The present invention relates to HPMA-CBz copolymers and methods for treating certain diseases comprising administering the copolymers to a subject in need thereof.
A61K 47/58 - Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additivesTargeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent the modifying agent being an organic macromolecular compound, e.g. an oligomeric, polymeric or dendrimeric molecule obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. poly[meth]acrylate, polyacrylamide, polystyrene, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinylalcohol or polystyrene sulfonic acid resin
A61K 31/519 - PyrimidinesHydrogenated pyrimidines, e.g. trimethoprim ortho- or peri-condensed with heterocyclic rings
C08F 220/58 - Amides containing oxygen in addition to the carbonamido oxygen
An electrocrushing drill bit comprises a bit body and at least one electrode coupled to a power source and the bit body, wherein the at least one electrode having a distal portion for engaging with a surface of a wellbore. The electrocrushing drill bit comprises a ground structure coupled to the bit body proximate to the at least one electrode and having a distal portion for engaging with the surface of the wellbore, wherein the ground structure comprises a transverse ground structure.
Methods and apparatuses for boring a tunnel using electrocrushing end effectors. The end effectors can be extended from the apparatus into rock to excavate the tunnel, either individually, sequentially, or simultaneously. The end effectors can extend from the excavation face of the apparatus, or the entire face can be extended from the rest of the apparatus. The extended end effectors can then be retracted and the apparatus moved forward to continue excavation. The end effectors can alternatively be disposed on a rotating arm which circumferentially excavates rock ahead of the excavation face of the apparatus.
The present disclosure includes a plug for cementing a wellbore. The plug may include a cylinder. The cylinder may include at least one body including a non-conductive material with conductive filaments dispersed within the non-conductive material. The present disclosure also includes float equipment for cementing a wellbore. The float equipment may include a casing segment including an inner surface, drillable material affixed to the inner surface of the casing segment, and a check valve attached to the drillable material. The drillable material may include a non-conductive material and conductive filaments dispersed within the non-conductive material.
E21B 33/16 - Methods or devices for cementing, for plugging holes, crevices or the like for cementing casings into boreholes using plugs for isolating cement chargePlugs therefor
E21B 7/24 - Drilling using vibrating or oscillating means, e.g. out-of-balance masses
5.
SELECTIVE ELECTRODE USAGE FOR DIRECTIONAL PULSE POWER DRILLING
An apparatus comprises an electrode assembly positioned at a bottom end of a pulse power drill string to be positioned in a borehole formed in a subsurface formation. The electrode assembly comprises multiple electrodes, wherein at least a subset of the multiple electrodes is to periodically emit a pulse of an electrical discharge into the subsurface formation to drill the borehole. The electrode assembly comprises a controller configured to alter a direction of drilling of the borehole based on selection of the subset from the multiple electrodes, wherein an effective attribute of at least one electrode of the multiple electrodes is different than the effective attribute of other electrodes of the multiple electrodes, wherein the effective attribute comprises at least one of a shape and a size.
E21B 47/18 - Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling using acoustic waves through the well fluid
6.
PULSE POWER DRILLING ASSEMBLY TRANSFORMER WITH A CORE HAVING A NON-CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL
An apparatus comprises a sub-section of a pulse power drilling assembly including a transformer encircling a center flow tube through which a drilling mud is to flow for drilling a borehole into a subsurface formation based on periodic pulses of electrical discharges from the pulse power drilling assembly. The transformer comprises at least one primary winding that encircles the center flow tube; a core that encircles the at least one primary winding, wherein the core comprises an electrically non-conductive material; and at least one secondary winding that encircles the core.
E21B 47/18 - Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling using acoustic waves through the well fluid
E21B 47/01 - Devices for supporting measuring instruments on drill bits, pipes, rods or wirelinesProtecting measuring instruments in boreholes against heat, shock, pressure or the like
An apparatus comprises an electrode assembly positioned at a bottom end of a pulse power drill string to be positioned in a borehole formed in a subsurface formation. The electrode assembly comprises multiple electrodes, wherein at least a subset of the multiple electrodes is to periodically emit a pulse of an electrical discharge into the subsurface formation to drill the borehole. The electrode assembly comprises a controller configured to alter a direction of drilling of the borehole based on selection of the subset from the multiple electrodes, wherein an effective attribute of at least one electrode of the multiple electrodes is different than the effective attribute of other electrodes of the multiple electrodes, wherein the effective attribute comprises at least one of a shape and a size.
