System and method for damping vibration in a drill string
View Patent ↗A system for damping vibration in a drill string can include a valve assembly having a supply of a fluid, a first member, and a second member capable of moving in relation to first member in response to vibration of the drill bit. The first and second members define a first and a second chamber for holding the fluid. Fluid can flow between the first and second chambers in response to the movement of the second member in relation to the first member. The valve assembly can also include a coil or a valve for varying a resistance of the fluid to flow between the first and second chambers.
1. A vibration damping system for use in a drill string for drilling a drill hole, comprising:
a bearing comprising a first member and a second member coupled to the first member so that the first member can translate in an up-hole and a down-hole direction in relation to the second member and a torque applied to the bearing can be transferred between the first and the second members;
a valve assembly comprising a first member securely coupled to the first member of the bearing so that the first member of the valve assembly can translate in the up-hole and down-hole directions with translation of the first member of the bearing, a second member securely coupled to the second member of the torsional bearing so that the second member of the valve assembly can translate in the up-hole and down-hole directions with translation of the second member of the bearing, the first and second members of the valve assembly defining a first and a second chamber, the first and second chambers configured to hold a supply of a fluid and permit the fluid to flow between the first and the second chambers in response to relative movement of the first and second members of the valve assembly and a device configured to adjust a flow resistance of the fluid; and
a spring assembly comprising a first member securely coupled to the first member of the valve assembly so that the first member of the spring assembly can translate in the up-hole and down-hole directions with the first member of the valve assembly, a second member securely coupled to the second member of the valve assembly the so that the second member of the spring assembly can translate in the up-hole and down-hole directions with translation the second member of the valve assembly, and a spring for resisting relative movement of the first and second members of the spring assembly.
2. The vibration damping system of claim 1 , wherein the first member of the valve assembly is a casing and the second member of the valve assembly is mandrel disposed on the casing.
3. The vibration damping system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second members of the valve assembly define a gap that extends therebetween, and the first and second chamber are in fluid communication with each other via the gap.
4. The vibration damping system of claim 1 , wherein the flow resistance of the fluid between the first and second chambers causes resistance to translation of the second member of the valve assembly relative to the first member of the valve assembly.
5. The vibration damping system of claim 1 , further comprising a controller electronically coupled to the device, wherein the controller, in response to an operating parameter of the drill bit, causes the device to adjust the flow resistance of the fluid.
6. The vibration damping system of claim 5 , further comprising at least one sensor that is in electronic communication with the controller, the at least one sensor configured to determine an operating parameter of the drill bit and transmit a signal to the controller indicative of the operating parameter of the drill bit.
7. The vibration damping system of claim 1 , wherein the device includes at least one coil configured to generate a magnetic field, the at least one coil carried by at least one of the first and second members of the value assembly such that the fluid can be subjected to the magnetic field generated by the at least one coil.
8. The vibration damping system of claim 7 , wherein the flow resistance of the fluid is adjusted by causing the at least coil to generate a magnetic field.
9. A vibration damping system for a drill string configured to drill a drill hole, the drill sting having a valve assembly and a drill bit, the system comprising:
a controller configured operate the valve assembly and to cause a damping force to be applied to the drill bit; and
at least one sensor configured to be electronically coupled to the controller, the at least one sensor configured to detect an operating parameter of the drill bit and transmit to the controller a signal that is indicative of the operating parameter of the drill bit when the at least one sensor is electronically coupled to the controller and, wherein the controller, in response to the signal that is indicative of the operating parameter of the drill bit, causes the valve assembly to apply the damping force to the drill bit.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the operating parameter is a level of vibration of the drill bit.
11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the valve assembly comprises a first member and second member, the second member configured to translate in an up-hole direction and a down-hole direction, the first and second members of the valve assembly defining a first chamber and a second chamber, the first and second chambers configured to hold a supply of a fluid and permit the fluid to flow between the first and the second chambers in response to relative movement of the first and second members of the valve assembly.
12. The system of claim 10 , further comprising a bearing assembly having a first member and a second member that is configured to translate relative to the first member, and the bearing assembly is operatively coupled to least one of the first and second members of the valve assembly, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to be coupled to a bearing assembly.
13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the operating parameter is displacement of a first member of the bearing assembly relative to the second member of the bearing assembly.
14. The system of claim 11 , wherein the operating parameter is displacement of a first member of the valve assembly relative to the second member of the value assembly.