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
  • E21B10/42—Rotary drag type drill bits with teeth, blades or like cutting elements, e.g. fork-type bits, fish tail bits
• • 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
  • E21B10/46—Drill bits characterised by wear resisting parts, e.g. diamond inserts
  • E21B10/54—Drill bits characterised by wear resisting parts, e.g. diamond inserts the bit being of the rotary drag type, e.g. fork-type bits
  • E21B10/55—Drill bits characterised by wear resisting parts, e.g. diamond inserts the bit being of the rotary drag type, e.g. fork-type bits with preformed cutting elements
• • 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

• the present invention relates to cutting elements on a drill bit. More particularly, the present invention relates to a force modulation system for fixed cutters on the drill bit. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to a force modulation system with an elastic force member for downhole conditions.
• Polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) cutters are used in drilling operations for oil and gas.
• Prior art drill bits include roller cone bits with multiple parts and rotating cutters to gouge and scrape through the rock formation. Rows of cutters moved along parts of the drill bit so that wear on the cutters was distributed.
• the multiple parts of the drill bit include the bit blade, bit body, cone, bearing and seal.
• Newer drill bits were fixed-head drill bits, which were composed of a single drill bit without any moving components. The cutters were fixed on either the bit blade or bit body of the drill bit. The fixed-head drill bits are rotated by the drill string, so moving parts on the drill bit were not needed.
• the cutters fixed to the parts of the drill bit determine the cutting profile fora drill bit and shear through the rock formation in place on the drill bit.
• the fixed cutters were more reliable under extreme heat and pressure conditions of the wellbore because there were no moving components. However, the wear on these cutters was substantial.
• the further complication is that the wear on fixed cutters is not equal.
• fixed cutters on different parts of the drill bit wear at different rates.
• the fixed cutters in the cone do not wear at the same rate and manner as fixed cutters on the bit blade.
• the fixed cutters placed on the bit blade are on a side of the drill bit and have the highest linear cutting velocity that results in more severe wear and the most cutting force.
• the damage to all fixed cutters and the extra damage to fixed cutters on the bit blade cause premature failure of the drill bit, limit rate of penetration into the rock formation, and limit the footage drilled into the rock formation.
• Figure 1 shows the prior art system with a fixed cutter 1 mounted in a holder 2.
• the holder 2 is mounted in the drill bit 3.
• the elastic member 5 can be a spring, which compresses to lessen the cutting force against harder rock. The lesser force on the fixed cutter can prevent damage.
• the spring sets the upper limit of cutting force. Any higher load will cause the fixed cutter to retract.
• the cutting profile can change only slightly as individual fixed cutters can move up and down in the one direction of the elastic member.
• the one dimensional variations to the cutting profile fail to effectively protect fixed cutters on the parts of the drill bit that encounter angled forces with drilling.
• the fixed cutters on the bit blade or shoulder of the drill bit known as shoulder cutters, encounter the junctions between different rock formations and require the most cutting force. There are forces against the fixed cutter by the rock formations in more than one dimension at these junctions.
• the elastic members currently known for downhole tools include the springs of CN 105604491 , published on 2016-05-25 for Li, CN 204326973, published on 2015- 05-13 for Ge, Huixiang et al., CN 105156035, published on 2017-03-29 for Hua, Jian et al., USPub 20100212964, published on 2010-08-26 for Beuershausen, US Patent No. 10000977, issued on 2018-06-19 for Jain et al, US Patent No. 6142250, issued on 2000-11-07 for Griffin et al., and US Patent No. 5678645, issued on 1997-10-21 to Tibbitts et al.
• Elastic members for force modulation can also be an elastomeric insert, a plastic insert, metal mesh, disc spring, composite elastomeric insert, or hydraulic actuator, in addition to a metal coil spring.
• Wire mesh as a damper in a downhole tool is also known in prior art patents, including US Patent No. 2462316, issued on 22 Feb 1949 to Goodloe, US Patent No. 2869858, issued on 20 Jan 1959 to Hartwell, US Patent No. 3073557, issued on 15 Jan 1963 to Davis, Russian Patent No. RU2545142, issued on 27 Mar 2015 to Alekseevich, US Patent No. 4514458, issued on 30 Apr 1985 to Thorn et al, US Patent No.