An apparatus comprises a sub-section of a pulse power drilling assembly including a transformer encircling a center flow tube through which a drilling mud is to flow for drilling a borehole into a subsurface formation based on periodic pulses of electrical discharges from the pulse power drilling assembly. The transformer comprises at least one primary winding that encircles the center flow tube; a core that encircles the at least one primary winding, wherein the core comprises an electrically non-conductive material; and at least one secondary winding that encircles the core.
Apparatuses and methods for controlling the drilling direction of an electrocrushing drill bit. Electrode sets, which may comprise one or more electrodes, are energized by one or more transformers and capacitors in various configurations. Each electrode set may correspond to a separate transformer and capacitor, or one transformer and/or one capacitor may drive multiple electrode sets. The electrode set being driven excavates the drill hole more quickly, thus steering the drill bit in the direction toward the opposite side of the drill bit.
Methods and configurable apparatuses for mining a vein using electrocrushing. The apparatus can be configured to match the size and shape of a vein, greatly reducing mining of the surrounding matrix and therefore the amount of material that is transported to the surface. The apparatus is modular, can be assembled underground, and can be propelled by retractable tractors. The apparatus is guided using a positioning and navigational system in accordance with the mine design. The apparatus can be steered by varying the pulse rates on different end effectors which produce the arc that fractures the vein, and sensors can minimize excavation of the surrounding matrix. The electrocrushing process produces cuttings that have already undergone the first stage of comminution to less than one inch in size, thus reducing operational costs. The apparatus can mine parallel slots in a vein, leaving support ribs in place between the slots.
A disclosed pulsed-power drilling system may include a controller that receives and analyzes feedback from downhole components reflecting changing conditions or performance measurements associated with a pulsed drilling operation to determine that an operating parameter of the drilling operation should be modified. The controller may output a control signal to cause an adjustment of a configurable downhole component, such as mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic component that affects the operating parameter, while the drill bit remains in the wellbore. The controller may adjust a segmented transformer of a pulse-generating circuit, changing the number of primary winding switches that are fired, or the timing of the firing of the switches, to modify characteristics of the generated pulses. Adjusting a downhole component may affect the drilling rate, the drilling direction, the flow of drilling fluid, a pulse rise time, a pulse repetition rate, or a rate of penetration for the drilling operation.
E21B 7/15 - Drilling by use of heat, e.g. flame drilling of electrically generated heat
E21B 49/00 - Testing the nature of borehole wallsFormation testingMethods or apparatus for obtaining samples of soil or well fluids, specially adapted to earth drilling or wells
E21B 44/00 - Automatic control systems specially adapted for drilling operations, i.e. self-operating systems which function to carry out or modify a drilling operation without intervention of a human operator, e.g. computer-controlled drilling systemsSystems specially adapted for monitoring a plurality of drilling variables or conditions
E21B 21/06 - Arrangements for treating drilling fluids outside the borehole
E21B 47/12 - Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling
12.
High-power capacitor for downhole electrocrushing drilling
A downhole drilling system is disclosed. The downhole drilling system may include a drill bit including a first electrode and a second electrode. The downhole drilling system may also include a pulse-generating circuit coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode. A capacitor within the pulse-generating circuit may include a plurality of electrode sheets and a plurality of dielectric sheets interleaved with the plurality of electrode sheets. Each of the dielectric sheets may include a composite material including a polymer matrix formed from a polymer component and a nanoparticle component that increases the dielectric constant of the composite material above that of the polymer component.
