Sensor on a formation engaging member of a drill bit
View Patent ↗In one aspect of the present invention, a drilling assembly comprises a drill bit comprising a bit body and a cutting surface. A formation engaging element protrudes from the cutting surface and is configured to engage a formation. At least one compliant member is disposed intermediate the bit body and formation engaging element and is configured to provide compliancy in a lateral direction for the formation engaging element.
1. A drilling assembly, comprising:
a drill bit comprising a bit body and a cutting surface;
a formation engaging element protruding from the cutting surface and configured to engage a formation;
at least one compliant member disposed intermediate the bit body and formation engaging element;
the at least one compliant member is configured to provide compliancy in a lateral direction for the formation engaging element; and
instrumentation disposed within the at least one complaint member.
2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one complaint member is configured to dampen an axial and/or side load imposed on the formation engaging element.
3. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one complaint member is configured to vibrate the formation engaging element.
4. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the instrumentation comprises at least one actuator configured to pulse the formation engaging element.
5. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the instrumentation comprises a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive material.
6. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the instrumentation comprises at least one sensor configured to measure a load on the formation engaging element.
7. The assembly of claim 6 , wherein the sensor comprises a strain gauge or pressure gauge.
8. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the instrumentation is connected to a telemetry system or an electronic circuitry system.
9. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the instrumentation comprises a plurality of sensors and/or actuators disposed within the at least one compliant member and are configured to act together or independently of each other.
10. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein a plurality of compliant members are disposed around and/or behind the formation engaging element.
11. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the formation engaging element comprises a downhole drilling cutting element.
12. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one compliant member comprises a cylindrical shape configured to surround the formation engaging element.
13. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one compliant member comprises a semi-cylindrical shape.
14. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one compliant member comprises at least one hollow area in its wall thickness that is configured to provide compliance.
15. The assembly of claim 14 , wherein the at least one hollow area comprises a generally circular cross-section.
16. The assembly of claim 14 , wherein the at least one hollow area comprises a generally polygonal cross-section.
17. The assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of compliant members disposed intermediate the bit body and formation engaging element.
18. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one compliant member is press fit into the bit body.
19. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the formation engaging element is press fit into the at least one compliant member.