• Embodiments of the force modulation system fora drill bit include a cutter, a holder, a holder retention means, and a first force member comprised of a first woven material.
• the cutter is in removable slide fit engagement with the holder.
• the cutter extends from the holder so as to drill into rock formations.
• the holder retention means sets the position of the holder within the drill bit.
• the cutter fits in the holder, and the holder fits in the drill bit.
• the holder retention means exerts a holder retention force in a first direction of the holder.
• the holder retention force maintains the position relative to the drill bit.
• the first direction is one direction of movement of the holder relative to the drill bit, and the holder retention means exerts the holder retention force in that first direction so as to prevent movement of the holder in that first direction.
• the first force member is positioned against the holder so as to exert a first force in a second direction of the holder.
• the first force also maintains the position of the holder relative to the drill bit, but in a different dimension.
• the second direction is another direction of movement of the holder relative to the drill bit.
• the second direction is angled offset to the first direction.
• the second direction can be orthogonal to the first direction. Relative to the holder cavity, the first direction can be vertical, and the second direction can be horizontal.
• the holder retention means and the first force member are cooperative to maintain position of the holder in more than one dimension, i.e. in more than the first direction.
• the first force in the second direction determines the cutting profile of the force modulation system.
• the first force member exerts a first force that is variable so that the cutter avoids damage from excessive force in the second direction.
• the second direction of the first force member is not the same as the first direction.
• the second direction is offset angled so that excessive force of a different direction than the first direction can be avoided.
• the force modulation system can avoid damage from excessive force from different directions.
• An alternate embodiment of the force modulation system includes a second force member positioned against the holder so as to exert a second force in the first direction of the holder.
• the second force member is an additional support against excessive force in the first direction and is comprised of a second wire woven material.
• the holder retention member can be set as a breaking point before the critical amount of excessive force that causes damage to the cutter.
• the second force member provides the second force in the first direction as a supplement to the holder retention force in the first direction.
• the cutting profile of the force modulation is now determined by both the first force in the second direction and the second force in the first direction. The cutter can now avoid the damage of excessive force in the first direction AND in the second direction.
• Embodiments of the present invention include the first force member being comprised of a first wire woven material with a first elasticity.
• the first wire woven material can be comprised of a braided and compression molded spring wire that withstands downhole conditions.
• the first wire woven material can fit between the holder and drill bit and within the space constraints for a downhole tool.
• Some embodiments include a corrosion resistant coating on the spring wire to further increase durability of the first wire woven material.
• the first force member can be made integral with the second force member such that the first woven material is compatible with and bonded to the second woven material.
• the first woven material is the same as the second woven material as a unitary force member of woven material. The method of forming the first wire woven material is also an embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of a prior art force modulation system.
• Figure 2 is a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of the force modulation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 3 is a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of the force modulation system according to another embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 4 is an exploded schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the force modulation system according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 5 is a schematic partial sectional and partial perspective view of an embodiment of the force modulation system according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 6 is a schematic partial sectional and partial perspective view of an embodiment of the force modulation system, according to Figure 5.
• Figure 7 is a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of an embodiment of the force modulation system, according to Figure 5.
• Figure 8 is another schematic sectional view of an embodiment of an embodiment of the force modulation system, according to Figure 5.
• Figure 9 is a photographic illustration of a wire woven material according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 10 is a photographic illustration of a wire woven material according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 11 is a graph illustration of stress-strain curves of wire woven materials at different compressive loading.
• Figure 12 is a graph illustration of stress-strain curves of wire woven materials for elasticity.
• Figure 13 is a graph illustration of fatigue testing wire woven materials, according to the present invention.
• the force modulation system 10 for a drill bit includes a cutter 20, a holder 30, a holder retention means 50, and a first force member 60.
• the cutter 20 is comprised of a cutter body 22 having a cutting end 24, and a cutting surface 26 made integral with the cutter body 22 at the cutting end 24.
