Indirect force measurement on a moveable element in a downhole tool

Abstract

A method comprises obtaining, via one or more pressure measurement devices, measurements of a pressure of a fluid when a force is applied to one or more elements of a downhole tool positioned in a wellbore formed in a subsurface formation. The method comprises determining the force applied to the one or more elements based on the pressure of the fluid.

1 . A method comprising:
 obtaining, via one or more pressure measurement devices, measurements of a pressure of a fluid when a force is applied to one or more elements of a downhole tool positioned in a wellbore formed in a subsurface formation; and   determining the force applied to the one or more elements based on the pressure of the fluid.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the downhole tool includes a fluid passage filled with the fluid, and wherein the fluid passage hydraulically couples a first element and a first pressure measurement device. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising:
 obtaining measurements of the fluid in the fluid passage when a force is applied to the first element, wherein the force causes a squeeze in the fluid in the fluid passage. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the downhole tool includes a fluid passage filled with the fluid, and wherein a first pressure measurement device is hydraulically coupled with a plurality of elements, via a fluid passage. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more pressure measurement devices include a pressure transducer. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more elements are not fixed on the downhole tool. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid includes hydraulic fluid. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the downhole tool includes a drill bit, a stabilizer, or a reamer. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more elements include a button, a cutter, a depth of cut control, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 designing one or more downhole tools based on the force applied to the one or more elements. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 performing a wellbore operation based on the force applied to the one or more elements. 
 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus comprising:
 one or more elements of a downhole tool, wherein the downhole tool is positioned in a wellbore formed in a subsurface formation; and   one or more pressure measurement devices configured to obtain measurements of a pressure of a fluid when a force is applied to the one or more elements, wherein the force applied to the one or more elements is determined based on the pressure of the fluid.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the downhole tool includes a fluid passage filled with the fluid, and wherein the fluid passage hydraulically couples a first element and a first pressure measurement device. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the downhole tool includes a fluid passage filled with the fluid, and wherein a first pressure measurement device is hydraulically coupled with a plurality of elements, via a fluid passage. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more pressure measurement devices include a pressure transducer. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more elements are not fixed on the downhole tool. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the downhole tool includes a drill bit, a stabilizer, or a reamer. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more elements include a button, a cutter, a depth of cut control, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         19 . A system comprising:
 a downhole tool to be positioned in a wellbore formed in a subsurface formation;   one or more elements positioned on the downhole tool; and   one or more pressure measurement devices configured to obtain measurements of a pressure of a fluid when a force is applied to the one or more elements, wherein the force applied to the one or more elements is determined based on the pressure of the fluid.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the downhole tool includes a fluid passage filled with the fluid, and wherein the fluid passage hydraulically couples a first element and a first pressure measurement device.