H01G 4/40 - Structural combinations of fixed capacitors with other electric elements not covered by this subclass, the structure mainly consisting of a capacitor, e.g. RC combinations
H01G 4/232 - Terminals electrically connecting two or more layers of a stacked or rolled capacitor
A electrocrushing drill bit may include a bit body; an electrode coupled to a power source and the bit body, the electrode having a distal portion for engaging with a surface of a wellbore; a ground ring coupled to the bit body proximate to the electrode and having a distal portion for engaging with the surface of the wellbore, the electrode and the ground ring positioned in relation to each other such that an electric field produced by a voltage applied between the ground ring and the electrode is enhanced at a portion of the electrode proximate to the distal portion of the electrode and at a portion of the ground ring proximate to the distal portion of the ground ring; and an insulator coupled to the bit body between the electrode and the ground ring.
The present disclosure includes a plug for cementing a wellbore. The plug may include a cylinder. The cylinder may include at least one body including a non-conductive material with conductive filaments dispersed within the non-conductive material. The present disclosure also includes float equipment for cementing a wellbore. The float equipment may include a casing segment including an inner surface, drillable material affixed to the inner surface of the casing segment, and a check valve attached to the drillable material. The drillable material may include a non-conductive material and conductive filaments dispersed within the non-conductive material.
E21B 33/16 - Methods or devices for cementing, for plugging holes, crevices or the like for cementing casings into boreholes using plugs for isolating cement chargePlugs therefor
A downhole drilling system is disclosed. The downhole drilling system may include a bottom-hole assembly having a pulse-generating circuit and a switching circuit within the pulse-generating circuit, the switching circuit comprising a solid-state switch. The downhole drilling system may also include a drill bit having a first electrode and a second electrode electrically coupled to the pulse-generating circuit to receive a pulse from the pulse-generating circuit.
A disclosed pulsed-power drilling system may include a controller that receives and analyzes feedback from downhole components reflecting changing conditions or performance measurements associated with a pulsed drilling operation to determine that an operating parameter of the drilling operation should be modified. The controller may output a control signal to cause an adjustment of a configurable downhole component, such as mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic component that affects the operating parameter, while the drill bit remains in the wellbore. The controller may adjust a segmented transformer of a pulse-generating circuit, changing the number of primary winding switches that are fired, or the timing of the firing of the switches, to modify characteristics of the generated pulses. Adjusting a downhole component may affect the drilling rate, the drilling direction, the flow of drilling fluid, a pulse rise time, a pulse repetition rate, or a rate of penetration for the drilling operation.
E21B 7/15 - Drilling by use of heat, e.g. flame drilling of electrically generated heat
E21B 49/00 - Testing the nature of borehole wallsFormation testingMethods or apparatus for obtaining samples of soil or well fluids, specially adapted to earth drilling or wells
E21B 44/00 - Automatic control systems specially adapted for drilling operations, i.e. self-operating systems which function to carry out or modify a drilling operation without intervention of a human operator, e.g. computer-controlled drilling systemsSystems specially adapted for monitoring a plurality of drilling variables or conditions
E21B 21/06 - Arrangements for treating drilling fluids outside the borehole
E21B 47/12 - Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling
17.
DOWNHOLE RECONFIGURATION OF PULSED-POWER DRILLING SYSTEM COMPONENTS DURING PULSED DRILLING OPERATIONS
A disclosed pulsed-power drilling system includes a controller that receives and analyzes feedback from downhole components reflecting changing conditions or performance measurements associated with a pulsed drilling operation to determine that an operating parameter of the drilling operation should be modified. The controller may output a control signal to cause an adjustment of a configurable downhole component, such as mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic component that affects the operating parameter, while the drill bit remains in the wellbore. The controller may adjust a segmented transformer of a pulse-generating circuit, changing the number of primary winding switches that are fired, or the timing of the firing of the switches, to modify characteristics of the generated pulses. Adjusting a downhole component may affect the drilling rate, the drilling direction, the flow of drilling fluid, a pulse rise time, a pulse repetition rate, or a rate of penetration for the drilling operation.
E21B 47/18 - Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling using acoustic waves through the well fluid
E21B 44/00 - Automatic control systems specially adapted for drilling operations, i.e. self-operating systems which function to carry out or modify a drilling operation without intervention of a human operator, e.g. computer-controlled drilling systemsSystems specially adapted for monitoring a plurality of drilling variables or conditions
E21B 41/00 - Equipment or details not covered by groups
The present invention relates to HPMA-CBz copolymers and methods for treating certain diseases comprising administering the copolymers to a subject in need thereof.
