US5332048A — Method and apparatus for automatic closed loop dr…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 180 words

A drilling system for a bottomhole assembly, comprising: a drill bit; a first stabilizer positioned near said drill bit, said first stabilizer having a generally tubular configuration with a particular cross-sectional diameter; a second stabilizer positioned in the bottom hole assembly a predetermined distance above said first stabilizer, said second stabilizer having a generally tubular configuration with a particular cross-sectional diameter, wherein the diameter of at least one of said first or second stabilizers is adjustable, between a retracted position and a plurality of extended positions, in response to a position control signal; sensors for determining formation properties and for generating signals indicative thereof; a microcontroller receiving the signals from said sensors, said microcontroller being located in said bottomhole assembly and being preprogrammed to respond to the signals from said sensor; said microcontroller generating the position control signal when the sensed formation properties are outside a predetermined range; wherein said position control signal from said microcontroller is used to adjust the diameter of the first or second stabilizer to alter the inclination angle at which said drill bit is drilling.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 180 words

A drilling system for a bottomhole assembly, comprising: a drill bit; a first stabilizer positioned near said drill bit, said first stabilizer having a generally tubular configuration with a particular cross-sectional diameter; a second stabilizer positioned in the bottom hole assembly a predetermined distance above said first stabilizer, said second stabilizer having a generally tubular configuration with a particular cross-sectional diameter, wherein the diameter of at least one of said first or second stabilizers is adjustable, between a retracted position and a plurality of extended positions, in response to a position control signal; sensors for determining formation properties and for generating signals indicative thereof; a microcontroller receiving the signals from said sensors, said microcontroller being located in said bottomhole assembly and being preprogrammed to respond to the signals from said sensor; said microcontroller generating the position control signal when the sensed formation properties are outside a predetermined range; wherein said position control signal from said microcontroller is used to adjust the diameter of the first or second stabilizer to alter the inclination angle at which said drill bit is drilling.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 25 words

A system as in claim 1, wherein the diameter of said first stabilizer is adjustable between the retracted position and the plurality of extended positions.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 25 words

A system as in claim 1, wherein the diameter of said second stabilizer is adjustable between the retracted position and the plurality of extended positions.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 20 words

A system as in claim 3, further comprising a downhole motor positioned between said first stabilizer and said second stabilizer.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 214 words

A closed loop drilling system for providing inclination control to a bottomhole assembly, comprising: a drill bit; a first stabilizer positioned in said bottomhole assembly near said drill bit; a second stabilizer positioned in said bottomhole assembly a predetermined distance above said first stabilizer, wherein both the first stabilizer and the second stabilizer have an effective cross-sectional diameter, and wherein the diameter of at least one of said first or second stabilizers is adjusted to control the inclination at which the bottomhole assembly drills, and includes: a plurality of stabilizer blades that are adjustable between a retracted position and an extended position to change the effective diameter of the stabilizer; means for positioning said plurality of stabilizer blades; means for controlling the operation of said closed loop drilling system, said means for controlling located in said bottomhole assembly and being programmed to drill at a desired inclination, and including means for measuring the actual inclination of the bottomhole assembly and producing an electrical output signal indicative of the actual inclination; said means for controlling also including means for comparing the electrical output signal indicative of actual inclination with the desired inclination; said comparing means generating a position control signal that is transmitted to said positioning means to set the diameter of said stabilizer blades.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 214 words

A closed loop drilling system for providing inclination control to a bottomhole assembly, comprising: a drill bit; a first stabilizer positioned in said bottomhole assembly near said drill bit; a second stabilizer positioned in said bottomhole assembly a predetermined distance above said first stabilizer, wherein both the first stabilizer and the second stabilizer have an effective cross-sectional diameter, and wherein the diameter of at least one of said first or second stabilizers is adjusted to control the inclination at which the bottomhole assembly drills, and includes: a plurality of stabilizer blades that are adjustable between a retracted position and an extended position to change the effective diameter of the stabilizer; means for positioning said plurality of stabilizer blades; means for controlling the operation of said closed loop drilling system, said means for controlling located in said bottomhole assembly and being programmed to drill at a desired inclination, and including means for measuring the actual inclination of the bottomhole assembly and producing an electrical output signal indicative of the actual inclination; said means for controlling also including means for comparing the electrical output signal indicative of actual inclination with the desired inclination; said comparing means generating a position control signal that is transmitted to said positioning means to set the diameter of said stabilizer blades.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 28 words

A system as in claim 5, wherein said means for positioning includes: means for driving the blades outwardly; and means for limiting the outward expansion of said blades.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 28 words

A system as in claim 6, wherein said positioning means receives said control signal and adjusts the means for limiting to limit the outward expansion of said blades.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 32 words

A system as in claim 5, wherein said first stabilizer is adjustable and includes a plurality of stabilizer blades that adjust between a fully retracted position and a plurality of extended positions.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 32 words

A system as in claim 5, wherein said second stabilizer is adjustable and includes a plurality of stabilizer blades that adjust between a fully retracted position and a plurality of extended positions.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 20 words

A system as in claim 9, further comprising a downhole motor positioned between said first stabilizer and said second stabilizer.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 187 words

An automatic drilling system, comprising: a drill bit located at the end of a drill string; a stabilizer positioned in the drill string above said drill bit; sensors for sensing parameters downhole and generating a signal indicative thereof, said sensor being located in said drill string; and means for transmitting said signal indicative of said sensed parameters; a controller for receiving the signal from said transmitting means and for comparing said signal indicative of downhole parameters with predetermined data reflecting desired parameters, and generating a position control signal if the desired parameters differ from the sensed parameters; wherein said stabilizer is adjustable and comprises: a generally tubular housing with a plurality of openings; a plurality of blades, each blade movably mounted within a respective opening to extend from a first retracted position to a plurality of positions extending at different radial distances from said housing; and positioning means for setting the radial extent of said blades, and wherein said positioning means receives said control signal from said control means and varies the position of the blades to change the inclination angle at which the drilling system drills.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 187 words

