Rotary Valve for a Jack Hammer

Abstract

In one aspect of the present invention a tool string comprises a jack element substantially coaxial with an axis of rotation. The jack element is housed within a bore of the tool string and has a distal end extending beyond a working face of the tool string. A rotary valve is disposed within the bore of the tool string. The rotary valve has a first disc attached to a driving mechanism and a second disc axially aligned with and contacting the first disc along a flat surface. As the discs rotate relative to one another at least one port formed in the first disc aligns with another port in the second disc. Fluid passed through the ports is adapted to displace an element in mechanical communication with the jack element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram of an embodiment of a tool string suspended in a borehole.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional diagram of an embodiment of a bottom-hole assembly.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional diagram of another embodiment of a bottom hole assembly.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional diagram of another embodiment of a bottom-hole assembly.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional diagram of another embodiment of a bottom hole assembly.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional diagram of another embodiment of a bottom hole assembly.

FIG. 7 is a sectional diagram of an embodiment of a valve in a downhole tool string component.

FIG. 8 is a sectional diagram of another embodiment of a valve in a downhole tool string component.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional diagram of another embodiment of a bottom hole assembly.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional diagram of a driving mechanism.

Claims

1. A tool string, comprising: a jack element substantially coaxial with an axis of rotation housed within a bore of the tool string, the jack element comprises a distal end extending beyond a working face of the tool string;a rotary valve disposed within the bore of the tool string comprising a first disc attached to a driving mechanism and a second disc axially aligned with and contacting the first disc along a flat surface;wherein as the discs rotate relative to one another at least one port formed in the first disc aligns with another port in the second disc;wherein fluid passed through the ports is adapted to displace an element in mechanical communication with the jack element.

2. The tool string of claim 1, wherein the driving mechanism is a turbine, generator, or a motor.

3. The tool string of claim 1, wherein the jack element is adapted to rotate the second disc.

4. The tool string of claim 1, wherein the second disc is fixed to a bore wall of the tool string.

5. The tool string of claim 1, wherein the jack element and the driving mechanism rotate opposite each other.

6. The tool string of claim 1, wherein the jack element is stationary with respect to a formation.

7. The tool string of claim 1, wherein at least two fluid ports are formed in the second disc.

8. The tool string of claim 1, wherein all the drilling fluid is passed through the fluid ports.

9. The tool string of claim 1, wherein a portion of the drilling fluid is passed through the fluid ports.

10. The tool string of claim 1, wherein a sensor attached to the tool string is adapted to receive acoustic signals produced by the movement of the jack element.

11. The tool string of claim 1, wherein the element is a ring, a rod, a piston, or a block,

12. The tool string of claim 1, wherein the element is rigidly attached to the jack element.

13. The tool string of claim 1, wherein the element is part of the jack element.

14. The tool string of claim 1, wherein the flat surface comprise a material selected from the group consisting of chromium, tungsten, tantalum, niobium, titanium, molybdenum, carbide, natural diamond, polycrystalline diamond, vapor deposited diamond, cubic boron nitride, TiN, AlNi, AlTiNi, TiAlN, CrN/CrC/(Mo, W)S2, TiN/TiCN, AlTiN/MoS2, TiAlN, ZrN, diamond impregnated carbide, diamond impregnated matrix, silicon bounded diamond, and/or combinations thereof.

15. The tool of claim 1, wherein the rotary valve is disposed within the drill bit.

16. The tool of claim 1, wherein driving mechanism operates at different speeds.

17. The tool of claim 1, wherein the rotary valve is in communication with a telemetry system.

18. The tool of claim 1, wherein the speed of the driving mechanism is controlled by a closed loop system.

19. The tool of claim 1, wherein a rotor connects the first disc to the driving mechanism.

20. The tool of claim 19, wherein a hydraulic cavity in formed in the rotor.