A61K 47/58 - Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additivesTargeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent the modifying agent being an organic macromolecular compound, e.g. an oligomeric, polymeric or dendrimeric molecule obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. poly[meth]acrylate, polyacrylamide, polystyrene, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinylalcohol or polystyrene sulfonic acid resin
A61K 31/519 - PyrimidinesHydrogenated pyrimidines, e.g. trimethoprim ortho- or peri-condensed with heterocyclic rings
C08F 220/58 - Amides containing oxygen in addition to the carbonamido oxygen
A electrocrushing drill bit may include a bit body; an electrode coupled to a power source and the bit body, the electrode having a distal portion for engaging with a surface of a wellbore; a ground ring coupled to the bit body proximate to the electrode and having a distal portion for engaging with the surface of the wellbore, the electrode and the ground ring positioned in relation to each other such that an electric field produced by a voltage applied between the ground ring and the electrode is enhanced at a portion of the electrode proximate to the distal portion of the electrode and at a portion of the ground ring proximate to the distal portion of the ground ring; and an insulator coupled to the bit body between the electrode and the ground ring.
A downhole drilling system is disclosed. The downhole drilling system may include a pulse-generating circuit electrically coupled to a power source configured to provide an alternating current at a frequency and an input voltage, the pulse-generating circuit comprising an input stage circuit electrically coupled to the power source, the input stage circuit configured to control the alternating current in the pulse-generating circuit; a transformer circuit electrically coupled to the input stage circuit, the transformer circuit comprising an open-core transformer configured to generate an output voltage higher than the input voltage; and an output stage circuit electrically coupled to the transformer circuit, the output stage circuit configured to store energy for an electric pulse; and a drill bit including a first electrode and a second electrode electrically coupled to the output stage circuit to receive the electric pulse from the pulse-generating circuit.
A downhole drilling system is disclosed. The downhole drilling system may include a pulse-generating circuit electrically coupled to a power source configured to provide an alternating current at a frequency and an input voltage, the pulse-generating circuit comprising an input stage circuit electrically coupled to the power source, the input stage circuit configured to control the alternating current in the pulse-generating circuit; a transformer circuit electrically coupled to the input stage circuit, the transformer circuit comprising an open-core transformer configured to generate an output voltage higher than the input voltage; and an output stage circuit electrically coupled to the transformer circuit, the output stage circuit configured to store energy for an electric pulse; and a drill bit including a first electrode and a second electrode electrically coupled to the output stage circuit to receive the electric pulse from the pulse-generating circuit.
E21B 7/15 - Drilling by use of heat, e.g. flame drilling of electrically generated heat
H02M 5/12 - Conversion of AC power input into AC power output, e.g. for change of voltage, for change of frequency, for change of number of phases without intermediate conversion into DC by static converters using transformers for conversion of voltage or current amplitude only
22.
Resonant transformer for downhole electrocrushing drilling
A downhole drilling system is disclosed. The downhole drilling system may include a pulse-generating circuit electrically coupled to a power source to provide power at a frequency, the pulse-generating circuit comprising an input stage tank circuit electrically coupled to the power source, the input stage tank circuit configured to have a resonant frequency approximately equal to the frequency; a series tank circuit electromagnetically coupled to the input stage tank circuit, the series tank circuit configured to have a resonant frequency approximately equal to the frequency; and an output stage tank circuit electromagnetically coupled to the series tank circuit, the output stage tank circuit configured to have a resonant frequency approximately equal to the frequency; and a drill bit including a first electrode and a second electrode electrically coupled to the output stage tank circuit to receive an electric pulse from the pulse-generating circuit.
A drill bit for downhole electrocrushing drilling is disclosed. A electrocrushing drill bit may include a bit body; an electrode coupled to a power source and the bit body, the electrode having a distal portion for engaging with a surface of a wellbore; a ground ring coupled to the bit body proximate to the electrode and having a distal portion for engaging with the surface of the wellbore, the electrode and the ground ring positioned in relation to each other such that an electric field produced by a voltage applied between the ground ring and the electrode is enhanced at a portion of the electrode proximate to the distal portion of the electrode and at a portion of the ground ring proximate to the distal portion of the ground ring; and an insulator coupled to the bit body between the electrode and the ground ring.
A downhole drilling system is disclosed. The downhole drilling system may include a drill bit including a first electrode and a second electrode. The downhole drilling system may also include a pulse-generating circuit coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode. A capacitor within the pulse-generating circuit may include a plurality of electrode sheets and a plurality of dielectric sheets interleaved with the plurality of electrode sheets. Each of the dielectric sheets may include a composite material including a polymer matrix formed from a polymer component and a nanoparticle component that increases the dielectric constant of the composite material above that of the polymer component.
H01G 4/40 - Structural combinations of fixed capacitors with other electric elements not covered by this subclass, the structure mainly consisting of a capacitor, e.g. RC combinations
Electrocrushing drills and methods for operating electrocrushing drills. Electrocrushing drill bits comprise one or more high voltage electrodes surrounded by a ground or current return structure, which can be a ring or a comprise rod shaped electrodes. Openings in the rim of the current return structure facilitate removal of drilling debris and bubbles created by the electrocrushing process out from the bottom face of the bit and up the wellbore. The high voltage electrodes can be arranged in a circle. The current return structure may partially cover the bottom face of the drill bit, thereby enclosing the high voltage electrodes in openings that may be sector shaped. The drill may comprise one or more conducting loops, in each of which pulsed current creates a pulsed magnetic field. The loops can be oriented in particular directions to provide a pulsed magnetic field with the desired configuration and orientation in space. The formation ahead of the drill can then be evaluated with the appropriate sensors.
A downhole drilling system is disclosed. The downhole drilling system may include a pulse-generating circuit electrically coupled to a power source to provide power at a frequency, the pulse-generating circuit comprising an input stage tank circuit electrically coupled to the power source, the input stage tank circuit configured to have a resonant frequency approximately equal to the frequency; a series tank circuit electromagnetically coupled to the input stage tank circuit, the series tank circuit configured to have a resonant frequency approximately equal to the frequency; and an output stage tank circuit electromagnetically coupled to the series tank circuit, the output stage tank circuit configured to have a resonant frequency approximately equal to the frequency; and a drill bit including a first electrode and a second electrode electrically coupled to the output stage tank circuit to receive an electric pulse from the pulse-generating circuit.
A downhole drilling system is disclosed. The downhole drilling system may include a bottom-hole assembly having a pulse-generating circuit and a switching circuit within the pulse-generating circuit, the switching circuit comprising a solid-state switch. The downhole drilling system may also include a drill bit having a first electrode and a second electrode electrically coupled to the pulse-generating circuit to receive a pulse from the pulse-generating circuit.
A downhole drilling system is disclosed. The downhole drilling system may include a drill bit including a first electrode and a second electrode. The downhole drilling system may also include a pulse-generating circuit coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode. A capacitor within the pulse-generating circuit may include a plurality of electrode sheets and a plurality of dielectric sheets interleaved with the plurality of electrode sheets. Each of the dielectric sheets may include a composite material including a polymer matrix formed from a polymer component and a nanoparticle component that increases the dielectric constant of the composite material above that of the polymer component.
Electrocrushing drill bits comprising one or more high voltage electrodes surrounded by a ground or current return structure, which can be a ring or a comprise rod shaped (i.e. cylindrical) electrodes. Openings in the rim of the current return structure facilitate removal of drilling debris and bubbles created by the electrocrushing process out from the bottom face of the bit and up the wellbore. The high voltage electrodes can be arranged in a circle. The current return structure may partially cover the bottom face of the drill bit, thereby enclosing the high voltage electrodes in openings that may be sector shaped. Also a method and apparatus for dividing a flow of drilling fluid both to sweep drilling debris and bubbles out of the drill bit and hole and to cool high power electrical components.
Method and apparatus for isolating and switching lower voltage pulses from high voltage pulses in electrocrushing and electrohydraulic drills. A transformer with a high permeability core acts as a magnetic switch or saturating inductor to switch high voltage pulses to initiate an electrocrushing arc and lower voltage pulses to sustain the arc. The transformer isolates the lower voltage components from the high voltage pulses, and switches to deliver the low voltage current when the core saturates. The transformer enables impedance matching to the arc during all stages of drilling. The saturation time of the transformer core is the time delay between initiation of delivering the high voltage pulse and initiation of delivering the lower voltage current.
