U.S. patent application number 10/064438 was filed with the patent office on 2004-01-15 for drilling mechanics load cell sensor.
Invention is credited to Chalitsios, Constantyn, Gabler, Kate Irene Stabba.
Application Number | 20040007357 10/064438 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27803629 |
Filed Date | 2004-01-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040007357 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gabler, Kate Irene Stabba ;
et al. |
January 15, 2004 |
DRILLING MECHANICS LOAD CELL SENSOR
Abstract
A load cell for sensing deformation in a drill collar is
provided. The load cell comprises a disc member having one or more
arcuate apertures and a deformation sensing element disposed on a
side surface of the arcuate apertures. The load cell is capable of
sensing such drilling parameters as weight and torque on a drill
bit during the drilling operation.
Inventors: |
Gabler, Kate Irene Stabba;
(Sugar Land, TX) ; Chalitsios, Constantyn; (Sugar
Land, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCHLUMBERGER OILFIELD SERVICES
200 GILLINGHAM LANE
MD 200-9
SUGAR LAND
TX
77478
US
|
Family ID: |
27803629 |
Appl. No.: |
10/064438 |
Filed: |
July 12, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
166/250.01 ;
175/40 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 47/007 20200501;
G01L 1/2237 20130101; G01L 5/1627 20200101; G01G 19/18
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
166/250.01 ;
175/40 |
International
Class: |
E21B 047/00; E21C
025/00 |
Claims
1. A load cell, comprising: a disc member having at least two
arcuate apertures; and a deformation sensing element disposed on a
side surface of two of the arcuate apertures.
2. The load cell of claim 1, further comprising a peripheral member
disposed about an outer edge of the disc member.
3. The load cell of claim 1, wherein the disc member has four
arcuate apertures spaced at about ninety degrees, with two
deformation sensing elements disposed in each of two diametrically
opposed arcuate apertures.
4. The load cell of claim 1, wherein the deformation sensing
element is a strain gauge.
5. The load cell of claim 1, further comprising four torque sensing
elements disposed on a surface of the disc member.
6. A load cell system, comprising: a load cell with a strain gauge;
and load cell circuitry operatively connected to the load cell, the
load cell circuitry comprising a non-volatile memory adapted to
store load cell calibration data.
7. The load cell system of claim 6, further comprising a circuit
board wherein the load cell circuitry is disposed on the circuit
board.
8. The load cell system of claim 6, wherein the calibration
circuitry further comprises: a sensor signal interface; an
amplifier; a voltage to current converter; and a reference voltage
supply.
9. The load cell system of claim 6, further comprising an
independent plate with at least one reference resistor electrically
connected to the strain gauge on the load cell.
10. The load cell system of claim 9, wherein the load cell
comprises four arcuate strain gauges and the independent plate
comprises four plate strain gauges that are electrically equivalent
to the four arcuate strain gauges.
11. The load cell system of claim 10, wherein the plate is
constructed from an identical material as the load cell.
12. A downhole sensor, comprising: a drill collar adapted to be
disposed around a drill string; and a load cell disposed in the
drill collar, the load cell comprising a disc member with four
radial arcuate apertures spaced at about ninety degrees, and at
least one arcuate strain gauge disposed in each of a pair of
diametrically opposed arcuate apertures, the diametrically opposed
arcuate apertures aligned substantially orthogonal to a rotational
axis of the drill string.
13. The downhole sensor of claim 12, wherein the load cell
comprises four planar strain gauges disposed on a surface of the
disc member and two arcuate gauges disposed in each arcuate
aperture in the pair of diametrically opposed arcuate
apertures.
14. The downhole sensor of claim 12, further comprising a circuit
board operatively connected to the arcuate strain gauges and the
planar strain gauges, the circuit board comprising a non-volatile
memory adapted to store load cell calibration data.
15. The downhole sensor of claim 14, wherein the circuit board
further comprises: a sensor signal interface; an amplifier; a
voltage to current converter; and a reference voltage supply.
16. The downhole sensor of claim 12, further comprising an
independent plate, the independent plate comprising: at least one
plate resistor operatively connected to the arcuate strain gauges;
and at least one torque plate resistor operatively connected to the
planar strain gauges.
17. The downhole sensor of claim 16, wherein the independent plate
is thermally coupled to the load cell.
18. The downhole sensor of claim 12, further comprising a second
load cell disposed in the drill collar about one hundred eighty
degrees around the drill collar from the load cell, the second load
cell comprising a second disc member with four additional arcuate
apertures spaced at about ninety degrees, at least one planar
strain gauge on a surface of the disc member, at least one
additional arcuate strain gauge located in each of a pair of
opposing additional arcuate apertures, the opposing additional
arcuate apertures aligned to be orthogonal to the rotational axis
of the drill string.
