U.S. patent application number 15/227176 was filed with the patent office on 2018-02-08 for alignable connector.
The applicant listed for this patent is Novatek IP, LLC. Invention is credited to Scott Dahlgren, David R. Hall, Jonathan D. Marshall, Malcolm Taylor.
Application Number | 20180038171 15/227176 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61071791 |
Filed Date | 2018-02-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180038171 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hall; David R. ; et
al. |
February 8, 2018 |
Alignable Connector
Abstract
Connections between drill pipe sections and drill bits used for
boring into the earth may comprise two elements threadably
attachable one to another. A first element may comprise a rotor
rotatable with respect to a stator. A second element may thread to
the stator. As it does so, the second element may rotationally fix
itself to the rotor allowing for connecting elements on the second
element and the rotor to align. These connecting elements may
remain aligned while the second element and rotor rotate with
respect to the stator. Such alignment may allow for a connection to
be kept clean and free from contamination in otherwise wet and
dirty environments.
Inventors: |
Hall; David R.; (Provo,
UT) ; Marshall; Jonathan D.; (Mapleton, UT) ;
Dahlgren; Scott; (Alpine, UT) ; Taylor; Malcolm;
(Gloucester, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Novatek IP, LLC |
Provo |
UT |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
61071791 |
Appl. No.: |
15/227176 |
Filed: |
August 3, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 17/03 20130101;
E21B 17/042 20130101; E21B 47/12 20130101; E21B 10/18 20130101;
E21B 17/046 20130101; E21B 10/42 20130101; E21B 17/028
20130101 |
International
Class: |
E21B 17/046 20060101
E21B017/046; E21B 17/042 20060101 E21B017/042; E21B 17/02 20060101
E21B017/02 |
Claims
1. An alignable connector, comprising: a first element comprising a
rotor rotatable with respect to a stator; and a second element
threadably attachable to the stator and rotationally fixable with
the rotor.
2. The alignable connector of claim 1, wherein the second element
comprises a threaded pin, the stator comprises a threaded box, and
the rotor is rotationally fixable by the threaded pin through the
threaded box.
3. The alignable connector of claim 1, wherein the second element
comprises an elongate member with a channel capable of passing
drilling fluid therethrough.
4. The alignable connector of claim 3, wherein the rotor comprises
a passage therethrough alignable with the channel in the second
element.
5. The alignable connector of claim 3, wherein the stator comprises
a drill bit working face opposite an attachment end.
6. The alignable connector of claim 5, wherein the stator further
comprises a sensor disposed thereon connected to a rotatable
connection formed between the stator and the rotor.
7. The alignable connector of claim 1, wherein the second element
is rotationally fixable with the rotor by a protrusion receivable
within a slot, mateable crenellations, or a mule shoe
connection.
8. The alignable connector of claim 7, further comprising a spring
disposed on the second element or rotor to absorb some force
between the second element and rotor while they are becoming
rotationally fixed.
9. The alignable connector of claim 1, wherein the second element
is axially translatable relative to the rotor while rotationally
fixed.
10. The alignable connector of claim 1, further comprising a
connection formed between the second element and the rotor capable
of passing electrical signals, optical signals or fluid while
rotationally fixed.
11. The alignable connector of claim 10, wherein the connection
comprises a male connector disposed on either the second element or
the rotor mateable with a female connector disposed on the other of
the second element or the rotor.
12. The alignable connector of claim 11, wherein the male connector
is shorter than a protrusion, crenellation, or mule shoe
rotationally fixing the second element with the rotor.
13. The alignable connector of claim 10, wherein the connection is
parallel with a rotational axis of the rotor.
14. The alignable connector of claim 10, wherein the connection
comprises an electrical stab connection comprising a wiper capable
of cleaning the stab connection upon stabbing.
15. The alignable connector of claim 1, further comprising a
rotatable connection formed between the rotor and the stator
capable of passing electrical signals, optical signals or fluid
while the rotor is rotating with respect to the stator.
16. The alignable connector of claim 15, wherein the rotor
comprises a conductive ring or an inductive ring capable of passing
electrical signals to a conductive ring or an inductive ring of the
stator.
