A cable 114 is wound around drum 110 and extends from drum 110 to crown block 106. Cable 114 is coupled to crown block 106, in a manner similar to a pulley system that facilitates a pre-determined mechanical advantage thereby facilitating support of a traveling block 116 by crown block 106. Traveling block 116 supports a rotary drive apparatus 118 via a suspension member 120. In the exemplary embodiment, member 120 may include, but is not limited to being a hook and swivel assembly. Alternatively, member 120 is any device that enables rig 100 to function as described herein. Apparatus 118 is powered by a power source (not shown in
Top drive 118 is rotatably coupled to a kelly 122. In the exemplary embodiment, kelly 122 is, but is not limited to being, a square or hexagonal member. Alternatively, kelly 122 may have any configuration that enables rig 100 to function as described herein. Kelly 122 is rotatably coupled to a drill pipe 124 and is configured to transfer torque from top drive 118 to drill pipe 124. A guide member 123 facilitates radial support of kelly 122. Drill pipe 124 is rotatably coupled to at least one drill bit 126 used to form a borehole or well 128. Alternative embodiments of drilling rig 100 may include a swivel joint in the place of top drive 118 and a power-driven square or hexagonal bushing in the place of guide member 123.
Rig 100 also includes a drill pipe position measurement system 150 that includes at least one encoder 152 that is rotatably coupled to drive shaft 112 and that is electrically coupled to an interface device 154 via an encoder cable 156. In the exemplary embodiment, encoder cable 156 is an insulated and shielded copper cable and device 154 is a Safe Area Interface (SAI) device 154 that is commercially available from General Electric Energy, Twinsburg, Ohio. Interface device 154 is positioned a distance from platform 102 within an environment that facilitates housing for a plurality of electronic apparatus (not shown in
Device 154 and data processing assembly 158 both include at least one processor and a memory (neither shown in
Processors for interface device 154 and assembly 158 process information, including signals received from encoder 152 and device 154. RAM devices store and transfer information and instructions to be executed by the processor. RAM devices can also be used to store and provide temporary variables, static (i.e., non-changing) information and instructions, and/or other intermediate information to the processors during execution of instructions by the processors. Instructions that may be executed include, but are not limited to including, resident conversion, calibration and/or comparator algorithms. The execution of sequences of instructions is not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry or software instructions.
During operation of rig 100, drill pipe 124 and drill bit 126 are suspended within well 128. Top drive 118 transfers torque and rotational movement to kelly 122 which transfers the torque and rotational movement to drill pipe 124 and drill bit 126. A downward force is also induced onto drill bit 126 by the weight of components positioned above bit 126 and this force facilitates penetration of the formation being drilled. Traveling block 116 is positioned via multiple loops of cable 114 coupled between traveling block 116 and crown block 106. To modulate the downward force induced to drill bit 126, drawworks drum 110 is rotated to withdraw or extend a portion of cable 114. The withdrawal and extension of cable 114 causes traveling block 116 to be raised or lowered such that the downward force induced on drill bit 126 is subsequently decreased or increased. Subsurface formation cuttings (not shown in
Encoder 152 also includes a rotor 168 that is rotatably coupled to drawworks drive shaft 112 (shown in
Encoder 152 also includes a plurality of permanent magnets 176 that are oriented generally radially within rotor 168 such that a radially outermost portion of each magnet 176 is substantially flush with rotor surface 170. During rotation of rotor 168, magnets 176 generate a magnetic flux with a predetermined magnetic strength and orientation. In the exemplary embodiment, five magnets 176 are positioned substantially circumferentially equidistant from each other. Alternatively, any number of magnets 176 with any circumferential separation that enables encoder 152 to function as described herein may be used. One magnetic cycle is defined as the rotational travel of rotor 168 from a first magnet 176 to a circumferentially adjacent next magnet 176.