19. The downhole sensor of claim 18, wherein the load cell
comprises four arcuate strain gauges and four planar strain gauges,
and the second load cell comprises four additional arcuate strain
gauges.
20. The downhole sensor of claim 19, wherein the second load cell
further comprises a temperature sensor.
21. A method for measuring a deformation, comprising: disposing a
deformation sensing element in an arcuate aperture in a load cell,
the arcuate aperture adapted to amplify a deformation of the load
cell; placing a differential voltage across the deformation sensing
element; and measuring a change in a resistance of the deformation
sensing element related to the deformation of the arcuate
aperture.
22. The method of claim 21, further comprising: disposing two
deformation sensing elements in each of two horizontally opposed
arcuate apertures; placing a differential voltage across the
deformation sensing elements; and measuring a change in the
resistance of the deformation sensing elements related to the
deformation of the arcuate aperture.
23. The method of claim 21, wherein the deformation sensing
elements comprise strain gauges.
24. The method of claim 22, further comprising computing the load
cell deformation based on the change in the resistance of the
strain gauges and load cell calibration data.
25. A load cell, comprising: means for amplifying a mechanical
deformation of the load cell; and a deformation sensing element
disposed on the means for amplifying the mechanical deformation.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] FIG. 1 shows a drilling rig 101 used to drill a borehole 102
into an earth formation 103. Extending downward from the rig 101 is
a drill string 104 with a drill bit 105 positioned at the bottom of
the drill string 104. The drill string also has a
measurement-while-drilling tool 106 and a drill collar 107 disposed
above the drill bit 105.
[0002] During drilling operations, there are many forces that act
on the drill bit 105 and the drill string 104. These forces include
weight-on-bit ("WOB") and torque-on-bit ("TOB"). The WOB describes
the downward force that the drill bit 105 imparts on the bottom of
the borehole. The TOB describes the torque applied to the drill bit
that causes it to rotate in the borehole. A significant issue
during drilling is any bending of the drill string. Bending of the
drill string can result from WOB, TOB, or other downhole
forces.
[0003] The determination of the forces on the drill bit is
important because it allows an operator to detect the onset of
drilling problems and correct undesirable situations before a
failure of any part of the system, such as the drill bit 105 or
drill string 104. Some of the problems that can be detected by
measuring these downhole forces include motor stall, stuck pipe,
and bottom hole assembly ("BHA") tendency. By determining these
forces, a drill operator is also able to optimize drilling
conditions so a borehole can be drilled in the most economical
way.
[0004] The typical techniques for measuring the WOB and the TOB at
the surface have proven to be unreliable. Forces acting on the
drill string 104 between the drill bit 105 and the surface
interfere with surface measurements. As a result, techniques and
equipment have been developed to measure forces on the drill string
near the drill bit.
[0005] One such method is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,386,724
issued to Das et al ("the Das patent"), assigned to Schlumberger
Technology Corporation.
[0006] The Das patent discloses a load cell constructed from a
stepped cylinder. Strain gauges are located on the load cell, and
the load cell is located in a radial pocket in the drill collar. As
the drill collar deforms due to downhole forces, the load cell is
also deformed. The strain gauges on the load cell measure the
deformation of the load cell, which is related to the deformation
of the drill collar.
[0007] A strain gauge is a small resistive device that is attached
to a material whose deformation is to be measured. The strain gauge
is attached in such a way that it deforms along with the material
to which it is attached. The electrical resistance of the strain
gauge changes as it is deformed. By applying an electrical current
to the strain gauge and measuring the differential voltage across
it, the resistance, and thus the deformation, of the strain gauge
can be measured.
[0008] As described in the DAS patent, the load cell may be
inserted into the drill collar so that the load cell deforms with
the drill collar. The load cell can be constructed of a material
that has very little residual stress and is more suitable for
strain gauge measurement. Many such materials, may include for
example INCONEL X-750, INCONEL 718 or others, known to those having
skill in the art.
[0009] A BHA is the drill bit and associated sensors and equipment
that are located near the bottom of the borehole while drilling.
FIG. 2 shows a BHA 200 positioned at the bottom of a borehole 102.
The drill bit 105 is disposed at the end of the drill string 104.
An MWD tool 106 is disposed proximate to the drill bit 105 on the
drill string 104, with a drill collar 107 positioned proximate to
the MWD tool 106. FIG. 2 shows two load cells 202, 203 positioned
in load cell cavities 205 in the drill collar.
