Downhole tool sensor system and method
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsChristopher C. Bogath, Kimi M. Ceridon, Kate I. Gabler, Minh Trang Chau
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for determining forces on a downhole drilling tool is provided. The downhole tool is provided with a drill collar operatively connectable to the drilling tool, and a sensor mounted about the drill collar. The sensor is adapted to measure deformation of the drill collar whereby forces on the drilling tool are determined. The sensor may be part of a force measurement system, a strain gauge system or a drilling jar system. The drill collar is adapted to magnify and/or isolate the deformation applied to the drill string.
Claims17
A method of determining a downhole force acting on a drill collar, comprising:
- providing a sensor coupled to the drill collar comprising at least two capacitative plates coupled to the drill collar at different axial points along the drill collar, the two capacitative plates separated by a dielectric element and configured to move relative to each other during drilling operations;
- determining an electrical property of the sensor when a load is applied at a surface position;
- and
- determining a magnitude of the downhole force based on a change in the electrical property of the sensor, wherein the electrical property of the sensor is changed because the force causes a change in one selected from a relative position of the two capacitative plates and an overlapping projected area between the two capacitative plates;
- adjusting the load applied to the drill collar at the surface position based on the determined magnitude of the downhole force and the change in the electrical property of the sensor.
A method of determining a force acting on a drill collar, comprising:
- providing a sensor coupled to the drill collar comprising at least a moving coil and a stationary element coupled to the drill collar, the moving coil and the stationary element configured to move relative to each other during drilling operations;
- determining an electrical property of the sensor when a load is applied at a surface position;
- and
- determining a magnitude of the force based on a change in the electrical property of the sensor, wherein the electrical property of the sensor is changed because the force causes a change in a relative position of the moving coil and the stationary element;
- adjusting the load applied to the drill collar at the surface position based on the determined magnitude of the force and the change in the electrical property of the sensor.
A method of determining a force acting on a drill collar, comprising:
- providing a sensor coupled to the drill collar comprising at least first element and a second element coupled to the drill collar, the first clement and the second element configured to move relative to each other during drilling operations;
- determining an electrical property of the sensor when a load is applied at a surface position;
- determining a magnitude of the force based on a change in the electrical property of the sensor, wherein the electrical property of the sensor is changed because the force causes a change in a relative position of the first element and the second element;
- adjusting the load applied to the drill collar at the surface position based on the determined magnitude of the force and the change in the electrical property of the sensor;
- and wherein:
- the first element comprises a source element;
- and
- the second element comprises a receiver element disposed proximate the source element,
- wherein the sensor is one selected from the group consisting of an eddy current sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared sensor, an induction sensor, and a differential variable reluctance sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.