Timed Steering Nozzle on a Downhole Drill Bit
In one aspect of the present invention, a downhole rotary steerable system comprises a fluid path defined by a bore formed within a drill string component. A valve located within a wall of the bore which hydraulically connects the bore with a fluid cavity. A steering nozzle disposed on the drill string component and in communication with the fluid cavity. The valve is configured to control flow from the bore to the fluid cavity with an azimuthal sensing mechanism configured to determine the azimuth of the steering nozzle and instrumentation configured to control the valve based off of input from the azimuthal sensing mechanism.
1 . A downhole rotary steerable system, comprising:
a fluid path defined by a bore formed within a drill string component;
a valve located within a wall of the bore and which hydraulically connects the bore with a fluid cavity;
a steering nozzle disposed on the drill string component and in communication with the fluid cavity;
the valve is configured to control flow from the bore to the fluid cavity;
an azimuthal sensing mechanism configured to determine an azimuth of the steering nozzle; and
instrumentation configured to control the valve based off of an input from the azimuthal sensing mechanism.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the azimuthal sensing mechanism comprises a plurality of accelerometers configured to transmit a signal to the instrumentation that actuates the valve through use of a motor.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the azimuthal sensing mechanism comprises at least one magnetometer that measures the azimuthal position, wherein the azimuthal sensing mechanism is configured to calibrate the valve using the input from the magnetometer.
4 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one expandable element supported by the drill string component and in communication with at least one fluid cavity.
5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the at least one expandable element is disposed opposite the steering nozzle on the drill string component.
6 . The system of claim 4 , wherein a diameter of the steering nozzle is smaller than a diameter of the valve such that a pressure differential is created that forces the expandable element to extend.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the pressure differential results in ejecting a fluid at a formation with increased force.
8 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the expandable element is configured to shift a center axis of the drill string away from a center axis of the borehole.
9 . The system of claim 4 , wherein each expandable element and steering nozzle is in fluid communication through a separate fluid cavity.
10 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of valves with each valve in fluid communication with a steering nozzle and expandable element.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the instrumentation is configured to actuate each valve separately.
12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the valve is configured to be actuated by a motor powered by a turbine generator.
13 . The system of claim 1 , wherein a turbine generator is configured to power the azimuthal sensing mechanism.
14 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one drilling nozzle disposed on a working face of a drill bit attached to the drill string component.
15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the drilling nozzle is configured to clean the blades of a drill bit and remove debris from the working face of the drill bit.
16 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the valve is configured to regulate fluid between the bore, fluid cavity, and at least one drilling nozzle.
17 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the valve, azimuth sensing mechanism, and instrumentation are disposed within a housing.
18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the housing is inserted into the bore of the drill string component.
19 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the fluid cavity comprises an annular shape between the housing and the drill string component.