[0010] FIGS. 3A and 3B show the load cell 300 disclosed in the Das
patent. The load cell 300, as shown in FIG. 3A, has eight strain
gauges located on the annular surface 301. The strain gauges
include four weight strain gauges 311, 312, 313, and 314, and four
torque strain gauges 321, 322, 323, and 324. The weight strain
gauges 311-314 are disposed along the vertical and horizontal axis,
and the torque strain gauges 321-324 are disposed in between the
weight strain gauges 311-314. FIG. 3B shows the load cell 300
disposed in a drill collar 331. When the drill collar 331 is
deformed as a result of downhole forces, the load cell 300 disposed
in the drill collar is also deformed, allowing the deformation to
be measured with the strain gauges.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0011] One aspect of the invention is a load cell comprising a disc
member having at least two arcuate apertures and a deformation
sensor disposed on a side surface of two of the arcuate apertures.
In some embodiments, the disc member includes four arcuate
apertures with two deformation sensors disposed in each of two
diametrically opposed arcuate apertures.
[0012] Another aspect of the invention is a load cell system
comprising a load cell with a strain gauge and a load cell
circuitry operatively connected to the load cell, the load cell
circuitry comprising a non-volatile memory adapted to store load
cell calibration data.
[0013] Another aspect of the invention is a downhole sensor
comprising a drill collar adapted to be disposed around a drill
string and a load cell disposed in the drill collar, the load cell
comprising a disc member with four radial arcuate apertures spaced
at ninety degrees, at least one planar strain gauge disposed on the
surface of the disc member, and at least one arcuate strain gauge
disposed in each of a pair of diametrically opposed arcuate
apertures, the opposed apertures aligned substantially orthogonal
to a rotational axis of the drill string.
[0014] Yet another aspect of the invention is a method for
measuring deformation comprising disposing a deformation sensing
element in an arcuate aperture in a load cell, the arcuate aperture
adapted to amplify the deformation of the load cell, placing a
differential voltage across the deformation sensing element, and
measuring a change in an electrical property of the deformation
sensing element related the deformation of the arcuate
aperture.
[0015] Another aspect of the invention includes a load cell
comprising a means for amplifying a mechanical deformation of the
load cell, and a deformation sensing element disposed on the means
for amplifying the mechanical deformation.
[0016] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the following description and the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a cross-section of a drilling rig disposed over a
borehole.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a cross-section of a prior art bottom hole
assembly.
[0019] FIG. 3A shown a prior art load cell.
[0020] FIG. 3B shows a prior art load cell disposed in a drill
collar.
[0021] FIG. 4A shows one embodiment of a load cell according to the
invention.
[0022] FIG. 4B shows another embodiment of a load cell according to
the invention.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram according to one embodiment of
the invention.
[0024] FIG. 6 shows the relationships of the dimensions of a load
cell.
[0025] FIG. 7A shows an embodiment of a load cell with torque
sensors.
[0026] FIG. 7B shows a circuit diagram of torque sensors according
to one embodiment of the invention.
[0027] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a load
cell.
[0028] FIG. 9A is a cross-section of one embodiment of another
aspect of a load cell according to the invention.
[0029] FIG. 9B is a cross-section of an embodiment of a load cell
in a drill collar.
[0030] FIG. 9C shows a cross-section of another embodiment of a
load cell in a drill collar.
[0031] FIG. 9D is a schematic of another aspect of the
invention.
[0032] FIG. 10 shows another aspect of the invention with a load
cell in a drill collar.
[0033] FIG. 11 shows a drill collar bending about the Z-axis.
[0034] FIG. 12A is a cross-section of a drill collar according to
one embodiment of another aspect of the invention.
[0035] FIG. 12B shows a drill collar bending about the Y-axis.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] The present invention provides a load cell to measure the
deformation of a structural member in which the load cell is
disposed. The present invention also provides a method for
measuring the deformation of a load cell.
[0037] One aspect of the invention is a load cell comprising a disc
member with at least two arcuate apertures. FIG. 4A shows one
embodiment of this aspect of the invention. The load cell 410 has a
disc member 401. The disc member 401 has two diametrically opposed
arcuate apertures 411, 412. Four arcuate strain gauges 421, 422,
423, 424 are located on the edge of the disc member 401, with two
arcuate strain gauges in each of the opposing arcuate apertures
411, 412. A first arcuate strain gauge 421 and third arcuate strain
gauge 423 are located in a first arcuate aperture 411. A second
arcuate strain gauge 422 and a fourth arcuate strain gauge 424 are
disposed in a second arcuate aperture 412. The arcuate strain
gauges enable the load cell 410 to sense the deformation caused by
forces acting on the load cell 410. A peripheral member 405 may be
disposed around disc member 401. The peripheral member 405 is not
required by the invention. If included, it may be constructed as a
unitary piece, or as a composite of several pieces.
[0038] The load cell 410 in this embodiment also has a threaded
hole 406 in the center of the disc member 401 that enables the load
cell 410 to be held or gripped by a tool used to mount the load
cell 410 in a structural member (not shown). The threaded hole 406
also enables the load cell 410 to be held by a tool (not shown)
when being removed from a structural member. The threaded hole 406,
if included may be of any shape or size that enables mounting and
removal of the load cell 410.