17. The alignable connector of claim 16, wherein the rotor
comprises at least three conductive rings or inductive rings each
capable of passing a unique signal.
18. The alignable connector of claim 15, wherein the rotatable
connection comprises a reflective surface disposed on either the
rotor or the stator capable of directing an optical signal.
19. The alignable connector of claim 15, wherein the rotor
comprises a groove capable of passing fluid to another groove of
the stator.
20. The alignable connector of claim 15, wherein the rotatable
connection is disposed within a pressure vessel.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] When exploring for or extracting subterranean resources such
as oil, gas, or geothermal energy, it is common to form boreholes
in the earth. Such boreholes are often formed by suspending a
specialized drill bit from a derrick or offshore platform and
rotating the drill bit to engage and degrade the earth as it turns.
The drill bit may be suspended by coiled tubing or a series of
drill pipe sections connected end-to-end forming a drill string,
and rotated at the derrick/platform or by a downhole motor disposed
towards an end of the drill string.
[0002] In many situations, it may be desirable to pass power or
commands down a drill string to control tools or other devices
disposed along the drill string. Such commands may attempt to alter
drilling parameters to increase a rate of penetration of the drill
bit or to steer the drill bit towards an attractive destination. It
may also be desirable to gather information about an earthen
formation being drilled and pass it up a drill string to the
surface or along the drill string to other tools or devices. To
gather this information, various types of sensors have been placed
along drill strings or on drill bits to collect data.
[0003] Transmitting power, commands or information along a drill
string or to and from a drill bit may prove challenging. First,
connections between drill pipe sections and drill bits are often
made in wet and dirty environments where drilling mud and greases
may be prevalent. Contamination of connections by such materials
may lead to faulty and unreliable communication. To avoid
contamination, some have turned to electrical stab connectors with
wipers thereon to make electrical connections in these types of
dirty environments. A typical stab connector may comprise an
electrically conductive projection axially alignable with an
electrically conductive receptacle. The projection may be inserted
into and received by the receptacle when axially translated
relative thereto such that an electrical connection is made. To
hinder drilling mud or grease from contaminating the connection, a
wiper may be positioned at a mouth of the receptacle to wipe
possible contaminates from the projection as it is inserted. Such a
stab connector may not work properly, however, if the projection
and receptacle are not continuously aligned. Second, it is common
for drill pipe sections and drill bits to be threaded together.
Such threaded rotational connections may make keeping a stab
connector aligned difficult.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0004] A connection between drill pipe sections or a drill bit may
maintain alignment while two elements are threadably attached one
to another. Such a connection may comprise a first element
comprising a rotor rotatable with respect to a stator. A second
element may thread to the stator. As it does so, the second element
may rotationally fix itself to the rotor allowing for connecting
elements on the second element and the rotor to align. These
connecting elements may remain aligned while the second element and
rotor rotate with respect to the stator. Such alignment may allow
for a connection to be kept clean and free from contamination in
otherwise wet and dirty environments.
DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is an orthogonal view of an embodiment of a drilling
operation comprising a drill bit secured to an end of a drill
string suspended from a derrick.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a longitude-sectional view of an embodiment of
drill bit, comprising a rotor rotatable with respect to a stator,
positioned proximate an end of a drill string, threadably
attachable to the stator and rotationally fixable with the
rotor.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a longitude-sectional view of an embodiment of
drill bit comprising a rotor with a pin extending therefrom
received within a slot on an end of a drill string.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a drill bit
disconnected from an end of a drill string.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a longitude-sectional view of an embodiment of
drill pipe section, comprising a rotor rotatable with respect to a
stator, positioned proximate another drill pipe section, threadably
attachable to the stator and rotationally fixable with the
rotor.
[0010] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a drill
bit, comprising a rotor with a plurality of crenellations disposed
thereon, disconnected from an end of a drill string, comprising a
plurality of mating crenellations disposed thereon.
[0011] FIGS. 7-1 and 7-2 are longitude-sectional views of an
embodiment of a drill bit comprising a rotor with a slot disposed
therein capable of receiving a pin extending from an end of a drill
string, wherein a spring disposed adjacent the pin may absorb some
force experienced by the pin.
