Real Time Bit Monitoring

• US 20120152617A1
• Filed: 09/20/2011
• Published: 06/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Baker Hughes Holdings LLC (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Hunt, Terry, Teodorescu, Sorin G., Sullivan, Eric
• Granted Patent: US 9,624,729 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 175/39
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/00 Drill bits specially adapted for deflecting the direction of boring E21B7/064; with means for collecting substances E21B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 12/02 Wear indicators
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49764 with testing or indicating

Abstract

A bit is assembled by forming the bit, including a bit body and a plurality of cutting components; embedding at least one electrical circuit into the bit, the circuit including a temperature sensor; and providing a module to monitor the circuits and generate an indication of bit wear. The electrical circuit may experience a change in resistance or conductivity due to wear of the bit and/or changes in an earth formation adjacent the bit. The bit wear and/or formation changes may be displayed for an operator.

Claims

1. A method of assembling a drill bit, such as for drilling into an earth formation, the method comprising the steps of:

forming the bit, including a bit body and a plurality of cutting components;

embedding at least one electrical circuit into the bit, the circuit including a temperature sensor;

providing a module configured to monitor the temperature sensor, the module further configured to generate an indication of bit wear and monitor characteristics of the earth formation.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, further including providing at least one accelerometer rigidly secured to the bit.

3. The method as set forth in claim 2, the module further configured to monitor the accelerometer and utilize information from both the temperature sensor and accelerometer in determining bit wear.

4. The method as set forth in claim 2, the module further configured to monitor the accelerometer and utilize information from both the temperature sensor and accelerometer in determining characteristics of the earth formation.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the module determines wear by detecting an open circuit.

6. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein a resistance of the circuit changes as the bit wears.

7. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein a resistance of the circuit changes as the earth formation adjacent the bit changes.

8. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the electrical circuit is introduced during formation of the bit.

9. The method as set forth in claim 1, further including the step of displaying the bit wear for an operator.

10. The method as set forth in claim 1, further including the step of displaying the characteristics of the earth formation for an operator.

11. A drill bit assembly, such as for drilling into an earth formation, the assembly comprising:

a drill bit including a bit body and a plurality of cutting components;

a at least one electrical circuit within the drill bit, the circuit including a temperature sensor; and

a module to monitor the electrical circuit and generate an indication of bit wear.

12. The assembly as set forth in claim 11, wherein the module determines wear by detecting an open circuit.

13. The assembly as set forth in claim 11, wherein a resistance of the circuit changes as the bit wears.

14. The assembly as set forth in claim 11, wherein a resistance of the circuit changes as the earth formation adjacent the bit changes.

15. The assembly as set forth in claim 11, wherein the wear detector is embedded within the bit during formation.

16. The assembly as set forth in claim 11, further including a surface computer configured to display the bit wear for an operator.

17. The assembly as set forth in claim 11, further including at least one accelerometer rigidly secured to the bit.

18. The assembly as set forth in claim 17, the module being configured to monitor the accelerometer and utilize information from both the temperature sensor and accelerometer to determine bit wear.

19. The assembly as set forth in claim 17, the module being configured to monitor the accelerometer and utilize information from both the temperature sensor and accelerometer to determine characteristics of the earth formation.