• the holder 30 is comprised of a holder body 32 having an anchor end 34, a holding end 36 opposite the anchor end 34, holder sides 38 between the anchor end 34 and the holding end 36, and a holder cavity 40 at the holding end 36.
• the cutter body 22 is in slide fit engagement with the holder cavity 40.
• the cutting surface 26 extends from the holder cavity 40 so as to drill into rock formations.
• the cutter 20 is removably engaged with the holder 30.
• the force modulation system 10 includes the holder retention means 50 positioned on at least one holder side 38 so as to exert a holder retention force in a first direction 42 of the holder 30.
• Figures 2 and 3 show the first direction 42 as one direction of movement of the holder 30 relative to the drill bit.
• the holder retention means 50 can be a snap ring as in Figures 2-3, shear pin as in Figures 2-3, locking ring, locking pin, slot shoulder as in Figure 4, screw as in Figures 5-8 or other known mechanical device to hold position of the holder 30.
• the first force member 60 member is comprised of a first wire woven material 62 with a first elasticity.
• the first wire woven material is comprised of spring wire 64, as shown in Figures 9 and 10.
• the spring wire is braided and compression molded.
• the spring wire 64 can have a wire diameter between 0.005-0.05 inches for the braiding and compression molding needed for downhole conditions.
• the braided and compression molded spring wire 64 of this size can fit in the limited space between the holder 30 and holder housing 17 of the drill bit 15.
• Figure 11 shows larger compressive loading in fabrication leads to a higher elastic modulus. Compressive loading can set the first elasticity. For a first force member 60 in the force modulation system 10, the first elasticity should be between 0.02 and 0.13" displacement. Only particular compressive loading can achieve the result, and Figure 11 shows that increasing force of compressive loading during fabrication for higher elastic modulus does not lead to the first elasticity needed for the present invention.
• Figure 12 shows the stress-strain curve of one embodiment of the first wire woven material 62 with a spring wire 64 having a wire diameter of 0.013" and compressive loading of 18ksi to achieve the first elasticity between 0.02 and 0.13" displacement.
• the first woven material 62 of the present invention provides the first elasticity to be used in a pre compressed condition. As shown in Figure 13, the first wire woven material 62 maintains the first elasticity between 0.02-0.13 inches over 660 cycles of compression.
• the durability is suitable for downhole conditions, such as higher temperatures and pressure.
• Figure 10 further shows the first woven material 62 being comprised of a spring wire 64 having a corrosion resistant coating 66.
• the additional protection from chemical degradation in the downhole conditions further increase durability.
• the corrosion resistant coating 66 is selected from a group consisting of steel, Ni alloy, Co alloy, Ti alloy, and Cu alloy.
• the first force member 60 is positioned against the holder 30 so as to exert a first force in a second direction 44 of the holder 30.
• the second direction 44 is angled offset to the first direction 42, as shown in Figures 2-3.
• Figure 2 shows the first direction 42 of the holder 30 by the holder retention means 50, and the second direction 44 of the holder 30 by the first force member 60.
• Figure 2 shows the second direction 44 as orthogonal to the first direction 42.
• the first direction 42 can be vertical, and the second direction 44 can be horizontal.
• the second direction 44 can also be offset to the first direction 42.
• the angle of offset can range from 60 to 120 degrees.
• the first force has at least a vector of force in the second direction 44. At least one vector of force in the second direction is shown generally horizontal and not aligned with the first direction.
• the first direction 42 can be a direction of movement of the holder 30 relative to the drill bit 15, and the second direction 44 is another direction of movement of the holder 30 relative to the drill bit 15, including orthogonal to first direction 42.
• Figures 2 and 3 show the drill bit 15 and the dimensions of movement of the holder 30 relative to the drill bit 15.
• the holder retention force in the first direction 42 maintains position relative to the drill bit in the first direction 42.
• the first force in the second direction 44 determines the cutting profile of the force modulation system 10.
• the first force member 60 exerts a first force that is variable so that the cutter 20 avoids damage from excessive force in the second direction 44.
• the second direction 44 of the first force member 60 is not the same as the first direction 42.
• the second direction 44 is offset angled so that excessive force of a different direction than the first direction 42 can be avoided.
• Figure 2 shows the second direction 44 orthogonal to the first direction 42.