[0012] FIGS. 8-1 and 8-2 are longitude-sectional views of an
embodiment of a drill bit comprising a rotor rotationally fixable
to an end of a drill string by a mule shoe connection.
[0013] FIG. 9 is a longitude-sectional view, including a magnified
portion, of an embodiment of a drill bit comprising a rotor
rotatable with respect to a stator and inductive rings capable of
passing electrical signals during rotation.
[0014] FIG. 10 is a longitude-sectional view of an embodiment of a
drill bit comprising a rotor rotatable with respect to a stator
capable of passing optical signals during rotation.
[0015] FIG. 11 is a longitude-sectional view of an embodiment of a
drill bit comprising a rotor rotatable with respect to a stator
capable of passing fluid during rotation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a drilling operation
comprising a drill bit 112 suspended from a derrick 113 by a drill
string 114. The drill bit 112 may be rotated from the derrick 113
by a top drive, by a downhole motor disposed within the drill
string 114, or by a combination of the two. As the drill bit 112
rotates it may engage and degrade an earthen formation 116 to form
a borehole 111 therein. The drill bit 112 may be fed into the
borehole 111 formed in the earthen formation 116 as the borehole
111 lengthens. Any of a variety of known downhole drill bits, such
as a roller-cone bit or drag bit, may be used. Tools or other
devices may be disposed at various locations along the drill string
114 to perform such tasks as controlling a rate of penetration of
the drill bit or steering the drill bit towards an attractive
destination. To gather information about the earthen formation 116
being drilled or the process of drilling as it progresses, any of a
variety of sensors may be disposed along the drill string 114 or on
the drill bit 112. While the present embodiment shows the drill
string 114 suspended from a land based derrick 113, those of
ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other configurations,
such as suspending a drill string from an offshore platform are
also possible.
[0017] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a drill bit 212 positioned
proximate an end of a drill string 220. The drill bit 212 may
comprise an internal component 221 residing within an external
component 222. The external component 222 may comprise a working
face 223 positioned opposite an opening 224. The working face 223
may comprise a plurality of cutters 299 comprising a superhard
material (e.g. polycrystalline diamond) disposed on a series of
blades 298 extending therefrom. The working face 223 may also
comprise a plurality of nozzles 236 disposed thereon allowing for
drilling fluid to discharge from the drill bit 212.
[0018] The opening 224 may provide for attachment of the drill bit
212 to the drill string 220. In the embodiment shown, the drill
string 220 comprises a protrusion 225 extending from an end thereof
with a first threaded surface 226 disposed on the protrusion 225. A
second threaded surface 227 may be disposed on an internal surface
within the opening 224 mateable with the first threaded surface
226.
[0019] The internal component 221 may be accessible through the
opening 224. In the present embodiment, the internal component 221
is retained within the opening 224 by an insert 282 secured therein
that retains the internal component 221 within the external
component 222. An aperture disposed within the insert 282 may
provide the internal surface comprising the second threaded surface
227.
[0020] The internal component 221 may comprise a pin 228 extending
therefrom. The pin 228 may be received within a slot 229 disposed
on the protrusion 225 as the first threaded surface 226 and second
threaded surface 227 are mated together. In this manner, the
protrusion 225 of the drill string 220 may engage with the internal
component 221 such that the two rotate together with respect to the
external component 222. While in the embodiment shown, a pin is
disposed on an internal component and a slot is disposed on a
protrusion, it should be understood that the reverse could be true
with similar functionality. Further, other mechanisms could be
employed to rotationally fix an internal component to a protrusion
as threaded surfaces mate to achieve a similar effect.
[0021] One advantage of the elongated pin 228 and slot 229 shown in
the present embodiment is that they may axially translate relative
to each other for a considerable distance while the first and
second threaded surfaces 226, 227 are threading together. Another
advantage of an elongated pin 228 is that it may be longer than a
stab connection aligned parallel with a rotational axis of the
internal component 221. The stab connection may comprise an
electrically conductive projection 280, disposed on the protrusion
225 and parallel with the pin 228, axially alignable with an
electrically conductive receptacle 281, disposed on the internal
component 221. By being longer than the stab connection, the pin
228 may align the projection 280 and receptacle 281 before
stabbing.
