Differential sensor measurement method and apparatus to detect a drill bit failure and signal surface operator
First Claim
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1. A system for detecting drill bit failure, comprising:
- a plurality of sensors located on a downhole section of the drill string; and
circuitry for differentially processing the states of said sensors to thereby derive information about the functioning of the bit.
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Abstract
An apparatus and accompanying method for monitoring and reporting downhole bit failure. Individual sensors are placed on a sub which is separate from the drill bit itself, and are powered by a vibration driven power system. The sensor readings are used to compute values which represent the ratios of sensor readings on one sensor in relation to the readings of one or more other sensors. This creates a self-calibrating sensor system that accounts for changes in downhole conditions which might cause sensor readings to fluctuate, but which do not indicate failure.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A system for detecting drill bit failure, comprising:
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a plurality of sensors located on a downhole section of the drill string; and
circuitry for differentially processing the states of said sensors to thereby derive information about the functioning of the bit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A system for monitoring drill bit performance, comprising:
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a plurality of matched sensors located on a downhole section of a drill string;
wherein a measurement from at least one of said sensors is compared to at least one measurement from another of said sensors to derive information about remaining lifetime of the bit. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for detecting the probable failure of a drill bit, comprising:
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a drill string extending through at least part of a well bore;
a sub assembly connected to the drill string, the sub assembly including one or more sensors that monitor one or more parameters of operation of a drill bit, a detection platform receiving data from said one or more sensors, and a telemetry device which transmits signals from said detection platform to the surface; and
a drill bit removably attached to the sub assembly. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16)
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13. A method of monitoring drill bit performance, comprising the steps of:
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positioning a plurality of sensors on a section of a drill string uphole from a drill bit;
comparing measurements from said sensors to detect the process of bit failure.
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Specification