# US 11,028,659 B2 · Systems and method utilizing piezoelectric materials to mitigate or eliminate stick-slip during drilling > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,028,659 B2 - Document ID: US11028659B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/097,879 - Filed: 2017-05-02 - Published: 2019-05-23 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2016-05-02 - Assignees: University of Houston System - Applicants: University of Houston System - Inventors: Gangbing Song; Devendra Patil; Qingzhao Kong; Robello Samuel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11028659B2 ## CPC - E21B 31/005: {using vibrating or oscillating means} - E21B 10/633: independently detachable - E21B 31/035: {controlling differential pipe sticking} - E21B 44/00: Automatic control systems specially adapted for drilling operations, i.e. self-operating systems which function to carry out or modify a drilling operation without intervention of a human operator, e.g. computer-controlled drilling systems; Systems specially adapted for monitoring a plurality of drilling variables or conditions - E21B 47/024: of devices in the borehole (determining slope or direction of the borehole E21B47/022) - H10N 30/2027: {having cylindrical or annular shape} - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS - H10N: ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract Improved drilling systems and methods may include piezoelectric actuator(s) in a drill string at one or more locations to minimize or eliminate stick-slip while drilling. For example, piezoelectric actuators may be incorporated into the rock bit or drill bit in the openings in the bit body for receiving the cutters. As another example, the piezoelectric actuators may be incorporated into an independent module that is place on or in the drill string. The independent module may be placed between the top drive and the drill bit or at the top of the drill string near a top drive. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for avoiding stick slip during drilling operations, the system comprising: at least one piezoelectric plate, wherein the piezoelectric plate vibrates when voltage is applied; an ultrasonic horn coupled to the piezoelectric plate, wherein the ultrasonic horn concentrates vibrational energy at a tip of the ultrasonic horn; a keyed shaft, wherein the keyed shaft is utilized to couple the system to a drill bit wherein the system is an attachment incorporated in a drill string; a coupling element, wherein the coupling element is utilized to couple the system to the drill string; a sleeve coupled to the ultrasonic horn, wherein the sleeve provides a lower collared portion, and the coupling element provides an upper collared portion; and a plurality of rods positioned between the upper collared portion and the lower collared portion, wherein the plurality of rods secure the coupling element to the sleeve. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further comprising: a bottom cap assembly coupled to the ultrasonic horn providing a free mass chamber; and a free mass positioned in the free mass chamber, wherein the free mass absorbs the vibrational energy. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the free mass translates vibrations received from the piezoelectric plates into lower frequency and higher amplitude vibrations. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the bottom cap assembly comprises a bottom cap coupled to the sleeve, wherein the free mass chamber is provided between the bottom cap and the sleeve. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein the bottom cap provides a keyed slot, and a keyed portion of the keyed shaft fits through the keyed slot. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein the free mass provides an opening for receiving a portion of the keyed shaft. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further comprising: a first piezoelectric actuator comprising the piezoelectric plate, a back mass, and a front mass, wherein the piezoelectric plate is sandwiched between the back mass and the front plate, and a prestressed bolt securing the back mass, the front mass, and the piezoelectric plate to the ultrasonic horn. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further comprising: a second piezoelectric actuator comprising at least a second piezoelectric plate, wherein the second piezoelectric actuator is coupled to the ultrasonic horn. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein the second piezoelectric actuator further comprises: a second front mass and a second back mass, wherein the second piezoelectric plate is sandwiched between the second front mass and the second back mass; and a second prestressed bolt securing the second back mass, the second front mass, and the second piezoelectric plate to the ultrasonic horn. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the system is incorporated at a top end of the drill string near the surface of a well. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the system is incorporated in between a top end of the drill string and the drill bit. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the system is incorporated before a bottom hole assembly (BHA). ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the system is incorporated in a bottom hole assembly (BHA). ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further comprising a power supply providing power to the at least one piezoelectric plate. ### Claim 15 A system for avoiding stick slip during drilling operations, the system comprising: a drill bit providing a plurality of openings for receiving drilling inserts; one or more piezoelectric actuators, wherein each piezoelectric actuator is positioned at a bottom of one of the plurality of openings of the drill bit; and a plurality of drill inserts positioned in the plurality of openings, wherein when piezoelectric actuators are present in the plurality of openings, the piezoelectric actuators are sandwich between the drilling inserts and a bottom of the opening of the drill bit; and a power supply coupled to a drill string of the drill bit, wherein a first end of the piezoelectric actuator is coupled to a first pole of a power supply and the first end is electrically isolated from the drill bit. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the piezoelectric actuators are placed in all of the plurality of openings. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the piezoelectric actuators are placed in less than all the openings. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15 further comprising a casing, wherein a second pole of the power supply is coupled to the casing and a second end of the piezoelectric actuator. ### Claim 19 A method for avoiding stick slip during drilling operations, the method comprising: operating a drill string for drilling, wherein the drill string includes a drill bit and a system for avoiding stick slip comprising at least one piezoelectric plate, wherein the piezoelectric plate vibrates when voltage is applied, an ultrasonic horn coupled to the piezoelectric plate, wherein the ultrasonic horn concentrates vibrational energy at a tip of the ultrasonic horn, and a keyed shaft coupled a free mass, wherein the keyed shaft is utilized to couple the system to a drill bit; activating the system for avoiding stick slip while drilling for a predetermined period of time, wherein the system for avoiding stick slip is activated based on an increase in drilling torque. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the system for avoiding stick slip is cycled between off cycles and on cycles while drilling is conducted. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the system for avoiding stick slip is active throughout an entire time drilling is being conducted.