclined angles for each of the orientation of the radial cams 311.
  • Fig. 4d shows a schematic view of the step piston 308.
  • step piston 308 At the face end of the step piston 308, differently sized radial grooves, namely shallow grooves 312', regular grooves 312", and deep grooves 312'" are provided.
  • each groove 312 is displaced at an angle of 30° from the neighboring groove 312.
  • Fig. 4e shows a schematic view of the bell-shaped bearing socket 306. It comprises an annular flange 314 with circumferential axial grooves 304 and four axial cams 311, placed at an angle of 90 degrees.
  • Each axial cam 311 has the same axial extension.
  • the rotation of the step piston is performed by an electric motor.
  • This motor can be a stepper motor or a hydraulical or electrical motor-gear system that provides the wanted rotation in fixed steps.
  • the benefit of a pure hydraulic system is the robustness and versatility of the construction. This aspect is important in relation to necessary control or actuation electronics in the drill head. As a further advantage, when the hydraulic pressure is removed, the steering assembly will be free to bend in any direction without any counter force. This is very important if the drill head assembly has to be pulled back through the drilled hole.
  • the use of a one-way operated hydraulic piston with a spring return that both provides the rotation and orientation in the same movement, and provides the desired tilting angle and three-dimensional orientation can be achieved by a single hydraulic control line.
  • the actual steering orientation for the joint is controlled by the rotational position of the piston 308.
  • the rotational position can be measured by an electrical circuit with feedback sensor that measures the absolute position of the piston rotation.
  • the orientation of the steering system in relation to the global direction can be determined by a position measurement system that detects the orientation of the upper part tubular housing of the steering joint and thus relates the orientation of the lower part of the steering joint relative to this measured orientation in a stepwise way.
  • Fig. 4f show a further embodiment of the steering joint 3 in a schematic explosion view.
  • Fig. 4g and Fig. 4h show this embodiment in a schematic assembled configuration, where parts of the tubulars have been cut away for clarity.
  • Fig. 4i - 4k show further views of this embodiment.
  • the steering joint 3 comprises an upper tubular 301 and a lower tubular 302 which are connected by a universal joint 303, which allows the upper tubular to bend with respect to the lower tubular.
  • the upper tubular 301 and the lower tubular 302 are coupled to each other in such a way, that individual rotation relative to each other is prevented.
  • step piston 308 In order to set the steering angle, it is necessary to rotate the step piston 308 in a stepwise fashion.
  • the stepwise rotation of the step piston 308 is achieved by a circumferential hydraulic piston 317 operating rotationally in an annular rotator housing 326, that rotates the step piston 308 the required step.
  • a carrier 315 that engages with wedged tracks 316 on the shaft of the step piston 308 provides the mechanical connection between the step piston 308 and the hydraulic piston 317 to perform the rotation of the step piston 308.
  • This movement is operating similar to a ratchet and an oscillating movement of the hydraulic piston 317 will provide the rotational movement of the step piston 308.
  • the oil flow design for the circumferential hydraulic piston 317 and the piston 308 is made in such a way that the inflow of the hydraulic medium into the pistons through the inlet hole 318 will first actuate the circumferential piston 317 until it is at the end position, where any additional movement is prevented by the rotator housing 326.
  • Fig. 4g the circumferential piston 317 is depicted in its initial state, and in Fig. 4h , the circumferential piston 317 is rotated to its end position.
  • the inlet hole 318 from the side of the cylinder bushing 319 opens due to the movement of the circumferential piston 317. This stops the rotating, ratchet-type movement and allows the oil to flow freely into the main step piston 308 chamber.
  • a continuous adding of a hydraulic medium forces the main step piston 308 to move axially towards the bearing socket 306, thus providing the steering angle adjustment. If the selected position of the main step piston has not been reached, a bleed-off of the hydraulic medium will return the circumferential hydraulic piston 317 by a return mechanism.
  • the displacement volume in the rotator housing 326, where the circumferential hydraulic piston 317 operates, can be hydraulically compensated to the step piston chamber. This compensation provides an axial movement of the step piston 308 that is kept below the needed axial movement for engaging with the bearing socket 306.
  • the circumferential hydraulic piston 317 is equipped with a return spring 320 that provides the return rotation and allows for the next step to be engaged after pressure has been provided to the hydraulic medium again.