An automatic drilling system, comprising: a drill bit located at the end of a drill string; a stabilizer positioned in the drill string above said drill bit; sensors for sensing parameters downhole and generating a signal indicative thereof, said sensor being located in said drill string; and means for transmitting said signal indicative of said sensed parameters; a controller for receiving the signal from said transmitting means and for comparing said signal indicative of downhole parameters with predetermined data reflecting desired parameters, and generating a position control signal if the desired parameters differ from the sensed parameters; wherein said stabilizer is adjustable and comprises: a generally tubular housing with a plurality of openings; a plurality of blades, each blade movably mounted within a respective opening to extend from a first retracted position to a plurality of positions extending at different radial distances from said housing; and positioning means for setting the radial extent of said blades, and wherein said positioning means receives said control signal from said control means and varies the position of the blades to change the inclination angle at which the drilling system drills.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 25 words

A system as in claim 11 further comprising a near bit stabilizer positioned in the drill string between said adjustable stabilizer and said drill bit.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 18 words

A system as in claim 12, wherein the near bit stabilizer has a diameter that also is adjustable.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 30 words

A system as in claim 12, further comprising a drill collar between said near bit stabilizer and said adjustable stabilizer, and wherein the drilling system operates in a rotary mode.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 16 words

A system as in claim 12, wherein said near bit stabilizer comprises an azimuth control device.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 23 words

A system as in claim 11 further comprising a second stabilizer positioned in the drill string a predetermined distance above said adjustable stabilizer.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 17 words

A system as in claim 16, wherein the second stabilizer has a diameter that also is adjustable.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 19 words

A system as in claim 14, wherein at least one of the sensors is located in said drill collar.

Claim 22

Independent Claim 130 words

A method for automatically controlling the direction in which a bottomhole assembly drills, said bottomhole assembly including a stabilizer with blades that adjust between a retracted position and a plurality of extended positions, comprising the steps of: (a) setting the position of the blades of said stabilizer to a particular diameter; (b) operating a drill bit to drill into a downhole formation; (c) measuring the actual inclination of the bottomhole assembly; (d) comparing, in a downhole controller, the actual inclination with a planned inclination; (e) generating in the downhole controller a position control signal if the actual inclination deviates significantly from planned inclination; and (f) altering the position of the blades in response to said position control signal to provide a real-time change to the inclination of said bottomhole assembly.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 130 words

A method for automatically controlling the direction in which a bottomhole assembly drills, said bottomhole assembly including a stabilizer with blades that adjust between a retracted position and a plurality of extended positions, comprising the steps of: (a) setting the position of the blades of said stabilizer to a particular diameter; (b) operating a drill bit to drill into a downhole formation; (c) measuring the actual inclination of the bottomhole assembly; (d) comparing, in a downhole controller, the actual inclination with a planned inclination; (e) generating in the downhole controller a position control signal if the actual inclination deviates significantly from planned inclination; and (f) altering the position of the blades in response to said position control signal to provide a real-time change to the inclination of said bottomhole assembly.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 19 words

A method as in claim 19, wherein the signal generated in step (e) indicates whether inclination is too high.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 17 words

A method as in claim 20, wherein the position of the blades in step (f) is expanded.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 19 words

A method as in claim 19, wherein the signal generated in step (e) indicates whether inclination is too low.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 17 words

A method as in claim 22, wherein the position of the blades in step (f) is retracted.

Claim 28

Independent Claim 135 words

A method for automatically controlling the inclination at which a bottomhole assembly drills a formation, said bottomhole assembly including a stabilizer with blades that adjust between a retracted position and a plurality of extended positions, comprising the steps of: (a) setting the position of the blades; (b) rotating a drill bit to drill into the downhole formation; (c) determining the characteristics of the formation in which the bottomhole assembly is drilled; (d) comparing the characteristics of the formation being drilled with a range of predetermined characteristics for a desired formation; (e) generating a control signal if the characteristics of the formation being drilled are outside the range of the predetermined characteristics; and (f) altering the position of the blades in response to said control signal to change the inclination at which the bottomhole assembly drills.

Claim 29

Independent Claim 135 words

A method for automatically controlling the inclination at which a bottomhole assembly drills a formation, said bottomhole assembly including a stabilizer with blades that adjust between a retracted position and a plurality of extended positions, comprising the steps of: (a) setting the position of the blades; (b) rotating a drill bit to drill into the downhole formation; (c) determining the characteristics of the formation in which the bottomhole assembly is drilled; (d) comparing the characteristics of the formation being drilled with a range of predetermined characteristics for a desired formation; (e) generating a control signal if the characteristics of the formation being drilled are outside the range of the predetermined characteristics; and (f) altering the position of the blades in response to said control signal to change the inclination at which the bottomhole assembly drills.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 20 words

A method as in claim 24, wherein the range of predetermined characteristics are set before the bottomhole assembly begins drilling.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 37 words

A method as in claim 24, wherein the range of predetermined characteristics are communicated from the surface to the bottom hole assembly through a telemetry means after a desired formation has been entered by the bottomhole assembly.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1997-07-25	1998-01-24	1998-07-26	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2001-07-25	2002-01-24	2002-07-26	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2005-07-25	2006-01-24	2006-07-26	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus for automatic closed loop drilling system

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag