Measurement of torque with shear stress sensors

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10920570-B2
Application number	US-201916510016-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 12, 2019
Priority date	Jul 12, 2019
Publication date	Feb 16, 2021
Grant date	Feb 16, 2021

Abstract

A torque measurement tool and method of use is presented which comprises a first outer shaft extending along a longitudinal axis and containing a second inner shaft positioned within the first outer shaft and extending along the longitudinal axis, A flexible coupling is positioned between the first outer shaft and the second inner shaft. A shear stress sensor is positioned within the second inner shaft, is exposed to the first outer shaft and contacts the flexible coupling.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A torque measurement tool, comprising:
an outer cylindrical shaft extending along a longitudinal axis and having an inner bore with an inner surface;
an inner cylindrical shaft positioned within the inner bore of the outer cylindrical shaft and extending along the longitudinal axis, the inner cylindrical shaft having an outer surface;
a flexible coupling positioned within an annular space between the inner surface of the outer cylindrical shaft and the outer surface of the inner cylindrical shaft, the flexible coupling directly coupled to the inner-surface of the outer cylindrical shaft and to the outer surface of the inner cylindrical shaft such that the flexible coupling couples the outer surface of the inner cylindrical shaft with the inner surface of the outer cylindrical shaft; and
a micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS) shear stress sensor positioned within a recess located on the outer surface of the inner cylindrical shaft, the shear stress sensor having a contact surface positioned about flush to the outer surface of the inner cylindrical shaft and in contact with the flexible coupling.

2. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the inner cylindrical shaft includes a channel, and wherein the channel houses a cable coupled to the shear stress sensor.

3. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the flexible coupling is selected from the group consisting of: silicone rubber; urethane rubber; natural rubber; styrene-butadiene rubber; butylrubber; and combinations thereof.

4. A method, comprising:
conveying a torque measurement tool into a torsion-inducing environment, the torque measurement tool comprising:
an outer cylindrical shaft extending along a longitudinal axis and having an inner bore with an inner surface;
an inner cylindrical shaft positioned within the inner bore of the outer cylindrical shaft and extending along the longitudinal axis, the inner cylindrical shaft having an outer surface;
a flexible coupling positioned within an annular space between the inner surface of the outer cylindrical shaft and the outer surface of the inner cylindrical shaft, the flexible coupling directly coupled to the inner surface of the outer cylindrical shaft and to the outer surface of the inner cylindrical shaft such that the flexible coupling couples the outer surface of the inner cylindrical shaft with the inner surface of the outer cylindrical shaft; and
a micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS) shear stress sensor positioned within a recess located on the outer surface of the inner cylindrical shaft, the shear stress sensor having a contact surface positioned about flush to the outer surface of the inner cylindrical shaft and in contact with the flexible coupling;
causing torque to be applied to the outer cylindrical shaft, the torque resulting in a positional displacement between the outer cylindrical shaft and the inner cylindrical shaft positioned inside the outer cylindrical shaft;
using the shear stress sensor to measure shear stress in the flexible coupling resulting from the torque applied to the outer cylindrical shaft; and
adjusting operations using the shear stress measurement.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the inner cylindrical shaft comprises a channel housing a cable coupled to the shear stress sensor.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the flexible coupling is selected from the group consisting of: silicone rubber; urethane rubber; natural rubber; styrene-butadiene-rubber; butylrubber; polyurethane; polychloroprene; nitrile; hydrogenated nitrile; chlorosulphonated polyethylene; fluorosilicone; fluorocarbon; and combinations thereof.

Assignees

• Halliburton Energy Services Inc

Inventors

• Jamison Dale E
• Vos Andrew D

Classifications

• G01L5/0042

  applying a torque · CPC title

• G01L3/10

  involving electric or magnetic means for indicating · CPC title

• E21B44/04

  in response to the torque of the drive {; Measuring drilling torque (E21B44/06 takes precedence; measuring stresses in a well bore pipe E21B47/007)} · CPC title

• E21B47/007 Primary

  Measuring stresses in a pipe string or casing (for locating blocked portions of pipes E21B47/09) · CPC title

• G01L3/06

  involving mechanical means for indicating · CPC title