Encoder 152 further includes two magnetic reed switches 178 and 179 that are securely coupled to a switch holder 180 secured to housing 164. In the exemplary embodiment, switches 178 and 179 are approximately 18° apart to facilitate operation of encoder 152. Alternatively, switches 178 and 179 may be positioned with any degree of circumferential separation that enables encoder 152 to function as described herein. Switches 178 and 179 each have a predetermined sensitivity selected to substantially cooperate with the magnetic flux of magnets 176. In the exemplary embodiment, switches 178 and 179 are circumferentially separated at a distance that is approximately equivalent to one-quarter of a magnetic cycle and at least partially defines the relationship between a first magnetic pulse and a second magnetic pulse as magnets 176 rotate past switches 178 and 179. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, five magnets 176 and two switches 178 and 179 facilitate attaining a predetermined resolution of travel of drill pipe 124. A pair of common power supply conduits 182 and 184 are electrically coupled with switches 178 and 179, respectively. Conduits 182 and 184 are electrically coupled with a power supply (not shown in
Encoder 152 facilitates reliability of system 150, and hence, drilling rig 100, due to the relatively small number of moving parts of system 150 exposed to field conditions are mitigated and are fully contained within encoder 152. Specifically, only rotor 168 and switches 178 and 179 utilize operational movement to affect the performance of encoder 152 as described herein. In the event of malfunction, encoder 152 may be easily and quickly replaced while mitigating disruption of drilling operations. Moreover, encoder 152 may be sized such that redundant encoders 152 may be coupled to shaft 112 and/or replacement encoders 152 storage requirements are mitigated.
During operation, drawworks drum 110 (shown in
Conduit 183, switch 178, and conduit 182 at least partially define first encoder channel 186. Channel 186 further includes a 5 volt direct current (VDC) power supply 190. Channel 186 also includes a 25,000 ohm current-limiting resistor 191 electrically coupled to power supply 190 and a power supply signal conduit 192 electrically coupled to conduit 182 downstream of resistor 191. Channel 186 further includes a processor 193 electrically coupled to conduit 192. Channel 186 also includes an electrical grounding device 194 electrically coupled to conduit 183, power supply 190 and a ground conduit 195 electrically coupled to processor 193. Conduit 195 is also electrically coupled to conduit 183 upstream of grounding device 194. Resistor 191, conduit 192, processor 193, grounding device 194 and ground conduit 195 are positioned within interface device 154. Therefore, first channel 186 is defined by power supply 190, resistor 191, conduit 182, conduit 192, switch 178, conduit 183, grounding device 194, conduit 195 and processor 193. Processor 193 is coupled in electronic data communication with assembly 158 via conduit 162.
Similarly, conduit 183, switch 179, and conduit 184 at least partially define second encoder channel 188. Channel 188 farther includes power supply 190, a 25,000 ohm current-limiting resistor 196 electrically coupled to power supply 190 and a power supply signal conduit 197 electrically coupled to conduit 184 downstream of resistor 196. Channel 188 also includes processor 193 electrically coupled to conduit 197. Channel 188 further includes electrical grounding device 194 and ground conduit 195. Resistor 196 and conduit 197 are positioned within interface device 154. Therefore, second channel 188 is defined by power supply 190, resistor 196, conduit 184, conduit 197, switch 179, conduit 183, grounding device 194, conduit 195 and processor 193.
