System and method for cleaning of a drill bit

Abstract

A system for cleaning of a drill bit, comprises a vibration generator arranged to generate vibrations in the ultrasonic frequency range in at least parts of the drill bit, and a power source connected to the vibration generator.

Claims

1. System for cleaning of a drill bit, comprising: a vibration generator arranged to generate vibrations in the ultrasonic frequency range in at least parts of the drill bit to cause a drop in viscosity of cuttings surrounding the drill bit, and a power source connected to the vibration generator.

2. System according to claim 1, further comprising a controller unit connected to the vibration generator to control the vibration generator to generate vibrations in a frequency range that will cause vibro-fluidization of the cuttings.

3. System according to claim 1, where the vibration generator is a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive transducer.

4. System according to claim 1, where the vibrations are guided into flow channels in the bit and in the cutters of the bit.

5. System according to claim 1, where the vibrations are in the area 20 kHz and above.

6. System according to claim 1, where the vibration generator is arranged to co-rotate with the rotation of the drill bit.

7. System according to claim 6, where the power source is connected to the vibration generator by means of induction or a rotary union.

8. System according to claim 6, where the vibration generator is incorporated in the drill bit.

9. Method for cleaning of drill bit, comprising: generating vibrations in at least parts of the drill bit surface in the ultrasonic frequency range to cause a drop in viscosity of cuttings surrounding the drill bit.

10. Method according to claim 9, further comprising controlling the vibration generator a by means of a controller unit connected to the vibration generator to generate vibrations in a frequency range that will cause vibro-fluidization of the cuttings.

11. Method according to claim 9, where the vibration generator is a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive transducer.

12. Method according to claim 9, where the vibrations are generated in flow channels in the bit and in the cutters of the bit.

13. Method according to claim 9, where the vibrations are in the area 20 kHz and above.

14. Method according to claim 9, where the vibration generator co-rotates with the the drill bit.

15. Method according to claim 10, where the controller unit controls the frequency and amplitude of the vibrations of the vibration generator based on the size of the particles

16. Method according to claim 9, where the vibrations causes vibro-fluidization of the waste rock at the surface of the drill bit.

Description

[0020] The invention will now be described in more detail by means of an example and with reference to the accompanying figure.

[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an embodiment of a drill bit 10 used in an exploration device, such as the device described in NO312110. As the drill bit 10 drills through a formation 19, it causes rock and any present formation fluids to be released and they will collect around the drill bit 10. The vibration generator is located at or near the drill bit 10 and causes a drop in the viscosity of the rock/cuttings/fluid mixture. The decrease in the resistance to flow causes the cuttings to be guided into an opening in the drill bit and through the opening 13, and further through a pipe 18. Following the drill bit in a transport system of the kind described in NO312110, is a pump or other conveyor means, which causes the cuttings to be transported through the pipe 18 and into a compacting module which compacts the cuttings and deposits the compact cuttings behind the exploration device exiting the pipe at end 16 and deposit behind the device as a mass 17. The drill bit according to the invention may also be used in similar transport systems in other devices.