[0039] FIG. 4B shows yet another embodiment according to this
aspect of the invention. The load cell 440 has a disc member 404
with four arcuate apertures 441-444. The first arcuate aperture 441
has a diametrically arcuate aperture 442. The third 443 and fourth
444 arcuate apertures also form an opposing pair of arcuate
apertures. FIG. 4B shows four arcuate strain gauges 445-448
disposed in the load cell 440. A first arcuate strain gauge 445 and
third arcuate strain gauge 447 are disposed on the edge of the disc
404 in the first arcuate aperture 441. A second arcuate strain
gauge 446 and a fourth arcuate strain gauge 448 are disposed in the
second arcuate aperture 442, which is an opposing arcuate aperture
to the first arcuate aperture 441.
[0040] Those having skill in the art will realize that many other
embodiments of the load cell according to this aspect of the
invention are possible. For example, the number of arcuate
apertures is not limited to two and four. Any number of arcuate
apertures can be used within the scope of the invention. The size
and shape of the arcuate apertures is described below with
reference to FIG. 6. Also, the arcuate apertures in which strain
gauges are located do not necessarily required to be diametrically
opposed. Further, the number of arcuate strain gauges is not
limited to the embodiments shown. For example, the load cells 440
shown in FIG. 4B could be comprised of more than two arcuate strain
gauges in each of the horizontally opposed arcuate apertures 441,
442. Those having skill in the art will realize that many other
variations of the load cell can be devised without departing from
the scope of the invention.
[0041] The arcuate strain gauges shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B and
described above can be any deformation sensing element that enables
the measurement of deformation. As will be described later, with
reference to FIG. 6, the arcuate apertures amplify the deformation
of the load cell. Thus, deformation-sensing elements in the arcuate
apertures enable the measurement of the load cell deformation. In
some embodiments, for example those described above, the
deformation sensing elements are strain gauges. The deformation of
the load cell with strain gauges can be measured by connecting the
strain gauges in a suitable circuit known in the art. In this
disclosure, for convenience, the deformation sensing elements will
be referred to as arcuate strain gauges. The word "arcuate," as it
is used to describe the strain gauges, does not describe the shape
of the strain gauges, but their location in the arcuate apertures.
It is expressly within the scope of the present invention that any
element that is sensitive to deformation could be used. FIG. 5
shows an example of a circuit that could be used to measure the
deformation of the load cell.
[0042] FIG. 5 is an example circuit diagram for a load cell with
four arcuate strain gauges 445-448. Examples of such a load cell is
shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. FIG. 5 shows what is known in the art as
a whetstone bridge. V+ and V- represent a reference voltage across
the points shown. S+ and S- represent the voltage signal that
represents the deformation of the arcuate strain gauges 445-448.
The circuit shown in FIG. 5 has four reference resistors 511-514.
The reference resistors can be any resistive element having a known
resistance that is used to balance the arcuate strain gauge
circuit. As will be described with reference to FIG. 9A, the
reference resistors, in some embodiments, comprise strain gauges
disposed on a plate. In this disclosure, the reference resistors
will be called "plate strain gauges," although they do not
necessarily comprise strain gauges, and they are not necessarily
required to be disposed on a plate.
[0043] The first arcuate strain gauge 445, the second arcuate
strain gauge 446, and a first plate strain gauge 511 are
electrically connected between V+ and S-. Likewise, a second plate
strain gauge 512 is electrically connected between S- and V-; a
third plate strain gauge 513, the third arcuate strain gauge 447,
and a fourth arcuate strain gauge 448 are electrically connected
between V- and S+; and a fourth plate strain gauge 514 is
electrically connected between S+ and V+.
[0044] Those having skill in the art will realize there are many
adaptations that can be made to the strain gauge circuit shown in
FIG. 5. The whetstone bridges can be adapted in various ways known
in the art. FIG. 5 is only one example of a possible circuit. The
particular choice of circuitry is not intended to limit the
invention.
[0045] The load cell according to this aspect of the invention acts
as a mechanical amplifier of deformation. FIG. 6 shows one
embodiment of the load cell 601 with four arcuate apertures 611-614
cut out of a disc member 602. When the load cell experiences a
compressive force, as indicated by arrows 621, the load cell will
deform. The height 631 of the load cell in the direction of the
compressive load will become shorter, while the horizontal diameter
632 will become longer. The amount of deformation is related to the
magnitude of the compressive force 621. By disposing arcuate strain
gauges on the side of the disc 602 in opposing horizontal arcuate
apertures 611, 612, the arcuate strain gauges experience a
deformation greater that they would if they were merely disposed on
the surface of the load cell, as shown in prior art FIGS. 3A and
3B.