Signals channeled within first channel 186 are received by processor 193 via conduits 192 and 195 and together form a first channel signal 206. An approximately five VDC voltage differential is applied to switch 178 via power supply 190, resistor 191, conduits 183 and 182, and grounding device 194 (all shown in
Similarly, signals channeled within second channel 188 are received by processor 193 via conduits 197 and 195 and together form a second channel signal 208. An approximately five VDC voltage differential is applied to switch 179 via power supply 190, resistor 196, conduits 183 and 184, and grounding device 194 (all shown in
Signal 206 also includes a first negative magnetic pulse edge 210 and a first positive magnetic pulse edge 212. Edge 210 is generated as each magnet's magnetic flux exceeds a sensitivity threshold of switch 178 as magnets 176 approach switch 178 and close switch 178. Edge 212 is generated as the magnetic flux in the vicinity of switch 178 weakens as each magnet 176 recedes away from switch 178 and switch 178 is opened. A “switch 178 closed” portion 211 of signal 206 is defined and extends between edges 210 and 212. Portion 211 is equivalent to the duration of time that the strength of the magnetic flux in the proximity of switch 178 exceeds the sensitivity threshold of switch 178 and an associated voltage differential across switch 178. When switch 178 is closed, an electric current is permitted to be channeled through first channel 186, including switch 178, from power supply 190 to grounding device 194 thereby decreasing the voltage amplitude of the signal channeled through conduit 192 to substantially zero. Therefore, the voltage differential between conduits 192 and 195 is substantially zero.
Similarly, output signal 208 also includes a second negative magnetic pulse edge 214 and a second positive magnetic pulse edge 216. Also, similarly, a “switch 179 closed” portion 215 of signal 208 is defined and extends between edges 214 and 216. When switch 179 is closed, an electric current is permitted to be channeled through second channel 188, including switch 179, from power supply 190 to grounding device 194 thereby decreasing the voltage amplitude of the signal channeled through conduit 197 to substantially zero. Therefore, the voltage differential between conduits 197 and 195 is substantially zero. In the exemplary embodiment, portions 211 and 215 of signals 206 and 208, respectively, are substantially similar.
One magnetic cycle is defined as the rotational travel of rotor 168 from a first magnet 176 to a next magnet 176. One magnetic cycle is defined in
Signal 206 leads output signal 208 as encoder 152 rotates in a clockwise direction. In contrast, signal 208 leading output signal 206 indicates encoder 152 is rotating in a counter-clockwise rotation. In the exemplary embodiment, the amplitude of voltage output signals 206 and 208 during portions 220 and 222, respectively, is approximately five volts DC and substantially zero amperes current is channeled through switches 178 and 179. In contrast, the amplitude of voltage output signals 206 and 208 from switches 178 and 179, respectively, during portions 211 and 215 is approximately zero volts DC. Moreover, during periods when portions 211 and 215 overlap, less than one-third of one microwatt of power is dissipated by system 150.
The exemplary magnitudes of voltage, current and power associated with system 150, including encoder 152, as described herein facilitate reducing potential for inadvertent electrical arcing associated with encoder 152 having sufficient energies to induce ignition of predetermined materials and compounds. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, encoder 152 is not electrically coupled to any significant external power sources, i.e., power sources that are configured to transmit more than one microwatt of power. As such, encoder 152 may be used in applications wherein an intrinsically safe device is required, such as, but not limited to, Class I, Division 1 conditions. Such conditions may exist within facilities that include, but are not limited to, chemical plants, grain elevators, and natural gas transfer stations. Alternatively, any values of voltage, average power, peak power, average current and peak current that facilitates operation of encoder 152 as described herein may be used.
Referring again to
The methods and apparatus for monitoring a rotary machine shaft as described herein facilitate operation and monitoring of a rotary drilling rig. More specifically, the rotary encoder described herein facilitates an efficient and effective drill pipe depth measurement scheme. Also, the rotary encoder facilitates operation of a passive operating system with self-contained low-power components and no external power requirements, and is intrinsically safe in hazardous environments. Further, the rotary encoder also facilitates enhancing drilling rig reliability, and reducing maintenance costs and drilling rig outages. Moreover, the rotary encoder also facilitates operation of facilities that include, but are not limited to, chemical plants, grain elevators, and natural gas transfer stations.
Exemplary embodiments of rotary encoders as associated with drill pipe depth measurement schemes are described above in detail. The methods, apparatus and systems are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein nor to the specific illustrated drilling rig.
While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.