Active Vibration Damper Sub (AVD™)
APS's Active Vibration Damper (AVD™) sub* is a standalone downhole tool that autonomously adapts to changing downhole BHA motion in real time to minimize axial and torsional drill string vibration. The AVD has demonstrated 50% improvements in rate of penetration (ROP) and doubling of bit life in the field due to reduced vibration. Other downhole drill string components, like MWD / LWD tools, also benefit from lower vibration.
Structurally, the AVD is similar to a shock-sub, with the addition of a damper section that has programmable stiffness. The damper chamber is filled with a magneto-rheological fluid that has electronically-controlled viscosity. An integrated motion sensor measures displacement several times per second and changes the damping factor over a 7-to-1 range based on observed drilling conditions. By keeping tool string damping in the right range for current drilling conditions, the AVD significantly reduces vibration, maintaining the bit in better contact with the formation and increasing ROP.
The AVD may be run as a self-contained drilling tool with no calibration or other rig maintenance required. In this mode the AVD records vibration and pressure data for later download. Alternatively, the AVD may transmit data in real time when run in combination with APS's MWD system, third-party MWD tools or other drilling systems.
- * U.S. Patents #6,257,356 B1; #7,219,752; and #7,377,339
Download the AVD TDS for detailed Product Specifications.
TOP OF PAGE // Specifications subject to change without notice.
Wallingford 
