Auto Indexer Auto-Indexer for Percussive Hammers: Vane Motor Dynamometer Testing

Objectives Options associated with geothermal drilling operations are generally limited by factors such as formation temperature and rock strength. The objective of the research is to expand the "tool box" available to the geothermal driller by furthering the development of a high-temperature drilling motor that can be used in directional drilling applications for drilling high temperature geothermal formations. The motor is specifically designed to operate in conjunction with a pneumatic down-the-hole-hammer. It provides a more compact design compared to traditional drilling motors such as PDMs (positive displacement motors). The packaging can help to enhance directional drilling capabilities. It uses no elastomeric components, which enables it to operate in higher temperatures (greater than 250 degrees F). Current work on the motor has shown that is a capable of operating under pneumatic power with a down-the-hole-hammer. Further development work will include continued testing and refining motor components and evaluating motor capabilities. Targets/Milestones Complete testing current motor - 12/31/2010 Make final material and design decisions - 01/31/2011 Build and test final prototype - 04/31/2011 Final demonstration - 07/31/2011 Impacts The development of the motor will help to achieve program technical objectives by improving well construction capabilities. This includes enabling high-temperature drilling as well as enhancing directional drilling. A key component in the auto indexer is the drive motor. It is an air-driven vane motor that converts the energy stored in the compressed air to mechanical energy. The motor is attached to hammer-like components which impart an impulsive load onto the drive shaft. The impulsive force on the drive shaft in turn creates an indexing action. A controlled test was performed to characterize the performance of the the vane motor for a given pressure. The Sandia dynamometer test station was used to determine the performance of the motor for a given input pressure.### 研究目标 地热钻井作业的可选方案通常受地层温度、岩石强度等因素制约。本研究旨在通过研发适用于高温地热地层定向钻井（directional drilling）作业的高温钻井马达，拓展地热钻井从业者的技术工具箱。 该马达专为配合气动潜孔锤（pneumatic down-the-hole-hammer）作业而设计，相较于正排量马达（PDMs, positive displacement motors）等传统钻井马达，结构更为紧凑。其封装设计可强化定向钻井能力，且未使用弹性体组件，因此可在250华氏度以上的高温环境下稳定运行。 当前针对该马达的研究已证实，其可配合潜孔锤以气动方式运行。后续研发工作将包括持续测试并优化马达组件，以及评估马达的各项性能。 ### 目标与里程碑 完成当前马达测试 —— 2010年12月31日 确定最终材料与设计方案 —— 2011年1月31日 制造并测试最终原型机 —— 2011年4月31日 完成最终演示 —— 2011年7月31日 ### 应用影响 该马达的研发将通过提升井眼建造能力，助力实现项目的技术目标，具体包括实现高温钻井作业并强化定向钻井能力。 自动分度器的核心组件为驱动马达，该驱动马达属于气动叶片式马达，可将压缩空气储存的能量转化为机械能。马达与类锤组件相连，可向驱动轴施加脉冲载荷，驱动轴受到的脉冲力进而产生分度动作。 为表征特定输入压力下叶片式马达的性能，研究开展了受控测试，并采用桑迪亚（Sandia）测功机测试台，以确定特定输入压力下马达的性能表现。