Electronically monitoring drilling conditions of a rotating control device during drilling operations

Abstract

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, a drilling system comprises a rotating control device (RCD). A plurality of sensors included in or in proximity to the RCD are configured to detect drilling conditions associated with the RCD during a drilling operation. A control system is configured to determine an adjustment to a drilling parameter based on the drilling conditions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drilling system, comprising:
 a rotating control device (RCD);   a plurality of sensors included in or in proximity to the RCD, each of the sensors configured to detect a drilling condition associated with the RCD during a drilling operation; and   a control system configured to determine an adjustment to a drilling parameter during drilling operations based on the detected drilling conditions.   
     
     
         2 . The drilling system of  claim 1 , wherein the detected drilling conditions are selected from the group consisting of pressure, temperature, flow rate, vibration, position, torque, strain and tool joint count. 
     
     
         3 . The drilling system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensors are selected from the group consisting of a pressure transducer, a temperature transducer, a thermocouple, a proximity sensor, a distance sensor, an accelerometer and a strain gauge. 
     
     
         4 . The drilling system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensors are included in or in proximity to a seal element of the RCD. 
     
     
         5 . The drilling system of  claim 4 , wherein the seal element comprises a plurality of seals and each of the plurality of seals is included in or in proximity to at least one of the plurality of sensors. 
     
     
         6 . The drilling system of  claim 4 , wherein the control system is further configured to calculate an estimated lifetime of the seal element based on the detected drilling conditions. 
     
     
         7 . The drilling system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensors are included in or in proximity to a bearing assembly of the RCD. 
     
     
         8 . The drilling system of  claim 7 , wherein the control system is further configured to calculate an estimated lifetime of bearings in the bearing assembly based on the detected drilling conditions. 
     
     
         9 . The drilling system of  claim 7 , wherein the control system is further configured to calculate revolutions per minute of the bearing assembly based on the detected drilling conditions. 
     
     
         10 . The drilling system of  claim 7 , wherein the control system is further configured to calculate rate of penetration of the drill string based on the detected drilling conditions. 
     
     
         11 . The drilling system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensors are included in or in proximity to a latch assembly of the RCD. 
     
     
         12 . The drilling system of  claim 11 , wherein the control system is further configured to determine engagement of latch assembly based on the detected drilling conditions. 
     
     
         13 . The drilling system of  claim 1 , wherein one of the plurality of sensors is included in or in proximity to a casing collar locator (CCL). 
     
     
         14 . A method comprising:
 measuring a plurality of drilling conditions by a plurality of sensors included in or in proximity to a rotational control device (RCD) of a drilling system during drilling operations;   communicating the plurality of drilling conditions to a processing system;   analyzing the drilling conditions by the processing system;   generating an alarm based on the analyzed drilling conditions; and   adjusting a drilling parameter based on the alarm.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the drilling parameter is adjusted by an operator of the drilling system. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the drilling parameter is automatically adjusted by the processing system. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising storing at least one of the drilling conditions communicated to the processing system and the alarm. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one of the drilling conditions communicated to the processing system and the alarm are stored with a time stamp. 
     
     
         19 . A rotational control device comprising:
 a body including a first sensor;   a seal element configured to seal an annulus between the body and a drill string of a drilling system, the seal element including a second sensor; and   a bearing assembly coupled to the seal element to facilitate motion of the drill string relative to the body, the bearing assembly comprising a third sensor.   
     
     
         20 . The rotational control device of  claim 19 , further comprising a latch assembly, the latch assembly comprising a fourth sensor and a remotely operable hydraulic clamp or latch to selectively secure and release the bearing assembly relative to the body.