  • the ratchet-type oscillating motion is repeated until the desired position of the main step piston has been reached. Then, by continuing the adding of the hydraulic medium, the movement of the main step piston 308 for the steering angle adjustment is provided.
  • the return movement of the step piston 308 is activated by a several axial springs 321 that push against an axial bearing carrier 322 that is connected to the step piston 308 by a groove with balls 323.
  • the oil flow is directed through a return gate 324 with a check valve 325 in the rotator housing 326 to secure the possibility of returning the hydraulic medium when the circumferential hydraulic piston 317 is blocking the inlet hole 318.
  • Fig. 4l shows a schematic side view of the step piston 308 according to the embodiment of Fig. 4f .
  • the step piston 308 comprises a shaft with axial grooves 316, in which the carrier 315 engages to rotate the step piston 308.
  • the step piston 308 is provided with shallow grooves 312', regular grooves 312", and deep grooves 312"', defining a steering inclination of 0°, 4°, and 8°, respectively, and placed 30° apart along the radius of the face end of the step piston 308.
  • Fig. 4m shows a schematic view of the rotator housing 326, which is provided with a recess to hold the hydraulic piston 317 at its outer circumference.
  • the recess covers only a small sector of the outer circumference of the housing 326, such as 20° - 40°, and enables a movement of the hydraulic piston 317 along the circumference of the rotator housing 326.
  • an inlet is provided in the side wall of the recess.
  • Fig. 5a shows a schematic view of a proposed counter hold system 4 which allows to hold the torque of a drilling system such as the one shown in Fig. 1 during drilling.
  • the counter hold system 4 is connectable on one end to the steering joint 3, and on the other end to a tubular member 5 which shall be pulled forward into a drilled hole.
  • the counter hold system 4 comprises a hollow flexible bellows 401 which is clamped between two end nuts 402.
  • the flexible bellows 401 is made of rubberlike material that allows both radial and axial expansion when an internal pressure is applied by a pressurized medium.
  • the primary function of the counter hold system 4 is to expand radially out and thus fix parts of the drill string to the surrounding ground in order to create sufficient counter hold to the ground for both the rotation and the axial movement while drilling.
  • the axial movement can be provided by the bellows itself, or by an axial force providing device.
  • the secondary function is to create a forward thrust force by allowing the flexible bellows 401 to expand axially.
  • Fig. 5b shows a schematic explosion view of an exemplary embodiment of the counter hold system 4.
  • the counter hold system 4 comprises two end nuts 402, and a flexible bellows 401 between them. Inside the flexible bellows 401 there is a cylinder body 403 with axial grooves 406 at its outer surface.
  • the cylinder body 403 houses an axially displaceable piston 404 and is inserted into a cylinder housing 405.
  • the piston 404 is axially movable within the cylinder body 403, and is on one end by means of a seal ring 410 connected to the cylinder housing 405.
  • the piston 404 is hollow to allow to pass a central pipe through its center.
  • the flexible bellows 401 is restrained on one end to the cylinder body 403, and on the other end to the cylinder housing 405, hence the axial extension of the bellows is limited by the stroke of the piston 404 inside the cylinder body 403. Any rotation between the cylinder body 403 and the piston 404 is prevented by radial pins 407 in the cylinder housing 405 which extend and are guided in axial grooves 406 or tracks of the cylinder body 403.
  • the cylinder housing 405 further comprises medium inlets 408 to insert pressurized medium into the flexible bellows 401 over medium outlets 409 at the outer surface of the cylinder housing 405.
  • Fig. 5c shows the counter hold system 4 in retracted state inside a drilled hole.
  • the cylinder In the start position, the cylinder will stay in the shortest axial position and the bellows 401 is deflated.
  • the flexible bellows 401 is not under pressure, and the piston 404 is driven completely into the cylinder body 403, so that the cylinder housing 405 covers the cylinder body almost completely.
  • Fig 5d shows the situation when the flexible bellows 401 is pressurized by leading a pressurized medium through the medium inlets 408 into the flexible bellows 401.
  • the flexible bellows 401 extend first radially, until the radial extension is stopped when the flexible bellows gets in contact with the walls of the drilled hole. The radial expansion is then stopped due to the counter force from the hole walls, so that the bellows will press against the hole walls and will produce sufficient counter hold against the rotation of a front drill bit.
