PROTECTION OF DOWNHOLE COMPONENTS FROM SHOCK AND VIBRATION
First Claim
1. A device for mitigating shock and vibration in downhole tools, the device comprising:
- a body including a cavity;
an insert having a first part located within the cavity and a second part located outside the cavity, the insert being spaced apart from the internal surface of the body to define a gap therebetween; and
an elastomer disposed within the gap such that the elastomer surrounds and contacts the first part of the insert and the internal surface walls of the body defining the cavity, the elastomer being configured to inhibit direct metal-to-metal contact between the body and the insert.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device, such as a snubber or shock absorber, for mitigating shock and vibration in downhole tools is provided. The device can have a body and an insert, which are separated by an elastomer to inhibit direct metal-to-metal contact therebetween. The insert has a projecting portion located within a cavity of the body. The elastomer is disposed within a gap between the insert and the internal surface walls of the cavity, and the elastomer surrounds and contacts the projecting portion and the walls. The elastomer may be molded, for example by flowing it into the cavity and subsequent hardening. Injection holes may be provided for molding. The projecting portion may be shaped to limit rotation upon failure of the elastomer and/or may include ribs and splines for shock absorption. The body may include a cap that contains the projecting portion to inhibit pull-apart.
12 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A device for mitigating shock and vibration in downhole tools, the device comprising:
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a body including a cavity; an insert having a first part located within the cavity and a second part located outside the cavity, the insert being spaced apart from the internal surface of the body to define a gap therebetween; and an elastomer disposed within the gap such that the elastomer surrounds and contacts the first part of the insert and the internal surface walls of the body defining the cavity, the elastomer being configured to inhibit direct metal-to-metal contact between the body and the insert. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A measurement while drilling (MWD) assembly comprising one or both of:
- at least one snubber and at least one shock absorber;
the at least one snubber being contained within sondes of the MWD assembly;
the at least one shock absorber contained within the MWD assembly;wherein the at least one snubber comprises; a body comprising a cavity; an insert having a first part located within the cavity and a second part located outside the cavity, the insert being spaced apart from the internal surface of the body to define a gap there between; and an elastomer disposed within said gap, such that the elastomer surrounds and contacts the first part of the insert and the internal surface walls of the body defining the cavity, thereby inhibiting direct metal-to-metal contact between the body and the insert; wherein the at least one shock absorber comprises; a second body comprising a cavity; a second insert having another first part located within the cavity and another second part located outside the cavity, the second insert being spaced apart from the internal surface of the second body to define a second gap there between; and a second elastomer disposed within said second gap, such that the second elastomer surrounds and contacts the first part of the second insert and the internal surface walls of the second body defining the cavity, thereby inhibiting direct metal-to-metal contact between the second body and the second insert; wherein the first part of the second insert includes a projecting portion comprising a first sub-portion having splines oriented along the longitudinal axis of the at least a portion of the projecting portion, the splines being aligned with corresponding longitudinal grooves formed in the internal surface walls of the second body defining the cavity, with the second elastomer disposed between the splines and the corresponding longitudinal grooves for absorbing torsional shock and/or vibration; the projecting portion further comprising a second sub-portion having ribs oriented circumferentially around the projecting portion, the ribs being aligned with corresponding circumferential grooves formed in the internal surface walls of the second body, with the elastomer disposed between the ribs and the corresponding circumferential grooves for absorbing axial shock and/or vibration.
- at least one snubber and at least one shock absorber;
Specification