RU2725440C1 - Multi-threaded connection for downhole tools - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: soil or rock drilling; mining.SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to oil-field downhole tools, in particular to methods and devices for transfer of rotary motion energy to consumer. Downhole device comprises a first component having a first member and a second component having a second member. At that, the first component and the second component are connected by multi-threaded connection, and the first element and the second element are functionally connected to each other, when the first element and the second element have the specified mutual angular alignment. Specified preset mutual angular alignment is established only after application of specified torque to multi-start connection. First component has at least one shoulder and second component has at least one collar, and application of said specified torque is provided after said at least one collar of first component and at least one collar of second component are bent into each other.EFFECT: technical result is successive formation of functional connection between threaded elements.15 cl, 8 dwg

Description

BACKGROUND

1. The technical field

This invention mainly relates to oilfield well tools, in particular, to methods and devices for transmitting rotational energy to a consumer.

2. Description of the Related Art

To produce hydrocarbons such as oil and gas, boreholes or boreholes are drilled by rotating a drill bit attached to the bottom of the BHA (also referred to in this application as “bottom hole assembly” or “BHA”). BHA is attached to the bottom of the drill string, which is usually attached to a rigid pipe or a relatively flexible tubing wound around a drum, referred to in the art as a "small diameter tubing." When composite pipes are used, the drill bit is rotated by rotating the connected pipe from the surface and / or by a downhole motor located in the BHA. In the case of using a flexible tubing of small diameter, the drill bit is rotated by a downhole motor. BHA, as well as other downhole devices, can often include equipment that requires the transmission of rotational energy from an energy source to a consumer; for example, from a drilling motor to a drill bit. The transmission of such rotational energy is often between torque transmitting elements such as shafts.

In some aspects, the present invention is intended for use with threaded connections that provide a connection for efficiently transmitting energy, signals and / or fluids, while also allowing increased torque to be transmitted when transmitting rotational energy between two or more torque transmitting elements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention relate to a device for transmitting rotational energy to a user in a wellbore. The device may include a transportation device configured to be placed in the wellbore; a rotational motion energy source located along the conveying device, the rotational motion energy source creating a torque; and a drive mechanism coupled to the rotational motion energy source, the drive mechanism transmitting torque from the rotational motion energy source to the consumer. The drive mechanism comprises at least two torque transmitting elements connected by a multiple threaded connection, which has at least two helically threaded interlaced threads.

Aspects of the present invention also provide a downhole device that comprises a first component comprising a first element and a second component comprising a second element. The first component and the second component can be connected by multiple threaded connections. The first element and the second element are functionally connected to each other. Associated with this device, the method includes positioning the first element in the first component, positioning the second element in the second component, connecting the first component to the second component using a multi-threaded connection and the functional connection of the first element with the second element.

Illustrative examples of some features of the invention were thus generalized broadly enough to better understand the following detailed description of the invention and to appreciate the contribution to this technical field. Of course, there are additional features of the invention, which will be described below and which will be the subject of the attached claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF GRAPHIC MATERIALS

For a detailed explanation of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given together with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are denoted by like reference numerals and in which:

in FIG. 1 illustrates a drilling system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

in FIG. 2 illustrates a drilling motor assembly using one or more threaded connections made in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

in FIG. 3A illustrates a dual-thread configuration in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

in FIG. 3B illustrates an end view of a dual-thread configuration in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

in FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an end view of a three-way thread configuration made in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

in FIG. 5 illustrates a threaded connection with a line made in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

in FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a threaded connection with a non-contact connection made in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; and

in FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a drill string section that uses a thread with a line configuration in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices and methods for improved threaded connections between a leading rotating member and a driven rotating member. Threaded connections for transmitting torque from one component to another can be damaged in the event of excessive torque. To increase the torque overload capacity, the present invention uses a multi-thread to reduce the applied shoulder load between two threaded components for a given torque. In addition, for such threaded connections, screwing and loosening can be faster. This invention allows for the implementation of various types. The drawings illustrate and the written description of the invention describes specific embodiments of the present invention with the understanding that this description should be considered as an illustration of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to that illustrated and described in this application.

In FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a drilling system 10 that utilizes a bottom hole assembly (BHA) 60 configured to drill wellbores. Although a land system is shown, the teachings of the present invention can also be used in marine or underwater applications. In FIG. 1 illustrates a layered geological formation 11 that intersects a wellbore 12. BHA 60 is supplied through the drill string 22 into the wellbore 12. The drill string 22 may be an articulated drill pipe or a small diameter flexible tubing, which may include integrated conductors for power and / or data to provide signal and / or energy transmission between the surface and downhole equipment. BHA 60 may include a drill bit 62 to create a wellbore 12. In some embodiments of the invention, the BHA 60 may comprise one or more sources of rotational motion energy, such as a drilling engine 120.

In normal operation, the drilling fluid is pressurized downstream of the borehole to the BHA 60 from the surface through the drill string 22. This leaking drilling fluid can be used to supply power to the drilling engine 120, which generates rotational energy that rotates the drill bit 62. A leaking drilling fluid may also drive turbines or other similar devices that extract energy from the leaking drilling fluid. The extracted energy can be used to generate electricity and / or pressure of hydraulic fluids. It should be understood that the generation of rotational energy (i.e., generation of useful torque) and the generation of electrical energy and fluid pressure are solely an illustration of the many functions that can be performed by the consumer of rotational energy.

With reference to FIG. 2, one embodiment of a drilling engine 120 that can be used with BHA 60 is shown in more detail (FIG. 1). The drilling motor 120 is a downhole hydraulic motor that comprises a rotor 122 located in the stator 124, forming helical cavities 123 between them. The fluid supplied under pressure to the motor 120 passes through the cavities 123 and rotates the rotor 122. The rotor 122, in turn, connected to the drill bit 62 (see Fig. 1) by means of a drive mechanism 125, which is formed by two or more interconnected elements that transmit torque. In one embodiment of the invention, the drive mechanism 125 comprises a flexible shaft 126 connected to the drive shaft 128 by an axis and a coupling 130. The drive mechanism 125 may comprise more or less of these torque transmitting elements.

The drive mechanism 125 may transmit torque from the engine 120 to the drill bit 62 (see FIG. 1) using one or more threaded connections. These threaded connections can be used between the rotor 122, the universal joint (for example, a flexible shaft) 126 and the drive shaft 128. In some embodiments of the invention, the drive mechanism 125 may also include a rotor adapter and a housing (not shown), as well as a segmented drive shaft having upper and lower sections. Threaded connections can also be used to transmit torque along these components.

With reference to FIG. 3A, a threaded connection may include a nipple end 150 and a male end 152 (shown by dashed lines). Typically, the nipple end 150 has external threads, and the sleeve end 152 has internal threads (not shown). The nipple end 150 and the sleeve end 152 have supporting shoulders 154, 156, respectively. When the threaded connection is tightened to the desired value, while the nipple end 150 and the coupling end 152 are connected (that is, screwed), axial loading occurs on the shoulders 154, 156. The relationship between shoulder load and make-up torque (MUT) depends on the geometry of the thread. If the transmitted torque exceeds the MUT, the connection is overloaded, resulting in damage to the shoulder or nipple.

In embodiments of the invention, threaded connections of the drive mechanism 125 (see FIG. 2) may use multiple threads to reduce the applied shoulder load for a given torque. Reducing the shoulder load can increase the torque overload capacity of the joint and therefore can eliminate the need for double convergence of the joint. An additional advantage is faster screwing and unscrewing of cylindrical joints with a long thread, as in the engine cover. Conventional threads, which are single-thread, have one helically threaded thread. Multiple threads have two or more interwoven threads. The embodiment of the thread in FIG. 3A has two interwoven threads 158 and 159. Interwoven threads can be cut spirally. In these helix configurations, the effective pitch is equal to the standard thread pitch times the number of starts.

It should be understood that the drill bit is only one illustrative consumer of rotational energy. Other consumers include, but are not limited to, expandable expanders, expanders, pipe cutting tools, etc.

The number of thread starts may vary depending on the application. Thus, the ratio between the moment of make-up and the moment of unscrewing can also vary significantly. In FIG. 3B shows an end view of a double-thread, which has intertwined threads 158, 159. FIG. 4, an end view of three-way threads having three intertwined threads 160, 162, 164 is illustrated. Although only three approaches are illustrated, the number of approaches can be significantly larger. The maximum number of thread starts is achieved with an unlimited step, which leads to a simple spline connection. For a relatively large number of thread starts (for example, five or more depending on the pitch and diameter), the potential loss of self-locking ability can be eliminated by using additional locking functions. However, these threads with a relatively large number of starts may still be suitable to transmit bending loads and apply a preload (clamping force) to the components.

Embodiments of the invention also utilize multiple threads in configurations in which it is desirable to combine two components in a joint. For example, alignment may be necessary for the functional connection of components; for example, to provide for the transfer or exchange of electrical, optical, acoustic data signals, analog signals, digital signals, energy and / or liquid between components. In a more general sense, the use of multi-threaded threads can provide a “functional connection” or “functional connection” that provides any kind of energy, power, effort and / or pressure transfer between components that require precise alignment to function.

The advantages of multi-threaded joints or joints are illustrated in FIG. 5, which shows a first tool section 200, and dashed lines a second tool section 202. Multiple threads 204 connect tool sections 200, 202. The first tool section 200 contains a first element 206 associated with the line segment 208, and the second tool section contains a second element 210 associated with the line segment 212. Line segments 208, 212 may be parts of one or more components. In order to functionally connect such components, the first element 206 and the second element 210 may need to have a predetermined mutual alignment with a relatively low tolerance. For example, the orientation may be based on axial alignment, circular alignment, radial alignment, angular alignment, longitudinal alignment, or any other suitable reference system. For example, when the tool sections 200, 202 are screwed together, the makeup movement will create a circular as well as longitudinal displacement. When using multiple threads, the circular as well as the longitudinal displacement are much lower than the displacement in a conventional thread with comparable joint strength. Therefore, multi-threading allows the application of a specific torque with which the two elements 206, 210 can be oriented relative to each other with higher accuracy with respect to circular and longitudinal displacement. In FIG. 5, elements 206, 210 are shown as being in physical contact for a functional connection. In embodiments of the invention, the elements 206 may be in contact with surfaces, seals, rings, or other structures configured to form a mating contact. Elements 206 may also be holes made on surfaces that mate with each other.

In FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in which the elements 206, 210 are located in the connector 214 and do not require physical contact for functional connection, but at the same time provide better performance when aligned with higher accuracy. For example, elements 206, 210 may use connectors that use inductive coupling, electromagnetic resonance coupling, capacitive coupling, galvanic coupling, optocouplers, acoustic connectors, and / or transmit / receive signals. The performance of the connectors can largely depend on the circular and / or longitudinal alignment of the opposing components of the connector. Therefore, the performance of the connector is much less dependent on the amount of applied torque at which the first and second components are twisted together.

In FIG. 7 schematically shows a downhole tool 220 in which one or more of the compounds of the present invention can be used. The downhole tool 220 may be a drill pipe, a small diameter flexible tubing, a BHA section, a liner, a casing, or any other tool described above. Downhole tool 220 comprises a first tool section 200 and a second tool section 202 that are connected by a multi-thread 204 to a connection 222. Line 224 may extend through connection 222. Without limitation, line 224 may be configured to transmit one or more of the following: optical signal , electrical signal, acoustic signal, liquid and / or other energy flows. Line 224 may be any type of the following: a conduit, channel, tube, or signal transmission medium, including, but not limited to, metal wire, fiber optic lines, hydraulic lines, etc. Line 224 can be centered or offset from the center within the downhole tool 220. Although the line is shown to be small in two dimensions compared to the downhole tool 220, it can also be made much larger than that shown in the drawings. In addition, any number of components can be connected to line 224, including, but not limited to, one or more sensors, an electromechanical actuator, a hydraulic actuator, an electric pump, a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic consumer, a valve, a piston, an electric power generator, an electric consumer energy, electronic component, microprocessor, communication device, sensor, tool for evaluating reservoir parameters, BHA orientation sensor, drilling direction control device, drilling motors, etc., including, but not limited to, ground equipment. In addition, although one line 224 is shown, two or more lines may be used.

In some embodiments of the invention, line 224 may intersect thread 204. The use of multiple threads provides a much smaller hole size in the two connecting threads through which the lines pass than when using conventional threads. In the same way, the use of multiple threads provides alignment of the opposing coupling components in the connecting threads with much higher accuracy. When using multiple threads, the application of a given torque will result in much greater accuracy with which two lines, connectors, contacts or components can be oriented relative to each other compared to threads of a conventional design. This reduces the size of the holes in the two connecting threads through which the lines pass, which leads to an increase in the stability of the threads. In other words, this threaded connection is much less sensitive to exceeding the maximum allowable torque, while in ordinary threads, when exceeding the maximum allowable torque, the lines will be cut off, the contacts will be disconnected, the connectors will be displaced. In some embodiments of the invention, the openings of line 224 may be made on the surface (s) on which the threads are physically formed.