  • the bellows 401 will expand axially and push the cylinder body 403 forward.
  • the piston 404 which is connected to the cylinder housing 405, will remain in its position, but the cylinder body 403 will move axially until the movement is stopped when the radial pins 407 reach the end of the axial grooves 406.
  • This axial force from the bellows 401 is sufficient to push a drill bit forward or into the ground.
  • the force for expanding the bellows 401 is created by an external arrangement upwards in the drill assembly and can be provided by different means such as an expanding hydraulic or pneumatic piston, or an axial linear electrical actuator or a common axial force providing drilling system.
  • Fig. 5e shows the situation when the flexible bellows 401 is evacuated again.
  • the bellows 401 retracts and pulls the cylinder housing 405 along the axial grooves 406 forward, so that the piston 404 is shifted forward together with the cylinder housing 405 and any tube or drill string that is connected to the end nut 402.
  • the negative stroke of the counter hold system can be provided by applying a negative pressure on the expanding fluid medium inside the bellows by an internal or external force providing system.
  • Fig. 6a shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of a proposed protection sleeve system 5, which can be applied to the tubular member 5 of a drilling system such as the one shown in Fig. 1 .
  • a drill string 501 which guides a drill head into the ground and pulls a tubular member 502 into the drilled hole.
  • a sleeve 504 is provided, which comprises a flexible braiding that allows some radial expansion, and on which a leakage safe membrane layer of rubber or plastic or a similar material is applied.
  • the advantage of the braiding is that it allows for a higher radial expansion.
  • the sleeve 504 is stored in an annular sleeve magazine 503 which is attached at the face end of the tubular member 502.
  • the storage of the sleeve 504 in front end of the tubular member 502 allows it to be released or fed from the magazine 503 by the pull force which is generated by intrusion of the tubular member 502 into the ground.
  • the sleeve is on one end attachable to the outlet flange 510 of the entrance arrangement 505 at the borehole and will cover the whole length of the tubular member 502.
  • the sleeve 504 is leakage safe fixed to the outer surface of the lower face end of the tubular member 502. At the entrance arrangement 505, the end of the tubular member 502 is sealed with a seal ring 507.
  • a free and sealed space between the tubular member 502 and the sleeve 504 is formed, which builds a closed annulus chamber 508 from the end of the tubular member 502 to the entrance seal 507 on the entrance arrangement 505.
  • a pressurized fluid such as oil or air
  • the annulus chamber 508 will be pressurized and thus radially expand.
  • the sleeve 504 will push against the surrounding ground.
  • a pressurized pipe in pipe system is created, that effectively reduces the friction of the tubular member 502 against the surrounding ground, so that the entering of the tubular member 502 into the ground is eased.
  • the detail in Fig. 6a shows how the sleeve 504 is stored in the sleeve magazine 503, and how the annulus chamber 508 is formed between the expanded sleeve 504 and the tubular member 502. Also shown is the drill string 501.
  • Fig. 6b shows a schematic cross-section view of the entrance arrangement 505.
  • the entrance arrangement 505 comprises an outlet flange 510 which is sealed around the tubular member 502 over seal rings 511.
  • the flange 510 is connected to the hole in the wall 506 over a casing 512 which is partly introduced into the hole.
  • a mechanical stop element 513 fastens the sleeve 504 at the flange 510, so that a tight annular chamber 508 is achieved.
  • a thin conduit 514 between the annular chamber 508 and the port 509 enables to introduce a pressurized medium into the annular chamber 508.
  • Fig. 6c shows a second embodiment of the protection sleeve system 5.
  • An outer structural part 515 preferably in the form of a structural braiding to achieve structural strength, is combined with an internal leakage safe member in form of a thin elastic hose 518 that rests against the inside of the structural part 515 when pressurized.
  • the structural part 515 and the elastic hose 518 are stored separately.
  • An annular storage for the structural part or braiding 516 is provided at the front of the tubular member 502, and a separate annular hose storage 519 is provided on the outer surface of the tubular member 502.
  • Both the structural part 515 and the elastic hose 518 can be fixed to the entrance arrangement 505, and thus cover the whole length of the tubular member 502.
  • a divider 517 between the structural part 515 and the elastic hose 518 is attached to the outer surface of the tubular member 502 between the structural part storage 516 and the hose storage 519.
  • This divider 517 separates the structural part 515 from the elastic hose 518 and prevents the elastic hose 518 to be axially displaced into and over the structural part storage 516.
