US 9,038,747 B2 · Adjustable bent drilling tool having in situ drilling direction change capability

Abstract

An adjustable bent drilling tool capable of changing in situ drilling direction to facilitate horizontal drilling. The drilling tool may be controlled from the surface and eliminates the need to bring the tool to the surface for reconfiguration. In one embodiment, the drilling tool utilizes a communications module to communicate with upstream sections of the tool. The communications module is connected to a programmable electronic control module which controls an electric motor. A hydraulic valve assembly follows the control module, which receives input signals and controls a pilot piston between two fixed points of a mid-assembly typically located adjacent to and downstream of the hydraulic valve assembly on the drill tool. A lower assembly is attached to the drill tool immediately following the mid-assembly, and provides both a safety release sub-assembly as well as a bendable sub-assembly which directs the adjustable drill tool to change drilling angle and direction.

Claims21

Dependent claims

An adjustable drilling tool assembly comprising:

a startup and communications module;
an electronics module for providing information to the drilling tool;
a piston operably attached to a J-slot assembly;
a hydraulic valve assembly for providing a hydraulic fluid to a mid-assembly, the hydraulic valve assembly adapted to supply hydraulic pressure alternately to a first side and a second side of the piston, the hydraulic pressure for reciprocating the piston;
a mid-assembly comprising the J-slot assembly, the J-slot assembly incrementally rotatable in response to the reciprocation of the piston, the rotational position of the J-slot assembly determining the drilling angle of the drilling tool;
and,
an adjustable lower assembly for adjusting the angle of the drilling tool, an upstream end of the adjustable lower assembly engaged to the J-slot assembly, the adjustable lower assembly comprising a flex nipple with a plurality of laterally oriented cavities disposed therein and a bent nipple that selectively bends depending on the rotational position of the J-slot assembly.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Adjustable bent drilling tool having in situ drilling direction change capability

Life of this patent

Adjustable bent drilling tool having in situ drilling direction change capability

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21