Apparatus and Methods for Detecting Performance Data in an Earth-Boring Drilling Tool

• US 20110266055A1
• Filed: 04/25/2011
• Published: 11/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Baker Hughes Holdings LLC (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Sullivan, Eric C., DiGiovanni, Anthony A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,746,367 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 175/50
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/08 Roller bits E21B10/26 takes precedence; roller core bits E21B10/06; characterised by wear resisting parts E21B10/50
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/567 with preformed cutting elements mounted on a distinct support, e.g. polycrystalline inserts
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/5735 Interface between the substrate and the cutting element
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/62 characterised by parts, e.g. cutting elements, which are detachable or adjustable E21B10/64 takes precedence; for roller bits E21B10/20; for augers E21B10/44
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/00 Survey of boreholes or wells monitoring pressure or flow of drilling fluid E21B21/08
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/002 by visual inspection
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/013 Devices specially adapted for supporting measuring instruments on drill bits
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/024 of devices in the borehole determining slope or direction of the borehole E21B47/022
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/06 Measuring temperature or pressure
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/07 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/13 by electromagnetic energy, e.g. radio frequency
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/00 Testing the nature of borehole walls; Formation testing; Methods or apparatus for obtaining samples of soil or well fluids, specially adapted to earth drilling or wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/08 Obtaining fluid samples or testing fluids, in boreholes or wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/0875 determining specific fluid parameters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making

Abstract

Methods and associated tools and components related to generating and obtaining performance data during drilling operations of a subterranean formation is disclosed. Performance data may include thermal and mechanical information related to earth-boring drilling tool during a drilling operation are disclosed. For example, a cutting element of an earth-boring drilling tool may include a substrate with a cutting surface thereon. The cutting element may further include at least one thermistor sensor coupled with the cutting surface, and a conductive pathway operably coupled with the at least one thermistor sensor. The at least one thermistor sensor may be configured to vary a resistance in response to a change in temperature. The conductive pathway may be configured to provide a current path through the at least one thermistor sensor in response to a voltage. Other methods, tools and components are provided.

Claims

1. A cutting element for an earth-boring drilling tool, the cutting element comprising:

a substrate with a cutting surface thereon;

at least one sensor coupled with the cutting surface, the at least one sensor configured to generate information relating to a parameter of interest when the cutting element is drilling a borehole.

2. The cutting element of claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor comprises a thermistor configured to vary a resistance in response to a change in temperature;

and

wherein the cutting element further comprises a conductive pathway operably coupled with the at least one thermistor sensor, the conductive pathway configured to provide a current path through the at least one thermistor sensor in response to a voltage.

3. The cutting element of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a doped diamond material.

4. The cutting element of claim 2, further comprising a termination operably coupled with the at least one thermistor through the conductive pathway, the termination configured to transmit temperature data from the at least one thermistor to a data acquisition module.

5. The cutting element of claim 2, further comprising an insulating layer located between at least a portion of the conductive pathway and the cutting surface.

6. The cutting element of claim 2, further comprising a hardened layer disposed on the cutting surface, wherein the hardened layer covers at least a portion of the at least one thermistor sensor and the conductive pathway.

7. The cutting element of claim 2, wherein the at least one thermistor sensor is configured as a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device including a thermistor material.

8. A method for forming a cutting element for an earth-boring drilling tool, the method comprising:

forming a substrate with a cutting surface on an external portion of the substrate;

disposing an amount of a sensor material on the cutting surface to form a sensor; and

disposing a conductive pathway on the cutting surface coupling the sensor with the conductive pathway.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein disposing the sensor material further comprises disposing a thermistor material.

10. The method of claim 8, disposing an insulating material on the cutting surface before disposing the conductive pathway thereon.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein forming the substrate with the cutting surface includes forming depressions in the cutting surface such that disposing the amount of sensor material and the conductive pathway forms a smooth surface flush with a cutting face of the cutting surface.

12. A method for measuring a property of a component of an earth-boring drilling tool, the method comprising:

coupling a sensor with a component of the earth-boring tool;

using the sensor to provide an output indicating of the property; and

determining the property of the component in response to the output of the sensor.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the property comprises a temperature and the sensor further comprises a thermistor.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the component of the earth-boring tool further comprises a cutting element.

16. The earth-boring drilling tool of claim 13 wherein the sensor comprises a thermistor sensor configured to provide temperature data.

17. The earth-boring drilling tool of claim 13 further comprising an additional sensor coupled to the bit body configured to provide temperature data related to the bit body during a drilling operation.

15. An earth-boring drilling tool, comprising:

a bit body including a cutting element; and

a sensor coupled with the cutting element configured to generate

performance data related to the cutting element during a drilling operation.