Downhole vibration tool

Abstract

A downhole vibration tool has an outer housing having an inner surface that defines an inner bore and a flow diverter positioned within the inner bore, the flow diverter having an inner passage and an outer surface that defines a flow path between the inner surface of the outer housing and the flow diverter. A removable plug blocks the inner passage, the plug being removable to open the inner passage. A rotating member is rotatably carried within the outer housing and downstream of the flow diverter, the rotating member comprising a rotor in fluid communication with the flow path and an eccentric mass.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A downhole vibration tool, comprising:
 an outer housing having an inner surface that defines an inner bore;   a flow diverter positioned within the inner bore, the flow diverter having an inner passage and an outer surface that defines a flow path between the inner surface of the outer housing and the flow diverter;   a removable plug that blocks the inner passage, the plug being removable to open the inner passage; and   a rotating member rotatably carried within the outer housing and downstream of the flow diverter, the rotating member comprising a rotor in fluid communication with the flow path and an eccentric mass.   
     
     
         2 . The downhole vibration tool of  claim 1 , wherein the rotor comprises a plurality of turbine blades. 
     
     
         3 . The downhole vibration tool of  claim 1 , wherein the rotor comprises a single stage turbine. 
     
     
         4 . The downhole vibration tool of  claim 1 , wherein the eccentric mass is positioned within a sealed chamber below the rotor. 
     
     
         5 . The downhole vibration tool of  claim 1 , wherein the flow path is radially concentric and outside the inner passage. 
     
     
         6 . The downhole vibration tool of  claim 1 , wherein the rotating member comprises ports below the rotor that provide fluid communication between the flow path and the inner bore. 
     
     
         7 . The downhole vibration tool of  claim 1 , wherein the rotating member is supported by axial and radial bearings within the outer housing. 
     
     
         8 . A method of drilling, comprising the steps of:
 providing a drill string having an inner bore, the drill string comprising a drill bit at a downhole end, a measurement while drilling tool adjacent to the drill bit, and a vibrating tool connected in the drill string, the vibrating tool comprising:
 an outer housing having an inner surface that defines an inner bore; 
 a flow diverter positioned within the inner bore, the flow diverter having an inner passage and an outer surface that defines a flow path between the inner surface of the outer housing and the flow diverter; 
 a removable plug that blocks the inner passage, the plug being removable to open the inner passage; and 
 a rotating member rotatably carried within the outer housing and downstream of the flow diverter, the rotating member comprising a rotor in fluid communication with the flow path and an eccentric mass; 
   pumping fluid through the inner bore of the drill string, the fluid being diverted by the removable plug through the flow path, the fluid operating the vibrating tool and the drill bit;   removing the plug to access the inner passage; and   retrieving the measurement while drilling tool through the vibrating tool.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the rotor comprises a plurality of turbine blades. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the rotor comprises a single stage turbine. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the eccentric mass is positioned within a sealed chamber below the rotor. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the flow path is radially concentric and outside the inner passage. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the rotating member comprises ports below the rotor that provide fluid communication between the flow path and the inner bore. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the rotating member is supported by axial and radial bearings within the outer housing.