[0022] FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of a drill bit 312 with a
protrusion 325 completely threaded into an opening 324 thereof.
When threaded, a projection 380 of a stab connection may be
received by a receptacle 381. The stab connection may comprise at
least one wiper 330 to clean possible contaminates from the stab
connection during stabbing.
[0023] An external component 322 of the drill bit 312 may comprise
a sensor 331 disposed thereon capable of measuring any of a variety
of parameters of an earthen formation or a drilling operation as it
progresses. The sensor 331 may be electrically connected to a first
conductive ring 332 disposed on the external component 322. The
first conductive ring 332 may be in physical contact with a second
conductive ring 333 disposed on an internal component 321. As the
internal component 321 and external component 322 may be rotatable
with respect to one another, so to may the first conductive ring
332 and second conductive ring 333 be rotatable with respect to one
another while maintaining contact. This physical contact may allow
for an electrical connection between the sensor 331 and the
receptacle 381, which may be in further electrical connection with
the projection 380 through the stab connection. To maintain these
electrical connections during rotation, it may be desirable to
position the first and second conductive rings 332, 333 within a
pressure vessel as shown.
[0024] In some embodiments, the internal component 321 may also
comprise a passage 334 therethrough alignable with another passage
335 through the protrusion 325. These passages 334, 335 may allow
for drilling fluid passing through a drill string to discharge
through nozzles 336 within the external component 322 of the drill
bit 312.
[0025] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a drill bit 412, this
time, totally disconnected from an end of a drill string 420.
Similar to previous embodiments, the drill bit 412 of this
embodiment comprises an opening 424 with an internal component 421
accessible therein. The internal component 421 comprises a pin 428
that may engage with a slot 429 within a protrusion 425 of the
drill string 420. Further, a plurality of projections 480 may be
disposed generally equally spaced around a rotational axis of the
protrusion 425 alignable with a plurality of receptacles 481
disposed generally equally spaced around a rotational axis of the
internal component 421. In such an arrangement, each of the
plurality of receptacles 481 may be connected to an individual
conductive ring (not shown) to transmit power and/or data to or
from each of a plurality of sensors 431 (only one shown).
[0026] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a first drill pipe section 512
positioned proximate a second drill pipe section 520. The first
drill pipe section 512 may comprise a rotor 521 rotatable with
respect to a stator 522. The second drill pipe section 520 may
comprise a protrusion 525 extending from an end thereof with a
first threaded surface 526 disposed thereon. The protrusion 525 may
thread into a threaded box 524 disposed on the stator 522. As the
protrusion 525 threads into the threaded box 524, a pin 528
extending from the rotor 521 may be received within a slot 529
disposed on the protrusion 525. The pin 528 and slot 529
combination may rotationally fix the rotor 521 to the protrusion
525. When rotationally fixed, a projection 580 of a stab connection
may align and be received within a receptacle 581 to form an
electrical connection. A first conductive ring 532 and a second
conductive ring 533 may form an additional electrical connection
between the rotor 521 and stator 522.
[0027] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a drill bit 612 comprising a
rotor 621 with a plurality of crenellations 660 disposed thereon. A
stator 622 of the drill bit 612 may be threaded onto a protrusion
625 extending from an end of a drill string 620. The protrusion 625
may comprise a plurality of mating crenellations 661 disposed
thereon. The mating crenellations 661 of the protrusion 625 may
mate with the crenellations 660 of the rotor 621 to rotationally
fix the rotor 621 to the protrusion 625. While mated, projections
680 disposed on the protrusion 625 may be received within
receptacles 681 disposed on the rotor 621 to form electrical
connections.
[0028] FIGS. 7-1 and 7-2 show of an embodiment of a drill bit
712-1, 712-2 comprising a rotor 721-1, 721-2 with a slot 729-1,
729-2 disposed therein. A protrusion 725-1, 725-2 extending from an
end of a drill string 720-1, 720-2 may comprise a pin 728-1, 728-2
receivable within the slot 729-1, 729-2 of the rotor 721-1, 721-2
as the drill bit 712-1, 712-2 is threaded onto the protrusion
725-1, 725-2. The protrusion 725-1, 725-2 may also comprise a
spring 770-1, 770-2 disposed thereon adjacent the pin 728-1, 728-2.
