US 4,165,789 A · Drilling optimization searching and control apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus employed in the searching of the optimized rate of penetration of a drill into a given medium based upon the two drilling parameters of thrust and speed of revolution. Preset base values of both parameters are input into the drilling control mechanism at the start of drilling. Thereafter, based upon readings from an automatic penetration rate calculator, the apparatus effects automatic incremental changes to one of the parameters, the other being held constant, until a maximized rate of penetration is established. Subsequently, the other parameter, previously held constant, is changed until a new maximized penetration rate is found. This optimized penetration rate searching is continuously and automatically effected until the drilling process is completed. The apparatus additionally provides for the allowance of a wait period between successive incremental changes for accommodating response times of the system as well as instabilities which may occur as the result of nonlinear process dynamics.

Claims22

Dependent claims

Apparatus for controlling functions of a drilling apparatus and automatically searching for an optimized rate of penetration of a drill into a given medium based upon the two drilling parameters of thrust and rotational drill speed, said apparatus comprising:

means for applying a given preset start-up value for each drilling parameter to the drill apparatus;
means for continuously calculating the rate of penetration of the drill into such medium based upon the two parametric values being input into the drill apparatus at any given time;
and
means for continually and alternatively applying incremental changes in the value of a first drilling parameter to the drill, while keeping the second drilling parameter constant until the rate of penetration of the drill into the medium is maximized for such first parameter and for applying incremental changes in the value of the second drilling parameter to the drill while keeping the first drilling parameter constant until the rate of penetration is maximized for such second drilling parameter.

1 more element

Apparatus for controlling drilling and automatically searching for an optimized rate of penetration of a drill within a given medium, based upon the drilling parameters of drill speed and thrust, and for maximizing the efficiency of energy transfer from the drilling equipment to the drill/medium interface, said apparatus comprising:

means for progressing the drill into the medium until the drill is collared;
means for applying a given preset start-up value for each drilling parameter to the drill;
means for calculating the rate of penetration of the drill into such medium based upon the two parametric values being input into the drill;
means for continuously and alternatively applying automatic incremental changes in the value of one of the drilling parameters to the drill while keeping the other parameter value constant until the penetration rate is maximized for such one parameter being incrementally changed and for applying automatic incremental changes in the value of the other of the drilling parameters to the drill, while keeping the first parameter value constant, until the penetration rate is maximized for such second parameter being changed.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Drilling optimization searching and control apparatus

Life of this patent

Drilling optimization searching and control apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22