Measurement of torque with shear stress sensors

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11149536-B2
Application number	US-202117146051-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 11, 2021
Priority date	Jul 12, 2019
Publication date	Oct 19, 2021
Grant date	Oct 19, 2021

Abstract

In some examples, a downhole torque measurement tool comprises a first surface of a structure and a second surface of the structure. The second surface is facing the first surface, and a shear stress sensor is positioned on the first surface. A flexible coupling is positioned between the shear stress sensor and the second surface, and the flexible coupling is coupled to the first and second surfaces.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A downhole torque measurement tool, comprising:
a lower cylindrical sub having a box end and a pin end;
an upper cylindrical sub having a pin end, a box end, and a housing with an inner surface extending from the box end;
wherein the box end of the upper cylindrical sub is connected to the pin end of the lower cylindrical sub;
wherein the lower cylindrical sub comprises an outer cylindrical shaft having a hollow cavity extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the outer cylindrical shaft and an inner cylindrical shaft positioned within the hollow cavity and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the outer cylindrical shaft, the outer and inner cylindrical shafts each having a common end coupled together and forming a unitary structure at the box end of the lower cylindrical sub;
wherein the inner cylindrical shaft has an extended end that extends a length greater than a length of the outer cylindrical shaft at the pin end of the lower cylindrical sub such that the extended end of the inner cylindrical shaft extends into the housing of the upper cylindrical sub and forms an annular space;
a flexible coupling positioned within the annular space and at least partially encircling the extended end of the inner cylindrical shaft, the flexible coupling coupled to the extended end of the inner cylindrical shaft and the inner surface of the housing; and
a micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS) shear stress sensor positioned within the annular space on the outer surface of the inner shaft and in contact with the flexible coupling, wherein relative positional displacement between the inner cylindrical shaft and outer cylindrical shaft produces shear stress in the flexible coupling that is measured by the MEMS shear stress sensor.

2. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the inner cylindrical shaft is solid.

3. The tool of claim 1 , further comprising a first retention structure abutting the flexible coupling and the pin end of the lower cylindrical sub.

4. The tool of claim 1 , further comprising a second retention structure abutting the flexible coupling and the extended end of the inner cylindrical shaft of the lower cylindrical sub.

5. A method, comprising:
conveying the torque measurement tool of claim 1 into a wellbore;
using the shear stress sensor to measure shear stress in the flexible coupling, the shear stress present in the flexible coupling as a result of torque applied to the torque measurement tool; and
calculating the torque using the measured shear stress.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising identifying structural deformities in a wall of the wellbore based on the torque calculation.

7. The method of claim 5 , further comprising adjusting drilling operations based on the torque calculation.

Assignees

• Halliburton Energy Services Inc

Inventors

• Vos Andrew D
• Jamison Dale E

Classifications

• G01L5/0042

  applying a torque · CPC title

• G01L3/10 Primary

  involving electric or magnetic means for indicating · CPC title

• G01L3/04

  wherein the torque-transmitting element comprises a torsionally-flexible shaft · CPC title

• E21B47/007 Primary

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

• E21B21/00

  Methods or apparatus for flushing boreholes, e.g. by use of exhaust air from motor (freeing objects stuck in boreholes by flushing E21B31/03) · CPC title