• Figure 3 shows the second direction 44 offset or even perpendicular from the first direction 42.
• the angle of offset can range from 60 to 120 degrees.
• the first force member 60 in the position as shown is now more than just cumulative with the holder retention means 50 to help resist depth of cut force. There is a new relationship between the first force member 60 and the holder retention means 50. There is new functionality of the force modulation system 10 to avoid damage from excessive force from different angles on the cutter 20.
• Figures 3-8 show alternate embodiments of the force modulation system 10 of the present invention with a second force member 70 positioned against the holder 30 so as to exert a second force in the first direction 42 of the holder 30.
• the holder retention means 50 can have the holder retention force greater than the second force with both in the first direction 42.
• the holder retention means 50 can be set as a breaking point before a critical amount of excessive force disables the holder retention means 50.
• the second force member 70 provides the second force in the first direction 42 as a supplement to the holder retention force in the first direction 42.
• the cutting profile is now variable in the first direction 42, according to the second force member 70.
• the cutter 20 can avoid the damage of excessive force in the first direction 42 AND in the second direction 44 in the embodiment of Figures 3-8.
• the second force member 70 can be cumulative and cooperative with the holder retention means 50 to resist depth of cut force.
• FIG 3 shows an embodiment with the second force member 70 completely cooperative with the holder retention means 50.
• the second force member 70 is aligned vertically with the holder retention means 50.
• the second force member 70 member is comprised of a second wire woven material 72 with a second elasticity.
• the second wire woven material is comprised of spring wire 74, as shown in Figures 9 and 10 as identical to the first force member.
• the spring wire 74 is also braided and compression molded for downhole conditions.
• the braided and compression molded spring wire 74 of this size can fit in the limited space between the holder 30 and holder housing 17 of the drill bit 15.
• the second elasticity is similarly between 0.02 and 0.13" displacement by compressive loading the braided spring wire.
• the second wire woven material 72 also maintains the second elasticity between 0.02- 0.13 inches over 660 cycles of compression.
• the durability is suitable for downhole conditions, such as higher temperatures and pressure.
• Figures 4-8 show embodiments of the first force member 160 as being made integral with the second force member 170.
• the first wire woven material 161 is compatible with and bonded to the second wire woven material 171.
• Figures 4-8 show the first wire woven material 161 being identical to the second wire woven material
• the first force member 160 is made integral with the second force member 171.
• This unitary body 181 has a first portion 162, a second portion
• first force member 160 being the first portion 162 and the second force member 170 being the second portion 172 even as the portions 162, 172 are parts of the same unitary body 181 of the same material.
• the offset angled relationship as orthogonal for the first direction 42 and second direction 44 are also shown in Figures 3-8, even with the first force member 160 and the second force member 170 being unitary.
• the holder sides are longer than the anchor end 34 and the holding end 36 so as to form an elongated holder body 132 having the anchor end 134, the holding end 136 opposite the anchor end 134 and elongated holder sides 138 as the holder sides.
• This elongated holder body 132 forms an anchor portion 135 between the holder opening 40 and the anchor end 134, the first direction being along the elongated holder sides 138.
• the first force member 160 being made integral with the second force member 170 is shown for this elongated holder body 132.
• Figures 7- 8 show the sequence of exerting force on the cutter 20 with the first force member 160 resisting a force from a rock formation. Figure 7 maintains the original position, and Figure 8 shows the first force member 160 resisting the force from the rock formation.
• the holder retention means 50 is comprised of a plurality of slots 54, 54A on the elongated body 132.
• Figure 4 shows the exploded view of the slots 54, 54A so as to be friction fit in the drill bit 15.
• the slot 54 is in removable sliding engagement with the protrusion 19 so as to exert the holder retention force in the first direction 42.
• Embodiments of the protrusions 19, 19A are shown as rails in Figures 8- 10.
• the holder retention means the holder retention means 50 is comprised of a screw 52.
• the screw 52 there is a holder housing 17 of the drill bit 15 being comprised of a threaded hole 18, and the elongated holder body 132 has a through hole 133.
• the screw 52 is in removable threaded engagement with the threaded hole 18 through the through hole 133 of elongated holder body 132.
