Air hammer optimization using acoustic telemetry

A system for optimizing air hammer performance in a well drilling rig including a drillstring, which comprises:

• an air compressor connected to the drillstring;
• a bit connected to the drillstring;
• a controller connected to the compressor and the drillstring;
• an air hammer attached to a downhole end of the drillstring, said air hammer having performance parameters including a percussive rate corresponding to an air flow from said compressor and bit weight, a penetration rate, and a frequency response;
• an acoustic telemetry subsystem associated with the air hammer and adapted for transmitting said frequency response via acoustic waves along the drillstring;
• said controller programmed to automatically adjust for optimal settings an operating parameter of said air hammer in response to said frequency response, said operating parameters including air flow from said compressor and said bit weight;
• an electronic acoustic receiver (EAR) connected to the drillstring and the controller, said EAR being adapted for receiving acoustic waves therefrom and detecting the air hammer frequency response;
• a display device connected to said controller and adapted for displaying a real-time graphic display of the frequency response of said air hammer;
• said controller adapted to adjust said air flow to said air hammer, said air flow comprising an operating parameter of said air hammer;
• said controller adapted to adjust said bit weight on said air hammer, said bit weight comprising an operating parameter of said air hammer;
• an actuator, connected to said compressor;
• said controller adapted for operating said actuator;
• said controller including a manually selectable input for selecting parameters selected from the list comprising bit weight, air flow, and hammer rate;
• and
• a feedback input, the feedback input being responsive to said frequency response.

A method of optimizing air hammer performance in a drilling rig including a wellhead and a drillstring, which method includes the steps of:

• providing a compressor at the wellhead;
• providing an air hammer;
• providing a bit connected to said drillstring;
• mounting said air hammer on a downhole end of said drillstring;
• pumping compressed air from said compressor to said air hammer via said drillstring;
• producing a frequency response with said air hammer in operation;
• transmitting said frequency response with acoustic telemetry to the wellhead via said drillstring;
• providing a controller at said wellhead;
• connecting the controller to the compressor;
• programming said controller to automatically adjust for optimal settings an operating parameter of said air hammer in response to said frequency response, said operating parameters including air flow from said compressor and said bit weight;
• providing a feedback signal from said air hammer via said drillstring to said controller;
• providing an electronic acoustic receiver (EAR) at the wellhead;
• connecting the EAR to the drillstring and the controller;
• detecting with the EAR an air hammer frequency response in the form of acoustic waves;
• displaying as visual output on said display device an amplitude response of said acoustic waves being detected and decoded;
• processing said amplitude to show a Fourier transform of said amplitude response;
• selecting other information relevant to the operation of the air hammer drill system on said display device;
• and
• adjusting the operating parameters with said controller for optimizing performance of said air hammer, said operating parameters including air flow from said compressor and said bit weight.