[0046] FIG. 6 shows the dimensions important to the amplification
of the deformation enabled by the arcuate apertures 611-614. The
arcuate apertures can be designed so as to provide the maximum
amplification of the load cell deformation. First, the threaded
hole 646, if present, should be as small as practicable. While
still meeting the requirements of placing and removing the load
cell to and from a drill collar. As the size of the threaded hole
646 increases, the strength of the load cell 601 decreases. The
load cell 601 can be designed to maximize the amplification of the
deformation, while still remaining in the elastic deformation
range. Thus, the threaded hole 646 should be as small as
practicable, thereby increasing the strength of the load cell 601.
If another structure is used for the purpose of mounting and
removing the load cell, it likewise should be as small as
practicable.
[0047] Second, the width of the arcuate apertures 641 should be as
large as practicable. As this width 641 is increased, so too is the
amplification of the deformation in the aperture. Third, the
distance between the apexes of opposing arcuate apertures 643
should be as small as practicable. By decreasing this distance, or
equivalently increasing the height of the apertures, the
deformation amplification in the apertures is increased. Fourth,
the separation of adjacent arcuate apertures 642 should be as small
as practicable. As this separation 642 increases, so too does the
amplification of the load cell deformation.
[0048] It is noted that by increasing the amplifying the load cell
deformation by adjusting the dimensions described above, it is
possible that the load cell could be subject to deformation beyond
the elastic range and into the plastic range. In many embodiments,
the load cell 601 will not provide an accurate measurement if the
load cell experiences plastic deformation. Those skilled in the art
will realize that the exact dimensions depend on the material used
to construct the load cell and the expected loads on the load
cell.
[0049] FIG. 7A shows another aspect of the invention. The load cell
701 includes four planar strain gauges 711-714 disposed on the
surface of disc member 702. The planar strain gauges 711-714 enable
detection of a deformation caused by torque in a structural member,
such as a drill collar, that contains the load cell. As is known in
the art, the planar strain gauges 711-714 must be located and
oriented so that they experience the sheer stress caused by torque.
FIG. 7A shows one possible embodiment of planar strain gauges. Each
of the planar strain gauges is located 22.5.degree. away from an
axis of the load cell 701. In FIG. 7A, the axis is shown to be
vertical. A second planar strain gauge 712 is shown disposed on the
bottom side of the load cell. The second planar strain gauge 712 is
disposed at 22.5.degree. to the right of the vertical axis and it
is rotated 45.degree. clockwise. Similarly, the fourth planar
strain gauge is disposed 22.5.degree. to the left of the vertical
axis and rotated 45.degree. clockwise. The first planar strain
gauge 711 and the third planar strain gauge 713 are shown disposed
to the above the horizontal axis of the load cell 701. Both strain
gauges 711, 713 are rotated 45.degree. counter-clockwise. It is
understood that the first and fourth strain gauges 711, 713 are
disposed similarly to the second and third.
[0050] It is noted, as with the arcuate strain gauges, that planar
strain gauges refers to torque sensing elements, which can be any
type of element that responds to deformation caused by torque. In
some embodiments, the torque element are planar strain gauges.
Those skilled in the art will realize that the number, position and
relative angles of the planar strain gauges can vary depending on
the measurement application, without departing from the scope of
the invention.
[0051] An example of an electrical circuit used to measure the
deformation in the torque elements is diagramed in FIG. 7B. FIG. 7B
shows four torque reference resistors 751-754 used in the circuit.
As with the circuit for the arcuate strain gauges, shown in FIG. 5,
the torque reference resistors shown in FIG. 7B can be comprised of
any resistive element having a known resistance. As will be
described with reference to FIG. 9A, in some embodiments, the
torque reference resistors are strain gauges mounted on a plate
disposed proximate to the load cell. For convenience, the torque
reference resistors will be referred to as plate torque
resistors.
[0052] The reference voltage is shown at V+ and V-, and the signal
voltage is shown at S+ and S-. The third planar strain gauge 713,
the fourth planar strain gauge 714, and the fourth plate torque
resistor 754 is electrically connected between V+ and S-; the third
plate torque resistor 753 is electrically connected between S- and
V-; the first planar strain gauge 711, the second planar strain
gauge 712, and the first plate torque resistor 751 are electrically
connected between V- and S+; and the second plate torque resistor
752 is electrically connected between S+ and V+.
[0053] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a load
cell in accordance with the present invention. The load cell 801 is
comprised of a disc member 802. Four arcuate apertures 811, 812,
813, 814 are cut out of the disc 802 and spaced orthogonally at
90.degree. apart. A first arcuate strain gauge 821 and a third
arcuate strain gauge 823 are disposed on the edge of the disc
member 802 in the first arcuate aperture 811. A second arcuate
strain gauge (not shown) and a fourth arcuate strain gauge (not
shown) are disposed in the second arcuate aperture 812, which is
located about 180.degree. apart from the first arcuate aperture
811. The first arcuate aperture 811 and the second arcuate aperture
812 form a diametrically opposed pair of arcuate apertures. The
load cell 801 shown in FIG. 8 has a peripheral member 803 disposed
around the disc member 802. Again, it is noted that the peripheral
member 803, if included, can be formed with the disc member 802 as
a unitary piece, or it can comprise one or more separate pieces
that are disposed about the disc member 802. A threaded hole 803 is
located in the center of the disc member 802.
