Modulated bias unit for rotary drilling
US5582259A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 31, 1995 |
| Grant date | Dec 10, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 31, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B17/1014
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A modulated bias unit, for controlling the direction of drilling of a rotary drill bit when drilling boreholes in subsurface formations, comprises a number of hydraulic actuators spaced apart around the periphery of the unit. Each actuator comprises a movable thrust member which is hydraulically displaceable outwardly and a formation-engaging pad which overlies the thrust member and is mounted on the body structure for pivotal movement about a pivot axis located to one side of the thrust member. A selector control valve modulates the fluid pressure supplied to each actuator in synchronism with rotation of the drill bit so that, as the drill bit rotates, each pad is displaced outwardly at the same selected rotational position so as to bias the drill bit laterally and thus control the direction of drilling. The pivot axis of the formation-engaging member is inclined to the longitudinal axis of rotation of the bias unit so as to compensate for tilting of the bias unit in the borehole during operation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.