Method and apparatus for isolating and switching lower voltage pulses from high voltage pulses in electrocrushing and electrohydraulic drills. A transformer with a high permeability core acts as a magnetic switch or saturating inductor to switch high voltage pulses to initiate an electrocrushing arc and lower voltage pulses to sustain the arc. The transformer isolates the lower voltage components from the high voltage pulses, and switches to deliver the low voltage current when the core saturates. The transformer enables impedance matching to the arc during all stages of drilling. The saturation time of the transformer core is the time delay between initiation of delivering the high voltage pulse and initiation of delivering the lower voltage current.
A method and apparatus for breaking mineral particles comprising suspending the particles in a liquid flowing in a conduction path, the liquid comprising a dielectric constant higher than the particles and wherein an electric voltage pulse is sent to electrodes to pass an electric field in the mineral particles with sufficient stress to fracture the mineral particles.
Electrocrushing drills and methods for operating electrocrushing drills. Electrocrushing drill bits comprise one or more high voltage electrodes surrounded by a ground or current return structure, which can be a ring or a comprise rod shaped electrodes. Openings in the rim of the current return structure facilitate removal of drilling debris and bubbles created by the electrocrushing process out from the bottom face of the bit and up the wellbore. The high voltage electrodes can be arranged in a circle. The current return structure may partially cover the bottom face of the drill bit, thereby enclosing the high voltage electrodes in openings that may be sector shaped. Also a method and apparatus for interrupting communications between downhole data acquisition systems and a surface controller system during each drill pulse, thereby reducing noise. A direct connection between the two systems enables high speed communications, thereby improving safety by providing the operator with more advance warning of a possible blowout. Also a method and apparatus for dividing a flow of drilling fluid both to sweep drilling debris and bubbles out of the drill bit and hole and to cool high power electrical components.
Methods and apparatuses for directly charging capacitors In a down-hole pulsed power system used for electrocrushing drilling. An above ground power supply Is directly connected to the capacitors. The power supply can be a switching power supply, a DC supply, or an AC supply. Capacitor voltage is monitored and controlled. The system reduces noise caused by coupling control signal cables and the power cable, and does not have the ground swing control problems of other charging schemes. The power may alternatively be provided by microwave transmission.
The present invention provides for a method and apparatus for breaking mineral particles comprising suspending the particles in a liquid flowing in a conduction path, the liquid comprising a dielectric constant higher than the particles and wherein an electric voltage pulse is sent to electrodes to pass an electric field in the mineral particles with sufficient stress to fracture the mineral particles.
An apparatus and method for controlling power delivered to a pulsed power system which includes a command charge switch for controlling when power produced by a primary power system is fed into a cable. The command charge switch also controls the power delivered to the pulsed power system in a bottom hole assembly.
E21B 44/00 - Automatic control systems specially adapted for drilling operations, i.e. self-operating systems which function to carry out or modify a drilling operation without intervention of a human operator, e.g. computer-controlled drilling systemsSystems specially adapted for monitoring a plurality of drilling variables or conditions
37.
Apparatus and method for supplying electrical power to an electrocrushing drill
An apparatus and method for controlling power delivered to a pulsed power system which includes a command charge switch for controlling when power produced by a primary power system is fed into a cable. The command charge switch also controls the power delivered to the pulsed power system in a bottom hole assembly.
The present invention provides for a method and apparatus for breaking mineral particles comprising suspending the particles in a liquid flowing in a conduction path, the liquid comprising a dielectric constant higher than the particles and wherein an electric voltage pulse is sent to electrodes to pass an electric field in the mineral particles with sufficient stress to fracture the mineral particles.
The present invention provides for a method and apparatus for breaking mineral particles comprising suspending the particles in a liquid flowing in a conduction path, the liquid comprising a dielectric constant higher than the particles and wherein an electric voltage pulse is sent to electrodes to pass an electric field in the mineral particles with sufficient stress to fracture the mineral particles.