  • Fig. 6d shows a third embodiment of the protection sleeve system 5.
  • the sleeve 504 is not stored at the face end of the tubular member 502 underground, but outside of the drilled hole in a separate sleeve magazine 503 which is attached to the outside end of the tubular member 502 after the entrance arrangement 505.
  • One end of the sleeve 504 is attached to the entrance arrangement 505, and the other end of the sleeve 504 is attached to the sleeve magazine 503.
  • a roller casing 522 is attached which holds a roller element 521 that turns the sleeve 504 around inside the annulus between itself and the tubular member 502 and further along the full length of the tubular member and out through the entrance arrangement 505.
  • This embodiment provides a double sleeve system.
  • the feeding of the sleeve during the intrusion of the pipe is done from outside in the annulus between the pipe and the outermost part of the sleeve in a separate sleeve magazine 503.
  • the annular chamber 508 between the double laid sleeve 504 is pressurized by a fluid medium introduced through a medium inlet port 509 and thus radially expands the sleeve to rest against the ground.
  • This pressurized sleeve conduit system creates a double-layered pipe in pipe system that effectively reduces the friction against the ground for entering the tubular member and the drill string into the ground.
  • Fig. 7a shows a magnetic propulsion system 6 which allows to create forward thrust on a drill head assembly of a drilling arrangement such as the one shown in Fig. 1 .
  • the forward thrust is created by means of a magnetic source providing arrangement, particularly outer annular plugs 601 with handles 602.
  • a magnetic source providing arrangement particularly outer annular plugs 601 with handles 602.
  • other magnetic source providing arrangements can be provided, such as partially annular or rectangular magnet holders.
  • the outer plugs 601 are movably arranged outside of the entrance arrangement 603 and encircle the tubular member 604.
  • the outer plugs 601 comprise a plug sleeve 607, which is rotatable around the outer circumference of the tubular member 604 and is axially shiftable by the handle 601.
  • the plug sleeve 607 carries several magnets 608.
  • the tubular member 604 forms together with the inner pipe 606 a hollow annular chamber 609 which is filled with a medium such as hydraulic oil.
  • the inner annular plugs 605 are axially displaceable arranged around the inner pipe 606 and form a ring-shaped piston within the annular chamber 609. On the other end of the tubular member 604 and the inner pipe 606, these pipes are connected to the drill head arrangement or other drill system components, which enclose the annular chamber 609 tightly.
  • the inner annular plug 605 comprises seal rings 610 both against the tubular member 604 and against the inner pipe 606.
  • the inner plugs 605 are further connected by an axial thrust coupling 612 to increase the transferrable thrust.
  • the outer plugs 601 are connected at their sleeves or casing 613. By pressurizing the annular chamber 609, an axial force can thus be exerted on the drill head.
  • the inner plug 605 can be axially displaced by the outer plug 601.
  • the outer plug 601 is coupled to the inner plug 605 by means of a magnetic circuit.
  • the magnetic circuit comprises a magnet 608 such as an electromagnet or a permanent magnet, which is provided on the outer plug 601, and is embedded in a magnetically conducting material 611 such as ferromagnetic iron forming two distinct poles.
  • a similar magnetically conducting material is provided with correspondingly shaped poles, such that the magnetic circuit can be closed when the magnetic poles of the outer plug 601 are brought into alignment with the magnetic poles of the inner plug 605.
  • the magnetic force is created by permanent or electrical magnets 608 arranged in a magnetically conducting material 611 in a way that allows the magnetic flux to be rotated, for instance pulled away by a plug sleeve 607 which can be manually or automatically operated by a handle 602.
  • the poles of the magnetic material on the inner plug 605 and the outer plug 601 can be brought into, or out of, alignment.
  • the plug sleeve 607 to open or close the magnetic circuit between the inner plug 605 and the outer plug 601 can be electrically or manually operated in order to turn the magnetic force onto the inner plug 605 on and off.
  • the moving of the magnets 608 thus directs or removes the coupling force between the inner plugs 605 and the outer plugs 601.
  • Fig. 7b shows a schematical view of the magnetic system from the outside.
  • the shape of the magnets 608 is circular with a magnetic field direction across the length axis as indicated by the arrows in the figure.
  • other mechanical arrangements can be chosen to displace the magnets 608 outside of the magnetic circuit of the plugs.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)