[0054] FIG. 8 also shows four planar strain gauges 831-834. The
planar strain gauges are spaced as was described with reference to
FIG. 7A. Torque measurements are known in the art, and this
invention is not intended to be limited by the presence or
placement of the planar strain gauges.
[0055] FIG. 9A shows an embodiment of another aspect of the
invention. FIG. 9A is a cross-section of a load cell 901 with an
independent plate 910 disposed adjacent to the disc member 902. The
disc 902 has arcuate apertures 911 and 912 therein. A peripheral
member 903 is disposed about the disc member 902. Plate strain
gauges 511-514 (as shown in the circuit in FIG. 5) and plate torque
strain gauges 751-754 (as shown in the circuit in FIG. 7B) can be
disposed on the plate 910. The plate 910 is said to be independent
because it is mechanically isolated from the disc member by an
elastic material, such as RTV, so that the plate 910 is "floating."
By mechanically isolating the plate 910, the effect of load cell
deformation on the plate, the plate strain gauges, and the plate
torque strain gauges may be substantially reduced.
[0056] Although the reference resistors could be any resistive
element having a known resistance, in some embodiments, the
reference resistors are comprised of strain gauges that are
substantially the same as the arcuate strain gauges. By thermally
coupling the plate 910 to the load cell 901 and constructing the
plate from the same material as the disc member 902, the plate 910
will experience the same temperatures as the load cell 901 and the
arcuate strain gauges on the disc member 902. By using reference
resistors that are strain gauges substantially identical to the
previously described arcuate strain gauges and thermally coupling
the plate to the load cell, the plate strain gauges will experience
the same thermal stresses as the arcuate strain gauges. Using the
proper circuitry, as is shown in FIG. 5 for example, temperature
strains will not affect the measurement of the load cell
deformation caused by an applied force. The plate 910 can be
thermally coupled to the load cell 901 through the use of thermal
grease, as is known in the art. The thermal grease will not
transmit any forces from the load cell 901 to the plate 910, but it
will conduct heat between the load cell 901 and the plate 910.
Accordingly, the reference resistors will experience the same
thermal stresses as the arcuate strain gauges, and the reference
resistors will experience very little of the forces exerted on the
load cell.
[0057] FIG. 9B shows one embodiment of another aspect of the
invention. FIG. 9B shows a cross-section of the load cell 901
disposed in a drill collar 953. The load cell, shown generally at
901, is the same as is shown in FIG. 9A. A cap 952 covers the load
cell 901 when it is disposed in the drill collar 953. The cap 952
protects the load cell 901 from contamination, abrasion, and
corrosive chemicals that can be in the downhole environment.
[0058] FIG. 9B also shows a circuit board 951 included with the
load cell 901. The circuit board comprises load cell circuitry used
in the operation of the load cell 901. In some embodiments, the
load cell circuitry comprises a non-volatile memory used to store
calibration data for the load cell. Each strain gauge and strain
gauge combination will respond differently to strains in the load
cell. The calibration data allows the change in resistance for a
given strain gauge or strain gauge combination to be converted into
a deformation. Further, each load cell mechanically amplifies the
deformation of the load cell. Thus, the calibration data can also
contain data for the conversion of the strain gauge deformation
into a load cell deformation.
[0059] FIG. 9C shows another embodiment according to one aspect of
the invention. The load cell 901 is disposed in a drill collar 953,
with a cap 952 in place to protect the load cell 901. The
independent plate 910 is isolated from the load cell 901 by elastic
material 905. Plate strain gauges (not shown in FIG. 9C) can be
disposed on the plate 910. FIG. 9C shows two circuit boards 971,
972, each having part of the load cell circuitry (not shown). The
circuit boards 971, 972 do not contact the cap, but are held in
place by the elastic material 905.
[0060] Those having skill in the art will realize that several
variations of this aspect of the invention can be made, without
departing from the scope of the invention. For example, only one
circuit board could be used, and it could be disposed near the load
cell without contacting the cap. Conversely, two circuit boards
could be included, both of which contact the cap. The location and
number of the circuit boards is not intended to limit the
invention. Further, in some embodiments, the load cell circuitry is
disposed on the independent plate with the plate strain gauges. In
these embodiments, not circuit boards are required.