The present invention provides for pulsed powered drilling apparatuses and methods. A drilling apparatus is provided comprising a bit having one or more sets of electrodes through which a pulsed voltage is passed through a mineral substrate to create a crushing or drilling action.
The present invention provides for an assembly for creating a pressure pulse in a liquid-filled cavity within a fracturable material such as a boulder wherein the primary energy storage element is disposed in a transducer at the boulder to improve the coupling of energy between the energy storage unit and the fluid in the boulder.
The present invention provides for pulsed powered drilling apparatuses and methods. A drilling apparatus is provided comprising a bit having one or more sets of electrodes through which a pulsed voltage is passed through a mineral substrate to create a crushing or drilling action.
The present invention provides for a method and apparatus for breaking mineral particles comprising suspending the particles in a liquid flowing in a column, the liquid comprising a dielectric constant higher than the particles and wherein an electric voltage pulse is sent to electrodes to pass an electric field in the mineral particles with sufficient stress to fracture the mineral particles.
A pulsed power drilling apparatus and method for passing a pulsed electrical current through a substrate. A drill bit has at least two electrodes disposed thereon with the electrodes oriented to pass current through a substrate. A pulsed power generator passes pulsed current to the electrodes and through a substrate. A power source powers the pulsed generator and the electrical conduction circuit sends high-voltage pulses to the drill bit and an insulating drilling fluid having a dielectric strength of at least 300 kV/cm (one microsec, 1 .mu.).
The present invention provides for pulsed powered drilling apparatuses and methods. A drilling apparatus is provided comprising a bit having one or more sets of electrodes through which a pulsed voltage is passed through a mineral substrate to create a crushing or drilling action. The electrocrushing drilling process may have, but does not require, rotation of the bit. The electrocrushing drilling process is capable of excavating the hole out beyond the edges of the bit with or without the need of mechanical teeth.
The present invention provides for a method and apparatus for breaking mineral particles comprising suspending the particles in a liquid flowing in a conduction path, the liquid comprising a dielectric constant higher than the particles and wherein an electric voltage pulse is sent to electrodes to pass an electric field in the mineral particles with sufficient stress to fracture the mineral particles.
Electrocrushing drills and methods for operating electrocrushing drills. Electrocrushing drill bits comprise one or more high voltage electrodes surrounded by a ground or current return structure, which can be a ring or a comprise rod shaped electrodes. Openings in the rim of the current return structure facilitate removal of drilling debris and bubbles created by the electrocrushing process out from the bottom face of the bit and up the wellbore. The high voltage electrodes can be arranged in a circle. Also a method and apparatus for sensing and evaluating a formation ahead of the drill bit comprising one or more conducting loops with different orientations generating one or more pulsed magnetic fields ahead of the drill bit. Changing the current phasing through each of the loops can change the direction of the magnetic field produced.
E21B 7/15 - Drilling by use of heat, e.g. flame drilling of electrically generated heat
E21B 49/00 - Testing the nature of borehole wallsFormation testingMethods or apparatus for obtaining samples of soil or well fluids, specially adapted to earth drilling or wells
A downhole drilling system is disclosed. The downhole drilling system may include a bottom-hole assembly having a pulse-generating circuit and a switching circuit within the pulse-generating circuit, the switching circuit comprising a solid-state switch. The downhole drilling system may also include a drill bit having a first electrode and a second electrode electrically coupled to the pulse-generating circuit to receive a pulse from the pulse-generating circuit.
A downhole drilling system is disclosed. The downhole drilling system may include a pulse-generating circuit electrically coupled to a power source to provide power at a frequency, the pulse-generating circuit comprising an input stage tank circuit electrically coupled to the power source, the input stage tank circuit configured to have a resonant frequency approximately equal to the frequency; a series tank circuit electromagnetically coupled to the input stage tank circuit, the series tank circuit configured to have a resonant frequency approximately equal to the frequency; and an output stage tank circuit electromagnetically coupled to the series tank circuit, the output stage tank circuit configured to have a resonant frequency approximately equal to the frequency; and a drill bit including a first electrode and a second electrode electrically coupled to the output stage tank circuit to receive an electric pulse from the pulse-generating circuit.