Claims (14)

  1. Gegenhaltesystem (4) für ein Bohrsystem, umfassend einen axial und radial flexiblen, vorzugsweise rohrförmigen, Balg (401) mit zwei ringförmigen Öffnungen und einen Zylinderkörper (403), der in einem Zylindergehäuse (405) mit zwei Enden axial bewegbar ist, wobei
    a. der Balg (401) an einer ringförmigen Öffnung mit der Außenfläche des Zylinderkörpers (403) oder mit der Außenfläche an einem Ende des Zylindergehäuses (405) und an seiner anderen ringförmigen Öffnung mit einem gegenüberliegenden Ende des Zylindergehäuses (405) verbunden ist, sodass zwischen der Innenfläche des Balgs (401) und der Außenfläche des Zylindergehäuses (405) ein ringförmiger Hohlraum gebildet ist, und
    b. Mittel, vorzugsweise in Form eines Einlasses (408) in dem Zylindergehäuse (405), das in den ringförmigen Hohlraum führt, vorgesehen sind, um ein unter Druck stehendes Medium in den Balg (401) zu leiten,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Balg (401) derartig vorgesehen ist, dass sich der Balg (401) unter Druckbeaufschlagung zunächst radial ausdehnt, bis ein vorbestimmter Druck erreicht ist, und sich dann axial ausdehnt und den Zylinderkörper (403) nach vorne drückt.
  2. Gegenhaltesystem nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Balg (401) Gummi oder ein gummiartiges Material umfasst, sodass sich der Balg (401) radial und/oder axial ausdehnt, wenn ein unter Druck stehendes Medium auf den Einlass (408) aufgebracht wird.
  3. Gegenhaltesystem nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Zylinderkörper (403) und das Zylindergehäuse (405) mittels axialer Nuten (406) an der Außenfläche des Zylinderkörpers (403), die Radialstifte (407), vorzugsweise an dem Zylindergehäuse (405), führen, drehfest derartig miteinander verbunden sind, dass eine Drehung des Zylinderkörpers in Bezug auf das Zylindergehäuse (405) verhindert wird.
  4. Gegenhaltesystem nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Zylinderkörper (403) einen Kolben (404) beherbergt, der in dem Zylinderkörper (403) axial bewegbar ist, wobei der Kolben (404) an einem Ende mit dem Zylindergehäuse (405) verbunden ist, sodass der Kolben (404) die Axialbewegung des Zylinderkörpers (403) in Bezug auf das Zylindergehäuse (405) führt und stabilisiert.
  5. Gegenhaltesystem nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Kolben (404) hohl ist und eine im Wesentlichen mittige Öffnung umfasst.
  6. Gegenhaltesystem nach Anspruch 4 oder 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die axiale Ausdehnung des Balgs (401) durch den Hub des Kolbens (404) innerhalb des Zylinderkörpers (403) begrenzt ist.
  7. Gegenhaltesystem nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Balg (401) unter Druck gesetzt wird, indem ein Fluid wie Wasser oder Öl hydraulisch, pneumatisch, elektrisch, mechanisch oder indirekt durch andere Mittel derartig durch den Einlass (408) in den Hohlraum eingebracht wird, dass sich der Balg (401) radial nach außen ausdehnt.
  8. Gegenhaltesystem nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Balg (401) an beiden ringförmigen Öffnungen mit gegenüberliegenden Außenflächenenden des Zylindergehäuses (405) verbunden ist, sodass zwischen der Innenfläche des Balgs (401) und der Außenfläche des Zylindergehäuses (405)ein ringförmiger Hohlraum gebildet ist und jegliche Axialbewegung des Zylinderkörpers (403) von der radialen Ausdehnung des Balgs (401) unabhängig ist.
  9. Lenkbares Bohrsystem, umfassend ein Gegenhaltesystem nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche.
  10. Lenkbares Bohrsystem nach Anspruch 9, ferner umfassend einen Bohrkopf (1) mit einem Brechsystem.
  11. Lenkbares Bohrsystem nach Anspruch 9 oder 10, ferner umfassend einen Hydraulikmotor (2).
  12. Lenkbares Bohrsystem nach einem der Ansprüche 9 bis 11, ferner umfassend eine Richtungslenkverbindung (3).
  13. Lenkbares Bohrsystem nach einem der Ansprüche 9 bis 12, ferner umfassend eine Schutzhülse (6).
  14. Lenkbares Bohrsystem nach einem der Ansprüche 9 bis 13, ferner umfassend ein magnetisches Antriebssystem.
EP16164117.0A 2016-04-06 2016-04-06 Gegenhaltesystem für ein bohrsystem Active EP3228807B1 (de)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP16164117.0A EP3228807B1 (de) 2016-04-06 2016-04-06 Gegenhaltesystem für ein bohrsystem
PCT/EP2017/057817 WO2017174486A1 (en) 2016-04-06 2017-04-03 Counter hold system for a drilling system

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP16164117.0A EP3228807B1 (de) 2016-04-06 2016-04-06 Gegenhaltesystem für ein bohrsystem

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3228807A1 EP3228807A1 (de) 2017-10-11
EP3228807B1 true EP3228807B1 (de) 2019-05-15

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ID=55697123

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP16164117.0A Active EP3228807B1 (de) 2016-04-06 2016-04-06 Gegenhaltesystem für ein bohrsystem

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3228807B1 (de)
WO (1) WO2017174486A1 (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2024022785A1 (fr) * 2022-07-26 2024-02-01 Bz Bots Module formant un actionneur mécanique du type muscle ou ballonnet fluidique, système et méthode d'utilisation correspondant

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1044201A (en) * 1962-10-10 1966-09-28 Post Office Improvements in or relating to pneumatic self-propelled apparatus
BR9610373A (pt) * 1995-08-22 1999-12-21 Western Well Toll Inc Ferramenta de furo de tração-empuxo
US5758731A (en) * 1996-03-11 1998-06-02 Lockheed Martin Idaho Technologies Company Method and apparatus for advancing tethers

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2024022785A1 (fr) * 2022-07-26 2024-02-01 Bz Bots Module formant un actionneur mécanique du type muscle ou ballonnet fluidique, système et méthode d'utilisation correspondant
FR3138490A1 (fr) * 2022-07-26 2024-02-02 Bz Bots Module formant un actionneur mécanique du type muscle ou ballonnet fluidique, système et méthode d’utilisation correspondant

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3228807A1 (de) 2017-10-11
WO2017174486A1 (en) 2017-10-12

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