[0061] FIG. 9D shows a diagram of one possible embodiment of load
cell circuitry 960. Strain gauge signals are measured at 961 and
pass through an amplifier 962. The amplifier 962 is located
proximate to the measurement of the signals 961 so that the signals
can be amplified before there is significant noise in the signal.
After passing through the amplifier 962, the signals pass through a
voltage to current converter 963. The converter 963 converts the
voltage signal from the strain gauges to a corresponding electrical
current. The electrical current is not susceptible to contact
resistance and impedance in the further transmission and processing
of the signal. The sensor signal interface 964 is where the load
cell circuitry 960 connects to the power and sensor systems
provided to the load cell. In drilling operations, this may
comprise the measurement circuitry provided in the drill
string.
[0062] The sensor signal interface 964 provides power to a
V-reference 965 component. The V-reference component 965 provides a
constant reference voltage to the strain gauge circuit for
measuring the strain gauge signals 961. FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C show
circuit diagrams containing reference voltage inputs V+/V- and
signal voltage nodes S+/S-. The load cell circuitry can also
comprise a non-volatile memory 966. The non-volatile memory 966
contains any calibration data that is included in the load
circuitry, as described above. The non-volatile memory enables the
sensor signal interface 964 to provide data that is corrected for
the calibration of the load cell and the strain gauges.
[0063] FIG. 10 shows one embodiment of another aspect of the
invention. A load cell 1001 is disposed in a drill collar 1002 used
in drilling operations. The drill collar is disposed around a drill
string or drill pipe (not shown here, see FIG. 12A). The load cell
1001 has four arcuate apertures 1011, 1012, 1013, and 1014. The
first arcuate aperture 1011 and the second arcuate aperture 1012
oppose each other and are disposed horizontally, such that they are
substantially orthogonal to axis of rotation 1005 of the drill
collar 1002.
[0064] The WOB is applied by a downward force transmitted through
the drill string and the drill collar. The WOB causes the drill
collar to experience a compressive load along the X-axis. In this
disclosure, the X-axis runs substantially in the same direction as
the axis of rotation 1005 of the drill collar 1002, but the X-axis
has a positive direction that points down the drill collar 1002, as
shown in FIG. 10. The load cell 1001 is in mechanical contact with
the drill collar 1002 and the load cell 1001 experiences the same
compressive force that the drill collar experiences. The
deformation of the drill collar 1002 in the X-axis causes a
corresponding deformation in the load cell. As the load cell 1001
is deformed as a result of compression in the X-axis, the first
arcuate aperture 1011 and the second arcuate aperture 1012 are
deflected, causing a corresponding deformation amplification in the
arcuate apertures 1011, 1012, 1013, and 1014. As a result of the
deformation, the resistance of any arcuate strain gauges located in
the first 1011 and second 1012 arcuate apertures increases. The
increase in resistance can be detected by measuring the signal
voltage, as shown in FIG. 5 for example.
[0065] Bending of the drill string can be caused by any number of
downhole forces. FIG. 11 shows a drill collar that is bending about
the Z-axis. In this disclosure, the Z-axis runs perpendicular to
the X-axis and perpendicular to the plane of the disc in the load
cell, as shown in FIG. 11.
[0066] It is noted that the reference coordinate axes with mutually
orthogonal axes X, Y, and Z is made with reference to the drill
collar. That is, the coordinate axes rotate with the drill collar.
Further, use of this coordinate system is only a matter of
convention and is done for ease of understanding. Any coordinate
system can be used without departing from the scope of this
invention.
[0067] Bending of the drill string about the Z-axis does not affect
the WOB measurement made by the load cell. FIG. 11 shows the drill
collar 1102 bending so that the load cell 1101 has moved to the
left of the axis of rotation 1105 of the drill collar 1102. A first
arcuate strain gauge 1121 and a third arcuate strain gauge are
located in the first arcuate aperture 1111. The first arcuate
strain gauge 1121 and the third arcuate strain gauge 1123
experience a compression due to the WOB, as described above, and a
tension, or stretching, from the bending of the drill collar in the
Z-axis. A second arcuate strain gauge 1122 and a fourth arcuate
strain gauge 1124 are disposed in the second arcuate aperture 1012.
The second arcuate strain gauge 1122 and the fourth arcuate strain
gauge 1124 experience a compression from the WOB, as described
above, and a further compression from the bending of the drill
collar 1102 about the Z-axis.
[0068] The magnitude of the deformation of the arcuate strain
gauges 1121, 1123 in the first arcuate aperture 1111 that is caused
by bending about the Z-axis is equal to the magnitude of the
deformation of the arcuate strain gauges 1122, 1124 in the second
arcuate aperture 1112 that is caused by bending about the Z-axis,
but in the opposite direction. The signal voltage, which indicated
the load cell deformation, will be affected by both the offset from
the strain gauges in tension and the strain gauges in compression.