A downhole drilling system is disclosed. The downhole drilling system may include a drill bit including a first electrode and a second electrode. The downhole drilling system may also include a pulse-generating circuit coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode. A capacitor within the pulse-generating circuit may include a plurality of electrode sheets and a plurality of dielectric sheets interleaved with the plurality of electrode sheets. Each of the dielectric sheets may include a composite material including a polymer matrix formed from a polymer component and a nanoparticle component that increases the dielectric constant of the composite material above that of the polymer component.
An apparatus comprises an electrode assembly positioned at a bottom end of a pulse power drill string to be positioned in a borehole formed in a subsurface formation. The electrode assembly comprises multiple electrodes, wherein at least a subset of the multiple electrodes is to periodically emit a pulse of an electrical discharge into the subsurface formation to drill the borehole. The electrode assembly comprises a controller configured to alter a direction of drilling of the borehole based on selection of the subset from the multiple electrodes, wherein an effective attribute of at least one electrode of the multiple electrodes is different than the effective attribute of other electrodes of the multiple electrodes, wherein the effective attribute comprises at least one of a shape and a size.
E21B 47/18 - Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling using acoustic waves through the well fluid
53.
REPETITIVE PULSED ELECTRIC DISCHARGE APPARATUS FOR DOWNHOLE FORMATION EVALUATION
Electrocrushing drills and methods for operating electrocrushing drills. Electrocrushing drill bits comprise one or more high voltage electrodes surrounded by a ground or current return structure, which can be a ring or a comprise rod shaped electrodes. Openings in the rim of the current return structure facilitate removal of drilling debris and bubbles created by the electrocrushing process out from the bottom face of the bit and up the wellbore. The high voltage electrodes can be arranged in a circle. Also a method and apparatus for sensing and evaluating a formation ahead of the drill bit comprising one or more conducting loops with different orientations generating one or more pulsed magnetic fields ahead of the drill bit. Changing the current phasing through each of the loops can change the direction of the magnetic field produced.
The present invention provides for pulsed power rock drilling apparatuses, systems, and methods and an electrical insulating fluid applicable to the embodiments disclosed.
Methods and configurable apparatuses for mining a vein using electrocrushing. The apparatus can be configured to match the size and shape of a vein, greatly reducing mining of the surrounding matrix and therefore the amount of material that is transported to the surface. The apparatus is modular, can be assembled underground, and can be propelled by retractable tractors. The apparatus is guided using a positioning and navigational system in accordance with the mine design. The apparatus can be steered by varying the pulse rates on different end effectors which produce the arc that fractures the vein, and sensors can minimize excavation of the surrounding matrix. The electrocrushing process produces cuttings that have already undergone the first stage of comminution to less than one inch in size, thus reducing operational costs. The apparatus can mine parallel slots in a vein, leaving support ribs in place between the slots.
Method and apparatus for isolating and switching lower voltage pulses from high voltage pulses in electrocrushing and electrohydraulic drills. A transformer with a high permeability core acts as a magnetic switch or saturating inductor to switch high voltage pulses to initiate an electrocrushing arc and lower voltage pulses to sustain the arc. The transformer isolates the lower voltage components from the high voltage pulses, and switches to deliver the low voltage current when the core saturates. The transformer enables impedance matching to the arc during all stages of drilling. The saturation time of the transformer core is the time delay between initiation of delivering the high voltage pulse and initiation of delivering the lower voltage current.
An apparatus comprises a sub-section of a pulse power drilling assembly including a transformer encircling a center flow tube through which a drilling mud is to flow for drilling a borehole into a subsurface formation based on periodic pulses of electrical discharges from the pulse power drilling assembly. The transformer comprises at least one primary winding that encircles the center flow tube; a core that encircles the at least one primary winding, wherein the core comprises an electrically non-conductive material; and at least one secondary winding that encircles the core.
E21B 47/01 - Devices for supporting measuring instruments on drill bits, pipes, rods or wirelinesProtecting measuring instruments in boreholes against heat, shock, pressure or the like
E21B 47/18 - Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling using acoustic waves through the well fluid
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