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US6681633B2
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Spectral power ratio method and system for detecting drill bit failure and signaling surface operator
Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Inc
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Filing: 2001-10-26
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Granted: 2004-01-27
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Expires: 2021-10-26
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for monitoring and reporting downhole bit failure. Sensors are located on a sub assembly (which is separate from the drill bit itself but located above it on the drill string). Data from the sensors (preferably accelerometers) are collected in blocks, then analyzed in the frequency domain. The frequency domain is divided into multiple bands, and the signal power in each band is compared to that of another band to produce a ratio of powers. When a bit is operating at normal condition, most of the spectral energy of the bit vibration is found in the lowest frequency band. As a bearing starts to fail, it produces a greater level of vibration in the higher frequency bands. This change in ratios is used to determine probable bit failure. Bit failure can be indicated by a given ratio surpassing a given threshold, or by monitoring the standard deviation of the frequency ratios. When the standard deviation exceeds a certain value, a failure is indicated.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger L. Schultz
- 👤 Orlando De Jesus
- 👤 Andrew J. Osborne, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:44
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B12/00; E21B12/02; E21B41/00; E21B41/0085; E21B44/00; E21B47/00; E21B47/12; E21B47/14; E21B47/18; E21B47/22; E21B2200/00; E21B2200/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
58 words
A system for predicting drill bit failure, comprising: a drill string having a drill bit and a sub assembly; one or more sensors located on said sub assembly; wherein data from said one or more sensors is separated into frequency bands; and wherein drill bit failure is predicted based on the ratios of energy in said frequency bands.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
58 words
A system for predicting drill bit failure, comprising: a drill string having a drill bit and a sub assembly; one or more sensors located on said sub assembly; wherein data from said one or more sensors is separated into frequency bands; and wherein drill bit failure is predicted based on the ratios of energy in said frequency bands.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein filters of different passbands are used to separate said sensor data into said frequency bands.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said sub assembly has no electrical communication with said drill bit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said sub assembly is mechanically connected to said drill bit.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
73 words
A system for predicting drill bit failure, comprising: a drill string having a drill bit and a sub assembly; one or more sensors, and a detection platform mounted on said sub assembly for processing data from said one or more sensors; wherein said data from said sensors is separated into frequency bands; and wherein drill bit failure is predicted by said detection platform based on the ratios of energy in said frequency bands.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
73 words
A system for predicting drill bit failure, comprising: a drill string having a drill bit and a sub assembly; one or more sensors, and a detection platform mounted on said sub assembly for processing data from said one or more sensors; wherein said data from said sensors is separated into frequency bands; and wherein drill bit failure is predicted by said detection platform based on the ratios of energy in said frequency bands.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 5 , wherein filters of different passbands are used to separate said sensor data into said frequency bands.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 5 , wherein said detection platform is located on said sub assembly and not on said drill bit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 5 , wherein said sub assembly has no electrical communication with said drill bit.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
40 words
A method of detecting bit failure in earth penetrating drill bits, comprising the steps of: analyzing a ratio of low-frequency to high-frequency acoustic output from a drill bit while drilling; and predicting drill bit failure in dependence on said ratio.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
40 words
A method of detecting bit failure in earth penetrating drill bits, comprising the steps of: analyzing a ratio of low-frequency to high-frequency acoustic output from a drill bit while drilling; and predicting drill bit failure in dependence on said ratio.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein filters of different frequency passbands are used to separate said low-frequency and said high-frequency output.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein said steps of analyzing and predicting are performed locally downhole.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein said acoustic output is measured by sensors located on a sub assembly above said drill bit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein said acoustic output is analyzed using a fast Fourier transform.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of predicting rock bit failure, comprising the steps of: providing a drill string with a sub, said sub having a plurality of sensors; collecting sensor data from said sensors; transforming said data into a frequency domain; dividing said data into a plurality of frequency bands, said data indicating the signal power within each frequency band; generating a ratio between said signal power in one band to said signal power in another band; and conditionally halting drilling in dependence on said ratio.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of predicting rock bit failure, comprising the steps of: providing a drill string with a sub, said sub having a plurality of sensors; collecting sensor data from said sensors; transforming said data into a frequency domain; dividing said data into a plurality of frequency bands, said data indicating the signal power within each frequency band; generating a ratio between said signal power in one band to said signal power in another band; and conditionally halting drilling in dependence on said ratio.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein filters of different frequency passbands are used to separate said data into said plurality of frequency bands.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein said step of transforming said data is performed using a fast Fourier transform.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein said steps of collecting, transforming, dividing, and generating are performed locally downhole.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of predicting drill bit failure, comprising the steps of: providing a drill string with at least one downhole sensor, said drill string having a drill bit; collecting sensor data from said sensor; dividing said data into a plurality of frequency bands, said data indicating signal power within each frequency band; monitoring the ratio between said signal power in one band to said signal power in another band to produce an estimate of said drill bit condition.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of predicting drill bit failure, comprising the steps of: providing a drill string with at least one downhole sensor, said drill string having a drill bit; collecting sensor data from said sensor; dividing said data into a plurality of frequency bands, said data indicating signal power within each frequency band; monitoring the ratio between said signal power in one band to said signal power in another band to produce an estimate of said drill bit condition.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein said data is divided by using filters of different frequency passbands.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein said at least one sensor is located on a sub assembly above said drill bit on said drill string.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
46 words
A method of predicting drill bit failure, comprising the steps of: analyzing acoustic output from the bearings of a roller-cone drill bit; and predicting drill bit failure when an increase in high-frequency components of said output indicate that the bearings of said drill bit are failing.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
46 words
A method of predicting drill bit failure, comprising the steps of: analyzing acoustic output from the bearings of a roller-cone drill bit; and predicting drill bit failure when an increase in high-frequency components of said output indicate that the bearings of said drill bit are failing.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 21 , wherein said acoustic output in detected by one or more sensors located on a downhole sub assembly.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein said sub assembly has no electrical communication with said drill bit.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 21 , wherein filters of different frequency passbands are used to separate signal components.
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