The above description relates to specific embodiments of the present invention and is provided for the purpose of illustration and explanation. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications and changes to the aforementioned embodiment of the invention are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted in such a way as to encompass all such modifications and changes.

Claims (23)

1. Downhole device containing: - a first component (200) having a first element (206); and - a second component (202) having a second element (208), the first component (200) and the second component (202) being connected by a multiple threaded connection (204), and the first element (206) and the second element (208) are functionally connected to each other another, when the first element and the second element have a given mutual angular alignment, moreover, a certain predetermined mutual angular alignment is established only after the application of a certain torque to the multi-start connection, and the first component (200) has at least one shoulder (154) and the second component (202) has at least one shoulder (156), and the application said specific torque is provided after said at least one shoulder (154) of the first component (200) and at least one shoulder (156) of the second component (202) abut against each other. 2. A downhole tool according to claim 1, wherein each first element (206) and every second element (208) are line segments (224). 3. The downhole device according to claim 2, wherein line (224) is configured to transmit one of the following: (i) an optical signal, (ii) an electrical signal, (iii) an acoustic signal, (iv) fluid, (v) energy . 4. The downhole tool according to claim 1, further comprising a connector operatively linking the first element (206) to the second element (208). 5. The downhole tool according to claim 4, wherein the connector forms an electromagnetic resonant coupling between the first element (206) and the second element (208). 6. The downhole tool according to claim 4, wherein the connector forms a physical contact between the first element (206) and the second element (208). 7. The downhole tool according to claim 1, in which the first element (206) is one of the following: wire, sensor, hydraulic pump, hydraulic pipe, hydraulic consumer, electric power generator, electrical energy consumer, electromechanical drive, hydraulic drive, electric pump , hydraulic consumer, valve, piston, electronic component, microprocessor, communication device, formation parameter estimation tool, BHA orientation sensor, drilling direction control device and drilling engine. 8. The downhole tool according to claim 1, in which the first component (200) is one of: (i) a drill pipe, (ii) a small flexible tubing, (iii) a BHA section, (iv) a shank, (v ) casing; and the second component (202) is one of: (i) a drill pipe, (ii) a small flexible tubing, (iii) a BHA section, (iv) a liner, (v) a casing. 9. A method of creating a connection in a downhole device, including: - positioning the first element (206) in the first component (200) and the corresponding first hole; - positioning of the second element (208) in the second component (202) and the corresponding second hole; - attaching the first component (200) to the second component (202) using multiple threaded connections (204) and - functional connection of the first element (206) with the second element (208) by placing the first hole and the second hole with a given mutual angular alignment and one of (i) a given radial alignment and (ii) a given longitudinal alignment, moreover, a certain predetermined mutual angular alignment is carried out only after the application of a certain torque to the multi-start connection, and the first component (200) has at least one shoulder (154) and the second component (202) has at least one shoulder (156), and a certain torque is applied after said at least one shoulder (154) of the first component (200) and at least one shoulder (156) of the second component (202) abut against each other. 10. The method according to claim 9, in which each first element (206) and every second element (208) are segments of the line (224). 11. The method according to p. 10, in which line (224) is used to transmit one of: (i) an optical signal, (ii) an electrical signal, (iii) an acoustic signal, (iv) fluid, (v) energy. 12. The method according to claim 9, in which the first element and the second element are functionally connected through a connector. 13. The method according to p. 12, in which the connector forms at least one of: an inductive coupling between the first element and the second element; electromagnetic resonant coupling between the first element and the second element. 14. The method according to claim 9, in which the first component (206) is one of: (i) a wire, (ii) a sensor, (iii) a hydraulic pump, (iv) a hydraulic pipe, (v) a hydraulic consumer, (vi) an electric energy generator; and (vii) an electric energy consumer. 15. The downhole tool according to claim 1, in which a certain predetermined mutual angular alignment is carried out as a result of the application of a certain torque to the specified multi-start connection.

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