The offset from each one will be equal in magnitude to the offset
from the other, but in the opposite direction. The resulting signal
voltage will reflect the WOB, and it will not be offset due to the
bending about the Z-axis.
[0069] FIG. 11 shows bending about the Z-axis where the load cell
is to the left of the axis of rotation of the drill collar. It is
understood that the above description applies equally to bending
about the Z-axis in the other direction, where the load cell is
located to the right of the axis of rotation 1105. In that case,
the first arcuate strain gauge 1121 and the third arcuate strain
gauge 1123 would experience compression due to bending about the
Z-axis, and the second arcuate strain gauge 1122 and the fourth
arcuate strain gauge 1124 would experience tension due to bending
about the Z-axis. Again, the magnitudes of deformation would be
equal, but in an opposite direction, and the signal voltage would
reflect the WOB, unaffected by the bending about the Z-axis.
[0070] FIG. 12A is a cross-section of a drill collar according to
another embodiment of this aspect of the invention. The drill
collar 1203 is disposed around a drill string or drill pipe 1204,
and two load cells 1201, 1202 are disposed in the drill collar
1203, about 180.degree. apart. In some embodiments, the second load
cell 1202 has the same arrangement of arcuate strain gauges as the
first load cell 1201. As will be described below with reference to
FIG. 12B, the second load cell enables a correction for bending
about the Y-axis. The second load cell 1202, however, need not have
any planar strain gauges to measure deformation due to torque.
Instead of planar strain gauges, the second load cell 1202 can
include any other desirable sensor, for example a temperature
sensor (not shown).
[0071] FIG. 12B shows a drill string 1203 with bending about the
Y-axis. FIG. 12B shows bending similar to that shown in FIG. 11,
but the drill collar 1203 is rotated 90.degree.. Thus, the bending
shown in FIG. 12B is orthogonal to the bending shown in FIG. 11,
with respect to the drill collar 1203. Instead of one side of the
load cell 1201 experiencing tension from the bending and one side
of the load cell being in compression, bending about the Y-axis
causes the entire first load cell 1201 to experience a tensile
deformation. Conversely, the entire second load cell 1202
experiences a compressive deformation due to bending about the
Y-axis. This results in the first load cell 1201 measurement being
lower than the WOB and the second load cell 1202 measurement being
higher that the weight on bit. The offset from the true WOB in each
load cell has same magnitude as the offset in the other load cell,
but in the opposite direction. Thus, the average of the WOB
measurement from the two load cells will yield the true WOB, with
no effect from bending about the Y-axis.
[0072] The effect of bending about the Y-axis can be eliminated
using only one load cell, while still gaining the advantage of the
amplification of the deformation provided by the load cell. Where
the bending of the drill collar is in only one direction with
respect to the borehole and the drill collar is rotating, an
average of the load cell measurements, taken at multiple points as
the drill collar rotates, will provide an estimate of the WOB.
[0073] The load cell according to one aspect of the invention
provides several possible advantages. The arcuate apertures in the
load cell provide an amplification of the deformation. By placing a
strain gauge in an arcuate aperture on the load cell, the resulting
electrical signal caused by deformation will be much larger and,
therefore, less affected by noise, contact resistance between the
load cell and the signal processing circuitry, and contact
impedance between the load cell and the signal processing
circuitry. Further, the mechanical amplification of the deformation
enables the detection of small changes in the deformation of the
load cell. For example, in a drilling application, the load cell
according to this aspect of the invention is sensitive to small
changes in the WOB.
[0074] Another possible advantage is the elimination of bending
loads from the weight measurement. For example, in drilling
applications, the drill collar can experience side loads that cause
the drill string to bend. Use of two properly positioned load cells
eliminates the effect of bending on the WOB measurement.
[0075] The load cell according to another aspect of the invention
provides other possible advantages. By including integrated
electronics, for example on a circuit board included with the load
cell, the calibration data for the load cell can be stored in a
non-volatile memory unit included in the electronics. When a load
cell in a structural member, for example a drill collar in drilling
operations, is replaced, the replacement load cell has calibration
data included in the integrated electronics. This eliminates the
need to calibrate load cells every time they are replaced. Further,
the integrated electronics can include signal processing equipment.
A reference voltage supply included in the integrated electronics
provides a more stable reference voltage to the sensors, thereby
enabling a more accurate measurement. The proximity of the
reference voltage to the sensors also reduces the noise in the
circuit. An amplifier included in the integrated electronics
amplifies the measurement signals near the source, thereby
increasing the signal-to-noise ratio. A voltage-to-current
converter included in the integrated electronics can convert the
measurement voltage signals to equivalent electric currents that
are not susceptible to signal path resistance.
[0076] While the invention has been described with respect to a
limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having
benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments
can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention
as disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should
be limited only by the attached claims.
* * * * *