• the assembled view is shown in Figures 6-8 with the screw 52 visible on the drill bit 15.
• the exploded view of Figure 5 shows the screw 52 before assembly through the drill bit 15 and the elongated holder body 132.
• the drill bit 15 can fit the screw 52 around the first force member 160 being made integral with the second force member 170.
• the first force member 160 being made integral with the second force member 170 may also have a hole for the screw 52 to pass through the first force member 160 being made integral with the second force member 170.
• the present invention also includes the method of manufacturing the first woven material 62, 161 and second woven material 72, 171 of the present invention.
• the method includes braiding wire so as to form braided spring wire and compression molding the braided spring wire so as to form the first wire woven material 62, 161.
• the method can also include forming the second wire woven material 72, 171, including the embodiments when the first force member 60, 160 and the second force member 70, 170 are made integral as a unitary body.
• the step of compression molding is comprised of the step of applying a load between 3-30ksi, and a particular embodiment is applying a load of 18ksi for the wire having a wire diameter of 0.005 to 0.05 inches. It is an object of the present invention to provide a force modulation system with a variable cutting profile of a drill bit.
• the present invention is a force modulation system for a drill bit.
• the system forms a variable cutting profile as the fixed cutters can have different contact on a rock formation while drilling.
• the cutting profile changes to avoid excessive force that would damage the fixed cutters.
• the force modulation system has particular usefulness for fixed cutters on the blade of the bit body or shoulder of the drill bit. These cutters on the blade of the bit body or shoulder of the drill bit typically drill the rock formation at junctions between different types of rock materials. There is a higher risk of excessive force to damage cutters at these joints.
• the force modulation of the system can avoid this excessive force.
• the present invention is a force modulation system with an elastic force member for downhole conditions.
• the elastic force member is made of a wire woven material that has the durability to withstand downhole temperatures and pressure.
• the material is braided and compression molded spring wire form into a woven material.
• the spring wire can also have a coating to protect against corrosion.
• the wire woven elastic member as a force member fits in the limited space of a drill bit.
• the wire woven material can be shaped and placed between the holder and drill bit.
• the present invention is a multi-directional force modulation system. Instead of being restricted to the one direction of in and out of the drill bit cavity, corresponding only to depth of cut, the system can also move cutters in another direction side to side within the drill bit cavity.
• the cutting profile is variable in more than one dimension.
• the first direction is set by a holder retention member relative to the drill bit
• the second direction is set by the first force member offset from the holder retention member.
• the first direction and the second direction are angled offset from each other.
• the first and second directions can be orthogonal to each other.
• the holder retention force can be in the first direction, and the first force can be in the second direction.
• forces are not completely aligned in a single direction.
• the first force is not in the first direction or the second direction. At least a vector of the first force must be in the second direction, not all of the first force.
• the cutter is rotatable so that the cutting surface extending from the holder cavity can affect the resistance to excessive forces.
• the variable cutting profiles of the prior art only compensate for a particular excessive force to avoid damage, instead of the different excessive forces from different directions.
• the one direction must be selected according to placement of the fixed cutter on the part of the drill bit.
• the multi-directional force modulation system can now avoid excessive force from more than one direction.
• the drill bit has an extended working life by avoid more excessive force on cutters than other prior art systems.
• the force modulation system can also have an elongated holder body.
• the elongated holder body has an anchor portion that allows the holder to attach to the drill bit without overlapping with the cutter being attached to the holder.
• the separation of the connectors between the holder and the drill bit and the connectors between the holder and the cutter maintains the same relationships between the holder retention means in the first direction and the first force member in the second direction. This arrangement is more durable.
• the wear of the connection between the holder and the drill bit is now separate from any wear of the holder and the cutter. A cutter can be replaced in the holder, if the holder remains in good condition and can still be engaged with the drill bit.

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

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Citations (5)

• 2021
  • 2021-12-31 CN CN202111679552.6A patent/CN115637933A/zh active Pending
• 2022
  • 2022-07-18 WO PCT/US2022/073824 patent/WO2023004275A1/en unknown

Patent Citations (5)

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