Advanced stabilizing system for deep drilling

Abstract

The present invention relates to a stabilizing system (100) adapted to be used in a deep drilling system. The stabilizing system (100) comprises a longitudinal housing (110) and a spring (140) preferably a helical spring, arranged inside the housing (110). Thereby, the stabilizing system (100) is contracted and the spring (140) is compressed along the longitudinal axis of the stabilizing system (100) when an external load is applied in longitudinal direction onto the stabilizing system (100). The transversal diameter of the stabilizing system (100) increases when the stabilizing system (100) is contracted. Further, the transversal diameter of the stabilizing system (100) decreases when the stabilizing system (100) expands along the longitudinal axis.

1 . A stabilizing system adapted to be used in a deep drilling system, the stabilizing system comprising a longitudinal housing and a spring arranged inside the housing,
 wherein the stabilizing system is contracted and the spring is compressed along the longitudinal axis of the stabilizing system when an external load is applied in longitudinal direction onto the stabilizing system,   wherein the transversal diameter of the stabilizing system increases when the stabilizing system is contracted,   the spring urges the stabilizing system to expand along the longitudinal axis when the external load is released,   wherein the transversal diameter of the stabilizing system decreases when the stabilizing system expands along the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         2 . The stabilizing system of  claim 1 , wherein the spring is a helical spring. 
     
     
         3 . The stabilizing system of  claim 1 , wherein the spring is provided concentrically with the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The stabilizing system of  claim 1 , wherein the spring is provided parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stabilizing system. 
     
     
         5 . The stabilizing system of  claim 1 , further comprising a column arranged inside the housing and being adapted to transfer drilling forces applied onto the stabilizing system, wherein the column extends through the spring. 
     
     
         6 . The stabilizing system of  claim 1 , wherein a spring travel of the spring between its relaxed state and its maximal compressed state is between 1 and 100 cm, preferably between 5 and 50 cm, further preferred in between 10 and 20 cm. 
     
     
         7 . The stabilizing system of  claim 1 , wherein the external load is at least 5 kN, preferably at least 10 kN, further preferred at least 15 kN. 
     
     
         8 . The stabilizing system of  claim 1 , wherein a spring rate of the spring is between 10 and 5000 kN/m, preferably between 50 and 2000 kN/m, further preferred between 100 and 1000 kN/m, further preferred between 200 and 500 kN/m, further preferred between 250 and 400 kN/m. 
     
     
         9 . The stabilizing system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one spacer movable relative to the housing between a retracted position and an expanded position, wherein the spring is adapted to act on the spacer along the longitudinal axis of the stabilizing system to urge the spacer to the retracted position. 
     
     
         10 . The stabilizing system of  claim 9 , wherein the spring is in a compressed state when the spacer is in the expanded position. 
     
     
         11 . The stabilizing system of  claim 9 , wherein the spring is adapted to act on the spacer in the expanded position with a force of 5 to 25 kN, preferably of 10 to 20 kN, further preferred between 13 and 17 kN, most preferred of approximately 15 kN. 
     
     
         12 . The stabilizing system of  claim 9 , wherein the spacer comprises a tapered section at one end thereof, wherein the tapered section is preferably tapered relative to the longitudinal axis of the stabilizing system by 5 to 70 degrees, preferably by 10 to 60 degrees, further preferred by 15 to 50 degrees, further preferred by 20 to 40 degrees, further preferred by 25 to 35 degrees, and further preferred by approximately 30 degrees. 
     
     
         13 . The stabilizing system of  claim 12 , wherein the housing comprises a counter-tapered section adapted to interact with the tapered section of the spacer, wherein the tapered section of the spacer is adapted to slide along the counter-tapered section of the housing to move the spacer along the longitudinal axis of the stabilizing system when the spacer moves between the retracted and the expanded position. 
     
     
         14 . The stabilizing system  claim 9 , wherein the housing comprises one or more passages extending from an interior side of the housing to an exterior side of the housing, preferably wherein the one or more passages connect an inner space occupied by the spring and the spacer to an outside space of the stabilizing system. 
     
     
         15 . The stabilizing system of  claim 14 , wherein a screen filter is provided in each one of the one or more passages. 
     
     
         16 . The stabilizing system of  claim 9 , wherein the stabilizing system comprises at least two spacers, preferably three spacers, and wherein the spring is adapted to act on each of the spacers along a longitudinal axis of the stabilizing system to urge each one of the spacers to the retracted position. 
     
     
         17 . The stabilizing system of  claim 16 , further comprising a spring force transfer ring provided in the housing between the spring and each one of the spacers. 
     
     
         18 . A drilling system comprising a stabilizing system of  claim 1 , and preferably further comprising a drill bit and drill pipes. 
     
     
         19 . A method for drilling a hole utilizing a drilling system of  claim 18 , the method comprising:
 applying a positive force onto the stabilizing system in longitudinal direction causing the overall longitudinal length of the stabilizing system to shorten, the spring to compress, and the transversal diameter of the stabilizing system to increase;   applying a negative force onto the stabilizing system in longitudinal direction causing the spring to decompress to urge the overall longitudinal length of the stabilizing system to elongate, and the transversal diameter of the stabilizing system to decrease.