The spring 770-1, 770-2 may be capable of absorbing some of the
force experienced by the pin 728-1, 728-2 before it finds its way
into the slot 729-1, 729-2. For example, as the drill bit 712-1,
712-2 is threaded onto the protrusion 725-1, 725-2, the pin 728-1,
728-2 may rub against the rotor 721-1, 721-2 until it reaches the
slot 729-1, 729-2 at which point it may insert itself therein.
While rubbing against the rotor 721-1, 721-2, the spring 770-1,
770-2 may compress and absorb the force of the rubbing against the
pin 728-1, 728-2 so as not to damage the pin 728-1, 728-2.
[0029] FIGS. 8-1 and 8-2 show an embodiment of a drill bit 812-1,
812-2 comprising a rotor 821-1, 821-2 rotationally fixable to a
protrusion 825-1, 825-2 extending from an end of a drill string
820-1, 820-2. The rotor 821-1, 821-2 and protrusion 825-1, 825-2
may be rotationally fixable by a mule shoe connection.
Specifically, the protrusion 825-1, 825-2 may comprise a hollow
cylinder 880-1, 880-2 that may fit around a portion of the rotor
821-1, 821-2. The hollow cylinder 880-1, 880-2 may comprise a slit
881-1 disposed therein running along a length thereof. A projection
882-1, 882-2 may extend radially from the rotor 821-1, 821-2 that
may fit into the slit 881-1 as the protrusion 825-1, 825-2 engages
the rotor 821-1, 821-2. This projection 882-1, 882-2/slit 881-1
combination may rotationally fix the projection 882-1, 882-2 and
rotor 821-1, 821-2 together while allowing them to translate
axially relative to one another.
[0030] FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a drill bit 912 comprising a
rotor 921 rotatable with respect to a stator 922. In this
embodiment, the rotor 921 comprises a first inductive ring 990
capable of passing electrical signals via a magnetic field to a
second inductive ring 991 disposed on the stator 922. In such a
configuration, electrical signals may be passed from the rotor 921
to the stator 922 while the two are rotating relative to each other
while not requiring a physical connection between the two that
could lead to wear. As can also be seen in this embodiment, the
rotor 921 may comprise at least three inductive rings 990, 990-1,
990-2 each capable of passing a unique electrical signal. In this
formation, multiple sensors 931 (only one visible) may be
positioned around the drill bit 912 to take measurements from
various locations and each transmit those measurements through
individual inductive rings 990, 990-1, 990-2.
[0031] FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a drill bit 1012 threadably
attached to an end of a drill string 1020. The drill string 1020
may comprise a fiber optic cable 1010 passing therethrough capable
of transmitting an optical signal, such as a laser, to the drill
bit 1012. The drill bit 1012 may comprise a rotor 1021 rotatable
with respect to a stator 1022. The rotor 1021 may comprise a
reflective surface 1011 disposed thereon capable of directing the
optical signal toward at least one sensor 1031 housed on the stator
1022. In this configuration, the optical signal may be transmitted
to the sensor 1031 as the rotor 1021 rotates relative to the stator
1022. In other embodiments a reflective surface could be disposed
on the stator with similar functionality.
[0032] FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of a drill bit 1112 connected to
an end of a drill string 1120. In this embodiment, the drill bit
1112 takes the form of a roller-cone type bit while previous
embodiments have comprised drag type bits. It should be understood
that any variety of drill bit may be chosen. Fluid may travel along
the drill string 1120 in a conduit 1110 capable of passing the
fluid to the drill bit 1112. The drill bit 1112 may comprise a
rotor 1121 rotatable with respect to a stator 1122. The rotor 1121
may comprise a first circular groove 1190 disposed thereabout
adjacent a second circular groove 1191 disposed about the stator
1122. Fluid traveling along the drill string 1120 may fill the
first circular groove 1190 and second circular groove 1191 allowing
fluid to pass between the two as the rotor 1121 rotates relative to
the stator 1122.
[0033] Whereas the present invention has been described in
particular relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be
understood that other and further modifications apart from those
shown or suggested herein, may be made within the scope and spirit
of the present invention.
* * * * *